Have new CF-19 MK5, thinking about Gobi/GPS, options?

[oliver26n]

Hi everyone, it's been a long time since I posted on notebookreview. Purchased a new CF-19 mk5 a couple weeks ago. Very nice machine, though I have yet to start using it on a daily basis (mostly just admiring it right now). It didn't come with gps or gobi, and now I am thinking about adding one or the other (after I install the emissive keyboard, once it comes in). Is adding a GPS-only kit going to result in a better GPS signal than adding a Gobi module and using its built-in GPS? This is the GPS I was considering:

Toughbook GPS kit - Special Edition - CF-29 CF-19 CF-30 | eBay

Looks like Gobi 2000 is the only Gobi option? I was looking at this kit:

Upg Gobi2000 Field For Cf-19 Mk5 19GOBI2FU2 - Buy Panasonic Wireless Networking Wireless Devices | PCNation.com

Since it's called a field upgrade kit, I figured it can't be too hard to install this? I've done a lot of work on thinkpads, including installing a wwan slot ssd in a x220 tablet. I also figure the mk5 procedure is similar to the mk4 procedure, so some people here can offer opinions? Thanks!!!!

[Alecgold]

Congratulations on such a nice laptop!! I have also a cf-19, with dual screen and wwan. I upgraded the hdd with a intel 320 600gb ssd I got "cheap". So far it hasn't been the fastest laptop I ever owned but it woks really nice and does everything I want from it. And I can work with it outside, rain or sunshine! There are two updates I want to do, first is upgrade memory to 8gb, second but that will have to wait some time is to update the keyboard to a backlit one. I now have the standard non-backlit, but I'm so used to backlit I want it back.

There is a new Ericsson card that is factory installed in my mk5. Iirc its a quite common card. It works quite nice for wwan but also for gps. At least for me. I use navigator 11 as an addition to a tomtom.
Updating 19 with a gps or a wwan is certainly not a field update. It's doable with the right instructions, but not something I would want to do outside.

[BaRRmaley]

oliver26n, I've installed Sierra MC8780 and got WWAN (HSDPA) and very good GPS receiver (inside of this modem).
It's USD 30
Installation is very simple - 5 minutes max
Driver works with GPS natively.
Good luck!

[oliver26n]

Question is, is Gobi even worth it? I don't want to get a contract data plan, was hoping for prepaid data, but the choices in the US seemed to have gotten worse, and more expensive, instead of better & cheaper. Right now, I tether a Sprint smartphone for data, and it works well, but it's a hassle compared to a built-in solution.

[Alecgold]

Barrmaley, how's the ssd in your cf-19f? Very noticeable difference?

Tethering is usually forbidden by the provider. If you use it a lot they usually send a warning email and if your not confirming to that they end your contract or squeeze the speed.

In the UK I had a three mifi, costed £70 with 3gb data. Good coverage in London and a lot of data for not too much money (topping up was £10 per gb iirc).
In Holland I have a plan (way cheaper than prepaid) and still I'm paying €20 per month for 500gb. Ouch.

The 3G in my cf-19 accepts sim-cards, so I can change to whatever plan or prepaid I want to.

Build in is easy indeed. Click to make a connection, type the pincode et voila, Internet wherever you have enough signal. Quite nice.
The "only" other solution is a mifi, it works and the advantage is that you can tether usually 4 devices to it! Really nice for holidays with multiple phones and laptops.

[oliver26n]

The more I read up on Gobi and (more importantly), the frightening cost of data plans here in the US, the less I like this option. My question is though, is the Gobi card GPS as effective as the standalone GPS cards? Assume both are going to be connected to antennas. It'd be nice to have Gobi if I wanted to use it some day, but use the GPS feature in the meantime.

As for data tethering (Alecgold), I don't download gigabytes of data or anything, so far, no noise from my carrier (Sprint). I've tethered for years.

[Kardan]

... is the Gobi card GPS as effective as the standalone GPS cards? Assume both are going to be connected to antennas. It'd be nice to have Gobi if I wanted to use it some day, but use the GPS feature in the meantime.

Hi Oliver, welcome back! I'm with you on the GOBI -- purchased a new CF-19 Mk.4 recently, already had a MiFi for the family so didn't activate the GOBI but heard it could provide GPS. I called Panasonic last week and asked your questions. According to them...
1. GOBI GPS isn't as accurate as their optional GPS.
2. Tech service guy hadn't heard about being able to activate just the GPS but would check on it this week and get back to me (I'll post his reply to you in this thread).
I stumbled across some more info in a FAQ on the Panasonic site where they say GPS is a feature of GOBI but Panasonic had chose not to activate it "at this time". It was an old FAQ so not sure what this means - but doesn't sound hopeful. More to follow...

[oliver26n]

Hi Kardan,

thanks for the info; that's what I was looking for! I think I'll just go with the discrete GPS module for now.

[BaRRmaley]

Barrmaley, how's the ssd in your cf-19f? Very noticeable difference?

Yes, very noticeable difference in performance
And now I can sleep on my CF-19 (on the beach etc) without hearing HDD noise

Re: GPS
I think Panasonic can't answer their standalone GPS is not recommended - they can sell both standalone GPS and modem GPS in one PC.. it's money
Modern 3G chipsets really have very sensitive GPS receivers. Often much better than any standalone ones. And A-GPS helps. My Motorola Droid 3 gets more than 10 satellites in first 5 seconds (cold start)! It's fantastic.

[Alecgold]

Just a question, I have the mk5 myself and in the bios, there is a line called "optional kit configuration". When I want to enter that submenu it asks for a password. It's not my bios-password, it's not blank, but what is that
password? I think I need it to setup a fingerprintreader or dedicated GPS?!