Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 11-12-2017, 16:46   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 188
Any Panasonic Toughbook Laptop Fans Out There?

I just retired my CF-29 and ordered a new CF-31 with internal GPS and 4G LTE radios and a backlit keyboard. The daylight viewable screen is a joy and the docking station will keep it in place even in a capsize. They are not cheap but my last one outlasted 4 other laptops. Being able to use it in the cockpit in the rain as a backup chartplotter is a nice perk. This is a review of an older model (mine is an i7 with 16gig of ram and a 1 Tb SSD) but is a good description of why owners love them...

https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/la...oughbook-cf-31
Alberg30Shill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2017, 18:16   #2
Registered User
 
Reefmagnet's Avatar

Join Date: May 2008
Location: puɐןsuǝǝnb 'ʎɐʞɔɐɯ
Boat: Nantucket Island 33
Posts: 4,864
Re: Any Panasonic Toughbook Laptop Fans Out There?

I used to be a fan of the toughbook until mine was rendered never quite as functional as new after sloshing in water on the salon floor for an hour or two during a particularly rough trip. It was then I realised that they rely upon a number of little rubber flap doors to maintain a degree of water tightness and dopey me had left one open in order to accommodate a wireless mouse dongle. Kudos though, it was only the battery charging circuitry that died. Everything else seemed to work again after drying out in the sun for a day or two. Of course they are low performance compared to most other laptops and even more so when factoring purchase cost. My "new" solution is a NUC anchored high and dry inside the cabin configured with VNC to allow a waterproof phone or tablet access to chartplotting functions when outside in bad weather in the event that the dedicated chartplotter packs it in (which also has remote connectivity via phones and tablets, but not PC's).
Reefmagnet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2017, 19:59   #3
Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 188
Re: Any Panasonic Toughbook Laptop Fans Out There?

Yeh, those waterproof doors have a new locking system now. I have a fixed system too (12v fanless i7 with 32 inch LCD) but if you want/need a laptop they are tough to beat :-) here's a short vid of the new door version being dunked.... https://youtu.be/jEpq5hs2mMs

As you can see, the new ones are submersible!
Alberg30Shill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-12-2017, 06:09   #4
Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 188
Re: Any Panasonic Toughbook Laptop Fans Out There?

I just provided the sales guys phone number from the reseller via PM to someone. Happy to do the same for others. Flawless knowledgable service.

Here's the truly wild video they were playing on the Toughbook above of one being dragged by a 4 wheeler!!! https://youtu.be/0n6mX8Q1waA
Alberg30Shill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-12-2017, 18:03   #5
Marine Service Provider
 
jefndeb's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Annapolis, Maryland
Boat: Oday 28
Posts: 477
Images: 4
Re: Any Panasonic Toughbook Laptop Fans Out There?

If anybody is looking for batteries for the cf-73, which are almost non existent..there are four new on eBay..I bought one..should buy them all...
jefndeb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-12-2017, 18:33   #6
Registered User
 
Island Time O25's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,027
Re: Any Panasonic Toughbook Laptop Fans Out There?

Still using CF-29. When I got it used, 5 years ago for $40, I foolishly replaced Windows XP with Windows 7, making it excruciatingly slow. Been thinking of going back to XP if Open CPN can be used with XP. Otherwise will keep suffering the slow speed. Other than that I think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. One complaint though - it only has 1 USB port and even that is awkward to use with most sticks. I'm using a short extension cord to remedy that deficiency.
Island Time O25 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-12-2017, 18:56   #7
Registered User
 
Reefmagnet's Avatar

Join Date: May 2008
Location: puɐןsuǝǝnb 'ʎɐʞɔɐɯ
Boat: Nantucket Island 33
Posts: 4,864
Re: Any Panasonic Toughbook Laptop Fans Out There?

Try linux mint and replace the hard disc with a cheap SSD to bring it up to speed.
Reefmagnet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30-12-2017, 07:09   #8
Marine Service Provider
 
AA3JY's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Kimberton,Pa.
Boat: Cabo Rico 34
Posts: 1,024
Re: Any Panasonic Toughbook Laptop Fans Out There?

Still using a CF-28..but need a good source for a new battery
AA3JY is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
laptop

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
For Sale: Panasonic Toughbook CF-19 w/ GPS + 12v adaptor sully75 General Classifieds (no boats) 17 09-12-2016 22:25
Panasonic Toughbook - Chartplotter etc - Any Good ? David_Old_Jersey Navigation 15 23-07-2013 21:47
Hella Fans Caframo Fans Brushless Fans cat man do Construction, Maintenance & Refit 37 05-09-2012 00:45
Are There Any Dean Aeros Out There ? niel12 Multihull Sailboats 10 18-08-2012 18:30
Panasonic Toughbook VDL-02 Monitor Karl in NY Navigation 0 24-07-2012 17:05

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:02.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.