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Which bluetooth PC card to buy ? |
Claus
Joined: Jan 29, 2002
Posts: 63
From: Copenhagen, Denmark
PM |
I'm shopping around for a Bluetooth PC card - but can't decide which one to buy.
The candidates are:
1. 3com
The cheapest - but ii has a really BIG UGLY antenna !
Price approx: 1300 D.kr.=approx 145 US $
2. Xircom
Strong reliable brand name & small antenna.
Price approx: 1300 D.kr.=approx 145 US $
3. Compaq
Only reason I consider this one, is because it has a built-in compact flash card-reader which makes this PC card kind-of-a dual card/two in one solution.
Price approx: 1500 D.kr.=approx 160 US $
Kind regards
Claus |
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owizard
Joined: Jan 12, 2002
Posts: 59
From: UK
PM |
Hi,
None of the cards you are considering is good enough in terms of support for Bluetooth profiles and Windows XP. For instance, these cards don't support the headset profile which is very useful for video conferencing and voice chat.
The Troy Windport PC card seems to be the most comprehensive Bluetooth card right now.
http://wireless.troygroup.com/wireless/products/wireless/windport.asp
It supports the headset profile as well as Windows XP. It is Bluetooth 1.1 compliant. It can communicate with seven other Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Moreover, it doesn't have a protruding antenna. Just imagine using the Bluespoon Headset with this card for video conferencing. The possibilities are endless.
The card costs only $125.57 from CDW in the US. You can find a list of European distributors here.
http://wireless.troygroup.com/wireless/company/distributors/intl-europe.asp
[ This Message was edited by: owizard on 2002-01-29 17:21 ]
[ This Message was edited by: owizard on 2002-01-29 17:40 ] |
Claus
Joined: Jan 29, 2002
Posts: 63
From: Copenhagen, Denmark
PM |
What's wrong with the Xircom Pc card ?
Doesn´t it suppport Bluetooth v. 1.1 & win XP ?
Kind regards
Claus |
Epedemic
Joined: Dec 28, 2001
Posts: > 500
From: Denmark, Copenhagen
PM |
damn there is a bluetooth headset profile? grrr should have known that before i bought my 3com usb bluetooth thingy.. any chance drivers/firmware can add this? |
owizard
Joined: Jan 12, 2002
Posts: 59
From: UK
PM |
Hi,
The Intel site doesn't have any information about the Bluetooth profiles supported by the Xircom card. This is the most important factor you need to consider, when you buy a Bluetooth device. Otherwise, the device may not serve your purpose.
The site lists only Windows 95, 98, ME and 2000 as the compatible operating systems. They don't seem to have XP drivers at the moment.
http://intel.com/network/connectivity/products/xircbt.htm
[ This Message was edited by: owizard on 2002-01-30 02:03 ] |
Claus
Joined: Jan 29, 2002
Posts: 63
From: Copenhagen, Denmark
PM |
Quote:
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The Intel site doesn't have any information about the Bluetooth profiles supported the Xircom card. This is the most important factor you need to consider, when you buy a Bluetooth device. Otherwise, the device may not serve your purpose.
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What I need - as of right now - is for the bluetooth PC card to support synchronization of calendar notes and tranferring of ringing tones and gif pics between my T68 & my laptop with WIN XP.
I also plan to use the bluetooth card to surf the net on my laptop via GPRS on my T68.
Will the Xircom bluetooth PC card support that ?
I'm asking this because I can't see the Scandinavien distributor of the troy products having any info about the Troy Bluetooth pc card, you are referring to.
Kind regards
Claus |
owizard
Joined: Jan 12, 2002
Posts: 59
From: UK
PM |
To Claus:
I think the Xircom card may provide the immediate functionality you need from a Bluetooth card. However, your needs may change in the future and you may desire headset functionality for video conferencing etc. Moreover, the Xircom card doesn't have have XP drivers at the moment. I am not sure whether it would work properly in your Windows XP Laptop. The Troy card seems to be the only Bluetooth PC card that ships with XP drivers.
Personally, I would not buy a Bluetooth card that doesn't support the "Headset profile" as that functionality is very important for me. Cheers.
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T68 Jesper
Joined: Dec 27, 2001
Posts: 30
From: Denmark
PM |
Hi Claus,
I think that the best Bluetooth card is from TDK. I have had no problems with it !  |
Claus
Joined: Jan 29, 2002
Posts: 63
From: Copenhagen, Denmark
PM |
Quote:
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Hi Claus,
I think that the best Bluetooth card is from TDK. I have had no problems with it !
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OK Jeaper - but exactly WHERE can I get this PC card - and for how much ?
I thought Xircom would be the best choice - and I can get it for only 1350 D.kr.
How large is the antenna on the TDK card ?
Does it work flawlessly with T68 and Win XP ?
Private message to Jesper in Danish:
Besøger du også www.mobildebat.dk - hvor vi er et par stykker, der diskuterer T68 og andre mobiltelefoner ?
Kind regards
Claus |
jh67
Joined: Nov 30, 2001
Posts: > 500
From: denmark
PM, WWW
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Hey Claus
The TDK or the Anycom-card seems to be very good cards.
Jesper and me talked about the TDK,..seems to work very well.
I just read a review on bluetooth-products in the PC-MAGAZINE (february 2002,vol. 11,issue 2)
UK magazine : http://www.pcmag.co.uk
You could try and get this magazine.
The 3com was tested,..they weren't to happy about it,..the software interface wasnt good enough.
jan (fra mobildebat.dk) 
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owizard
Joined: Jan 12, 2002
Posts: 59
From: UK
PM |
To Epedemic:
Most of the Bluetooth cards including 3Com are supposed to be firmware upgradeable. It is possible to add new profiles through updated firmware. Unfortunately, nobody knows when these companies are likely to announce new firmware for their products.
It's really surprising that the web pages
devoted to these Blutooth cards don't say much about the profiles and consequent compatibility issues. |
Claus
Joined: Jan 29, 2002
Posts: 63
From: Copenhagen, Denmark
PM |
Thanks for help & INFO !
Sonce the Troy card can not be purchased i Denmark/scandinavia I might just go for the TDK Bluetooth PC card - but where the heck can I get in Denmark ?
Message to Jan in Danish:
Hej Jan !
Hørte faktisk fra dig om dette forum - og det emmer jo af ekspertise omkring T68 og alt sonyericsson generelt.
Ved du hvor jeg kan købe dette TDK PC Blåtands kort henne i Københavns ommrådet til billigste pris ?`
Jeg var ellers ved at bestille Xircom - men er nu i tvivl. Tror nu jeg vil have fat I TDK kortet - men HVOR ?
Vi tales ved inde på mobildebatten - C U DER
Kind regards
Claus |
herboan
Joined: Dec 19, 2001
Posts: 117
From: Belgium
PM |
Buy whatever you want but NOT A TOSHIBA card.
It it made by DIGIANSWER and it sucks.
No way to use it with W2k and the T68 to syncronise contacts and calendar.
The devices pair OK but thats about it.
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owizard
Joined: Jan 12, 2002
Posts: 59
From: UK
PM |
The current TDK Bluetooth card doesn't seem to have XP drivers. It doesn't support the "Headset profile" either. The card is available from Expansys.
http://www.tdksys.com/bluetooth/product_specifications/Official%20TDB%20Bluetooth%20PC%20Card%20Technical%20Specification%20Sheet.doc |
jh67
Joined: Nov 30, 2001
Posts: > 500
From: denmark
PM, WWW
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CLAUS >
Yep, those guys at the PC-Magazine had a lot of trouble with some of the bluetooth devices.
(in danish : Jesper herinde fra kan svare på hvor du kan få det,..jeg aner det rent faktisk ikke,..har ikke set det nogle steder.
Send en "private message" til Jesper.
JEPZ er et perfekt professionelt  T-68 forum,..findes ikke bedre på nettet)
See You
Jan
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Posted: 2002-01-29 16:16
