Bluetooth - what is the better way

[Omicron]

I was wondering what is the better way to do bluetooth, using a CF (and if so which is the best cf card) or using the AirCable that connects to the sync port.?

My BT use will generally for using a cellphone (internet)  or connecting to a PC to trasfer data.

What I am wondering is, is the spec for bluetooth intrinsicly for low bandwidth (like the sync port) or is it possible to use bluetooth in a high bandwidth situation.

I know most phones surf incredibly slow and also communicate slow too.  

But I am a complete Bluetooth newbie and I am wondering if an investment in the Aircable will be a waste as speeds rise (if they rise) on bluetooth, due to the slow serial cradle interface (Now I have a c860 and I am assuming it is still only a serial speed (115Kbs max)....is this true or is the C860 sync port at USB 1.0 speeds?

I guess what I am REALLY asking is: What is the best choice for BT, now and in the future?

I have an SD card, CF Microdrive and CF WIFI....so using another port seems like a huge advantage....but I thought I should consult the bluetooth experts here what they recommend.

Please feel free to talk about bluetooth today and it's plans for tommorrow and how they affected your purchase (and what was your purchase?, are you satisfied? etc)

Thanks.

[tumnus]

I don't have an Aircable so I can't comment on it personally, but a lot of people have had success with it.

Really, the choice boils down to whether you want to use another CF device at the same time (you might want to use your CF microdrive) and whether you can put up with a device sticking out of the serial port some distance while net surfing/emailing. I also would not advise keeping the Aircable in the serial port with your Zaurus in your pocket/bag/whatever so you would have to keep unplugging it.

The Bluetooth standard isn't going change any time soon. They are working on Bluetooth 2, but that is still some time off especially in commercial products. The current Bluetooth spec allows for ~742Kb/s downstream in asynchronous mode (and you really can get that), so it will cope with many 3G services.

[Omicron]

I don't have an Aircable so I can't comment on it personally, but a lot of people have had success with it.

Really, the choice boils down to whether you want to use another CF device at the same time (you might want to use your CF microdrive) and whether you can put up with a device sticking out of the serial port some distance while net surfing/emailing. I also would not advise keeping the Aircable in the serial port with your Zaurus in your pocket/bag/whatever so you would have to keep unplugging it.

The Bluetooth standard isn't going change any time soon. They are working on Bluetooth 2, but that is still some time off especially in commercial products. The current Bluetooth spec allows for ~742Kb/s downstream in asynchronous mode (and you really can get that), so it will cope with many 3G services.

Dut does that men the limitations of the port will keep the aircable from getting anymore than 100-150Kbs?

In nother words, does CF max out currently at 700+kbs and the AirCable at 150+Kbs
Aircable' site

AirCable  Technical Specifications (or would these better on a C860's port)

    * Embedded Bluetooth 1.1, class 2 compliant software
    * Radio Carrier frequency: 2.4 ~ 2.483 GHz, 79 channels
    * Data Rate: 115200 bps
    * Radio Performance Receiver: -85 dBm sensitivity
    * Transmitter Power at Antenna port: As per Class II - 10 meters range
    * Antenna: Integrated PCB antenna
    * Dimensions 56 x 31x 11 mm
    * Weight: 7g AIRcable Zaurus module
    * Operating temperature 0C ~ +65C
    * System support: Sharp Zaurus SL5x00 and C7x0
    * Power consumption max: 5mA (no data), 20mA (at 115200 bps)
    * Implements and supports Bluetooth profiles: SPP, DUN and LAN.

[tumnus]

Dut does that men the limitations of the port will keep the aircable from getting anymore than 100-150Kbs?

I guess the serial port speed is the limiting factor in that case. If your mobile connection is already faster or could soon get faster then CF is logically the better option.

If you want to go for a Bluetooth CF card I suggest looking here:

http://www.zaurususergroup.com/modules.php...oothCardSupport

Note the model numbers, as some of the same brand work and some don't. It all depends on the model.

[Omicron]

Dut does that men the limitations of the port will keep the aircable from getting anymore than 100-150Kbs?

I guess the serial port speed is the limiting factor in that case. If your mobile connection is already faster or could soon get faster then CF is logically the better option.

If you want to go for a Bluetooth CF card I suggest looking here:

http://www.zaurususergroup.com/modules.php...oothCardSupport

Note the model numbers, as some of the same brand work and some don't. It all depends on the model.

So that brings me to two questions:

1) Is the poirt on the C860 technically a serial port of a USB port in terms of speed?

2) Even if it is a serial port, is it worth worrying about?....I mean is most general Bluetooth usage running in less than 115Kbs for now and the forseeable future?  

I know it CAN go higher, but what do people often find thems running at (like GPS's generally run at 4800 baud and cells at 9.6K)...So if you were me and looking for something useful for say 5 or so years, would it be worth saving the CF  port  and give up the "possible" high bandwidth usage by getting an aircable?  

Lastly, has anyone owned an aircable and dumped it in favor of a CF card?  If so, why?  Was speed a major reason?

[Zuber]

Used (and sold) the AirCable for a while, but did not find that much demand for them so stopped doing them.

Personally, I opted for the CF solution in the end, simply because I tend to put things down and forget them, so wanted an always plugged in solution.

The AirCable pretends to be an IR port (redirected), so I reckon (feel free to correct) you would be limited to 115k IR limit.

Only used it for connecting with a mobile, so speed was not an issue...

[Omicron]

Used (and sold) the AirCable for a while, but did not find that much demand for them so stopped doing them.

Personally, I opted for the CF solution in the end, simply because I tend to put things down and forget them, so wanted an always plugged in solution.

The AirCable pretends to be an IR port (redirected), so I reckon (feel free to correct) you would be limited to 115k IR limit.

Only used it for connecting with a mobile, so speed was not an issue...

Couldn't you leave the Air Cable plugged in too?

[Zuber]

With the Aircable, most of it is sticking out, with only a small portion (the connector) keeping it in the unit.

So not practical to just leave it plugged in when storing away etc. Just wasn't intended to be used that way...

[Omicron]

I understand.  Thanks.

[rgzu]

I was reading this with interest since at some point I would like to get a BT adaptor for my Zaurus 5500 too as my laptop/pocketpc and cellphone all use BT.

I would think the speed is a non issue at the moment since 115kbps should be enough practically for both GPRS (only 56kbps max) and EDGE or Verizon/Sprints lowest tier data service (once you can get a decent BT phone of course).

The issue is really what is more convenient for you. Even if Bluetooth becomes faster in the future, it's a moot point since you will have to get a new BT device anyway.

I love Bluetooth and would never go back to Infrared. Once I get around to buying a BT solution for my zaurus I will probably go the CF route as like Zuber I would rather have something you can keep plugged in although of course it may still have problems fitting in a case.

[tumnus]

Once I get around to buying a BT solution for my zaurus I will probably go the CF route as like Zuber I would rather have something you can keep plugged in although of course it may still have problems fitting in a case.

The Socket CF Bluetooth cards are the same size as a CF memory card, so they fit flush in the slot. I have the Rev F Socket card, which works fine out of the box. Rev G (the latest) works but may require a bit of extra tweaking depending on what ROM you have.

[ocman]

I just picked up a C860, installed the latest Cacko ROM and patch, popped in my Socket BT CF card (Rev G) and it just worked.  Fits flush and pairs beautifully with my Sony Ericsson T608 for internet access =)

[Omicron]

I think I would miss my Microdrives too much.  I wish theire a simple addon to the aircable had like a U-shaped connector, so the bulk of the air cable could be hidden in the back of the unit....safe and secure.

[rgzu]

I can see your point. If I had a microdrive I too would rather be able to use it at the same time and in this case I would indeed go for the aircable since  there wouldn't be any other practical choice.