Apart from GPS devices, Globalsat also offers numerous wireless connection devices, mostly using Bluetooth connectivity. We had the opportunity to test GlobalSat's Entertainment pack, which comprises a BT Dongle, BT Headset and BT Audio Gateway. Let's start with the BT dongle, the "BTA-806".

- BTA-806

The BTA-806 is the latest Globalsat Bluetooth Dongle and has been designed and developed specifically for all current Bluetooth devices.

The USB Bluetooth 2.0 Dongle combines the latest features and provides networking over a Bluetooth connection, enabling data transfer among devices such as PDAs, printers, mobiles, computers and other emerging electronic devices. It is USB 1.1 and 2.0 compatible.

The BTA-806 supports Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE (Bluetooth management and connectivity software by IVT) and Macintosh OS X 10.2. BTA-806 works at a distance ranging from 10m up to 45m. It installs quickly and easily on a desktop or notebook computer with from an available USB port.

- Features

1. Bluetooth v2.0 EDR compliant (Class II)
2. Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) for better connections
3. High Speed data transfer up to 3Mbps
4. Connects up to 7 BT devices to the PC
5. Implements a Personal Area Network (PAN)
6. Uses 2.4GHz ~ 2.4835GHz ISM band
7. Connection range up to 10 Meters (32 feet)
8. Activity indicator LED
9. Plug and Play.
10. LMP improvements.

- Specifications

Product Description: Bluetooth USB dongle
Model Name: BTA-806
USB Interface: 1.1
Certification: FCC, CE
Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth v2.0 EDR
RF Output Power: Class 2
Frequency: 2.4GHz ~ 2.4835GHz ISM band
Spread Spectrum: FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum)
Operating Range: 10 meters (32 feet)
Sensitivity: -80dBm @0.1%BER
Bluetooth Profile: SYNC, BSPP, BHCRP, BPAN, BOPP, BLAP, BHID, BFTP, BFAX, BA2DP, BAVRCP, BDUN, BBIP
LED: 1 LED
Operation Temperature: -10ºC~ 55 ºC
Storage Temperature: -20ºC ~ 60ºC
Humidity: 10% ~ 90% non-condensing
Dimensions: 42 * 18 * 8mm(L * W * T)
Power Consumption
Working:58mA
Stand by:13mA

- Package

For our tests, Globalsat provided us with the BTA-806 retail package, that came as part of Globalsat's Entertainment Pack (BTA-806, BTH-820 and BTA-830). The retail package for the BTA-806 is very small and includes the BT Dongle itself, a CD with drivers and a printed manual.

The BT dongle is very small, so small in fact, that you need to be especially careful not to lose it ;-)