GC2 Bluetooth Dongle extension usb2.0 or 3.0

[Wizard of Coz]

I was wondering if everybody could chime in on dongle type, if usb extension how many ft, what usb is used 2 or 3 and how far dongle is from gc2. Thanks ill start

1. Asusbt400
2. 16.4 ft usb extension cable creation super speed active. No additional power source though
3. Usb 3.0
4. 5ft if dongle is between 6-7 ft it's a real chore to connect. Once connected it can be over 6-10 ft away without dropping connection
5. Windows 10


I have the Ebay wooden plexi gc2 protective case

[GoldenSim]

Great idea. I think it would also be useful to know whether people are using an "active" USB extension cable as this is one of the key factors in my post on connectivity issues and fixes.

1. ASUS BT400
2. 15FT Monoprice Active Extension Cable
3. USB 3.0
4. 4'. Sometimes need to put it next to the GC2 to connect, but can then place it back in a "safe" place 4' from the GC2

[GoldenSim]

Based on the comment from FaultyClubs I use the plastic case for the GC2. I think it's also worth noting that I'm on Windows10, which I (along with mthunt and several others) feel is more the culprit than any other component.

As a side note, I had solved all my connectivity issues until last night when I got the upgrades to TGC2019 and now they have started again. No issues connecting to FSX, but I cannot (as yet) get GSX to connect

[FaultyClubs]

1) Asus bt 400
2) no extension cable
3) USB 2
4) 15-17 ft away

No connection issues. Works every time.

Do people use the metal protective case? I use a homemade plexiglass/wooden case.

USB max length for passive cable is 5m by spec. There are definitely different quality of cables. I have a 5m extension on a camera and it glitches, changing nothing but the cable it becomes rock solid.

[Wizard of Coz]

15-17ft no way can i get that far away with the same dongle. I wonder if my gc2 bt signal is weaker. Serial number 2501 it is an older one.

I've tried 6ft extension leaving me10-12 ft from gc2 and no connect.

[FaultyClubs]

I suppose they could have changed the Bluetooth chip. My serial is just under 5000. It's an A version.

[mthunt]

Windows 8, Trednet extended range dongle, 6 foot generic extension cable, dongle is 8 feet from GC2. I clicked a button once and my PC upgraded to Windows 10 over night. After 3 days of hell I downgraded to windows 8.

[Wizard of Coz]

I have a feeling you have zero love for windows 10.

[mthunt]

I have no love for my PC not working. I need one thing. A sim running.

[GoldenSim]

mthunt when I was forum surfing prior to my build, your posts were a valuable help for everything I was doing. I only wish I'd figured out that Windows 10 was going to be such a pain, and that I had spec'd a system that could run Windows 8!!

[andygg1986]

1. Asus bt400
2. 6 ft usb passive extension cable
3. Usb 2.0
4. Dongle is located about a foot from GC2 with the Foresight plastic shield or Foresight metal case with the back removed depending on who is playing. I never have any drops.
5. Windows 10

To be fair, I never tried my computer's internal Bluetooth. I went straight to this setup since it was recommended by lots of people when I bought my GC2 and figured another $20 was worth it to potentially avoid connection issues.

[Wizard of Coz]

I hear you. Ive never had drops but connecting is difficult. Asusbt400 had been the best. Techkey appears to be the same dongle with a different name. Hgard(csr4.0) i'm having trouble finding gc2 with this one.

[Stingreye]

I have a passive extension. I think it’s a usb 2.0 but not 100% sure.

i have an Asus dongle and the cirago Bluetooth adapters. Early on I had trouble but 90% of it was user error. Back then. I would swap dongles when I had trouble to get it to work. These days I have learned all the tricks to get it fixed and rarely have issues.

I do know that some gc2’s just need you to hit the connect button a few extra times before they connect.

[Wizard of Coz]

Did you think the cirago had better range than the asus $6 vs $45 that a big difference. I bought a techkey for $12 and loaded it up. It was same dongle as asus. I tried one called Hguard (csr4.0) it didn't find the gc2. I was going to test a few and see if they had different ranges like advertised but so far testing had come down to just get one to work. Asus works for me but it has to be pretty close to connect.

[Stingreye]

Did you think the cirago had better range than the asus $6 vs $45 that a big difference. I bought a techkey for $12 and loaded it up. It was same dongle as asus. I tried one called Hguard (csr4.0) it didn't find the gc2. I was going to test a few and see if they had different ranges like advertised but so far testing had come down to just get one to work. Asus works for me but it has to be pretty close to connect.

I paid less than $15...... No way is it worth the extra money. I couldn't tell a difference. Although, I have only had my ports get messed up once in the last couple years with it. I feel like I had my ports get messed up with the asus more.

I bet you there are not many different actual chips on all these dongles. Might be able to narrow your search if you can figure out what chips are in which dongles.