 | Home > Off Topic > RAM Toughbook laptop mount |
 
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| Lorryman100 Member Since: 01 Oct 2010 Location: Here Posts: 2686  |
Does any one use a RAM laptop mount fitted in their Puma? I have a Toughbook CF-29 and as it is getting old I am going to replace it with a newer model, the CF-31. Now RAM mount do a docking station which will work with both of the toughbooks so it means that the CF-29 can still be used as a sole diagnostic laptop for my IDS/VCM and MSV2 systems. The thing is.... at US$520 for the docking station and another $150 for the actual mount, is it worth it and does it take up a lot of space in the cab, and does it support the weight of the toughbooks with no issues? Anybody have one fitted in their Puma? If so can I see some pics of your install? If anyone has used the ram mounts for any laptop I would value any feedback and pictures of your installation if you would be so kind, thanks.
RAM Composite Tough-Dock Brian |
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30th Jul 2012 3:15pm |
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| Lorryman100 Member Since: 01 Oct 2010 Location: Here Posts: 2686 |
You have me thinking now about the CF-19 instead of the 31!! The biggest problem with the 29 and 31 is their size compared to the 19. I normally just set the toughbook on the top of the cubby box when a tool is plugged into it for live data as I can see the data and my elbow holds it in place, not that it moves as they are a heavy bit of kit.
 Click image to enlarge This is not ideal as I can't safely use it with the GPS function or for anything else, to be legal that is. I thought of using the dock and the RAM two arm mount so that it is mounted at about the same level as the below pics but can be swung back above the cubby box when not in use or an even better option would be into the rear seating area. I can't block the passenger seat with it mounted anywhere in that area as it would annoy the heckers out of my missus. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge When the screen is up I can see out the windscreen with no obstruction from the toughbook and I can see the nearside mirror. It is a bit hard to show this in a pic whilst holding the laptop in one hand and a camera in the other. I may have to rethink this now as the idea of the RAM mount only became feasible with the two toughbooks using the same docking mount. If I go with an 19 then I would not spend the money on this mount just for using the 29 as a diagnostic tool. Ah well another trip into the shop to look at the CF-19 instead. Does the 19 have a rs232 port? Brian. |
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30th Jul 2012 7:19pm |
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| Glynparry25 Member Since: 16 Feb 2009 Location: Miserable Midlands Posts: 3015  
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All makes sense.
here is the seating of the 19........ Click image to enlarge I do like the larger toughbooks, but without the ability to turn it into a tablet it was the same as a normal laptop but a bit tougher. I also don't want to clutter up the higher space- I tend to have a passenger (she prefers the word 'girlfriend') so don't want to encroach on her area. The gf is now getting much better at navigation and fully able on memory map so a dock that was visible to the passenger seat and not the driver would still be ok....... providing she was there. I like the idea of in the middle in the same way as having a map. I don't need it for 'Turn left in 200m' kind of style. it is more like stop, look, plan the next mile or 2 and then head out... Look at a CF-19... not a whole lot smaller than the 31 and so much more versatile..... More expensive though 
Glyn  :sheep:
Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  |
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30th Jul 2012 7:51pm |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069 
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I have a toughbook tray and a ram mount ball fitted to the grab handle on my puma, works a treat.
the ball ... then there's an adjustable arm to swing it into view Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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30th Jul 2012 8:05pm |
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| Lorryman100 Member Since: 01 Oct 2010 Location: Here Posts: 2686 |
That looks a good way of doing it Glyn. Unfortunately I need the safe and cubby box fitted for all the crap I seem to gather/need? I may have to look at the 19 in a similar mount as the 31 though there is only about 3" difference in size between them so may just go with the 31 mount idea and see how it looks/works.
I like the simplicity of your mounting method bpman. I don't think the missus would be too impressed with it mounted there though, I can already picture/hear the moans in my mind about the limited/no access to her very own, personal use only, glove box. 
Brian. |
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30th Jul 2012 8:38pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8580 
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Brian, what weight is your tough book?
Weight of item determines the ball size to use. Max weight to be carried is 9 kg on Ram E or 3.38" 6.75 kg on ram D 2.25" 4.5 kg on Ram or 1.5" Hope that info helps Brendan |
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30th Jul 2012 8:51pm |
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| Lorryman100 Member Since: 01 Oct 2010 Location: Here Posts: 2686 |
Cheers Brendan, I tend to use the 1.5 ball mounts on the boats for the electronic gear, GPS, VHF radio and fishfinder as I only then need one set of gizmos which are easily transferable, but as the laptop weighs close to 4 kilos I would prefer to use the E mount for the extra weight it can carry. Plus if I decide on the double swing arm it uses the 3.86 ball as standard.
So it would be this: http://www.rammount.com/CatalogResults/Par...fault.aspx Mounted onto this swing arm http://www.rammount.com/CatalogResults/Par...fault.aspx Brian. |
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30th Jul 2012 9:00pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8580
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That swing arm is not currently available in the UK.
If you do go down that route I would be interested in some photos on the set up if you do not mind. Brendan |
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30th Jul 2012 9:37pm |
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| Lorryman100 Member Since: 01 Oct 2010 Location: Here Posts: 2686 |
Will do Brendan.
 The thing is that Glyn has now got me swithering over the CF-19 instead of the CF-31  |
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30th Jul 2012 9:45pm |
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| Lorryman100 Member Since: 01 Oct 2010 Location: Here Posts: 2686 |
Just found a vid on the RAM dock.....totally undecided on which system to go for now
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30th Jul 2012 10:10pm |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069
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I have a cf18 - love it, especially the ability to transform from PC to Tablet and back again.
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31st Jul 2012 6:17am |
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| wslr Member Since: 18 Jul 2010 Location: Wellington, Somerset Posts: 581
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Brian: Panasonic have released the CF-D1 which is just a tablet with the i5 processor. Recent JLR admin bulletins are suggesting this for future IDS/SDD hardware and support when SDD2 is released soon. May be lighter, but you won't have a keyboard.
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31st Jul 2012 8:08am |
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| Lorryman100 Member Since: 01 Oct 2010 Location: Here Posts: 2686 |
Richard,
I did think about the tablet as I will be getting SDD at some point as I already pay the yearly Topix subscription and IDS is no longer supported. But for now all I am wanting to do is to upgrade my laptop to the new model and it just so happens that if I get a RAM dock it will work with both laptops without any mods. That way the CF-29 will just be used for diagnostic tools and the CF-31 would be my new everyday laptop for browsing, music, vids etc. Are you getting the new CF-D1 for your workshop? I may at a later date be interested in getting a full windows enabled tablet and the price of the D1 is a big saving on the 31 and 19 models. If you get one will you let me know what your techs think of it when running SDD in the workshop? Regards Brian. |
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31st Jul 2012 10:29am |
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| wslr Member Since: 18 Jul 2010 Location: Wellington, Somerset Posts: 581
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I've got a CF-29 which has the CD-ROM fitted so I can use T4. Works really well and fast with the touchscreen with the added bonus of a strong chassis. I started by using a Dell which Omitec supplied with the T4 package, but just lifting it around the vehicles caused the whole thing to twist, so Jon (Allyv8 on that other forum) suggested a Toughbook. That's why I won't buy anything else now.
I got a CF-18 for the IDS/SDD system, but like the CF-29, it was purchased second hand and it has some issues with the touchscreen every now and again. Other than that, it is much smaller and lighter than the CF-29 lump. The last few times I've gone through First Option to JLR Support, the guys there have told me I need to upgrade from the CF-18 to something with the i5 processor in it. Not sure if you've got past the First Option team to the big guns, but they are very, very good to talk to. Even a semi-rugged Toughbook (CF-52/53???) was suggested. I only noticed that last December there was an Admin Bulletin on TOPIx outlining the CF-D1 and yes, it is about a grand cheaper than the CF-19. I see SDD2 is about to launch, as the promotional videos have been put up on TOPIx, so I would think that this would be for faster processors with Windows7 OS? Hence the hardware specs changing. Have you been running the older versions of IDS/IDS Legacy at the moment - DVD124??? If you subscribe to SDD, IIRC it will be around £700 a year support and upgrades (on top of the TOPIx subscription), although it still works out similar to Autologic. I'm not sure where to go at the moment, Brian. I'm considering a used CF-19Mk5 from eBay, but think that actually, a CF-D1 may actually work quite well with the size, price and weight. |
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31st Jul 2012 11:01am |
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