 |
| Date Reviewed: 01/19/2007 |
|
 Disapointing Strengths: Integrated power supply, lan and wan ports
Weaknesses: Poor range, clumsy setup, no access point mode
Summary: After leaving my D-Link DWL-G730AP pocket travel router behind at a distant client, I thought that I would try this Linksys as an alternative. I liked the idea of an integrated power supply and both wan and lan ports. Overall however I was disappointed with the device. It took half an hour to configure in a hotel room, and performance was sluggish at best, and the range was poor compared to my former DLink. Since the integrated adapter makes the device much larger than the DLink both devices take the same amount of "in your bag space". I actually found the lack of a power cord was a negative as you loose the added flexibility of not jamming the brick behind an end table as is common in hotel rooms. The flexibility of the DLink converting from a router to and access point or to a client device base on a physical switch on the device is great, and missing from the Linksys. Once you configure your Dlink you never have to re-configure it again. Where the DLink seems to need re-configuration each use. In short I am returning this device and purchasing another D-Link DWL-G730AP.
 100% of People (3/3) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
 There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 02/11/2007 |
|
Strengths: Very compact, speedy, good price, no external "power brick", good warranty. Works as a wireless repeater on open Wi-Fi networks.
Weaknesses: Range not sufficient for much more than a hotel room (but that's what it's for!). No Mac setup software, but you can access the setup screens on a Mac.
Summary: 2007-11-14 17:57:57 I originally gave this unit 4 stars a year ago.
I had been using a Netgear travel router for the past 2 years. It works, but only in unsecured mode, and has been a pain to get going sometimes depending on the hotel. This Linksys, on the other hand, works like a charm. Easy setup (even easier with a Powerbook than with a Windows laptop, but what isn't?). Allows more than one computer to be connected at once. Good WPA security. You can't get more compact than this one, as there's no power brick to carry around; this plugs directly into an electrical outlet. Wireless-G with Speedboost, so is also 40% faster than my Netgear.
I used this recently in a hotel room with terrible wi-fi... except in the bathroom or the central hallway, which figures. So, I was able to connect my Powerbook via Ethernet and access the setup screens (no, the setup software is Windows only, but you can access it via the unit's IP address).
I followed the instructions here:
www.linksysinfo.org/fo.... The included owner's manual was really no help in this area, unfortunately. Select Wireless under the Setup screen, and the router searches for open networks, such as you'll find in hotels. It took a few seconds, and it found several. I selected the strongest signal (37%), and voila, instant high-speed throughout my room.
Nice going, Linksys. I just raised the rating to 5 stars. Not the best overall router (as some reviewers are apparently comparing this to), but exactly what a traveler needs.
100% of People (2/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 10/13/2005 |
|
Strengths: Portablity
Weaknesses: None
Summary: This is one great product. I travel a lot and this comes in handy when you have others traveling with you and don't really want to share you notebook with others. With the Travel Router 2 people can share a internet connection for the price of one!
89% of People (8/9) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 09/16/2006 |
|
Strengths: Compact, Integrated Power Brick, Has Ethernet Port
Weaknesses: Range is average
Summary: For traveling, you can't beat the convenience without the power brick. Often time, I tend to forget to bring all the power adapters for the external devices, not to mention the weight. Cheaper than Apple Airport.
80% of People (4/5) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 03/20/2007 |
|
It strives to make it up to poor level...
Strengths: - Fairly small (not the smallest)
- Trusted name (Linksys)
- Works as advertised for wired (only!)
Weaknesses: - No new firmware than initial rev on their website
- Shipped with newer firmware than website has
- Mostly buggy (hangs a LOT)
- When configured as a wirelss client it refuses to go back to wired
Summary: While it works decently for wired to wireless sharing if you set it and leave it in that mode, it has never worked and has only hung for connecting to a WAP in anticipation of sharing it out wirelessly.
I tried to get a newer revision of the firmware but noticed there hasn't been one since the shipping rev (IIRC) almost 2 years ago. Mine actually has a newer revision but there are still bugs a plenty and I find myself having to hard reset all the time to get it to respond again. Reboots do not help and a hard reset and thus wiping of all data is required.
I get tired of setting it up over and over again and so I would look elsewhere if you actually want to USE the device for other than set it and leave it mode. This is inexcusable for a product to be this bad. It smacks of my first gen 802.11b SMC router 8 years ago.
67% of People (2/3) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 02/28/2007 |
|
Strengths: Compact design well suited for travel. Good range, easy Configuration
Weaknesses: No security for wireless Internet
Summary: A compact package with built-in power supply, works great in hotels, hospitals and conference centers. It lets you bring the convenience of wireless networking everywhere you go. Features: Firewall protection, Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), MAC address filtering. Voltage Required: AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz ). Push button setup feature easily connects and configures your wireless devices. There's also an Ethernet port to connect your wired PC.
67% of People (2/3) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 12/20/2006 |
|
Strengths: size, price ($20 after rebates), international voltages
Weaknesses: one-button config is not as easy as advertised, NO EXT antenna outlet
Summary: The unit is good for popping on a LAN and getting a limited power WiFi. Do not expect much from the one-button setup. Nice idea but did not work well for me. YMMV
There is no EXT outlet for a better antenna (its big brother the WRT54GC has a neat outlet that lets you get dramatically better coverage if you want to slap an external antenna on. Hence limited range and associated signal issue with this little guy. Your bubble of coverage is limited to a single room. If you want a better signal you just have to move closer.
Only one LAN outlet, it would have been easy for Linksys to include at least one more outlet considering the available space on the case, but one is what you get.
Does not accept a WPA key with anything but alphanumeric characters, a limitation in security and could potentially be addressed in a future WTR54GS firmware update... who knows...
Have not attempted VPN or port forwarding.
Suggest you use with WAP2 enabled, turn off SSID broadcast, and enable MAC filtering/mapping to set IP addresses to keep things as safe as possible.
Nice, small, cheap, dependable... THUMBS UP (though missing the EXT antenna outlet of the WRT54GC is a negative and limits it to a 4/5 star review)
67% of People (2/3) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 02/16/2006 |
|
Strengths: Extremely compact. Provides an ethernet port for Snype or connecting to printer, projector, etc.
Weaknesses: The configuration wizard is a bit obtuse; much easier to configure view web interface.
Summary: I love this device. Extremely handy for hotels or other locations without wireless. No bulky ac adapter to lug around. Range is very satisfactory for hotel or conference setting. Fully implemented security.
67% of People (2/3) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are 3 comments for this review. Read all comments.
Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 10/29/2007 |
|
Strengths: Compact, no outboard power supply to loose, can use with a hub or switch if you need additional LAN ports. Works on 110 to 230 volts for overseas.
Weaknesses: No external antenna so don't expect terrific range, but covers most "normal size" rooms, what do you want from a "travel" router?
Summary: If you are tired of lugging a full size router with you when you travel AND need an ethernet port besides wireless, then this is your answer. I was looking for something so i could use my laptop as well as plug in my Sipura VoIP ATA which requires an ethernet port. I've got a couple other travel routers but they only do wireless. This router can also scan for and relay any hotspot you happen to be at, so two or more of you could be using one paid connection at a coffee shop or the airport, as long as there is somewhere to plug the router in, of course. I've stayed at a couple of motels where they want the MAC of your device to put into their router, this way you only have to give them one MAC but be able to run multiple devices. The only drawback with this feature is that the WiFi hotspot has to be OPEN, NOT encrypted. The router will encrypt the signal to your computer(s) but there is no provision to put in a KEY to decrypt a hotspot WEP or WPA signal.
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 05/25/2007 |
|
Strengths: Small/compact, lightweight, easily portable, great features, strong signal. The extra port for another computer or peripheral is a touchdown!
Weaknesses: One button setup somewhat limited. Retractable outlet plug is convenient but requires a short power cord if your only available electrical outlet is behind a piece of furniture.
Summary: I've had this unit set up now for just over a month in a temporary housing unit on a military base. I purchased the unit to replace a Netgear wireless router which consistently dropped my connections and is much larger. Initially, I tried using the One Button Setup feature which instantly got me connected, but did not properly set up the WEP features and would not communicate with my Netgear printer server. I have a Linksys wireless router at home so I was somewhat familiar with the web-based setup interface. Using that interface I was able to easily set up the wireless security and change the base IP address to match my printer server, which I connected to the extra port on the unit. After cloning the MAC address to allow access from the DSL router in my room, I was up and running! I now have my laptop connected wirelessly to the unit and my Netgear PS121 printer server with an HP 1310 multi-function printer attached via the other port and they all work great! Signal strength is very strong within my room (equivalent to a hotel room with a separate bathroom and kitchenette). I have not wandered very far from my room to check reception at longer ranges. Overall, I am VERY satisfied with the unit. It has not dropped a signal since I installed it. It does run hot so make sure it has plenty of "breathing room" around it when in use. I would highly recommend this router for anyone looking for a lightweight, small, portable wireless solution for use while traveling.
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 05/03/2007 |
|
Strengths: Compact
Built in power supply
The ONLY travel router that can be used as a repeater
Weaknesses: None
Summary: I have used this router for about 2 years and it has worked flawlessly. This is probably the best Linksys product, ever. As I stated, this unit can be used as a WiFi repeater. I stay in hotels a good 300 days a year and alot of these hotels state they have WiFi. Sure, in the lobby and rooms near the hotel office. But the room in the far corner, which I always seem to get, the signal is so poor that it is almost unusable except near the door. I plug this in near the door and I am able to have an internet connection anywhere in the room. This feature is well worth it. None of the other manufacturers have this feature.
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 04/04/2007 |
- jwang68
from IL
- Member Since:
Jun 2004
View Member's:
Reviews
|
Strengths: NA
Weaknesses: NA
Summary: This router works flawlessly for what I need. I have used it with a wired WAN connection and a wireless one. Easy to setup and extremely easy to use. Just plug it in and you are wireless.
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 02/27/2007 |
- JStein1986
- Member Since:
Jul 2005
View Member's:
Reviews
|
Strengths: Portable, Cuts the wire especially in hotels, and works well in offsite meetings.
Weaknesses: Setup and range
Summary: Great little unit to allow wireless access in a hotel or offsite meeting for multiple employees. Range is not incredible, but makes it easier to provide multiple users access in a room with limited connectivity. The price is very reasonable with rebates involved.
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 02/01/2007 |
|
 WTR54GS Wireless-G Travel Router Review Strengths: Compact and easy to set up for basic usage. The range was sufficient for the space I needed it for.
Weaknesses: Cannot set up as a wireless bridge and does not do wireless clienting on encrypted networks.
Summary: Overall this router suited my needs. It was easy to use and my connection was fast, but I originally purchased the router to use as a wireless bridge for my Xbox 360, but it does not support the mode. It's not a flaw of the router, but it would be something I wish it could've done.
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 01/20/2007 |
|
Strengths: Compact, Portable, Integrated power supply
Weaknesses: Average Range
Summary: One of my favourite travel companion. Supports both 120V as well as 220V. So, if you travel internationally this is a great product. Easily configurable and does everything its supposed to do. However, the range is about average. Does not provide full coverage for an entire house but serves the purpose for the travelling soul. The intergrated power supply, small footprint are couple notable feature.
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
|
Report this as 
