Reddit reviews IOGEAR Bluetooth 4.0 USB Micro Adapter, GBU521
We found 30 Reddit comments about IOGEAR Bluetooth 4.0 USB Micro Adapter, GBU521. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Allows any Windows computer with a USB port to become a Bluetooth enabled computer *Wirelessly communicates with Bluetooth-enabled computers, printers, tablets, cell phones, headsets, and moreSupports ultra-low power consumption and Bluetooth Low EnergySupports maximum asynchronous transfer rate of 3MbpsSupports wide-band audio and A2DP stereo audio wireless streamingUltra portable - tiny enough to stay with your laptopUp to 30ft (10m) maximum wireless rangeBuilt-in security to assure the privacy of your communication-pairing, encryption, and authenticationWirelessly communicates with Bluetooth-enabled computers, printers, PDAs, cell phones, headsets, and moreAllows any computer with a USB port to become a Bluetooth enabled computerUltra-low power consumptionSupports dual-mode and Bluetooth Low EnergySupports maximum asynchronous transfer rate of 3MbpsWideband audio support: provides clear perception of voice when using a Bluetooth headset, and enhances the functionality of echo cancellation and noise reduction2.4GHz ~ 2.4835GHz ISM BandUltra portable - tiny enough to stay with your laptop
this is the one i use and it works perfectly! i use it to connect my laptop/desktop to bluetooth speakers and also to connect my phone to (those speakers). edit: (to my laptop, not my speakers lol)
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B007GFX0PY/ref=s9_simh_gw_p107_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=061ADVPMKWRRYXBGY6ZK&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=1970559082&pf_rd_i=desktop
edit: if you have trouble with this, just go to their site and download the drivers.
You could get a bluetooth USB 4.0 dongle, here is the one I use:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007GFX0PY?pc_redir=1413280929&robot_redir=1
It has flawless support for OSX.
If you'll just be using a wired connection why not just drop the Wifi adapter and get a micro bluetooth adapter like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007GFX0PY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
But it does work fabulously with this iogear bt adapter.
IOGEAR Bluetooth 4.0 USB Micro Adapter (GBU521) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007GFX0PY/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_3A7Hub14SNG7G
Swapping the card in a MBP should be straightforward, but the replacement card which will work will depend primarily on the year of your model, as the interface changed on newer models.
If you're trying to upgrade an older model, you might have to look for a 3rd party card which uses the same chipset as an official apple model but utilizes the correct interface (mini-pci-e)
Lookup an iFixit guide for your particular model - they should have clear info on how to replace the card.
As far as using an add-on dongle, I know that the GBU521 was a direct plugin-and-work model (at least the ones Amazon was shipping in 2013)
for bluetooth, I just bought this. It worked right out of the box, all of my apple wireless keyboard/mouse/trackpad seem to work fine..... for wifi, I bought this. This also worked right out of the box, even before I ran multibeast.
I've used DS4 on my PC and Laptop. You just need a proper bluetooth adapter and that is it. FFXIV supports the DS4 controller without any additional software.
My laptop has bluetooth, but since it is 8 years old, bluetooth had issues. I bought this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007GFX0PY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And it works perfectly with the DS4 wirelessly on both my laptop and my PC.
You do not have to get the Sony dongle or use any software(but only if you are using the DS4 for FFXIV)
This would work and it’s BT4.0
Same here... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007GFX0PY/
Unplug the wireless usb dongle that came with it, hard reboot OSX then plug the usb transmitter back in, preferably on a port closest to were the mouse is. check and see if the mouse behaves better when it's very close to the usb transceiver, if it works fine close then it's most likely interference. What I did is bought a usb extension cable and put the transceiver on the end of it and taped it under my desk right above the mouse.
If it's shit all around and works on other computers fine in the same room, then that points to the usb transceiver is not fully compatible with OSX. In that case, take 5$ and go purchase a new one that's guaranteed 100% solid on OSX.
If you search the r/hackintosh sub there should be many posts discussing which ones to get and which ones to avoid.
This is the one I use and it's generally praised in the community.
https://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-Bluetooth-Micro-Adapter-GBU521/dp/B007GFX0PY/ref=dp_ob_title_ce
Double check with customer reviews that it's the correct model number that works with OSX, companies are known to switch the product up with a different cheaper chip after word gets out that they are using decent parts in them...
make sure your batteries are charged and no major source of interference, like a microwave, cordless phone or a powerbox is close by (even a powerbox on the other side of the wall will cause interference).
If the mouse is just dying from old age then pick up a corded mouse to avoid all this shite in the future.
USB adaptors made by IOGEAR and GMYLE work OOB as far as you are using ordinary Bluetooth connection ( e.g. keyboard, mouse, trackpad and audio.) Unlike ones from osxwifi.com, additional work is required when you want to use Continuity functions with iOS.
397885 IOGEAR BT-4.0 USB MICRO ADAPTER 1 14.99 14.99
S/N:OU42USC2T04858
I bought mine from Micro Center.
Edit: Could buy from Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-Bluetooth-Micro-Adapter-GBU521/dp/B007GFX0PY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407533745&sr=8-1&keywords=iogear+bluetooth
I use this one it just plugs in via USB and macOS recognizes that it has bluetooth and it has worked flawlessly for me so far. I use it to connect to apple wireless keyboard and Magic Trackpad.
I use this one
It works like a charm with my Wireless PS3 controller. You should be able connect at least two controllers per bluetooth adapter.
Yes. I couldn't get the bluetooth working on the BCM943602CS card I have installed in one of my M.2 slots, so I just bought this USB adapter. I probably could have figured it out, but I just didn't want to deal with it.
Okay, I couldn't wait to hear if anyone else was able to use this successfully with a 3rd party adapter. I'm using a custom-built Hackintosh with this adapter:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007GFX0PY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It found it immediately, and works brilliantly.
I ordered this - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007GFX0PY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 seems to work just fine in Yosemite. Does not seem to work at all in the bios. So there's that.
My previous Mac was the same, so I researched it as well. The tool is available on this site and for you requires a dongle based on the Broadcom BCM20702 chip. The ones they recommend are below:
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-USB-Adapter-Bluetooth-USB-BT400/dp/B00DJ83070/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425415585&sr=8-1&keywords=Asus+BT400
http://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-Bluetooth-Micro-Adapter-GBU521/dp/B007GFX0PY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1425415585&sr=8-2&keywords=Asus+BT400
The page supplies the directions. Hope this helps.
That TP-Link card should be compatible.
These are compatible with macos:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007GFX0PY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tonymacx86com-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007MKMJGO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tonymacx86com-20
What dongle is that? This one?
I already ordered this
https://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-Bluetooth-Micro-Adapter-GBU521/dp/B007GFX0PY/ref=sr_1_9?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1540078169&sr=1-9&keywords=bluetooth+4.0
​
so that should work fine
I used the Iomega BT dongle. It worked fine in my Sierra install on a different Hackintosh.
https://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-Bluetooth-Micro-Adapter-GBU521/dp/B007GFX0PY
good news, tested my xbox controller, it works!
steps:
plug in the bluetooth adapter
sudo pacman -S blueberry bluez bluez-plugins bluez-utils
su (su into root as next command can only be run as root):
echo 1 > /sys/module/bluetooth/parameters/disable_ertm
enable auto-power on for bluetooth:
sudo nano /etc/bluetooth/main.conf
ctrl+w search "AutoEnable"
Uncomment it and change it to true, should look like this:
[Policy]
AutoEnable=true
sudo systemctl start bluetooth.service
sudo systemctl enable bluetooth.service
After that, open bluetooth gui (mine was located in MATE menu>system>preferences>hardware>bluetooth)
turn bluetooth power switch on in the gui
hold the sync button on the xbox controller until the light starts flashing quickly
in the app you should now see "Xbox Wireless Controller" --click it
in a few seconds it will connect! tested and working in steam :)
this should work with multiple controllers as each controller has its own MAC address which bluetooth uses to connect.
here's my bluetooth adapter:
https://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-Bluetooth-Micro-Adapter-GBU521/dp/B007GFX0PY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491526206&sr=8-1&keywords=bluetooth+usb+iogear
with this adapter you'll need to make sure the controller is pointed towards the adapter, and im not sure how good the range is. worked fine for me for a few feet away but id suggest trying a different adapter that has better range. this just happened to be a spare one I had
I'm going to give this one a shot as it supposedly works on linux and has a 50m range:
https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B01MZ21SC8/ref=psdc_3015437011_r0_B01MZ21SC8
it should ALSO be noted this only works with newer xbox controllers, and does not work with the xbox elite controller (the elite controller does not have bluetooth). it will say on the back of the box if it has bluetooth
texted in steam big picture and in rocket league - xboxdrv is NOT necessary
note: this should also work with ps4 controllers (will test, both of mine are charging atm)
This is what I use, in that I bought the dirt-cheap Lenovo Explorer yesterday on a whim, and didn't realize I needed Bluetooth.
I had bought this adapter a long time ago for something that I don't recall. Dug it out of storage, popped it in, Windows 10 auto-installed the driver, and I was ready to go instantly.
I use the older version of this guy:
http://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-Bluetooth-Micro-Adapter-GBU521/dp/B007GFX0PY
I have the 421 model and it works wonderfully. Do not install the provided drivers, though; they suck hard and the Xinput tool needs custom drivers anyway.
Do you happen to know if this works with a 4.0 dongle? I really really want this, but I'm running a late 2011 MBP.
EDIT: I emailed them and they linked me the one (and only officially supported) dongle that I should use.
You are right. I gave it a look and it requires Bluetooth 4.0 LE devices. Which is a shame, but I wonder if I get this and put it into my mac, somehow maybe I would be able to use it as a updated bluetooth.
"Allows any computer with a USB port to become a Bluetooth enabled computer" Hm.. I have Bluetooth 2.0
I am not sure about that, it would be a nice work around. Maybe I can find some more information on it somewhere, unless someone stumbles upon this thread and reads my comment with Bluetooth 4.0 LE knowledge and if it could possibly work.
You can grab the PS3 Navigation controller from Amazon for $17.50. (There's also a knock-off version for $7, but I've heard rumors of unofficial controllers having trouble with SCP-DS3.)
Using a PS3 controller with the PC is a bit tricky -- some games recognize it, no problem, others don't, or only recognize half the inputs. To get around that, I use SPC-DS3. (It emulates the PS3 controller as a 360 one, and I've found it to be really easy to use, without all the weirdness of Motion-in-Joy.) You can use it wired with a standard USB cable, or wireless if you're willing to dedicate a Bluetooth dongle to controllers (most dongles work, I think, but I use this ioGear -- although, mine is the older version -- and have been pretty happy with it.)
I also use JoyToKey, which allows me to map controller buttons as keyboard (and mouse) input (so, I can use a thumbstick for WASD).
My mouse is a Logitech G602, which is currently $62 at Amazon. There are plenty of other mice that you could pick, but I like the G602 because (A) it's wireless; (B) it lasts about 3 months on just two AA batteries; and (C) it's the right size/shape and has the right number of buttons for my hand. Find whatever one works best for you.
One last thing about this combo: most FPS games that I play tend to use WASD for movement, Shift/Control/Space for running/crouching/jumping, and then Q, E, R, F, and X for various actions that you need to be quick about. That means you need 8 extra buttons between your joystick and mouse. The Navigation controller has 9 extra buttons, but you have to press seven of them with your thumb. I don't like to take my thumb off the stick and stop moving every time I need to reload, melee attack, throw a grenade, etc., so you're probably going to want at least 3 or 4 programmable buttons on the mouse. (Honestly, I virtually never change the DPI and I almost always use the scroll wheel to change weapons, so in an FPS I only really use 3 buttons, but in an MMO I use them all.)
For WiFi it really depends on what you get.
Personally I have this adaptor because it's cheap, small and works fine. I had to hunt for the OS X driver though, but I saved it to my dropbox here.
For bluetooth it's simpler. This worked right out of the box.
if you can't research something like this yourself, then making it work is definitely beyond your scope. No offense, but just pony up a few dollars and get a known working adapter -- https://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-Bluetooth-Micro-Adapter-GBU521/dp/B007GFX0PY/