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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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of IOGEAR USB 2.1 Bluetooth Micro Adapter (GBU421)
Customer Review: WIndows 7 Issues
Summary: 3 Stars
So far, I've spent 3 hours trying to get this to work on my Windows 7 Home Premium Gateway desktop. I can't even make it through the installation process.
The included CD was no help as it is a tiny CD that can't even be loaded into my PC's dvd drive. After a little reading, that CD doesn't include the correct drivers for Win 7 anyways.
So I downloaded the proper software from Iogear's website. With this I've been able to get mostly through the installation process. I was able to get all the drivers installed properly. But I cannot get the device to recognize anything (even with 3 different discoverable Bluetooth devices standing by). It also seems to freeze up my computer. I can't even open my "Devices and Printers" window, as it will no longer load.
I've installed the software, and uninstalled about 5 times now. I've also done 3 system restores, and I've tried to install the adapter without preloading any of Iogear's software. Nothing seems to work, although it does usually seem to install the drivers without issue.
I'm going to try their customer service in the morning, if that doesn't help, this is going to be returned.
Edit:
I discovered that "Bluetooth Support Services" was disabled on my PC, and enabling it has allowed this device to work properly. Everything seem to be ok now. It was still a pain to install.
Customer Review: Awesome and so simple to use
Summary: 5 Stars
Long story short, the most difficult thing about installing this product is getting it out of the blister pack in the first place.
The provided instructions (you can actually download or read the manual on the web while you're waiting for the Bluetooth dongle to arrive) are very clear, the install is a snap....but you've read other reviews and know that already.
Here's the true beauty of this tiny piece of hardware. It links to practically everything! Because it is not only Bluetooth 2.0 compliant but also backward compatible to Bluetooth 1.1 and also supports stereo audio you won't have any issues connecting to a Bluetooth mouse or stereo headset.
Within minutes of the install I had the little (and I mean tiny) GBU421 linked to my Motorola cell phone (audio and dialing from the laptop, no need to ever get the phone out of pocket or purse), a PDA, Garmin GPS Mobile10, Bluetooth headset and a mouse. The crazy thing is IOGear has managed to make this thing work with all the above simultaneously.
Anyone considering a 'look alike' Bluetooth dongle featured by some eBay and other sellers, don't bother. Either they aren't 2.0 or aren't backward compatible (you lose the use of most Bluetooth mice) won't handle stereo audio and sometimes all the above.
Very impressive IOGear...and did I mention it's really tiny?
Cheers
Customer Review: real bad product for winxp sp2
Summary: 1 Stars
dell latitude d620 intel core duo winxp sp2
gbu421 widcomm bluetooth 5.5.0.7900
This product is really bad on my configuration. Numberous scenarios cause Windows failure (blue screen), and immediate re-boot. Rebooting takes forever. Normally I hibernate. It's much faster. But when un-hibernating a blue-screen error/windows shut down occurs! If I try to stop the bluetooth device another Windows blue-screen error/shut down. When trying side/back USB ports to find best reception, I found unplugging the hardware causes blue-screen error/windows shut down. AFTER YEARS WITH MY DELL THE GBU421 HAS CAUSED MY SYSTEM TO BE VERY UNSTABLE!
When my system is not crashing I am having issues with the touch pad/control stick. They have to be on OR disabled completely. Prior to bgu421 the touch pad/control stick was automatically on/off when my USB mouse unplugged/plugged respectively. I normally keep the touch pad off. If I accidentally brush my thumb on it, the cursor errantly moves around the sceen. I used to have the touch pad only when my USB mouse was unplugged. Now I have to use control panel to manually turn the touch pad on or off. WHAT A PAIN!
I opened a ticket with IOGear, but dont intend to follow through. Just not worth the hassle. I will use the micro usb cable to connect instead.
IMHO Don't buy this product for WinXP SP2.
Customer Review: Does not work (Win XP), poor customer support
Summary: 1 Stars
This product seemed like an ideal device I was looking for ... stream music from my laptop (Win XP) to my music system. It worked great when I installed, and then I realized it works ONLY upon fresh driver install. When the laptop sleeps or rebooted the device is not recognized anymore (per Device Manager, there is no 'driver'). Customer support is very poor - I was on Live Chat for nearly 30mins and the rep seems to have disappeared. Here are my attempts to resurrect in vain ...
1. Rebooted the system, no luck - GBU421 is not recognized
2. Reinstalled the drivers again - it recognizes the
device for just that one time. Again after waking up from sleep or
reboot it does not recognize anymore.
3. Downloaded the latest drivers from iogear.com website - again it
works when I install fresh, but not recognized after
reboot or sleep.
4. I also tried removing and plugging in the device - it briefly
recognizes it as a new USB hardware but not as the bluetooth device.
After a few secs, it just goes "silent" as if the device is not there.
There is a "USB Human Interface Device" entry in Device Manager
and it says "The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code
28)". Tried reinstalling driver from the Device Manager, but still no dice.
I'll appreciate any recommendations for a better device.
Customer Review: Easier than expected
Summary: 4 Stars
I was hesitant to buy this bluetooth adapter because of all the reviews criticizing the installation process. I found it to be very easy to install. It could be that the included software has had an upgrade since the reviews of early 2010.
A word to the wise though: follow the included instructions for installing the adapter. I figured since it was a USB dongle, it would work fine if I just plugged it in. Windows appears to recognize it as a bluetooth device and even displays the reassuring icon and menus in the taskbar once it 'finishes' its own installation process. However, the advanced functionality of the device (file transfer via OBEX, A2DP, connection sharing, etc.) was unavailable. I removed the adapter and started with the instructions for Vista and had no problems after that. I was hesitant to install the software because I didn't want any of the bloatware these types of things often include, but this software installation only added the enhanced features and seems to have left nothing annoying.
I bought this adapter for my wife, primarily for listening to music played from the computer in conjunction with a bluetooth headset. I have not yet received the headphones I ordered, but I have tried file transfers to and from our Android phones, and that works very well. Overall, I'm very satisfied with this incredibly well-priced device.