Best Bluetooth Dongle?

**lembowski** · 12-10-2005, 02:17 PM

Well I have just found out that my built in bluetooth hardware is screwed, and I don't want to send my comp in to get fixed. So I will just buy a dongle. I see that some people are having problems with the dongles they are using (mostly here that of the dlink). What dongles are you guys having the most luck with?

**Mark_Venture** · 12-10-2005, 04:19 PM

Not sure who is having problems with Dlink dongles.. they usually come with Widcomm drivers which are the easisest to work with...

Most BT problems I see are when people try to install MPT, and have it setup the phone over bluetooth they get a "comm port installation failed" message... but this is because their phone is already paired with the PC so MPT's pairing and install doesn't like that...

Most of the "problems" I see are with people who have dongls that use Bluesoliel drivers or the WinXP SP2 drivers and are trying to use MPT... or trying to find the "my bluetooth places" icon to do file transfers... But that is because MPT's phone setup wizard only supports Widcomm drivers, and "my bluetooth places" is a function of the Widcomm drivers.

Visit my pages... when you're there, use the FAQ in the top right... I have some info on bluetooth, bluetooth dongles, and links to disccussion threads with suggestions of dongles.

**Mark_K** · 12-10-2005, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by Mark_Venture

Not sure who is having problems with Dlink dongles.. they usually come with Widcomm drivers which are the easisest to work with...

Most BT problems I see are when people try to install MPT, and have it setup the phone over bluetooth they get a "comm port installation failed" message... but this is because their phone is already paired with the PC so MPT's pairing and install doesn't like that...

Most of the "problems" I see are with people who have dongls that use Bluesoliel drivers or the WinXP SP2 drivers and are trying to use MPT... or trying to find the "my bluetooth places" icon to do file transfers... But that is because MPT's phone setup wizard only supports Widcomm drivers, and "my bluetooth places" is a function of the Widcomm drivers.

Visit my pages... when you're there, use the FAQ in the top right... I have some info on bluetooth, bluetooth dongles, and links to disccussion threads with suggestions of dongles.

Mark

You need to add the V3c to your signature line.

**Mark_Venture** · 12-10-2005, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Mark_K

You need to add the V3c to your signature line.

I am working on adding V3C specific info to my pages first

see -> http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=792946

**lembowski** · 12-10-2005, 05:39 PM

Mark,

i see you are using ambicom dongles. are those user friendly also? would you suggest those?

**avca07** · 12-10-2005, 06:57 PM

I'm looking on circuitcity.com and looking at all they have to offer... none say anything about Widcomm. Whats the deal?

**wnrussell** · 12-10-2005, 06:59 PM

I have not heard of any problems with the D-Link DBT-120 USB adapter. The Kensington and Belkin adapters have problems communicating with some devices.

Get the latest Widcomm 4 BT stack software if you are still having problems with the D-Link.

**Philip Heath** · 12-10-2005, 07:46 PM

I think that the Linksys USBBT100 is the best. It costs a little more ~$40, but it has range that covers my entire house. Set up is easy if you are on XP SP1. If you have XP SP2, there are a few additional hoops to jump through.

**wnrussell** · 12-10-2005, 08:27 PM

Let us know how it works. Range isn't very important when you don't have connectivity, as you will see from reading the other posts.

Bluetooth is a poor protocol, as you are not guaranteed connectivity, devices are not tested for interoperability, and Verizon is dedicated to not supporting file transfer.

**spark227** · 12-10-2005, 08:29 PM

I recently ordered a Zonet ZUB6201C USB adapter for $24 shipped after rebate. It's Class 1 and supports BT v2.0, so it shouldn't become obsolete for at least another month

This product is new, but the other Zonet BT v1.2 adapters got good reviews.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833130026

**Mark_Venture** · 12-10-2005, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by lembowski

Mark,

i see you are using ambicom dongles. are those user friendly also? would you suggest those?

the the newest Serial number range of the Ambicomm dongles come with Widcomm v3 drivers and are very easy/user friendly... and for $30 at compusa... not too expensive either.

Thing is... Belkin, Linksys, Dlink, Billionton, Zonet, MSI, all use Widcomm drivers for MOST of their dongles... you have a 99% chance of getting a dongle that uses Widcomm drivers if you purchase one of those brands...

The kensington dongles... there appears to be more than 1 model.. one my friend purchased at Compusa a few months ago did NOT use Widcomm drivers... however, others are saying they purchased at Best Buy and it DOES include Widcomm drivers. Kensington does NOT have the drivers on their web site for download.

The Built in bluetooth on some laptops, like the IBM Thinkpad T30/T40/T41/T41, and SOME dell units, use "rebadged" Widcomm drivers.. for example, IBM's version of the Widcomm drivers don't say Widcomm unless you look at the descriptions/text in the .INF files... Once you install them, they say IBM Integrated Bluetooth.

Make sure you read the threads I linked on my FAQ... There are some good suggestions there to choose from... and I see some good suggestions being posted in this thread...

Originally Posted by avca07

I'm looking on circuitcity.com and looking at all they have to offer... none say anything about Widcomm. Whats the deal?

Widcomm is the driver set... the packages themselves will NOT mention Widcomm... Its not until you open them and look at the driver CD that you will know...

Here is one way to know... Find the model number of the device in question... Visit the manufacturer's web site, look up what downloads they have available...

For example... the Belkin F8T008 at Circuit City sells... Belkin has the Widcomm v3.0.1.912 driver set for download on their support site... so that is ok... Now, $48 for that dongle... Yikes.. a little expensive.

**lembowski** · 12-10-2005, 10:09 PM

Thanks Mark for the suggestions! I got an Ambicom from CompUsa model BT2000C-USB (Purple) works perfectly. No need to run it through phone tools. Just drag and drop in folders and straight to the phone! I would recommend this one to anyone. It was on sale here in san diego for $19 after a $15 MIR.

**M5Rahul** · 12-10-2005, 10:58 PM

I have the D-Link DBT 120 dongle.. However, the driver CD [ and also the website ] don't have WIDCOMM drivers.. Although the User Guide is based on WIDCOMM ...

Also, I try un-installing the XP with SP2 BT stack.. but it keeps coming back after a reboot... And, the DLink drivers don't even recognize the Dongle.. Obviously it's because XP drivers take over... How do I replace the XP BT drivers with WIDCOMM [if I can indeed find these too... ]

Pls help!!

**wnrussell** · 12-10-2005, 11:09 PM

Try this on your config with the D-Link DBT 120:
ftp://ftp.dlink.com/Wireless/dbt120_...e_winxpsp2.pdf

**Anger** · 12-11-2005, 01:04 AM

I picked up the DBT-120 bundled with the D-Link DWL-923 802.11g 54Mbps Bundle - DI-524 Wireless Router and DWL-G63. Total $78.98 minus $45 rebates, minus sell router on fleebay $35 = much less 10 bux after fleebay fees for a decent dongle with a little work.

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