Outdoor Adventure USA

Nice setup...

I originally used a CF-29 Toughbook, but had issues with some of the navigation programs locking up in the field because of limited ram (1.2G ram @ 1.6Mhz Centrino) w/ 600Mhz buss) - so let us know how it works for you.

I changed to a CF-30 w/ Dual Core processor and 4G ram w/ 800mhz buss - waaaay faster, and it has a much better time running multiple mapping programs concurrently when in the field. I also loaded all the manuals for every device, including the full service manual for the FJC itself...

I use a Ram mount - I think it is much sturdier and more flexible than the Jotto mount, but others have found it to be more bulky. I can say for certain that it works flawlessly in the field - even when the off-roading gets rough, the laptop stays put.

Larry, did you have any issues with Overland Navigator on the? I have only ran it solo, but for only about an hour so far. I have had no problems with it freezing while tracking... so far. I am concerned with the specs of computer, but when the opportunity presented it's self for the CF-28 at 75.00 I had to jump on it. I'm going to go with the Ram Mount too.

Salad man, I scored my Toughbook through a friend at a Hamfest in Peoria, IL. If you're looking it turns out these CF-28 can be picked up for under 200 bucks, most of them do not have have hard drive caddies though. Caddies can be found on ebay, or through Bob Johnson Computers which is were I got mine. A lot of the caddies on ebay don't include the connection cables either. People part them out and sell them at a premium, it's really hit or miss on there. Bob Johnson Computers sells their caddies with the gel packs, heater, and cables.

Ebay has lots of 28's and 29's for good prices. I plan on running this 28 for a while then upgrading to a 29. If you decide to pull the trigger, at a the very least look for the CF-28mkIII it is 1g processor, while the MKII is 800 and MKI, 600.

Disclaimer: I am in no way a computer expert, especially the PC world. I have been using Mac OS since 2002 so this is my first windows machine in 9 years. So if anyone follows suit with a 28 because I did, and it donst work... I'm sorry, I may have just gotten lucky. Of all the forums I checked and no one else is using a CF-28 in this manner. Lots of 29's and 30's though, but the the 28 comes at a fraction of the price.
CHEERS!

I think I might pick one up up, my girlfriend needs a laptop for school anyway so if I dont like the results she can have it, ha ha. Do you plan on going to the Bass Pro Shops meet and greet, maybe I will see you there and you can take me for spin and show me how it performs.

salad_man wrote:I think I might pick one up up, my girlfriend needs a laptop for school anyway so if I dont like the results she can have it, ha ha. Do you plan on going to the Bass Pro Shops meet and greet, maybe I will see you there and you can take me for spin and show me how it performs.

I'll be there. I am leaving for Memphis next week and plan on running it pretty much the whole time. That will be around 60 hours of run time. If there are no hang ups on our trip, I'm going to be stoked! Not that I think there will be either. But I'll be putting it through the paces while the wife drives too, like running both Street Atlas, and Overland Navigator in conjunction with Ham Radio Deluxe.

Willie H wrote: But I'll be putting it through the paces while the wife drives too, like running both Street Atlas, and Overland Navigator in conjunction with Ham Radio Deluxe.

What is Ham Radio Deluxe????

From the website:

"Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD) is a suite of free Windows programs providing computer control for commonly used transceivers and receivers. HRD also includes mapping, satellite tracking and the digital mode program Digital Master 780 (DM780).

HRD is designed for Windows 2000 or higher (XP, Vista, 7), also Internet Explorer 6.0 (or higher) is required. It may work with Windows 98 but this is not supported. The policy is to support Windows versions which are supported by Microsoft."


http://www.ham-radio-deluxe.com/

I'll put this in the Communications thread too.

Just got home from All Pro with new coils, rear LCA's and brake lines. Time to fix that saggy rear end, and beef up some parts.

Nice, I had a major sag in the rear end of my 93 4runner that I fixed, ha ha

Willie H wrote:Just got home from All Pro with new coils, rear LCA's and brake lines. Time to fix that saggy rear end, and beef up some parts.

Which coils did you go with?

All pro 2". If this don't work fully loaded I'm going to add the spacers.