Belkin F5D7132 Wireless-G Universal Range Extender
by Belkin Components
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Our Price: $499.90 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $120.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Belkin F5D7132 Wireless-G Universal Range Extender
Customer Review: Works Perfectly!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have a secured network so I didn't plan on even trying to use the "one button setup." Besides I don't like automatic setups anyway, I'm a "manual configuration" type of person.
So I just had to plug it into my laptop, set my IP (192.168.2.x), and log into it through the default IP (192.168.2.254). I used the "Site Survey" tool and found my network, entered my WEP key, and it connected just fine after a few minutes. I now have an excellent signal all throughout my apartment that is about 100 feet away from the main house.
Only problem I noticed is that some of the devices in the area between the router and extender have had their signal decreased somewhat, but certainly not enough to make a difference in surfing the web. No big deal to me!
Oh, also a question I had before I purchased was if the ethernet port on the device would work to extend the network with a wire also. This also works great! I have the extender sitting next to my TV with a standard hub (or a switch would work) plugged into the back of the extender. My Tivo and XBox are both plugged into the hub and work as if they were plugged directly into the main router! PERFECT!
This seems to be a much cheaper option for someone to make their XBox a wireless device (which is basically what I've done), since most of the wireless gaming adapters I've seen are about $100!
FYI, my main router is a Belkin Pre-N wireless router (also a great device!).
Customer Review: Easy Secured Setup
Summary: 5 Stars
I read most of the reviews here and tried to follow directions but failed even though I have set up lots of routers and computers.
Finally, I called Belkin and had it up and running in no more than 10 minutes. Below is my memory of what we did to make it happen.
How to set up Belking Wireless Range Extender
Call Belkin 877-736-5771-1-3-4
Plug in extender and connect cable to XP computer.
Internet Options, LAN, Properties, TCIP, Properties.
Set static IP Address 192.168.2.50
TAB to set 255.255.255.0
Click OK.
IE 192.168.2.254 + ENTER
Belkin web page comes up
Click Basic, select Extend option, and do site survey.
Select your router SSID and enter WEP or WPA code.
Apply changes and wait for extender to reboot.
Extender and router must have the same SSID and security settings for the extender to work with it as an extender. Otherwise, you have created a wireless access point.
Internet Options, LAN, Properties, TCIP, Properties
Set Auto IP Address and click OK
Unplug extender and move it wherever you want it to stay.
Check improved signal strength with a wireless computer.
Complete
Extender works fine, but has to be occasionally rebooted by unplugging and pluggin it back in.
Customer Review: Excellent product
Summary: 5 Stars
I use a Belkin 54G router which has always worked well. Unfortunately, as other wireless networks appeared in my neighborhood, my signal at my most distant computer was not strong enough to overcome the interference. Sometimes it was OK. Other times it would fade out altogether. Seemed to depend on the amount of interfering traffic.
I bought this range extender and, after setting it up, have enjoyed a much stronger signal. No drops. No slowdowns. It has dramatically improved my network throughput.
It was a little tedious to set up, but that appears to have stemmed from my use of WPA encryption with older Apple computers. Once the very helpful Belkin techies walked me through the change in encryption and the setup, it has worked perfectly.
It was hard for me to find a retailer in my area (Fry's/Best Buy/Office Depot/Staples) who had the unit on the shelf. Bought it direct from Belkin, so I paid full price. Still not bad, even with shipping. Worth every penny.
I highly recommend this product in particular and Belkin as a company in general to anyone who is buying network gear. The equipment is good and simple. The tech support is first rate.
Customer Review: Extended WRT54G Router from neigbor to me! Vista works!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been trying to extend my neighbor's Linksys router (which I setup for them and which we both agreed to) for 2 weeks now. We're only 20 feet away but since they are older buildings the walls are thick. I got full bars in the bathroom but 0-20% connection in the kitchen, 20-40% in the bedroom, and 0-10% in the living room. Now I have 100% all around! I set the extender in the restoom and it broadcasts all around. Awesome, and at only $40!
I follwed reviewer Chovy's advice and I was all set. The only confusing part for me was step 11 because he just said in general fill in all the fields of your router. All you need to fill in is on the "basic" settings on the left hand corner. The only thing I did was click on "site survey" and connect to the router. Just make sure you turn all wireless security (WEP or WPA) off! You can turn WPA or WEP back on after you got the extender working. I am using WPA-TKIP with no issues.
As for Vista, just set the thing up using an XP machine. But once it's all set, you can connect wirelessly with a Vista device. I have an XP desktop wirelessly connected as well as a Lenovo X61s Vista connected. Works great!
Customer Review: Greatest thing since sliced bread
Summary: 5 Stars
My DSL connection is in my office in a separate building about 60 feet from my house. I use a wireless network to connect from my PC and laptop in the house. The PC is located in the kitchen and the laptop is whereever. The PC wireless connection worked OK with about an 18% signal, and the laptop signal where I like to work while watching TV was between 5 and 7% (not usable as I would have to hold the laptop in the air, go to a page and bring it back to the lap to read it). The signal anywhere in my home is now 100%!!
As for setup, UPS brought the unit just before I was heading to the house for lunch. I started to wait, but thought I would at least open the box and take a look at it. It looked simple enough, so I plugged it in, hit the auto setup button in the back for 10 seconds and it gave me the light that it was connected. I unplugged it, took it to the house and plugged it into an outlet in the room closest to the office. Viola...100% coverage. I'm talking about 30 seconds to be up and running. I don't know how they could make it any simpler.