| Iogear Bluetooth to USB Adapter |
 enlarge
|
Model: GBU301
Brand: Iogear
Manufacturer: IOGEAR
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 21
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Bluetooth
|
|
|
| |
| Features: |
Allows any computer with USB connections to become a Bluetooth enabled computer
Enables your computer to connect to your Bluetooth printer and Bluetooth enabled mobile devices wirelessly
Enables wireless Personal Area Network (PAN) connectivity
Bluetooth 1.1 compliant, USB 1.1 compliant
PC and Mac compatible |
| |
| Description: |
| IOGEAR's Bluetooth to USB Adapter allows any computer with USB connections to become a Bluetooth enabled computer, and communicate with other Bluetooth enabled computers and devices without cable connections. It complies with Bluetooth 1.1 and USB 1.1 specifications, and provides users with a 723 Kbps data rate at ranges up to 330 feet. It also enables wireless Personal Area Network (PAN) connectivity to Bluetooth enabled devices such as PDA's, printers, cellular phones, computers, etc. |
| |
| User Reviews (21 total): |
Page 1 2 of Total 2 Pages
|
Iogear Bluetooth USB Adapter, April 27, 2005
By Jordan (Georgia Vermont)
Well I just got this the other day I think that this is great product with all the features it has ie: Bluetooth file sharing, Bluetooth "pairing" and internet connection sharing (which I am still trying to figure). I have a palmone zire 72 w/ Bluetooth and so this is great to link my pda with my bluetooth enabled computer. If I do not Figure-out how to share my internet then it was not a waste of money because it's still much cooler that using a usb cable and hotsyning it with my pda, now I can roam around my house as much as I would like. The distance is good so far even tho I haven't really "tested" it so for a little recap I'd say it's a good product for what is does and is sopossed to do....oh and btw I got this for free with the palmone pays back program so if anyone is thinking about it go for it. **Update** the cover came off of this and I found the "hidden" blinking blue light never knew there was one but surprissingly it still works and it even bent the usb plug...and I figured out the ICS and it works nicely! good bluetooth dongle for the price (free!!)
|
Works great with Nokia 6230, March 5, 2005
By N. Downing (Houston, TX USA)
I got this a Fry's Electronics today ($29.95). Works great. Easy to setup. It works with the Nokia 6230. Synchonrization was simple with Nokia PC Suite software.
|
Don't misjudge it by it's size!, January 21, 2005
By Philip Ong (Brooklyn, NY United States)
I bought this USB bluetooth from B&H. The sales person recommended me this and I took his word for it since he seems knowledgeable.I also like him for not pushing the more expensive ones. Thankfully he was correct I couldn't be happier with his recommendation. I used this with my Belkin GPS and the connection was much stronger and more constant then Belkin's own FlashCard Bluetooth even at a great distance.It was rated at 330 ft but I had never tried it at that distance so far. Works pretty good at 100 ft. I returned Belkin's CF blue tooth because its a CF2 and my pda cannot accept CF2. I like the form factor of the Iogear USB Bluetooth best it's so small my thumb is bigger then it and it's MAC compatible too. I can now share this between my PC and MAC. I am very pleased with it and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Incidentally I am glad I did not read the 1st review before buying as I would have swayed. I installed the driver without a hitch and I am also using Window 2000 on my laptop. Probably the 1st user didn't know how to install it properly. It works like a clock so far. I have 7 days to try out but so far everything has been going on rosy!
|
Good, but a pitfall exists on installation., January 15, 2005
By Shige
I bought this product just to work with Plantoronics Bluetooth Headset and Sony T610 cell phone. Both worked fine, no problem. But there is a pitfall during the installation on my Windows XP (SP1). After the installation of softwares, the bluetooth icon in the system tray did not turn white though I plugged the adaptor into a USB port. I wrote how I could fix it below.
1. In the device manager, "update" the driver named "Cambridge Silion Radio Ltd. Bluetooth adaptor" in the category of "Bluetooth Products."
2. In this wizard, select "do not search" then choose "driver from the list."
3. From the list, select "IOGEAR Bluetooth USB device."
The expression on the screen may be different since my Windows is not English version. I hope this will help someone with the installation.
|
Works well - most of the time, October 25, 2004
By TJD (USA)
I bought this without ever having used any Bluetooth devices at all. My intention was to use a wireless earpiece and VoIP service.
The install went well and I was able to discover and pair the device. The range is good. The earpiece is not class 1, so the range shouldn't be as quoted, but I could wander all around the house with no problem.
The only issues I have is using this with XP (SP1) and switching between user accounts. When I switched out of my account to another and then back again, I couldn't connected the card to the earpiece. Worse though, I couldn't get to card to rescan for devices. I found that sometimes I could shutdown the BT card, remove it and restart it. Then I could get it to rescan. Alternatively, logging out and logging back in fixed the problem, but that's not really what I was looking for. It's possible that there is some forced reset/rescan option I missed, but if so, it should be more obvious!
If you don't intend to change user accounts, then this is fine. Otherwise be warned.
|
It's like taking candy from a baby....., May 26, 2004
By TROOPER (Chicago, IL United States)
I was iffy as to wether I should purchase this adapter after having read some of the reviews and looking over the ratings. I decided to take a chance, seeing that most negative reviews showed some for of misunderstanding on the buyer's behalf. Either it seemed like they did not know how to properly install it, or did not bother to check the compatibility list. I'm glad I took that chance. This device is great! It works great, it has a slick, compact, and low-profile look. It definetely works within a typical apartment/house. I have taken this as far out as 210 feet with no problems whatsoever. It DEFINETELY works with your typical HP/COMPAQ dekstop and it is compatible with all Blutetooth enabled Pocket PC's from HP/COMPAQ. My wife has a 1945, it works. I have a 3975, it works. My buddy has a 5555, it works. My mother has a 3870, it works. Don't be fooled by others mistakes. I have yet to test it with a cell phone. I myself don't own a bluetooth enabled phone, and I don't know many people who do. Notebooks work too. My COMPAQ Evo worked great (you need to adapter's for this) The range is great, and the price is even better. You get what you pay for ladies and gentlemen. You won't regret this purchase. Enjoy!!
|
Amazingly, it works well!, March 6, 2004
By jayg99 (Corpus Christi, TX United States)
I was initially hesitant about purchasing a USB Bluetooth adaptor for my HP Pavillion Notebook runnig Windows XP: the numerous mixed reviews for this product and other similiar products gave me nightmares of messing around for hours with a touchy device.However, I was very pleasantly surprised when I got this thing up and running within 10 minutes on the 1st try. No problems whatsoever. Better still, it easily allowed me to sync with my Nokia N-gage using PC-Suite - another piece of software that alot of people seem to have trouble with. The software that installs with it seems pretty comprehensive and gives me confindence with trying other Bluetooth peripherals. Good job Iogear! Perhaps because I was running a relatively new computer and that I keep Windows updated, made this a pain-free experience! Jason Jason
|
works nice, windows has problems (but easily fixable), February 24, 2004
By unknown
I was able to connect to my T610 on XP without any extra software installation. But the Belkin bluetooth GPS is problematic, had no luck with that yet. The software that comes with this device does not work with later service packs of XP, which have built-in bluetooth support.
Edit: ou can download the latest driver from iogear's site. Just replace the windows default driver with the one in that package, youre ready to go with the GPS too!
The coolest part is that you don't have to hold your phone in position, or even near your computer to connect to internet through it (I use Tmobile).
It has a neon blue light inside the plastic, but it's impossible to see that blink in daylight. I guess that's why other people haven't noticed it.
If you have a a nice bluetooth phone, this is a good choice. I like the sleek plastic case too. Many other brands have ugly looking rectangular cases for bluetooth dongles.
|
Great Bluetooth USB Adapter, February 17, 2004
By Polarmind (Greer, SC USA)
Bought it to sync a Sony Ericsson T616 cell phone with my laptop running XP and it worked great. Very easy to install and use - the software provided works even better than the cell phone's. Have not tested at long range yet but I don't really see the need to do file transfer or Outlook sync from other than the computer room...
|
Works great and Smooth (a...lmost) Installation, January 17, 2004
By Scarface70a (New Albany OH)
Laptop: Toshiba P25-S408
OS: XP PRO with Service Pack 1Installed smoothly. Small 'quarks' exists. some times
Windows throws "New Hardware Found" multiple times though you have installed the drivers. Reboot and I was all set. As my Bluetooth Devices (cellphones and PDAs) are still being shipped the only bluetooth device I had is my car with Integrated Bluetooth based "Hands Free Link"(HFL) system.
Went into the garage and initiate "pairing sequence" and my laptop readily recognises the HFL device. Not yet tested the range though. My car was about (30-40)feet behind 3 walls. Most of the frustration that other reviewers seem to have appear to due to installation of drivers and other related problems.Not necessarily related to the integrity of the device itself. Additional Pros:
1. The "glowing florescent carrying band" so that one can easily find their device. 2. USB Extension cable (though the device is thin enough)is helpful when u have a lot of usb devices connected at the same time. Cons:
1. This one is minor though. I wish there were "power on" and "data transmitting" LEDs on the device. However the taskbar icon mitigates the absence of "Power On" LED. Hope this review is helpful in making a decision.
|
|
|
Can't use 2nd USB port on Powerbooks, January 5, 2004
By unknown
This device has serious design problems when used with a powerbook G4. Since the powerbook's USB ports are next to each other and this Iogear device is so round at the sides, you cannot use your other USB port. This means you will either need to purchase a USB dongle or sacrifice the port. Also, I was not able to get the device to work on Mac os X. The system would not recognize it.
|
Weak and troublesome, January 1, 2004
By M. Hansen (Sacramento, CA)
I got this to connect my Palm T3 up to my computer at work. Install was quick and pairing went just fine but that was the end of the easy stuff. The signal was weak. I would hold my T3 next to it and the connection would drop. Never completed a hotsync or the loading of a web page. It took minutes to get a connection when it was not complaining of ports in use and other stuff. The farthest I ever got away from the device to test range was 5 feet. This was suppose to have 300ft range. An associate has the E-Book USB dongle from Ambicom and loves it. I think I going to try that out.
|
Great!, December 6, 2003
By unknown
I bough it to take advantage of my blue tooth equipped Nokia 3650. I was done in 15 minutes. No lie. Seems to work seemlessly with XP. Note: The directions (I think) fail to mention that you have to reboot twice. I think it only mentions one reboot. That was the only hiccup I had. Apart from that, it worked fine.
|
It is defective, October 3, 2003
By unknown
I bought this adapter 4 months ago. It took me almost an hour to pair it with my SE T68i, and I was naively suspecting that it was because of the phone. I was using it rarely, so I could afford 30 min struggle of establishing the connection. But recently I got a 3Com adapter from a friend, and it worked flawlessly. In fact you just need to pair the devices for the first time, and you can reconnect any time after that. I called tech support and told them my story, they said that I have a defective unit. I got a replacement unit, and apparently this one is defective too, because I can not pair it with my other devices AT ALL. Stay away from this adapter, apparently all units are defective.
|
Class 1 Device. Simple, Plug and Play. Works as Advertised., September 27, 2003
By unknown
I bought two of these, one for my Windoze 98 Sony laptop and one for my G4 desktop Mac. The drivers for Windoze were included, with the warning that there is only limited support of Bluetooth functionality under Windoze 98. Newer Windoze operating systems support full functionality. Mac OS 10.2.X (Jaguar) has built in support for Bluetooth, although an update is available via the Software Update control panel.Installation was easy- just follow the included instructions. I am able to connect the computers to share files, as well as Hotsync both computers with a Sony Clie TG-50 via bluetooth. The Hotsync is not as fast as using the USB cradle, but it's nice to be able to do it while watching TV or walking around the house... of course you still need to plug in the PDA to charge it on occasion. This adapter is a Class 1 device, which means it works up to 100 yards (660 feet). This was a large factor in my decision to purchase this adapter over the others. Most other adapters are Class 2 or 3 (lower Class number = longer distance), which work at roughly 50 yards (330 feet). Most PDA's are Class 2.
Inside a house with walls, furnature, cordless phones, microwaves and the like... expect much less. I can connect my Clie with either computer about 100 feet through a wall. The computers connect through a wall about 200 feet. Palm and Sony have updates to connect PDA's to the newer Bluetooth enabled phones as well- enabling you to send contact and calendar information back/forth, exchange photos on camera equipped phones and even access the internet on your PDA via the cell phone connection (with the proper service plan of course). My package included an instruction booklet for all Windows/Macintosh, a driver CD for Windows and a lanyard to attach to the adapter. The adapter is surprisingly light and small, the lanyard is a nice touch especially for laptop users. The IOGear website has drivers and instructions as well.
|
It does not work with nokia 3650, September 22, 2003
By Yacoub Taleb (Miami, FL United States)
After I read the review of amn717, I purchased the Iogear adapter. I spent hours unsuccessfully tiring to figure out how to connect my Dell PC (Win XP) with my nokia 3650. Then I tried to make the connection with my Compaq Presarion running win Me and I failed also. The costumer service of Iogear is almost inexistent. I had to go to the web and read about published reference about how to make this device work. I followed a couple of advice, which eventually led to connect the phone to the PCs. The connection was unstable lasting max 5 min and I did not succeed to reconnect. Bottom line, it does not work and the reference on the subject is scarce. Finally, I wish I never read the review of amn717
|
Excellent Product, August 16, 2003
By anm717 (Centreville, Va United States)
I purchased this item to connect my pc to my Nokia 3650 cell phone. Works excellent. about 25-30 f range. Pretty good.
|
Doesnt work with nokia 3650, May 25, 2003
By unknown
Poor software and drivers. Too much time to get it to work. Does not work with Nokia 3650.
|
Works great with new drivers, May 11, 2003
By unknown
I find this a very usefull device. I am able to reach my PC with my Tungsten T in most of my house. Initially there were some things to work through. The drivers on the CD did not work. After talking to service, I downloaded the new drivers and installed them. Palm just came out with the patch required to connect to the internet through a PC via Bluetooth. Now I am sharing the connection throughout the house with BT, which is really nice.
|
Buy Something Else, April 26, 2003
By danlgen (New York, New York USA)
The software bundled with the device does not contain the appropriate drivers for Windows 2000 - so it just doesn't work. Customer service, while attentive, was utterly useless in trouble shooting the problem. A complete waste of time and money.
|
Page 1 2 of Total 2 Pages
|
|
| Copyright 2001-2007 WiFiReview.com |
|