IOGEAR USB 2.1 Bluetooth Micro Adapter (GBU421)

by Iogear

Product Details

• Item Weight: 0.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0018O9JIG
• Item model number: GBU421
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (666 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #3 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Networking Products > Network Adapters > USB Network Adapters
  • #7 in Electronics > Televisions & Video > Television Accessories
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 30, 2008

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

IOGEAR USB 2.1 Bluetooth Micro Adapter GBU421

The IOGEAR Bluetooth USB Micro Adapter offers Bluetooth connectivity at a fraction of the size of normal Bluetooth USB adapters. About the size of an adult fingernail, the IOGEAR Bluetooth USB Micro Adapter allows users to connect to all the latest Bluetooth devices like cell phones, PDAs, mice and keyboards. Because the Micro Adapter is so small you can easily plug it into your computer without blocking any surrounding USB ports. The Micro Adapter also features Bluetooth EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) technology for transfer rates that are 3 times faster than traditional Bluetooth 1.1 and 1.2 adapters.

The Micro Adapter allows users to connect up to seven Bluetooth devices together and transfer even the largest files quickly and easily. With the Micro Adapter's lower power consumption, you can enjoy longer battery life on your notebook computer. This Bluetooth Class 2 adapter is compatible with both Mac and PC computers, and offers a wireless range of 30 feet (10 meter). It is great for both home and mobile networking needs.

Key Features

• Allows any computer with a USBport to become a Bluetooth enabled computer
• Ultra portable - tiny enough to stay with your laptop
• BluetoothEDR (Enhanced Data Rate) - 3x faster than current Bluetooth (1.1 or 1.2) products; up to2.1 Mbps
• Supports A2DP stereo audio wireless streaming
• Up to 30 ft (10m) maximum wireless range
• Wirelessly communicates with Bluetooth-enabled computers, printers, PDAs, cell phones, headsets, and more
• Built-in security to assure the privacy of your communication-pairing, encryption, and authentication
• Supports the following services:Generic Access (GAP), Serial Port (SPP), Dial-Up Networking (DUN), Fax (FAX), LAN Access (LAP), Object Push (OPP), File Transfer (FTP), Headset (HSP), Advanced Audio Distribution (A2DP), Audio/Video Remote Control (AVRCP), Synchronization (SYNCH)
• Backwards compatible with Bluetooth 1.1, 1.2 & 2.0

Easy Operation

Requirements:
Hardware Requirement: Available USB Port

Operating System Requirement:

• For PCs: Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7
• For Macs: MAC OS X v10.3.9 or later

What's in the Box:
Bluetooth to USB adapter, Driver/Manual CD*, Quick Start Guide, Warranty / Registration Card

Warning:*The included CD is a mini size disket, and it is recommended not to insert the mini size CD into the slot-loading CD ROM drive to avoid damaging the slot-loading CD ROM drive.

Warranty:
3-year warranty

About IOGEAR

IOGEAR headquartered in Foothill Ranch, CA, offers innovative Consumer Electronics and IT solutions that enable convergence through connectivity in the home, at the office and on the go. Founded in 1999, the company provides a broad range of products that help integrate technologies in everyday life, share resources, decrease clutter and energy consumption, and reduce electronic waste.

The company is environmentally-conscious and emphasizes conserving natural resources to employees and customers through its GREEN initiatives. In addition, IOGEAR has partnered with Trees for the Future to plant one tree for every product purchased on its Web site or by members of its GREEN initiative partner program.

IOGEAR distributes throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia.

Product Description

IOGear GBU421 Bluetooth 2.1 USB Micro Adapter, the IOGEAR Bluetooth 2.1 USB Micro Adapter offers Bluetooth connectivity at a fraction of the size of normal Bluetooth USB adapters. About the size of an adult fingernail, the IOGEAR Bluetooth 2.1 USB Micro Adapter allows users to connect to all the latest Bluetooth devices like cell phones, PDAs, mice and keyboards. Because the Micro Adapter is so small you can easily plug it into your computer without blocking any surrounding USB ports. The Micro Adapter also features Bluetooth EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) technology for transfer rates that are 3 times faster than traditional Bluetooth 1.1 and 1.2 adapters. The Micro Adapter also allows users to connect up to seven Bluetooth devices together and transfer even the largest files quickly and easily. With the Micro Adapter lower power consumption, you can enjoy longer battery life on your notebook computer. This Bluetooth Class 2 adapter is also compatible with both Mac and PC computers, and offers a wireless range of 30 feet (10 meter). It is great for both home and mobile networking needs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

202 of 221 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beware before installing with Vista, January 6, 2009

By 

BikeStrong (Saratoga Springs, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: IOGEAR USB 2.1 Bluetooth Micro Adapter (GBU421) (Personal Computers)

*** My comments (below) are from January 2009. One of the more recent comments (April 2010) states that my issues are no longer valid. Just a heads up that things change/improve over time. ***

The product works (eventually) and is low priced and is tiny. But, before you install it, please consider the following. Customer care by Iogear is horrendous.

The first hurdle is bad instructions. Step 1 for Vista says you MUST insert the device. Then step 8 says DO NOT insert the device. 8 is correct, by the way.

Still, the included ver. 5 drivers do not work with Vista. When you contact the vendor for help, they'll tell you where the ver. 6 drivers reside. They're marked 221 thru 321 so you think they don't work with the 421, but they do. Oh, you need the revised instructions, too. By the way, the included disc says nothing about the software version. You have to watch for it after launching setup.

So, get ver. 6 drivers or later, get the latest instructions, and don't plug in until the drivers are fully installed in Vista.

I asked if the drivers were necessary since Vista wants to provide its own, and tech support said yes, you need to install them.

I tried tech support's live chat. They pointed me to newer instructions that said to wait before connecting, but they said nothing about the ver. 5 drivers and Vista incompatibility. After wasting 2 hours installing and uninstalling, I emailed to tech support. I wrote at midnight and when I got up bright and early, I had a URL for the proper drivers and instructions. The final installation was flawless and the device works fine.

63 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not working with Windows 7, no support, December 11, 2009

By 

Joe Pambianco (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: IOGEAR USB 2.1 Bluetooth Micro Adapter (GBU421) (Personal Computers)

I am very frustrated with this product and the poor customer support I am recieving. I was able with difficulty to get this product working on my PC with Vista. We were using it to synch the PC to a Palm device. When we upgraded to Windows 7, it no longer worked. Ok, so I went to their website, downloaded and installed the driver that says it supports Win 7. It installs, but doesn't work. I have called tech support on two separate occasions and held for 20 minutes at the end of that time, it sends me to voicemail. That's frustrating. What's more frustrating is that they haven't bothered to call me back. I've only had the product for a few months. If they want to be in this business, they have to support Windows 7 and they have to support their customers. They have certainly lost my business and I recommend you steer clear as well.

107 of 119 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full Review: IOGear vs. Cirago, November 1, 2008

By 

BOGY. (Milford, CT) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: IOGEAR USB 2.1 Bluetooth Micro Adapter (GBU421) (Personal Computers)

I have purchased both the Cirago and this IOGear. Both work perfectly with Windows XP and Vista. The Bluetooth drivers auto load and it makes sharing files and pairing very easy. On your task bar will be a BT icon that you right click for a list of options. The IOGear claims to work with MAC but the Cirago doesn't. I don't have a MAC so I do not know if this is true or not (Sorry). The Cirago has a brighter blue light than the IOGear. Also, the IOGear is smaller (But not by much). Both are so small in size they can be left in the USB slot and not removed. The IOGear is easier to remove from the slot than the Cirago (it is the shape of the exposed area that determines this). Here is one other interesting thought. Take a look at the picture of the IOGear. When plugged into the USB the metal part slides all the way in so only the black plastic area is sticking out. That is nice, eh? The Cirago goes in the same but sticks out just a little more than the IOGear (Some metal exposed). However, both function perfectly with USB BT 2.0 and early versions 1.0 & 1.1! Both are backwards compatible. The range doesn't seem to be different - I have tested both from 20 feet and they work (Document sent to printer). You choose.