Infrared IrDA USB wireless adapter for mobile phones
Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 00:49
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mattlobie
Hi all,
Does anyone use an infrared USB dongle to transfer data to and from their mobile phone from their PC/laptop?
I have a Nokia 3205 CDMA and WindowsXP often has issues when I try to use the DKU-5 serial-USB cable to connect the phone. From what I've read, this quite a common issue and apparently infrared is the way to go, instead, and a lot more relaible.
So there are heaps of cheap, USB infrared dongles on ebay. I'm just wondering if anyone has got one or has used one to transfer data to and from their phone.
If so I'm just wondering if they're any good. Is data transfer speed acceptable and is there anything I should know or look out for.
thanks heaps.
matt
Reply By: fox - Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 06:21
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 06:21
I'm not familiar with your model Nokia, but does it have Bluetooth capability? We have Nokia 6600's and Bluetooth is built in to our laptop and it's a lot better than IR in that you don't have to have the 2 devices pointing to each other and the transfer is not affected by strong white light...eg sunlight.
You can get USB Bluetooth modules that will plugnplay with Win XP.
Hope this helps
Happy Camping
Rick n Julie
AnswerID:
143608
Follow Up By: mattlobie - Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 09:46
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 09:46
No bluetooth unfortunately. I agree that it would be a good option though.
thanks
matt
FollowupID:
397126
Reply By: HJ60-2H - Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 06:58
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 06:58
Yep. I use one and it works flawlessly.
AnswerID:
143610
Follow Up By: mattlobie - Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 09:49
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 09:49
Sweet. Is it a normal IrDA dongle or a bluetooth one? How do you find the transfer speed? I mainly want it for downloading pictures to the computer and java programs back and fourth.
Is yours a notable brand?
thanks for the reply
matt
FollowupID:
397127
Follow Up By: HJ60-2H - Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 20:51
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 20:51
Phone is not BT so I went IrDA with USB. Transfer speed is fine. Dont know wha tit is but I do all the phone book upgrades in just a minute or so. Picures also transfer easily.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: HJ60-2H - Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 21:30
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 21:30
Oh.. and I bought it from that huge computer shopping centre in Bangkok. So a no names product.
FollowupID:
397219
Follow Up By: mattlobie - Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 23:55
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 23:55
Sounds good. How much did it cost you, if you don't mind me asking?
matt
FollowupID:
397242
Follow Up By: HJ60-2H - Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 06:53
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 06:53
I don't recall the price but it was probably $10 - $20 AUD. They are on eBay for not much at all.
FollowupID:
397256
Reply By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 07:28
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 07:28
matt, i got a Bluetooth one just a little while ago when I decided to go to a Bluetooth phone and a PDAand GPS the same way too. They all communicate
well.
Dongle on eBay was about $17 by the time I got it here. Most laptops already have IrDA on them anyway. I imagine that they would work
well as the Bluetooth ones but all line of site.
AnswerID:
143613
Follow Up By: mattlobie - Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 09:52
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 09:52
Thanks for the info, I think I'll do it.
matt
FollowupID:
397129
Reply By: fwdoz - Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 20:57
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 20:57
I bought a dongle off E-bay & it's worse than the cable...yet my fone connects to Toshiba infra-red laptops easy...
I recommend Bluetooth connectivity...
AnswerID:
143741
Follow Up By: mattlobie - Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 00:07
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 00:07
I'm sure bluetooth is good, but my phone doesn't support it, unfortunately.
What trouble did you have with the dongle?
matt
FollowupID:
397244
Follow Up By: fwdoz - Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 16:20
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 16:20
The dongle just wouldnt stay connected to the phone, which suggests to me since Toshiba works fine that the dongle is sub standard...
I would suggest buying one locally where you can return it if it doesnt work...
Bob...
FollowupID:
397334
Reply By: OLDMAGPIE - Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 23:34
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005 at 23:34
i went through the same problems , thers nothing wrong with the cable its getting the right software for your particular phone i rang nokia &waited for ages but once i got on they were very helpful & now everything works fine imho i reckon cable's better for data
AnswerID:
143765
Follow Up By: mattlobie - Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 00:01
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005 at 00:01
I talked to Nokia customer service via email. Apparently I have the correct software (driver for the cable, PC Suite version etc) and I'm installing it correctly but still having issues. From what I've read the straight USB cables (eg DKU-2 I think) are a lot more reliable, it the serial to USB cable that causes the problems.
I initially thought a cable would be better too, but I've changed my mind.
matt
FollowupID:
397243