IOGEAR USB 2.1 Bluetooth Micro Adapter (GBU421)
by IOGEAR
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List Price: Our Price: $9.99 You Save: $6.96 (41%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of IOGEAR USB 2.1 Bluetooth Micro Adapter (GBU421)
Customer Review: Obnoxious Vista Installation! But, it works! Here's how to Install!
Summary: 4 Stars
OK, I have Vista 32-bit and the installation is ridiculous. First of all, do NOT follow the instructions you receive and do NOT install the drivers from the disk you receive. They are both outdated and IOGear support acknowledges this. Here is how you install:
1. Do NOT plug in the adapter!
2. Go to IOGear's website and download the most up-to-date drivers (product GBU421).
3. Run the installation wizard. It will say "no bluetooth connected. please connect it." DO NOT connect the adapter when the wizard asks you to connect. This is because Windows has its own Bluetooth software and the moment you connect the adapter, Windows will install its own software and you will have a conflict of software. IOGear Support said to just hit the CANCEL button and the installation will continue. But, it didn't for me. When I clicked CANCEL it just closed out. So, when installation prompted me to connect the adapter, I plugged it in only long enough for the installation wizard to continue. As soon as the installation wizard continued, I unplugged it (I did this fast enough so Windows didn't get a chance to install its own drivers).
4. Make sure to do restart when installation is complete.
5. Plug the adapter after restart. Your computer should detect it.
6. At this point you can start adding devices. Go back to IOGear's website and download the most recent manual for GBU421. The manual is accurate in how it describes adding and setting up bluetooth devices. Keep this in mind, there is supposed to be a bluetooth symbol in the tray which you can right-click to get the menu for adding bluetooth devices. Don't freak out if you don't see it right away after plugging in your adapter. For some reason, my toolbar didn't load right away, but it did later. The point is, another way of accessing the toolbar menu is to go to Start -> Control Panel -> Hardware & Sound -> Bluetooth Devices.
Once I actually got the software working, my Motorola S305 paired IMMEDIATELY and I started listening to music! I love it! I can control the volume in my toolbar just as I would my speakers. It really is a very cost-effective bluetooth adapter and works exactly as it's supposed to. Don't be freaked out by the installation process. You'll get passed it and love the GBU421!
Customer Review: Does not Measure-Up to Targus
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this because basically because I read the reviews. I had already used the Targus USB Bluetooth® Adapter - Class 2 ACB10US before, and was quite happy with it, as reflected in the review I wrote. However, I wanted one of these adapters on both of my computers. I initially tried to install this IOGear Adapter on my Dell desktop with Windows 7. I wasted a great deal of time with it, although I was aware and followed the precautions of other reviewers. I finally got it to work, like the Targus worked, except it will not pair with my cell phone.
This must use the same chip or chipset internally as the Targus. It comes up as "Broadcom 2046 2.1 + EDR" (or a variety of it) in the Device Manager, basically the same as the Targus, depending on what version of drivers you use (which all install in a "WIDCOMM" in the "Program Files" folder). The Adapter came with its own software disk. I first installed the software and drivers using "autoplay." It never completely installed. Then, I then ran the installation manually using the latest version 6.3.5.430, which I downloaded from IOGear website. The IOGear Adapter still would not work completely (although the Targus would). Finally, I tried using a previous version of software and drivers that the Targus Adapter had been using (version "BT_Vista_7_v6.3.0.6300," from the "Broadcom" website). The IOGear still would not work completely, although the Targus would.
I am going to forget about the IOGear Adapter for this system. Hopefully, it should be useful on my Windows XP system. If not, I'll update this accordingly.
My recommendation is to get the Targus USB Bluetooth® Adapter - Class 2 ACB10US and download the WIDCOMM Bluetooth Software from the Broadcom website: version "BT_Vista_7_v6.3.0.6300" supporting Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Extended Data Rate). I have a better explanation of the Targus installation on my review there. It works real fine on Windows 7.
Customer Review: Great Product - Bad Driver Support
Summary: 4 Stars
Pro:
Flawless synchronization with Blackberry 8330 Curve (Verizon)
Fast File Transfer
Super small form factor (never has to be removed!)
Cons:
Terrible support of drivers
a.) Disk supplied in package is outdated version compared to what is on IOGear support website
b.) Drivers listed on website (v5) seem to install fine, however, the Blackberry Desktop Software (used for synch with Outlook) does not see the Blackberry connection.
After fighting this install for way too long, I emailed tech support. Good news is that they were quick and accurate with response. Bad news is:
1.) Yet a new driver recommended (v6). Tech support included a link to another place on their site where the download and install instructions are located. (http://www.iogear.com/support/faq/id/289). The driver is listed as being "x21" compatibile, but this is confusing as the actual install references two previous adapters - 221 and 321 - which makes you wonder if it is actually going to work for this model - 421.
2.) Install was less than stellar. Instructions are wrong for the x421 install. You actually need to launch the Setup.exe file in the unzipped file list...not the one the instructions tell you to. Once you launch, you get an error saying that the device is not plugged in. Once I plugged in, away it went.
3.) Now it works for the Blackberry, but I was plagued with yet another error saying that a device driver could not be found. This occurred after the original install - when attempting to pair the Blackberry. I finally ignored the error and the synchronization is working fine.
So, if you have concerns about actual performance of other models, get this one, as it seems to run great and has a very small form factor - you never have to unplug it. BUT, if you can't handle the hassle or have found another model that works fine, STAY AWAY as the driver issue was painful. (Hopefully the description above will help others with their problems, or prevent problems for those reading prior to install.
Customer Review: Nice, if you never access your BIOS
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this product so I can use it with a Bluetooth Headset and Skype. I have a Logitech USB Illuminated Keyboard plugged directly into my machine and love it, so a BT Keyboard is not a concern.
On the surface, this device seems to work fine -- especially if you follow some of the advice in some of the other well-written reviews here. Namely, download the newest drivers from IOGear and use those in your install. And yes, do not plug in the dongle until you see the "Cannot find Bluetooth device" message from the installation software.
The problem I ran into is that once installed, when I reboot my system, I no longer have an active keyboard during the boot process. For some reason, the presence of the IOGear Bluetooth Dongle, disables my direct-wired USB keyboard. When Windows comes up, the keyboard is fine. However, with the keyboard disabled during the boot up process, I cannot access the BIOS or any other features available before Windows loads.
So, those of you who installed this product, did you check to ensure that during reboot you can press DEL (or whatever key your computer uses) and get into the BIOS?
Worse, I use Windows Boot Manager to allow me to boot into different OS images, so this disabled keyboard means that I cannot select a boot image to load.
If, when I reboot the computer, I remove the dongle, I have no problem entering the BIOS or choosing an image from my boot menu. So, my workaround, for now, is to remove the dongle during reboot, then plug it back in when I see the "Loading Windows" animations.
I called IOGear support and basically they have charged me $30+ to look into the problem.
I would love to know how many 4 and 5 star reviews here are from people who never checked to see if they still have BIOS access after installing the Bluetooth dongle. Check and add a comment here if you have this problem, please.
Ah well. Tech support is researching the problem and should get back to me in a couple of days. I'll provide an update how things go.
Customer Review: Solved Bluetooth range problems with my 2008 MacBook Pro
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently bought a new MacBook Pro and decided to hook my early 2008 model up to the big screen TV in the bedroom media cabinet for use as a gaming console and watching videos over the internet. I had never tried to connect any of the multiple Bluetooth headsets that I own to the Mac prior to that, but now needed to in order to chat with online friends from across the room while playing games. It was during this process that I discovered my MacBook Pro would pair and connect to all of the headsets that I own, but would disconnect if I moved more than a foot away from the laptop.
As my AppleCare had expired, it was a lot cheaper to buy this USB Bluetooth dongle than to pay for Apple service to replace the integrated Bluetooth chip inside the laptop. When it arrived, I just plugged it into the laptop and of course OS X 10.6 automatically found and configured it in seconds. I've had no problem using several different types of Bluetooth headsets with it, including the Jawbone ICON Series Thinker Bluetooth Headset (Black) and the Plantronics BackBeat 906 Stereo Bluetooth Headset. I've even paired my iHome App-Enhanced Alarm Clock with Bluetooth and FM Radio for iPad, iPhone and iPod with it from 20 feet away on the nightstand beside the bed and used it as a speakerphone and had no issues whatsoever. I currently have it, and several other peripherals, plugged into my laptop through the Belkin USB 2.0 4-Port Ultra Mini Hub F5U407 since the MacBook Pro only has 2 USB ports, and it has also worked perfectly like that as well.
I highly recommend this Bluetooth adapter for size (it's tiny), price, quality, and ease of installation and use!