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    Zoom Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR PC Card

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by phillyboi, Mar 22, 2011.

  1. phillyboi

    phillyboi Notebook Guru

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    This unit is only $13.74 at Microcenter.com it looks like the billionton card everyone has talked about on this forum. My search didn't find this brand, has anyone used it? it's priced to move...I saw it at the store but didn't grab it, maybe I should have. Thanks!

    Phil
     
    phillyboi, Mar 22, 2011
    #1
  2. Azrial

    Azrial Notebook Deity

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    What Non-Microsoft Bluetooth Stack does it use? Do you know? If you look you notice that it does not list Win7 compatibility. Billington has been a little slow in achieving that despite their earlier claims...
     
    Azrial, Mar 22, 2011
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  3. Azrial

    Azrial Notebook Deity

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    OK, I checked and it uses the Toshiba Stack. It comes with an older version of the software that only claims compatibility with Windows 2000/XP/Vista operating systems (32-bit versions). I have used this version before with W7 and it should be fine.

    Go here for vendor support.

    I perfer the Billington Stack, but despite claiming compatibily they seem to have a hard time making it work with Win7, last time I checked.
     
    Azrial, Mar 22, 2011
    #3
  4. TopCop1988

    TopCop1988 Toughbook Aficionado

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    Bluetooth® USB Adapter/PC Card Quick Start Guide
    Setup for Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE

    It's actually "Billionton".

    BTW: the card shown above will fit under the closed PC Card bay door on the CF-29. :)
     
    TopCop1988, Mar 22, 2011
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  5. phillyboi

    phillyboi Notebook Guru

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    phillyboi, Mar 22, 2011
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  6. ohlip

    ohlip Toughbook Modder

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    Again, If you are not afraid to mod that PCMCIA to be use it in any situation. You can actually take out the bump out antena and solder the coax with 2.4ghz antena and then place the antena into the original location for bluetooth antena. With this! If the door is closed you still have a great distance of signal while when it is on as is(no mod), you have limited signal. This is only an advice and good to know you buy an accessory with good quality rather than those made in china that last sometimes only a day.

    ohlip
     
    ohlip, Mar 23, 2011
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  7. TopCop1988

    TopCop1988 Toughbook Aficionado

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    You do realize that is obviously a "rebadged" Billionton card; don't you? :confused:
     
    TopCop1988, Mar 23, 2011
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  8. phillyboi

    phillyboi Notebook Guru

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    I thought it was but now I do for sure :D
     
    phillyboi, Mar 23, 2011
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  9. phillyboi

    phillyboi Notebook Guru

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    I will try that, I'll search the forum regarding the install for that.
     
    phillyboi, Mar 23, 2011
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  10. Azrial

    Azrial Notebook Deity

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    Really?

    Because I have a Billionton Card here on my desk and it is a Version 1.1, not a Version 2.0+EDR like the Zoom Card and uses the WidComm Stack, not Toshiba as with the Zoom Card... ;)

    Zoom = Class 1 - Version 2.0+EDR
    Billionton = Class 1 - Version 1.1
     
    Azrial, Mar 23, 2011
    #10
  11. ffergie

    ffergie Notebook Enthusiast

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    Phil:
    Do you have a link to this card at Microcenter.com?
    Thanks
     
    ffergie, Mar 23, 2011
    #11
  12. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    Shawn, Mar 23, 2011
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  13. phillyboi

    phillyboi Notebook Guru

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    Yup that's it but doesn't have an ext antenna connection like the stock photo shows. Call them maybe they can ship
    It to you.
     
    phillyboi, Mar 23, 2011
    #13
  14. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    The large orange sticker on the Zoom says class 1? Just curious, where did you see class 2?
    Has anyone ever tried one of the MSI wifi bluetooth mini pci combo cards? They are supposed to be MSI only, but when has that stopped us from trying?

    MS6855B I think.
     
    Shawn, Mar 23, 2011
    #14
  15. TopCop1988

    TopCop1988 Toughbook Aficionado

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    TopCop1988, Mar 23, 2011
    #15
  16. phillyboi

    phillyboi Notebook Guru

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    phillyboi, Mar 23, 2011
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  17. TopCop1988

    TopCop1988 Toughbook Aficionado

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    :confused:

    Uh; "External antenna":
    [​IMG]

    "Internal antenna":
    [​IMG]
    ...... ↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑
     
    TopCop1988, Mar 23, 2011
    #17
  18. phillyboi

    phillyboi Notebook Guru

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    Didn't notice the internal one had stub on the left compared to the ext
    One. However the stock pic shows the antenna stub too.
     
    phillyboi, Mar 23, 2011
    #18
  19. Azrial

    Azrial Notebook Deity

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    Go here, where I explain my typo. I should have said "Class."

    The Billionton PCMCIA Class 1 Bluetooth Adapter, Model PCBTC1 looks similar, but I do not belive that this is the same card, as TopCop suggests. The Billionton also uses the older CSR BlueCore 02 chip, does the Zoom? The Zoom also have 2 LEDs, the Billionton has 1 and different specs.

    I am thinking of selling my Billionton to a nice XP home, it does not like Win7 and will only run with the dreaded Microsoft Stack there.
     
    Azrial, Mar 23, 2011
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  20. TopCop1988

    TopCop1988 Toughbook Aficionado

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    Looks could be deceiving here. ;)
    I believe PC Card Bluetooth cards are on the way out; being replaced by USB devices; as PCMCIA/CardBus is giving way to ExpressCard slots in the newer laptops (some don't even have slots anymore).
     
    TopCop1988, Mar 23, 2011
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  21. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    Everyone seems to be going USB. I noticed that trend myself. I prefer to have the cardbus as it fits in nice and secure. Not some other corded acc. to get lost or bumped and broken. I imagine a USB port is a lot cheaper than Cardbus/Expresscard and everything is driven by the bean counters.
     
    Shawn, Mar 23, 2011
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  22. Azrial

    Azrial Notebook Deity

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    It really does not matter, I can not find one near me here in Atlanta. :(
     
    Azrial, Mar 23, 2011
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  23. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    There isn't any near me either, or else I could pick one up and ship it to you.
     
    Shawn, Mar 24, 2011
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  24. phillyboi

    phillyboi Notebook Guru

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    Check your Inbox
     
    phillyboi, Mar 24, 2011
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  25. rcx

    rcx Notebook Consultant

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    Me three...I'd spend several hours, a few times the cost on gas, and a couple times the cost in tolls...lol.
     
    rcx, Mar 25, 2011
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  26. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    Cost in tolls or cost for the Trolls?
     
    Shawn, Mar 25, 2011
    #26
  27. rcx

    rcx Notebook Consultant

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    Actually, probably so, as the rate increases have been to subsidize mass transit in other cities, cities far enough removed that I can't even take advantage of said mass transit systems....
     
    rcx, Mar 25, 2011
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  28. Azrial

    Azrial Notebook Deity

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    Thanks Deere245 , Philliboi is helping me out! :D
     
    Azrial, Mar 25, 2011
    #28
  29. Azrial

    Azrial Notebook Deity

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    Well my Zoom Card arrived last night, courtesy of Philliboi! Thanks!

    I installed it and must report that it does not run under Win7 with the supplied driver. I did find a driver on the web that was certified for Vista that I got to run, with some conflicts. My next step is to try the latest Toshiba Bluetooth Stack and see how that works

    For what it is worth, there are two versions of the Zoom card, one that has an extensible antenna and the other, which I have, does not. Both take different drivers.

    The one I have is for sure not an old and re-badged Billionton Card as has been strongly suggested Topcop... ;)
     
    Azrial, Mar 29, 2011
    #29
  30. rcx

    rcx Notebook Consultant

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    Thank you for posting that update. I would be interested to learn if you are able to get a good, workable driver under Windows 7.
     
    rcx, Mar 29, 2011
    #30
  31. rcx

    rcx Notebook Consultant

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    On Zoom's website, I see two driver pages, one for model 4312 and one for model 4312AF (RoHS).

    The most recent straight 4312 driver listed is for Windows XP, but the most recent 4312AF (RoHS) driver listed is for Windows Vista. Is your model a straight 4312 or a 4312AF (RoHS)?

    Based on the pictures in this earlier post, is this perhaps a straight 4312?
     
    rcx, Mar 29, 2011
    #31
  32. phillyboi

    phillyboi Notebook Guru

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    Great you got it! thanks for trusting me :). Good to know the feedback with windows 7. I am debating I want to upgrade another cf-29 to windows 7 :rolleyes:
     
    phillyboi, Mar 30, 2011
    #32
  33. Azrial

    Azrial Notebook Deity

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    Mine is a Model 4312A (RoHS). The serial number contains "AF" (xxxx-4312-xx-xxAF-xxxx) Go here for the two drivers and details. My intent is to try the latest Toshiba Bluetooth Stack.

    Thank you! I have tried 4 different Bluetooth models and 3 different stacks so for, none with satisfactory results using the equality important twin criteria of working with all hatches closed and Win7 Compatibility. I need a Stack that supports Bluetooth Advanced Audio Service and Bluetooth Headset Service. That rules out Microsoft.
     
    Azrial, Mar 30, 2011
    #33
  34. ToughNut

    ToughNut Notebook Evangelist

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    Not sure if this is a later version than what you've found but it's working sweet on an Asus with W7.
     
    ToughNut, Mar 30, 2011
    #34
  35. rcx

    rcx Notebook Consultant

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    If AF is in the serial number there, that should be the newer model. Any success with the drivers and Bluetooth stack yet?
     
    rcx, Apr 2, 2011
    #35
  36. Azrial

    Azrial Notebook Deity

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    Sorry, I have not got around to finding and downloading the latest versions of the Toshiba Stack.
     
    Azrial, Apr 4, 2011
    #36