Travel Technology - Bluetooth Adapter Recommendation?

I'd like to get a bluetooth adapter for my laptop so I can use a headset for Skype and such.

Any recommendations? Any benefits to PC Card versus USB?

The adapter is not important at all, there are only 2 chipset makers nowadays anyway. What you need is an adapter that uses the Widcomm stack as it is the only decent one out there.

Pretty much any cheap adapter nowadays has the Widcomm software and the Broadcom Blutonium chipset, but make sure before you buy (or return it).

I second ScottC's comments and add that the only real difference is range - how many meters. You should be able to get a USB dongle for $20 at CompUSA or Office Depot. A longer range 150 meter dongle might set you back $30. I have both a D-Link and Compusa branded dongles and both work great.

I'd like to get a bluetooth adapter for my laptop so I can use a headset for Skype and such.

Any recommendations? Any benefits to PC Card versus USB?
I picked up the $29.95 Ambicom BT2000C-USB at CompUSA and it works fine. 330ft range (claimed), very compact, and installation was a snap. I've since used it to sync my Outlook phonebook to my new Motorola E815 (had to update Mobile Phone Tools, but that was pretty much automatic too).

You can find tons on ebay that are pretty cheap

Just be careful with the shipping costs ;)

I like the belkin models, and they have a 100m version, which I bought for 19.99 during one of their 50% off all items sales.

they also have the same ones for 24.99 in their refurb section, which I have bought from before. Couldn't distinguish between that and new.

My CompUSA branded dongle gets me about 350ft so my phone automatically connects and sync's with Outlook as soon as I hit the end of the driveway. It also connects my wireless weather station to the computer so my weather underground site is continuously updated. I love my little bluetooth network and it only cost me $29. ^ Now I'm trying to find a bluetooth security camera...

My CompUSA branded dongle gets me about 350ft so my phone automatically connects and sync's with Outlook as soon as I hit the end of the driveway. It also connects my wireless weather station to the computer so my weather underground site is continuously updated. I love my little bluetooth network and it only cost me $29. ^ Now I'm trying to find a bluetooth security camera...

Toshiba makes a cheap WiFi security camera, the only Bluetooth camera I know of is a Nokia... I bought my Toshiba for only $149 (at Fry's). It is WiFi AND has Pan/Tilt/Zoom. With some added software I can control it off my PocketPC anywhere I am, plus I get an email when it detects motion.

An awesome deal!

Toshiba makes a cheap WiFi security camera, the only Bluetooth camera I know of is a Nokia... I bought my Toshiba for only $149 (at Fry's). It is WiFi AND has Pan/Tilt/Zoom. With some added software I can control it off my PocketPC anywhere I am, plus I get an email when it detects motion.

An awesome deal!
What's the model number of this Toshiba WiFi camera?

What's the model number of this Toshiba WiFi camera?

IK-WB01A.

Fry's is still carrying it for $199, but it goes on sale every few weeks for $149.

http://www.toshiba.com/taisisd/netcam/products/wb01a.htm

Thanks everyone ^

Let us know how you get on Doppy and of course we'll be here to offer configuration help if needed.

Has anyone tried the Bluetooth adapters by Zonet? I see that Buy.com has the 100m range one for 17 dollars or so after rebate, with free shipping. Newegg has it for about 8 dollars after rebate, plus about 5 dollars shipping. I figure it's worth a shot but I thought I would check if anyone had experience. I just want to use it to connect my cell phone with the computer, since my USB cable's been a bit touchy.

with zonet products, I think you get what you pay for. There is nothing I have gotten from them, that I haven't sent back. KVM switches, small hub, 802.11b card, all went back due to really poor quality. If it is something that doesn't really matter much, then cheap is best. But, for something that matters or if you are particular, they I would spend a bit more and get a differant brand.

with zonet products, I think you get what you pay for. There is nothing I have gotten from them, that I haven't sent back. KVM switches, small hub, 802.11b card, all went back due to really poor quality. If it is something that doesn't really matter much, then cheap is best. But, for something that matters or if you are particular, they I would spend a bit more and get a differant brand.

Thank you, nmenaker. It's nice to hear personal experiences. Since it is quite cheap, I may go ahead and just try out an adapter, since I am only using it to transfer data between my cell phone and my computer. Not sure how well it will work.

What I did find interesting from newegg.com is that the 10m ($7 after rebate) model ships for 1.99, while the 100m model ($8 after rebate) costs 4.99 to ship, despite being almost identical. I guess it is a way of hiding the true difference in price?

One more thing-- What kind of security is there with Bluetooth? I understand that little is needed when the range is 10 m, but what about with these devices with a 100 m range? Can someone outside my home tap in?

UAVirgin, does that concern you?

One more thing-- What kind of security is there with Bluetooth? I understand that little is needed when the range is 10 m, but what about with these devices with a 100 m range? Can someone outside my home tap in?

UAVirgin, does that concern you?

All depends on settings. The best setup with Bluetooth involves a "pairing" solution, you need to tell the PC that it can add devices, and then need to exchange a pin code between both devices. You can then turn off "visibility" of the PC so nobody outside can see it.

There are plenty of stories of Bluetooth devices being "hacked". but these all involve poor setup.

I have found, that with newegg, which is GREAT, they use the .99 2.99 4.99 fedex saver shipping to move items, their system might give them some inventory, supply information and they put the lower price stuff on there. I bought an SD card the other day, .99 shipping. Three days later, same card, same price, 4.99$ shipping. Makes me think, bunches of people bought at .99 and then stock was low so they upped the shipping.

It is a moving target, no necessarilly related to the retail price of the item.

One more thing-- What kind of security is there with Bluetooth? I understand that little is needed when the range is 10 m, but what about with these devices with a 100 m range? Can someone outside my home tap in?

UAVirgin, does that concern you?
It doesn't really concern me since I live in the country and the only people that come up my driveway are destined for my house. Beyond that, as ScottC says the devices have to be paired, and I don't use '1234' to pair, and I turn off the visibility of the PC after pairing.

Need a new bluetooth USB dongle... any updated recommendations?

I'm still happy with my CompUSA and DLink BT adapters.

I picked up the $29.95 Ambicom BT2000C-USB at CompUSA and it works fine. 330ft range (claimed), very compact, and installation was a snap. I've since used it to sync my Outlook phonebook to my new Motorola E815 (had to update Mobile Phone Tools, but that was pretty much automatic too).

This is the one I have and it works great. Use it with my headset and activesync.

You don't happen to have a Dell do you?