Use USB Bluetooth adapter instead of internal

Question

Level 1

8 points

Use USB Bluetooth adapter instead of internal

Is there any way to use an external USB Bluetooth dongle with my Core Duo iMac instead of the internal (weak) Bluetooth transmitter? I need more range than is possible with the internal adapter....

Thanks
Paul

iMac Core Duo 17", Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Posted on Jan 30, 2006 10:01 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 31, 2006 1:28 PM in response to Paul Penny

Yes, this is possible since Mac OS X v10.4.

However, check all your devices support a longer range. Blueooth range is limited to the device with the shortest range. If your other device has power class 3 or 2, you will not experience any increase in range. Only if the other device has power class 1 and you buy a power class 1 USB adapter, you will enjoy a wider range.

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Answer 2

seany69

Level 1

8 points

Mar 11, 2006 7:35 AM in response to Alexander Traud

I don't know if the situation is similar with the new dual core, but I am able - albeit with the occasional difficulty - to use an external bluetooth module instead of the internal module. I use the belkin bluetooth 2. I do wonder if there is a way of deactivating permanently the internal bluetooth module.

Apple Powebook 12" 1GHz Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Apple Powebook 12" 1GHz Mac OS X (10.4.5)

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Answer 3

Paul Penny Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 5, 2006 2:15 PM in response to Paul Penny

I'm still looking for a "definitive" answer here. I have been unable to find a way to make my Linksys USB Bluetooth adapter work with my Core Duo iMac. Even with low power USB devices, the superior antenna on the Linksys adapter has significantly improved range for other users with other systems (I'm really wanting this for Salling Clicker remote control...)

Thanks
Paul

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Answer 4

Apr 6, 2006 2:18 AM in response to Paul Penny

Have you read my answer? Which mobile phone are you using? Most do not allow more than Class 2. The range increase will be minimal. It is the phone which limits. Otherwise, when you have less than 10 meters (30 yards) of range, then the Bluetooth antenna in you Mac is not connected correctly.

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Answer 5

Paul Penny Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 15, 2006 2:10 PM in response to Alexander Traud

Actually, since the 10.4.6 update, this seems to work fine. It seems that it's "smart" enough to disable internal bluetooth when the external USB dongle is connected. And, with all thanks and due respect to Alexander, it DOES make a significant difference in range using Salling Clicker and my treo - I understand the whole class 1/2/3 thing, but a high gain antenna which is designed for better performance will typically outperform an internal design which is only designed to give you the minimal class 1 range... and it does in this case.

Paul

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Answer 6

Apr 27, 2006 4:31 PM in response to Paul Penny

Hello

I would like to know if it's possible to disable the internal bluetooth module on Mac os 10.3.9? I don't have 10.4.6.

I would like to control iTunes with Romeo on my sony Ericson T630 phone from my kitchen. I've bought an USB line extender but when I plug a class 1 external bluetooth dongle in the kitchen my phone doesn't see it - although the dongle works on my mac mini at the office.

It looks like mac 10.3.9 disables the external dongle. I need to disable the internal module and activate the external one.

Any idea on how to do it on mac os 10.3.9?

TIA
Guillaume Brown

PB G4 1,25Ghz Mac OS X (10.3.9)

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Answer 7

Apr 15, 2006 3:54 PM in response to Paul Penny

Class 3 is the lowest range.

Not sure which power class a Palm Treo 650 has, however, I think it is at least 2 when you get a noticable improvement.

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