to bluetooth or not

[dudeman]

After over four years of wear and tear, I recently set aside my trusty Palm Vx for a UX-50. What a jewel this baby is!

First day set up wireless hotsync :D

After some trial and error and reading messages here, I got reliable internet access via a Motorola SBG1000 cablemodem (had to reserve a dhcp address).

Now, as a newbie, I could use some advice. At work I currently hotsync via usb... well I hate that connector! and the less I plug into the UX-50, the happier I'll be.

Which route should I go, BT or 802.11b? I'd like to stick with a USB connector.

Are there problems with software/hardware that I should be aware of with a W2k system?

[sathomasga]

Well, both BT and WiFi hotsync work quite well. I use WiFi at home and BT at work (no WiFi at our offices). WiFi is faster, and its range is much better, but as long as your UX and your PC are both in the same office/cube, the range won't be an issue. (BT range is officially 10m, but I regularly get it to work 20-30m away.)

BT is much more complicated to set up, especially on your PC. (I'm assuming you wouldn't be using a BT access point.) However, once you've managed the rather steep learning curve, knowing how to get BT working will let you use it for other applications, primarily Web browsing from your UX50 to a BT phone with high speed Internet access (e.g. GPRS).

Stephen

[jamesgood72]

Same scenario here : I use bluetooth syncing at work (Not allowed WiFi, managed to sneak a small bluetooth dongle in), and WiFi at home. Bluetooth is quite slow, but as long as you're not installing huge apps everyday, it works fine.

I would hate to use the USB connector - wireless is the way to go!

Don't forget to program one of the hot keys (cntrl-1, for example) to the hotsync app too, almost makes up for the lack of a hotsync button...

-James.

[JustaNoob]

I think BT is the way to go, since it's more secure in an office environment. It's less useful, but for some it's the only option. And it's cheaper than getting WiFi, maybe just by a lttle bit though.

Yes, it does take a bit of work to set up the BT on PC, but I think I've got it down to a science, so if anyone needs any help lmk.

[dudeman]

Ok cool

Now I still have both options open, but am leaning towards BT. I here Belkin is pretty cheap, but are there compatibility issues that I should be aware of?

[verndude]

The bluetooth will suck down the battery faster. If you have the charger cradle no problem.

[Unregistered]

No way. Wifi sucks much more power than Bluetooth.

[duraace]

I agree. BT is much less of a drain on the battery; however, it's slow as molassas. I hotsync using BT at work, and it takes forever. Doesn't affec the battery much though.

[rachris2]

DudeMan... we are in the same boat. I've been using wi-fi at home and because work is a pain to get ANYTHING, I'm starting to take my laptop in. Got a BT USB over at TigerDirect ($29.17 w/shipping) to use at work.

Let me know how yours works out. I'd be interested in all the gory details... ;)

[rachris2]

BTW... can one of you BT folks define "forever" when you talk about the length of a hotsync? Is that like five minutes? Or 1.5 minutes? Just a ballpark figure is fine.

When I'm hotsyncing at work, I normally am on the run, trying to hide from The Boss ;)

[duraace]

I would say ten minutes.

[verndude]

Way, Its true bluetooth has lower power consumption but you need to factor in the net efficiency. It’s all in the data rate. Faster transfer times means less on time and that means less battery consumption. No?

[dudeman]

Ten minutes to hotsync? With Mbit/s speeds?
I understand that Bluetooth has security advantages over 802.11b, but can't someone give me some insight into actual transfer speeds.... other than through a lead wall?

[rachris2]

BTW, did anyone notice that my # Posts didn't increase? I just noticed that.

Anyway... ten mins. for a hotsync is an eternity. And is that w/o installations?
I'm remembering IR and it took that long, but that was way back in the 20th century...

[sathomasga]

Bluetooth transfers data at about 600 kbps; WiFi has a data rate of 11 Mbps. The actual time to hotsync will depend on what applications are installed on the PDA. With nothing but the default applications installed, either hotsync will complete in just a few seconds.

If you sync via a BT interface directly to your PC (rather than through a BT access point), the PDA considers that a local hotsync. WiFi syncs are remote hotsyncs. This might be useful because the hotsync application on the PDA allows you to selectively determine what applications are sync'd on a remote hotsync. It does not offer you the option for local hotsyncs; locally, as far as the PDA is concerned, everything gets hotsynced. Of course, in both modes you have some control over what gets hotsynced with the PC application.

BT uses considerably less power than WiFi. Contrary to what those selling applications might claim, leaving BT on all the time will have no significant effect on battery life. WiFi, as those of us who use it are aware, is a huge battery black hole.

Stephen

 

 

[joelvk]

Well I am in the same boat as all of you are with the home and work hotsync issue.. I hotsync at home via wireless network and I bought a bluetooth usb adapter for my work computer last week. The major problem I had with it is that it is way too sloooww....... We are talking 12 minutes to hotsync with very few apps but using about 6 avantgo pages. The problem lies in the max speed I was getting for BT was 115200. I could not get the BT to connect any faster than that. Needless to say it was way too slow to update my datebook every time I made a change at work so I took it back and am using the usb connector. I know it is a real pain to connect and disconnect but 1 minute compared to 12 minutes is a lifetime when I am ready to go. The usb adapter that I purchased was at best buy and it was an ambicom adapter. Just my 2 cents worth. :)

[joelvk]

Well I am in the same boat as all of you are with the home and work hotsync issue.. I hotsync at home via wireless network and I bought a bluetooth usb adapter for my work computer last week. The major problem I had with it is that it is way too sloooww....... We are talking 12 minutes to hotsync with very few apps but using about 6 avantgo pages. The problem lies in the max speed I was getting for BT was 115200. I could not get the BT to connect any faster than that. Needless to say it was way too slow to update my datebook every time I made a change at work so I took it back and am using the usb connector. I know it is a real pain to connect and disconnect but 1 minute compared to 12 minutes is a lifetime when I am ready to go. The usb adapter that I purchased was at best buy and it was an ambicom adapter. Just my 2 cents worth. :)

[PEG-UX50]

I cna synch 4000 avantgo pages under 2 min with my Bluettoith logitehc keyboard

[jamesgood72]

Guys :

I just did a hotsync on my Bluetooth connection, after installing the new CaSTaway (1.5MB), and changing the categories of about 100 address items. It took about 6 minutes to sync.

After doing that big sync, i can change a few address records, and it syncs in less that 20 seconds...

I would say, as long as you're not installing big programs or large amounts of avantgo pages, it's perfectly usable. I'm using a belkin adaptor (with the little pop-up antenna on it).

-James.

[dudeman]

Ok now I got a better feel for BT. But the speed difference kinda sucks.

The next question I have has to do with the different BT implementations...
BT is up to spec 1.2... are there speed differences between the core specifications?
How about speed differences between say a belkin or a sony dongle?

[JustaNoob]

I think the spec 1.2 isn't available yet -- it's a new spec that they've just worked out that will be faster and backwards compatible with 1.1 (kinda like USB 1 and 2) but at this point it's just a spec.

I imagine that there are differences between dongles, just like there are differences with routers. For instance, I will only ever use Linksys wireless products because the power seems to be better, the setup is super-easy and the support is good. I learned that after buying several different WiFi cards and routers.

So I imagine that BT is the same way, and that you're better off in terms of ease-of-setup and support if you buy something with a good brand name like a Belkin. But I bought a no-name dongle and while it took me a good bit of time to set up, it works well and seems to have excellent range.

[rachris2]

dudeman... have you ordered your BT adapter yet?

[dudeman]

lol - nope not yet -)

I've kinda been sorting through the various dongles, most have similar specs except with regard to range.... I'm seeing 10m and 100m jobs.

Also, found a Linksys that recently came out (USBBT100), but can't find a spec sheet for it. It has a rather large antenna.

So far I like the Belkin F8T001.

What can I say, I shop around a lot first :D

[rachris2]

Well, keep us posted on results.

I sould have shopped around a bit more, but with Thanksgiving coming up and a tight work schedule (12-15 hr days) I just wanted to get it over with.

[dudeman]

After futzing around a while, I went by BestBuy (instant gratification) and picked up a Ambicom BT2000.C dongle.

I just finished a hotsync :D

Installed the software and proceeded to configure blindly....

I finally came on here and read a msg by clicclic and a light bulb went on when I read that the dongle basically creates a virtual serial port.

So I changed the hotsync to Local Serial and on the UX50 changed to Local and voila!

I had previously set it up as network on both.

Now, I'm gonna play around with file transfer and internet access...

[dudeman]

After futzing around a while, I went by BestBuy (instant gratification) and picked up a Ambicom BT2000.C dongle.

I just finished a hotsync :D

Installed the software and proceeded to configure blindly....

I finally came on here and read a msg by clicclic and a light bulb went on when I read that the dongle basically creates a virtual serial port.

So I changed the hotsync to Local Serial and on the UX50 changed to Local and voila!

I had previously set it up as network on both.

Now, I'm gonna play around with file transfer and internet access...

[rachris2]

So how long did the initial hotsync take? Any other sordid details would be greatly appreciated!

[PEG UX-50]

It does not take so long. Buy a Logitech Bluettoth keyboard and your set, I was.

I nede to speed up surfing though.,

[dudeman]

Initial hotsync was slow but not so bad...

From what I understand, since in hotsync the dongle emulates a serial port, we're limited by the inherent speed of serial port connections (~115k). Or am I missing something?

Now, if I could just figure out how to get around that limitation...

[PEG UX-50]

I guess. But my surfing isstill slower thanthat.

[rachris2]

dudeman! Help! I got the Bluetooth today. Got installation done. The UX sees the PC, the PC sees the UX. But they won't talk to each other!

When I try to hotsync the UX says the COM port is being used by another app.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to spend time at work tomorrow setting this thing up.

Thanks!!!

[dudeman]

oh crap -)

I'm not at work, so let me see if I can remember...

pc side: hotsync was set for local serial - so that eats up a comm port (in my case was com3)

ux side: hotsync set to local; in connection/available connections I created a new entry (called it ambicom dongle)

in ambicom dongle:
connect to: PC (network works also)
via: Bluetooth
Device: (should be the same as you pc name, BT autosenses this)

in details:
speed: 115,200 bps, flow ctrl: auto

Let me know if that helps.

[CyberDan]

I had the same problem with "port in use"
Had to deselect "secure connection" for the BT serial port and that`s it.

[dudeman]

ok something odd here.

After a long weekend of added apps and dbs, I went to the office and did a hotsync. I expected it to be a long one.

What took the longest was the applications backup process. But I was watching the traffic and it struck me as odd that more data was being received (by pc) than sent....

After about 11' or so, the ux had sent ~402k while the pc had received ~4700k. That's over a factor of 10 difference.

My connection strength is indicated as good, so why the difference? Is this overhead? Resends? Handshaking? Security?

If overhead and could be trimmed, it would speed up bt hotsyncs dramatically.