Customer Reviews

Belkin 2-Port KVM Switch with Bundled Cables (F1DJ102P-B)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The two complaints most often leveled against KVMs are: (1) video degradation, and (2) hardware incompatibility. I have not encountered either in using the Belkin F1DJ102PB for the past month.

I am running 2 Dells, one with W98 and the other XP-Home, through the Belkin to an Optiquest/Viewsonic Q95 monitor at 1152x864 and 85hz. The keyboard is a vanilla Dell keyboard and the mouse is a Microsoft Wheelmouse Optical. There have been zero problems.

I work with Excel spreadsheets all day long, staring at endless rows and columns of small font numbers. This makes me VERY fussy about video issues like ghosting, fuzziness and blurring. I can detect absolutely NO difference in video quality when using the KVM as opposed to running straight from PC to monitor.

The switch's maximum video bandwidth is 200Mhz. If you are using very high screen resolutions with high refresh rates (say something higher than 1600x1200x100hz=192Mhz), this could become an issue.

The mouse worked immediately on the Dell on which is was originally installed and, once I installed its drivers on the other machine (a step that I think many forget - and then complain about hardware problems), it worked fine there as well.

The unit itself is small and has cable connectors on all 4 sides. Once everything is connected, this arrangement can be somewhat ungainly - a big electronic spider. I have placed mine on the floor underneath my desk. This means I must use the keyboard shortcut to change between machines rather than the button on the switch itself, but I think I would do that anyway - its so easy. Hit the ScrollLock key twice and then either the up or down arrow key (BUT - only the arrow keys in the cursor keypad - not the ones under the '8' and the '2').

Every time you change from one machine to the other, the KVM emits a little chirp. I would like to strangle that little chirp, but this is my only complaint about the unit. It is an inexpensive (especially when you consider that Belkin has included the cables) but entirely satisfactory piece of equipment. Highly recommended.

This switch is wonderful. I was worried at first that is was so inexpensive (many KVMs are much more) but it works well. I use it to switch between two computers, one running XP Pro and the other running Server 2003. Both are set to a resolution of 1280x1024 at 85Hz refresh rate. I found that the monitor works best if both computers are set to the same resolution. Switching between the two is painless, using either the switch on the KVM or the keyboard shortcuts. The KVM can also automatically switch but because I leave my computer running Server 2003 on all the time I need to manually switch back and forth. Considering all the cables ar eincluded I think this is a great deal. Just be sure you need the PS2 model. If you have a USB mouse or keyboard then get a KVM that takes USB inputs.

This is the second KVM I have tried for my home office and have been thrilled at the performance. The functionality is as advertised. Setup was easy and you don't have to buy cables (long enough for my needs) seperately. I just hooked it up and let it go on my Windows XP and Red Hat 9 machines. The switch between computers is quick. I am also very happy with the price of the device. My only minor complaint is that the KVM has inputs all over it, and as a result you have to be careful so you don't end up with a rat's nest of wires.

I bought this switch so I could share a Dell Monitor, Dell ps2 mouse and a Dell ps2 keyboard with my dell desktop and my toshiba laptop.

Plugged it in and everything worked perfectly! It came with 2 sets of cables which is all you need to get this switch working. I have seen one set of cables go for $25 in the stores, so 2 sets of cables and a switch all for under $40 is a great buy!

I also like that you can switch between the two machines using hot keys, since the switch is buried under 1000 cables under my desk.

The design of the switch requires that something be plugged in on every side of the unit, which makes it tough to set it on a table top or desk. However, for the price it's not that big of an issue.

I have been using this switch at work for a couple of weeks. It works well when using the keyboard shortcut. It is powered by the keyboard PS2 connection, so no power adapter is required. One small complaint about the unit is the bundled cables are 3 pieces for each computer, instead of being molded together, so I've got a LOT of wires under my desk now.

Now for the big complaint. For me, this is a deal-killer. If I were using this at home and paid my own money for it I would have returned it. There are ports for connecting cables on ALL FOUR SIDES of the unit. Who decided that was a good idea? The cables are heavy and take several inches to turn 90 degrees, so the unit takes up about 12" X 12" on my desk. This is unacceptable. Please, KVM Switch designers, all the cables should exit the back of the unit, unless it is designed to be mounted in a server rack.

If the little beep that occurs when you switch between your machines is the biggest complaint you have about this unit, then you're reaching for things to gripe about.

I previously tried the little IOGear MiniView 2-port KVM unit. Nowhere on its package could I find what OS's it would work with, so I had to bring it home. Evidently, the IOGear either choked on Windows 95 that I am running on one of my boxes or it choked on the optical mouse (I am using the PS/2 adapter with it.). Either way, it didn't work out. So, I returned it and ordered the Belkin.

The Belkin worked the first time out without a hitch. It recognizes both computers (both OS's) AND the mouse even with its adapter. If I did have a complaint about the Belkin unit, it would be the fact that it does look like a techno spider once you have everything plugged into it. Other than that, I'm very happy. It does just what I need it to do.

I also had a problem with the beep in an open office environment. Belkin Tech support told me that the beep could not be turned off so I resorted to opening the device and using 'Blue Tack' pushed down the sounder hole to muffle the sound. This works well and now the sound is only a slight confirmation that I've hit the correct key sequence to swap.

Works fine, but the beeps can be heard in every cube in the room. My work environment is quiet. The beep was VERY annoying until I opened the switch up and stuffed tissue into the little hole in the little round speaker. Opening it up requires you to split the product ID sticker in half and voids the warranty, but it was worth it because I was about to smash it anyways. They should have put a switch on the speaker.

First off, make no mistake about it, this product functions very well. I was up and running in minutes, easily switching between two computers. Here's the rub. There is an audible alert each time you switch between computers. I have no problem with an audible alert between switches. I do, however, have a HUGE problem with the fact that, short of splitting this thing open and voiding your warrenty, you have no control over whether this thing beeps and how loud the beep is. My rating? Beep Beep Beep. One for each star. 3*s

I have found that problems notes in reviews below might not correspond to your experience. Also the authors who are not professional may not try all options that are available to solve them and expect that in case you have switch Linux-Windows things should work automatically. This might not be the case and not due to switch (or not only due to KVM switch).

One attraction of this model is that (taking into account the price) you can replace cables with better one. For example use high quality video cables. But as for video cables Belkin cables have different connectors on different ends, so this is not an option unless you have access to custom cables. In the latter case that might make sense to use a separate video cable as the video cable that comes with the unit looks too thin and might have insufficient shield and higher resistance.
Still you can use serial to PS/2 cable for mouse if you have problems with mouse on Unix (and you second machine is FreeBSD or Solaris or Linux). You will have no wheel but all three buttons will work. Actually expect problems if the second computer is Unix. Look for Slashdot discussion about "Making Mouse Wheels Work w/ a KVM?" for ideas. Among possible helpful hints for Windows-Unix setup are:

- Use Microsoft mouse instead of Logitech

- buy professional KVM or different KVM (Connectpro Master IT ??)

- reset the X mouse driver with some script or program that outputs the appropriate reset code to the mouse device. Or reset the X mouse driver by switching to a virtual console and back

- use "serial to PS/2 cable" for mouse.

Of course in professional environment you will use something like Avocent but at home you might find some OK solution with Belkin even if you second computer is Unix. Just do not expect it work automatically in heterogeneous environment and do your homework.

NOTE: IMHO you need to be careful and not disconnect and reconnect cables when computer is powered on. Also all both mouse and keyboard need to be sitted tightly and if unit is not fixed to the wall or table they can accidentally became loose or even detached. that's a drawback of the construction but it is compensated by the ability to use you own cables.

Observations:

1. Contrary to Prev reviewers opinion it works well with Dell docking station and c610 laptop.

2. Contrary to previous reviewers opinion it does works with Microsoft Intellimouse. Both wheel and additional buttons (back and forward in IE) work normally.

3. Contrary to previous reviewers opinion it works with USB mouse via converter to PS/2.

4. I can confirm previous reviewers opinion that sometimes when you switches from one computer to another it switches screen resolution. Using same resolutions on both computers might help to solve the problem (not the case in my setup). I still did not figure out why it happens, but it happened to me once. May be using external power supply can prevent this effect. I just do not know.

5. Unit can be easily and conveniently mounted on the wall (or back or side of the table) using a small bracket or wire that creates a loop over main video connector. In this case T-style connectors actually help.