which bluetooth USB adapter?

[zilla31]

i've got a new 4155 in the mail and want to know which bluetooth USB adapter to get for my laptop... can you guys recommend any in particular? would also like for it to work w/ my sony T610 :)

[Don Tolson]

I use the Belkin F8T001 and it works just fine for me. Range is limited (by the iPAQ, not the Belkin) but that's also because I'm in the basement with a lot of metal around me.

Installation was relatively easy. I also got the latest drivers from the Belkin site. It seems to be 'port specific' though, since it asks to re-install the drivers when I move it to a different USB port.

Other than that, it's been very reliable.

[Zack Mahdavi]

I have a D-Link DBT-120 that I use both on my Mac and PC. Works great.. I'm typing right now with my bluetooth Apple keyboard on my PC.. :)

[freitasm]

I want to add TDK and Bluetake to this list :)

[Mark_Venture]

Which ever you get, make sure it uses the Widcomm drivers! They are the easiest to configure and get working. In addition, all of the bluetooth guides I have found on the internet were written using the Widcomm drivers. (one example... http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=449)

Those already mentioned above do use the Widcomm drivers...

In addition, I would like to also mention starting with S/N : 3343000001 or later, Ambicom is using the Widcomm drivers for their BT2000C-USB dongle. The older version of the dongle does NOT!! The older on uses Ambicom's own bluetooth software/drivers wich are horrible!!! So check the package!! (serial numbers are on the back of the packages and pictures are at the VERY BOTTOM of... Ambicom's support page (http://ambicom.com/support/driverdownload/ddbluetooth.htm) for how to visually tell them apart.) Its locally available at Compusa, CircuitCity, and Best Buy :) And works fine with my iPAQ 2215. I use it at work and get a range of about up to 35 feet.

[Mark_Venture]

... It seems to be 'port specific' though, since it asks to re-install the drivers when I move it to a different USB port. This is the nature of PnP & USB. Each USB port has its own "address." Move a device, any USB device, from one port to another, and Windows picks it up at a new "address" so its considered a NEW device. However, once you plug it into a port, Windows remembers it on that port, so the next time you use it, no "add new hardware wizard" when using that same port. (while I didn't use the correct technical terms, you can get the idea).

In fact, some PCI-USB card makers go as far as recomending putting your USB device in EACH PORT when you first install it so you won't be prompted by the Add New Hardware Wizard later. example... See page 4(6of6) in http://media-server.amazon.com/media/mole/MANUAL000044846.pdf