Adding Bluetooth to a Desktop PC

Tech and cars on 18/11/2016 - 09:18

Any good/recommended adapters that add Bluetooth (audio + peripheral capability) to my PC?

Ebay seems to link $2 junk and I can't seem to find a 'belkin' or 'reliable' brand with good reviews.

Most laptops(eg. Surface pro 4, XPS etc) come with great Bluetooth adapters. Is it possible to get an equivalent level adapter for my PC?

I'm happy to use PCI express/PCI slots if necessary, but would prefer to use a USB 3.0, or USB 2.0 Slot.

I have a nice Microsoft Bluetooth mouse I would like to use and also my bose soundlink mini speaker.

Thanks in advance.

Computing

Comments

  • djsweet on 18/11/2016 - 09:30

    If you don't want a cheapy, maybe check out this Targus one? http://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/targus-blue…

    • Tech and cars on 18/11/2016 - 09:39

      Thanks, saw this but read the review:

      http://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/targus-blue…

      "13 August 2016
      Dylnbxtr
      from CairnsAge: 18-24 Gender: maleOccupation: Other

      Purchased this item to work with my Bluetooth headphones, as they weren't sold with a usb Bluetooth adapter.
      Let's start with the fact that the driver does not work on Windows 8 or newer. Once I found a driver, installation was still a nightmare. Let alone the fact that it will just randomly disconnect from items, does not recognise either my mouse or keyboard and can most definitely not be used with any other form of Bluetooth.
      To make matters worse, I purchased it while in Brisbane on a trip and left the package behind. Now that I'm home in cairns, I can't even return it.
      Money wasted"

      • djsweet on 18/11/2016 - 10:31
        +2

        Its plug and play… Targus has Windows 8 and 10 drivers on its website anyway. That looks like more of a case of incompetence on the buyer's side. In any case if you buy from Officeworks you can always return it if you can't get it to work. As another user has mentioned, the $2 eBay junk works fine. I've got an eBay one (more like $6 at the time) which has been working flawlessly for about 6 years.

        • Tech and cars on 18/11/2016 - 10:43

          I had given one of the eBay ones a try a few years ago, the plastic moulded cap fell off and it used to cut in and out.

          Maybe they have improved. I'll give this linked one below a go.

  • AJW on 18/11/2016 - 09:40

    maybe read the reviews first, old product?

  • CyberMurning on 18/11/2016 - 09:53
    +3

    "Ebay seems to link $2 junk"
    that junk work fine for my first gen i7 desktop, i can stream music to my bluetooh speakers.

    • Tech and cars on 18/11/2016 - 10:43

      I had given one of the eBay ones a try a few years ago, the plastic moulded cap fell off and it used to cut in and out.

      Maybe they have improved. I'll give this linked one below a go.

  • Axelstrife on 18/11/2016 - 10:32
    +1

    I'm after a good one aswell i bought a cheapo from ebay and my ps4 controller keeps getting high latency from it

  • zeto87 on 18/11/2016 - 10:37
    +2

    I bought one of these Mini USB 2.0 Bluetooth V4.0 Dongle to enable me to use my PS4 controller on the PC. Simple plug-and-play setup. I'm sitting less then 2m away from the adapter with no latency issues.

    • Axelstrife on 18/11/2016 - 10:40

      I have that exact one and it constantly goes high then low then high again latency controller stoppes working in game of rocketleague

      • zeto87 on 18/11/2016 - 11:17

        Have you tried using a program called Input Mapper? Its free with ads or you can donate $2 to remove the ads.

        • Axelstrife on 18/11/2016 - 11:37

          You have to use either input mapper or ds4windows to use ps4 controller on pc.

        • mattyman on 19/11/2016 - 14:32

          @Axelstrife: Why are you using a controller on a PC? Mouse and KB is where it's at.

        • Axelstrife on 19/11/2016 - 14:58

          @mattyman: You do know Mouse and keyboard for rocket league gives you a disadvantage right?

        • ProspectiveDarkness on 19/11/2016 - 14:59

          @mattyman: Don't be that guy.

        • mattyman on 19/11/2016 - 15:38

          @Axelstrife: No I didn't know that. How is it better?

        • mattyman on 19/11/2016 - 15:42

          @ProspectiveDarkness: Sorry. I've tried controllers ON PC before and the only game that I found that works well is Mortal Kombat.

          I do use a HOTAS for flight Sims but everything else it's the mouse and keyboard combo that works.

        • Axelstrife on 19/11/2016 - 17:54

          @mattyman:
          https://www.reddit.com/r/RocketLeague/comments/3nfqj2/contro…

          Scroll to the bottom that final post explains it perfectly.

          Mouse and keyboard isn't best for everything. thats why pc users have a choice. use what's best for whatever game you play racing games i use controller cause i don't have a wheel

    • Tech and cars on 18/11/2016 - 10:43

      I'll give it a go. Thank you :)

  • EightImmortals on 18/11/2016 - 11:10
    +2

    I got this one a few weeks back

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400690435506?_trksid=p2060353.m27…

    Came with a driver CD and seems to work fine on my Windows 10 machine. Am using it to drive my cheapo bluedio 'shooting Brake' headphones and I can get about 3/4 down the other end of the house before it loses signal (about 15-20 meters?).

  • thejew on 18/11/2016 - 12:36

    Bluetooth® V.5 quadruples range, doubles speed, increases data broadcasting capacity by 800%

    www.bluetooth.com/news/pressreleases/2016/06/16/-bluetooth5-…

  • tomsco on 18/11/2016 - 12:39

    I'm another one that confirm I'm using a $2 cheapie that works with no issues (at the moment the main task is using Bluetooth headphones).

  • scrimshaw on 18/11/2016 - 21:52
    +1

    There is the Gigabyte GC-WB867D, it's basically an Intel Wireless AC network adapter device that has Bluetooth radio onboard that does double duty of networking and BT. It sits in a PCIE 1x slot.

    The GC-WB867D-I Bluetooth 4.0 / Wi-Fi Expansion Card from Gigabyte delivers dramatically faster Wi-Fi speeds (up to 867 Mbps) than 802.11n, with more bandwidth per stream, more capacity for more users (extended channel bonding 80 MHz), broader coverage and better battery life. The expansion card also offers support for both Bluetooth 4.0 and IEEE 802.11ac Wi-Fi connectivity. The Bluetooth 4.0 standard includes Smart Ready technology that is debuting on a variety of mobile devices. This means that transferring important content from your smart phone or tablet is easier and faster than ever.

    This is sold from US sites for $35 dollars but it never made it into australia, so you're looking at places like Amazon or BHphotovideo.com for stock.

    There is also the Asus PCE-AC55BT which is the same thing but with much faster Wifi and a higher price tag of $76 AUD.

    • Tech and cars on 18/11/2016 - 23:39

      Very cool to know about these products - just the type of response I was looking for.

      Thank you so much

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