Belkin F8T030 Bluetooth Access Point with USB Print Server

by Belkin

Product Details

Product Manual [624kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.8 x 5 x 9 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00008I9IR
• Item model number: F8T030
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 16, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com product description

Early Adopters Pick: March 2003 The Belkin F8T030 Bluetooth Access Point allows you to transfer data to other Bluetooth-enabled devices including computers, PDAs and printers as well as to gain Internet access through a connected network.

Offering access to local area networks (LANs) with devices enabled with Bluetooth technology such as Pocket PC PDAs, Palm PDAs, notebooks, desktop PCs, and mobile phones, the Bluetooth Access Point with USB Print Server offers connectivity to the Internet, corporate LAN, and home networks. It also enables any USB printer to be accessed via a Bluetooth connection when connected through the Access Point's USB print server ports. At the same time, the product functions as a USB print server where the printer can be visible to the entire wired LAN, which allows the connected USB printer to be accessed by any client on the wired LAN. Up to seven users can simultaneously share the Internet, the LAN, or print to a USB printer via a Bluetooth connection. It features two USB type A connectors, an RJ45 Ethernet port, and the front has seven multicolored LEDs that depict connection activity quickly and easily.

The Access Point requires no manual configuration. It can be installed and start running in under two minutes, needing only a power source and an Ethernet connection, according to the manufacturer. The IP is obtained automatically via DHCP upon power-up or can be set by any Bluetooth client.

Product Description

Bluetooth Access Point with USB Print Server provides access for your Bluetooth devices to your network, USB printers, and the Internet. Support Connections from---Windows 98 SE, Me, 2000, XP, Pocket PC 2000, Pocket PC 2002, and Palm OS

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This product is not ready for public sale, December 16, 2004

By 

A. O. Smith (Cleveland, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Belkin F8T030 Bluetooth Access Point with USB Print Server (Personal Computers)

The tech support was prompt and knowledgeable. The unit has good range which seems to be limitied more by the class of the PDA that is trying to acess it.

HOWEVER this product has a VERY serious design deficiency that makes it UNSUITABLE FOR USE at any price!!!! Belkin tech support has confirmed that there is no way to reset the unit to the original factory settings if you can not acess it via the built in web manager. Belkin tech support also confirmed that there is also a flaw in the unit that will cause some user passwords to not be accepted. Once this happens, this will essentially require returning the unit for complete replacement. I know of no other networking product that has such a serious design flaw (all other networking devices I am aware of have at least a reset button somewhere or a "power on" sequence to handle these inevitable situations). It also makes the unit unusable for any scenario where if you make a change to the settings, you can not afford to be without it for the time to swap it out.

An obvious problem for you, me and Amazon here!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Works just fine, November 26, 2003

By 

Werner DAGHOFER "mozart41" (Bellevue, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Belkin F8T030 Bluetooth Access Point with USB Print Server (Personal Computers)

We had this AP in our office for some time now, and it works well (we are using a fixed IP address).

One caveat about the range:
This is a "Class 1" Bluetooth device with an output power of 100mW, which will indeed have a 100m range, but ONLY if the other device is also Class 1. All mobile devices (phones, PDAs) I know of are Class 2, with an output power of 2.5mW and a maximum free air range of 25m, effectively meaning "same room" indoors. Class 1 Bluetooth would drain the battery of a mobile device too fast. This one of the weaknesses of WiFi (30-100mW output power) - a WiFi card needs more power than a PocketPC (let alone a Palm) and will cut your battery time in half or less.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Must have for bluetooth fans, May 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Belkin F8T030 Bluetooth Access Point with USB Print Server (Personal Computers)

This access point is an ideal low cost option for someone looking to eliminate the desktop wire clutter. The device has a very small form factor and features an Ethernet jack and two USB ports. It is a snap to set up, just plug it in and it finds your DHCP server without a problem. It has a strong radio (100 meters) and is very fast at processing print jobs as well as getting your Bluetooth enabled PDA onto the internet or syncing up with your computer. The only drawback is if you have a printer that will support multimedia cards like the HP Photosmart P1000, you can no longer access these cards through your computer. All things considered, if you are looking to get rid of the wire mess and put your PDA on your network, this is a great product.