Plugable USB Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy Micro Adapter (Compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8.x, 7, Classic Bluetooth, Gamepad, and Stereo Headset Compatible)

Adapter installed flawlessly. OK, it was a multistage install, but no real issues. My system is Windows 7 64-bit and did have a CSR v2.0 installed in it prior to this adapter. I expected some required uninstall, but as I usually try first and ask questions later, I just dropped it into a USB slot to see if MS could sort it out. Windows updated Installation happened and completed normally and I was able to pair a Bluetooth 4.0 headset (Bohm) without issue. There were some uninstalled parts of the driver when I examined the device in the Bluetooth list. Well, despite no installation errors per se, it did not appear as a sound playback device; due to the missing drivers not provided through Windows Update. So, I went to the Broadcom site, they make the chipset is this unit (you could also get them from the Pluggable support site) to get the latest drivers ([...]). They appear to support XP to Windows 10 and some Linux distros. Downloaded the small installer (boradcom, pluggable is the full 200MB at once) which proceeded to install a bunch of additional software (~200MB). It completed and All the device features now had drivers installing for them. Completed and no errors. Still no sound. This is resolved by simply entering the sound mixer on Windows (click the speaker in the lower right corner and select Mixer and finally use the dropdown under the Device column above the slider) and select your paired Bluetooth headset as the playback device. You can also this as the default playback device; check the control panel. After that it worked without issue. Other programs like games or Skype may also require you to set a new device as the playback or microphone device. That part is kind of a pain, but does allow a headset for Skype and speakers for normal windows playback.Range was not what I expected. I thought this was a type 1 with 100 meter (typical 20-30 meter) range. It appears to be a typical type 2 with 33 meter (typical 10 meter) range; and that with assumed clear line of sight. Site states 10 meter (33') range. I actually just read that ([...]and [...]). Granted I was testing in a house with one wall between me and the unit. Sound is very good. I noticed some clipping or click when I change volume in Windows, but that is not uncommon. Playback however is excellent within 20-30 feet. Beyond that it comes and goes in a house setting; your mileage will vary. I was able to go upstairs in my house (and not directly above) out to around 30' from the computer when I would get cutouts; more or less. Not all that I hoped (was hoping to walk the house, but this unit would not do that), but the installation ease, sound quality, and decent multi-room range make this a great buy if you need Bluetooth connectivity for a machine without it or one that does not support the newer 4.0 standard.Not sure if the microphone on my BT headset or the connectivity or sound generation of this adapter is not very good. Sound recorded on a Skype echo test was not good; muffled and not crisp at all. I'm not sure that I will be using it for more than listening at this point. I will do some real people tests and use different headsets and update later. Right now I'm "blaming" the headset.I will also try to do some more line of sight testing to see if the range improves at allGood unit so far, but I've only had it for about 1 hour and I'm listening to music and completed my installation and testing.You may have installation issues if you have previous or current Bluetooth driver installed. Checkout the Pluggable link above. There they also have a nice comprehensive FAQ that tries answer many installation issues. I did not use them, but I did look through them while downloading the drivers.Very good adapter. Highly recommended. I've tried many imported knockoffs, mostly BT 2.0, and this is by far the easiest and most complete install. Most have incomplete or failing drivers and provide limited functionality or poor and somewhat distorted sound quality.I have found another good vendor that does appear to care about the user. Getting tough to find these days.Installed in a second machine at work, again no problems following the same steps as above despite it being a radically different machine but still Windows 7 64-bit. I've ordered a second one!

Simply put this device works great. It's Plug and Play, meaning you just plug it in and windows update provides the driver software. The Bluetooth connection is good for this Bluetooth 4.0 I can get some headphones to stay connected through several walls, and if anything does get disconnected it has no problem auto-reconnecting. Works great with newer Bluetooth 5.0 headphones too!The best part about this product so far has been the tech support. I bought this product about 4 years ago and had no issues, until a few months ago. Turns out it wasn't the this product, but some things I changed with the drivers. I am pretty tech savvy and did everything I could to fix the issue, but I couldn't figure it out. I reached out to Plugable, they ask for details and a debug report (which they show you how to do), then reply with detailed instructions specifically tailored to your specific issue. I was honestly blown away with the level of tech support they offer. Even their website is filled with information to help troubleshoot, down to specific brands and models of Bluetooth devices you might be using. The instructions tech support provided me fixed all my problems, even ones that weren't in my original request. They are also very clear instructions that even someone who has no tech knowledge or experience could do.The product works great, it's affordable, and if you run into any problems, I believe their tech support can fix them. With out a doubt the best tech support I've seen, and I've done tech support as a career for years.Pros-It just works-Good range-Stable Connection-the best tech support I've ever seen, even 4 years after the original purchase date.-affordableCons-I would buy a USB extension to keep the device away from any metal for the best connection and stability. I went a little extra and got a 6 foot cable so I could hang the adapter a foot from my ceiling. Not necessary but, all BT devices work best with direct line of sight.-Works best with USB 2.0 ports. Not much of a con because if your device only has USB C or USB 3.0 ports then it likely already has Bluetooth, but if you need a BT adapter, it still works best in a USB 2.0 port.