TRENDnet Bluetooth USB Adapter TBW-101UB (Blue)
by TRENDnet
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List Price: Our Price: $1.99 You Save: $31.00 (94%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 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 TRENDnet Bluetooth USB Adapter TBW-101UB (Blue)
Customer Review: Fine adapter, bad software
Summary: 3 Stars
I recently bought this item through Amazon, and the bottom line is that it works fine on my Windows XP laptop and has been compatible when paired with my Samsung T509 phone.
Getting to the bottom line, however, was a pain. Before you get to the stage of physically installing the adapter, the instructions have you install the included software from BlueSoleil (version 1.6). About 80% of the way through the software installation, the program hung--just stopped, and never picked up again. I ended up having to physically restart my computer (hard boot--cringe!), and when it resumed, the software was nowhere to be found, and my Windows device manager was full of partially installed device drivers that popped up with errors across the board. I searched the web for a fix, and it turns out that a whole lot of people had the same problem (just try searching "bluesoleil installation problem"). I have tried downloading the newest version (currently 2.3) from BlueSoleil's website (free, but with some minor limitations unless you pay to register), and I had the same problems. To date, BlueSoleil hasn't been able to provide any information on a fix. The bottom line with the software is that I have been unable to get it to work, despite trying a variety of versions and installations.
But the bottom line with the adapter is that you can get it to work just fine without the software. After cleaning BlueSoleil (manually) off of my computer, I just tried plugging in the adapter and seeing what happened. Windows XP detected it just fine and installed its own drivers. I can use the standard bluetooth interface built into XP to send and receive files with my cell phone, which is the only reason I wanted bluetooth anyway. The XP interface is basic, but it works. (I can't speak to compatibility with bluetooth keyboards or mice since I haven't tried either.)
I'm going to keep the adapter because it was pretty inexpensive, and it's too much hassle to try to return/exchange (once cut out of its tamper-proof packaging). But I would go with another brand next time around to avoid the BlueSoleil eclipse. Apparently there are other reviewers who did not have the same problem with the software, so if you're considering buying this adapter, you'll have to take your chances.
(PS: I have noticed that at least one reviewer found that the version of Bluetooth supported by the adapter was not compatible with the version on his phone. You should check Trendnet's website for exact specifications on each adapter--they make several--but the item featured here (TBW-101UB) supports Bluetooth 1.1 and 1.2 for Class II operations.)
Customer Review: TRENDware Bluetooth USB Adapter - Their Tech Support is Bad
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this item thinking that it will be a plug and play considering XP will recognize it....well I was very wrong.
I am using it to synch my laptop with my bluetooth Sony Ericsson P800 bluetooth supported mobile phone.
I spent at least more than 4 hours trying to install it on my XP (SP2).
My biggest problem was the COM ports would not synch and there seemed to be a conflict. I decided to call their tech support, and some moron on the other line told me there to switch the COM ports from the assigned 6 to 9 & 10. Nothing worked. he had no more suggestions nor did he run a few options for me. The dongle would not work.
I also sent a few emails AND THEY NEVER ANSWERED. I hate it when you buy someones product and they dont even give you the time of the day.
At the end, after I was about to return this product I decided to research the forums on the net. Finally, I found the right answer (...AND THE ANSWER DID NOT COME FROM THEIR OWN TECH SUPPORT who obviously knew less than me)
Anyway, to cut the long story short, the problem was that you need to go to START then Control Panel + Phone Monitor + and then enable the COM ports assigned by this dongle (check in your case, mine was 6). Voila, it worked !
And the answer came from someone in a Forum, and not from their site, or their FAQ, or from me calling the tech morons there.
Anyway, Try another product.! I would not recommend this product to anyone, even thought at the end it worked for me. I wasted many hours on them. Not worth it. I recommend you not to buy it.
Customer Review: It works!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have 3 Sony Ericsson T610s and 1 Nokia 3650, this thing works for all of them. The Bluetooth technology itself is a little buggy and takes some patience. The adapter itself is small and seems sturdy. It also comes with a USB extension cable if your case is really large. It has an orange light on it to tell you if it is getting power. I have not tested the range but from about 15ft away, there are no connection issues. I have moved ringtones, movies, mp3s, programs, games, and pictures without any problems (except the software message below with the 3650). I have even used the bluetooth connection with my phone so I could get dial-up internet access on my laptop anywhere.
If you haven't noticed yet, I like this adapter. It works for everything I wanted it to.
I don't believe the other reviewers when they say it doesn't work with their T610 or 3650 because IT DOES WORK. To prove it, I have added a quick how-to below.
Here is a quick tutorial for the others having trouble or can't get it to work:
1) Install Trendware Software (This was pretty painless)
2) Install Nokia PC-Suite for 3650 or FMA(fLoats Mobile Agent) for T610.
3) Go to My bluetooth
4) Find Devices
5) Right click your device then pair device.
6) Find Connect to Serial Port Icon, and double click it.
7) Wait...even if it says disconnected or failed. The Sonys connected right away and I never had that message, my Nokia I had to wait a few seconds after that message, then it connected perfectly.
8) Fire up PC-Suite or FMA and your good to go!
Customer Review: Works fine! It is worth buying if you have several bluetooth devices and like to use advantage of them!
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this adapter so I could use it with my PDA Tungsten T3 and cellphone Samsung T-809 bluetooth capabilities. The whole installation did not go flawlessly, however, so I had to download a new version of BlueSoleil program from the web in order to use the device on my laptop. Although this task was cumbersome and time-consuming, after the new version of BlueSoleil 1.6.1.4 was installed, the adapter has been working fine with both of my bluetooth devices and I am satisfied with the overall performance.
However, there are two things that you should concern about the bluetooth before you buy this.
1) Bluetooth is much slower than USB transfer speed. I can synchro files over bluetooth but it takes too much time, so instead of using the bluetooth I usually end up just plugging in USB between the devices.
2) Although not stated, you actually get (well at least I did) different-looking adapter than one that's picture is shown. However, don't worry. The one you get is more compact in size and even more portable.
If you are planning on using the bluetooth to transfer files in between the devices, get this bluetooth adapter. it does what it says. It is best to use bluetooth for your PDA just to surf some simple webs or update your Palm or PocketPC softwares.
However, if you are not a patient person, and if you hate to wait for those "copy..." "move..." boxes to disappear, avoid the bluetooth and go with USB cables. Wireless devices aren't that advanced yet in the connection speed.
Customer Review: Works Well, Quick to Set Up
Summary: 4 Stars
I have a Samsung D407 with Bluetooth but I didn't want to blow 40 bucks or more on a Bluetooth adapter because all I really needed to do was be able to transfer pictures from my cell phone to my computer.
This adapter is pretty good for the price. Setting it up took about 5 minutes, my phone had no problem pairing with it, and transferring files literally takes seconds. It does pretty much everything that I want it to and so far I haven't had any major problems with it.
Two relatively small issues: the documentation really is pretty pathetically deficient. The little booklet tells you how to set up and pair the adapter to your phone, but you have to figure out how to actually use it on your own. Case in point: I had no idea to which folder on my computer files had been transferred. I ended up needing to do a file search just so I could find them. Also, I tried to transfer a 2MB MP3 to my phone, and it told me it couldn't do it because the file was too big (definitely had enough room on my phone). However, I'm not sure whether this is a limitation of my phone, this adapter, or Bluetooth, so I'm not sure where the blame lies.
Final verdict: a good adapter, especially for the price.