Does Bluetooth work reliably?

[PeterS]

I have been trying to get a Belkin bluetooth AP with print server talking with a laptop with Belkin bluetooth PC card. Two problems keep coming up: First, the two will be communicating and suddenly the AP stops responding for no reason, and it has to be power cycled to get it back. The other problem is that printing via bluetooth, when it works at all, is S L O W!
Is this typical? Was I using the wrong technology? does ANYONE have good reliable conections between bluetooth devices? Does Bluetooth serve any useful purpose at all?

 

[senk1s]

bluetooth is ideal where a short distance low power application is required. i rememeber reading somewhere it can replace infrared ...

my friend uses this and he likes it ... i'm still stuck with my USB printer ...

 

[bcastner]

Many Bluetooth issues are resolved using Service Pack 2 for Windows XP.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/sp2preview.mspx

The entire Bluetooth service is rewritten in this Service Pack.