TRENDnet Compact Bluetooth USB Adapter TBW-105UB (Blue)

by TRENDnet

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 0.3 x 0.7 x 1.8 inches ; 0.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000MAWWLI
• Item model number: TBW-105UB
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: December 30, 2006

Product Description

The USB 2.0 Bluetooth Adapter allows you to make short-range wireless connections between your computer and Bluetooth-enabled devices. This Bluetooth v2.0 utilizes Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) to allow for data rates up to 3Mbps. The Bluetooth adapter can easily connect to your Bluetooth-enabled devices from up to 10 meters away.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works great., May 20, 2007

By 

sp - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: TRENDnet Compact Bluetooth USB Adapter TBW-105UB (Blue) (Personal Computers)

I have had this product for a couple of months now to transfer pictures from my samsung cell phone to my PC. I have had absolutely no problems in the transfer process. It's pretty small so I leave it connected to the laptop. Highly recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't beat it for the price, February 9, 2008

By 

Yu (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: TRENDnet Compact Bluetooth USB Adapter TBW-105UB (Blue) (Personal Computers)

I bought this to replace one of my older adapters. The one this replaced was about 4 years old and I had lost the drivers for it, but was still able to use it with the M$ BT stack. This one beats it in every way other than it's class 2 vs class 1. This was no big deal for me since my priority was throughput over range. I mainly use it to tether my phone to my laptop for EVDO service. My old adapter would only connect at 1.0 Mbps. Not bad, but it was bottlenecking my speed. This adapter connects at 2.1 Mbps, so the actual connection is faster and I'm sure the EDR helps with the throughput. The adapter says it will connect up 3.0 Mbps, so I guess my phone tops out at 2.1. It says it also supports Sactternet and connections with up to 7 other active slave devices. I haven't had a chance to test this feature yet, but would come in handy if I were to also use a headset, A2DP, mouse, and keyboard at the same time.

Range seems about right. I got about 30ft (and that's with 2 walls and a washer/dryer in between) before the connection became intermittent. For those wondering why this is not a class 1 it's probably because there is trade-off when it comes to range. You can ether have more range or more throughput at the expense of the other. I don't think there are any class 1 adapters that are also v2 + EDR.

I noticed someone else say that it did not just work out of the box. For it to just work, it would have to be compatible with M$'s BT stack (I don't know if this one is, I didn't even try it). Even if it worked, I've always found M$'s BT stack to be a little lacking in features and settings. If you get this, do yourself a favor and use it with the included drivers (which are Widcomm 5.1, btw). Important thing with BT drivers is to run the install shell before connecting the adapter. Just follow the instructions, they are refreshingly very clear.

Supported Profiles:
DUN, FAX, BPP, LAP, SPP, GAP, HID, HCRP, FTP, OPP, A2DP, GAVDP, HSP, PAN, BIP, SYNC, AV, GOEP

Pros:
- Price
- BT v2.0 + EDR
- Supports Scatternet and up to 7 ACTIVE slave devices
- Uses Widcomm 5.1 drivers (versus Blue Sol that usually comes with cheaper adapters)

Cons:
- Class 2
- Does not come with a cap (IMO, just another thing to lose, and mine stays plugged in anyway)

I'm ordering 2 more to replace my other adapters :)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works perfectly, December 7, 2007

By 

APenName (seattle, wa United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: TRENDnet Compact Bluetooth USB Adapter TBW-105UB (Blue) (Personal Computers)

Plugged it into my Linux machine. Absolutely no problems; drivers worked the first time. I was able to transfer contacts and pictures to my cell phone and my wife's cell phone.