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Author Topic: Looking for a Good USB Bluetooth adapter  (Read 18495 times)

Offline Jah

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on: May 10, 2009, 12:51:12 PM
I'm asking for recommendations on which USB bluetooth adapter I should buy.

I know there are many, such as on newegg.com
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=usb+bluetooth+adapter

But....I am looking for personal verification on a specific usb bluetooth adapter that will work FOR SURE.  I have purchased USB bluetooth adapters in the past....did everything I could to get it to work, and no luck.


I am a teacher with a projector in my classroom and would LOVE to make it an interactive whiteboard.

Therefore, I am looking for a USB bluetooth adapter that will easily get me up and running.  Please post links with any recommendations.

Thanks!


Offline EdvardShadows

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Reply #1 on: May 10, 2009, 01:08:04 PM
Hi Jah,

After searching a little bit, i saw a lot of people recommending the TRENDnet Advanced Bluetooth Adapter TBW-104UB, the only problem is that its a little expensive;



Im using a "Micro Bluetooth Dongle" from China, its very cheap, but i dont recommend it because was very difficult to make it work. But if you wanna try, its look like this:



It work booth on Linux (i already tested it by myself on Ubuntu 9.04) and Windows (read this: http://www.wiimoteproject.com/bluetooth-and-connectivity-help-center/micro-bluetooth-dongle/ )

Cheers my friend  :D


Offline mystre

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Reply #2 on: May 10, 2009, 07:45:11 PM
Just to be fair - I've used the Micro for several installations (4 XPs and on my Vista Machines) and have always had it work nicely.  Whenever I set one up I first use the procedures found here

http://www.shootingsoftware.com/Widcomm.htm





Offline Davo

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Reply #3 on: May 11, 2009, 05:30:55 AM
Hi, we at 3Pi have settled on a dongle after testing various models.
It is easy to install (plug and play with XP and Vista - works with Mac too).
Have a look at www.3pinteract.co.nz

Regards
Dave
3P Interact Ltd

(The micro dongle pictured proved difficult to install for some users and we wouldn't recommend it either.)



Offline jmitchell

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Reply #4 on: May 11, 2009, 08:32:12 AM
Penteractive.us sells a Micro Bluetooth Adapter and if there was never any other bluetooth software installed on the computer, XP installs it perfectly using the Silicon Wave drivers.



We've sold hundreds of these with little difficulty. They also work in Linux (Ubuntu 8.04+).

Wiimote Whiteboard Expert and seller - http://penteractive.us

Offline Jah

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Reply #5 on: May 13, 2009, 06:57:07 PM
Quote from: jmitchell on May 11, 2009, 08:32:12 AM
Penteractive.us sells a Micro Bluetooth Adapter and if there was never any other bluetooth software installed on the computer, XP installs it perfectly using the Silicon Wave drivers.



We've sold hundreds of these with little difficulty. They also work in Linux (Ubuntu 8.04+).

WOW! great site!  So to get this mini usb bluetooth adapter to connect to my wii remote, I just plug it into the computer....windows plug and play locates the correct drivers for me...I install them and then my wii remote will connect to my computer?....


Offline jmitchell

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Reply #6 on: May 13, 2009, 08:07:49 PM
If you have not had any other BT stack installed on your system, windows will do just as you said. I would recommend using WiimoteConnect - http://www.wiimoteproject.com/bluetooth-and-connectivity-knowledge-center/wiimoteconnect-0-6-(support-for-autoconnect)/ to connect your wiimote. It's very nice and convenient.

Best of luck.

Wiimote Whiteboard Expert and seller - http://penteractive.us

Offline Jah

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Reply #7 on: May 18, 2009, 08:28:11 PM
I submitted my order today.  How long would you guess it would take to get from TN to Michigan?  I chose the cheapest shipping option...

Anyways, I'll keep you posted on my progress...


Offline mystre

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Reply #8 on: May 18, 2009, 08:55:20 PM
I'm outside of Flint in Flushing, and orders from Penteractive arrive in 2 or 3 days.

Good Luck



Offline Jah

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Reply #9 on: May 19, 2009, 05:20:40 PM
Oh yea?  I'm in Davison (east of Flint).....Small world...  The micro adapter you were talking about...did you get that from Penteractive ?


Offline mystre

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Reply #10 on: May 19, 2009, 08:28:58 PM
Yup, got it from Penteractive.  I teach K-6 computers over in Owosso, I've helped a few other teachers in my district setup so far.  I've used IOgear bluetooth USBs from Walmart but all my recent ones have been with the micro.


Offline Jah

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Reply #11 on: June 05, 2009, 11:08:59 PM
Works great!  I am making a user write up guide.  I didnt even use the wiimote connect program.  I plan to post the guide next weekend.


Offline benpaddlejones

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Reply #12 on: June 06, 2009, 04:45:33 AM
Jah
Save you reinventing the wheel: http://www.boonjin.com/smoothboard/index.php?title=Connecting_the_Wiimote_to_a_XP/Vista/Mac_Bootcamp_Microsoft_Bluetooth_stack let me know if anything you think worth adding.

benpaddlejones :)


See my full profile and links on my Google Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/benpaddlejones

Offline mystre

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Reply #13 on: June 06, 2009, 02:25:05 PM
Glad it worked for you.  I  was in Davison Friday at one of the elementary schools showing them the whiteboard.


Offline Jah

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Reply #14 on: June 11, 2009, 04:47:24 PM
Now I am looking for good software programs to run with this technology.

When playing around with it, I've just been using MS Paint, which is ok...but a little difficult for students to read because my handwriting looks like that of a 5 year old.  Is there better programs out there that I can use?  If so, any and all information on them would be greatly appreciated.


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