D-Link DIR-655 Extreme-N Gigabit Wireless Router
by D-Link Systems, Inc.
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of D-Link DIR-655 Extreme-N Gigabit Wireless Router
Customer Review: Great new router!
Summary: 5 Stars
I just replaced my Linksys WCG200 (Cable Modem and Wirelss G Router in one) with a new modem and the DIR-655 router. I have to say the Linksys performed very well with one issue. It dropped wireless connections when more than one wireless PC was in use. We worked around that by daisy chaining a second router that I had. I use the internet daily for business so its somewhat of a leap of faith to replace working equipment just in hopes to get something a little faster.
After some reseach including reviews on Amazom I bought a new Motorola SB6120 modem and the DIR-655 Wireless N. After my phone call to my cable company and successfull install of the modem, I started on the router install. I think that took all of 5 mninutes to have it set up with security, it just couldn't be easier. I followed the instructions, starting with the big orange label that said remove protective plastic film before starting. Plugged the CD in, hit next a couple times, selected WEP security, it generated a key, gave me a choice of using that random key or one you enter, I chose the random key and had a laptop connected in no time. Plugged in my network storage and another wired connection and was done.
I definitly got what I wanted, it is faster although some of this will be attributed to my new modem as well. I also hooked up a D-Link Internet Camera. This is the type with its own IP address. I set up port forwarding with D-Link phone support and had the Camera working as well. This would have been easy had I simply know what the camera needed. So far with 2 laptops both held their connections with no problem. The signal strength seemed weaker than the old router, however the connection is faster/better overall.
I read another review that said the SB6120 and IDR-655 didn't play well together... well they do. However anyone may experience differences due to the many variables. Another review said the unit got hot, he replaced it thinking he had a bad one, and the replacement also got hot after a couple hours of use. Mine has been on for 30 hours straight and its barely luke warm, it does not feel above room temp.
So far.. this is a great router. I'll add another review after a few months.
Customer Review: This little cutie COOKS
Summary: 5 Stars
It was high time to get network speeds up to Gigabit levels, and the need for speed fed my willingness to risk going with draft-level, pre-standard 802.11n tech. With two desktops and two laptops on a home-biz and home network, routing was critical. Age and traffic-level burned out my last, wired router from the L-word company. Two teenage daughters tortured the replacement wireless WRT-350N Linksys WRT350N Wireless-N Gigabit Router with Storage Link to death with incessant instant-messaging. To keep that router UP required thrice-daily re-starts. Tweaks inspired by the manual, FAQs and Forum did not definitively fix it. When two generations of firmware upgrades did not help, it became evident I needed another, real solution. TA-DA! In walks the D-Link DIR-655 D-Link DIR-655 Extreme N Wireless Router . BAM! It sets up in a trice, works right out of the box. It's working! Log-in to the router web interface and dig in for a few minutes. Create a secure password. Want security? ZOOM! Use the wizard to set-up respected WPA2. Clone a MAC Address? Push a radio-button. Apple user? No problem, since all of the setup wizards are resident on the router, and use the same web interface, it works the same across platforms. I was tempted by the Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station (Gigabit) MB053LL/A , in fact, I run an older version with NO PROBLEMS. But the D-Link DIR-655 had four 10/100/1000 (Gigabit) W/LAN ports and cost less besides. It's performance ranked first among six n-draft routers, did great in mixed (b, g and n) environments and only fell to the middle of the pack over long ranges (according to reviews at C-NET and elsewhere). Users gave it high marks for satisfaction. (Users gave my L-word router the finger). So, this li'l white router the size of a paperback book, with its three antennas and blinking baby blues is so reliable and cute, I could just kiss it. And, kiss that L-word router good-bye.Customer Review: Very stable router, good aesthetic design
Summary: 5 Stars
A few months ago, I had been looking for a stable router that can decently broadcast a wifi signal in a 2-story building with the router being on the second floor and the computers on the first floor (with numerous walls in between). Prior to this router, I tried using the stable Linksys WRT54G router coupled with a few WRE54G range extenders however the range extenders proved to be too difficult to install and maintain (frequent rebooting). Next, I tried a Linksys SRX400 Mimo-G router which was a little better although the signal was still too weak on the first floor (~30% signal).
Finally, with this D-Link N router, I'm able to maintain about 60-65% signal and about 36 Mbps. The computers on the first floor all use the D-Link USB 2.0 802.11n Adapter USB adapter. Although the signal isn't as strong as I'd like it to be, the router is VERY stable (hasn't needed a reboot and hasn't crashed in the 5 months that it's been installed). Surfing/downloading/uploading has been smooth.
Installing this router was fairly easy. If you have prior experience with setting up routers, this D-Link should be a breeze. The only downside I can find for this router is that whenever the router requires a reboot (after a change in settings), the reboot may take a little longer than other models (up to 1 minute sometimes).
To improve the wireless signal, I found that utilizing a D-Link 7700AP access point will increase the signal to about 75%. Using a Hawking HSB2 Hawking HiGain Signal Booster version 2 - HSB2 increases the signal to about 85-90%. Further adding a TRENDnet 14 dBi Outdoor High Gain Directional Antenna brings our wireless signal to 100% (although the Trendnet antenna must be placed carefully for optimal coverage). While our day-to-day usage doesn't really necessitate a 100% signal (75% seems to be sufficient), it's good to know that this router can be enhanced with third-party antennas and boosters if it is necessary (and still remain stable).
Customer Review: Tip for better signal strength and speed...
Summary: 5 Stars
I read a couple dozen of these reviews, so forgive me if this tip has been mentioned hundreds of reviews ago! I just stumbled upon it and thought it might help some folks who have had difficulty getting good signal strength and speed from this router (while others have had great success).
I installed this router the other day in my home. I have an older iMac, older MacBook, new iPhone 3Gs, and a new iPod Touch on the new network. The signal strength and speed was very good (obviously much better than before with a 54 Mbps Netgear router). So I was happy with that.
But I also have a new Dell laptop with Windows XP Professional for my full-time home office up in the attic (three floors from the router). The signal strength up there was now not very good, and the speed, which previously was 54 Mbps, or very close, actually fell below 20 Mbps at times. I called D-Link support, which was fast and professional (and free). They had me make some simple changes to values in two fields within the Advanced Wireless tab of the router setup screen (using router IP address and a web browser on the network). This helped, but much less than I had hoped. They did tell me not to update the firmware, BTW, from what my router shipped with.
After the call ended, I was looking through the tabs in the router setup from my web browser and decided to turn On the Guest Network, which by default is Off. I did so using the same SSID as my main network, but added a number at the end. It also has WPA Security, and is on 24 hours a day, and I did not check the box enabling access with the other network. When I closed out of the router set up screen (and the router reboots by itself) the signal strength shot up dramatically and the speed was now at 130 Mbps in the attic. The speed fluctuates between 78 and 130 daily, which is fine by me. This second network is 2.4 Ghz (not sure what the main network is).
Now I use the Mac hardware on the main network, and my Dell laptop for work on the second network. This fix worked out great for me, hopefully it helps someone else!
Customer Review: 5 Star Product - Worth Its Praises/Raves!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was originally hesitant on purchasing such an expensive router for my multimedia needs around the house, but after setting this router up, I am glad I purchased this!!! I am still astounded by its reliability, range, speed, ease of installation, user interface, and configuration options!!!
I had originally purchased a Linksys WRT160N Router and I had to return it after two days primarily because it kept dropping the wireless signal around the house every 4-6 hours not to mention it screwed up my internet connections the first time I had set-up the router which prompted me to call Linksys Tech Support for "manual" installation!
Well, with this router, I have yet to encounter such problems!!! My laptop is a HP Pavilion dv6780se which comes with a a/b/g/n network card factory installed. When the Linksys WRT160N Router did work, my laptop had speeds around (70-120)Mbps at about 20 feet away from the router with usually around 4 to 3 bars or signal strength. Well, with this D-Link DIR-655, not only is my laptop being used at the same distance, but the speeds are now a CONSISTENT 130Mbps hovering at around 5 bars signal strength!!! In addition, I have another desktop PC in the master bedroom which is about 25 feet away using a Linksys Compact Wireless-G USB Adapter which got 54Mbps with the Linksys WRT160N at around 60-70% signal strength. Now with the D-LINK DIR-655, not only is it getting 54Mbps, but it has a consistent 90% signal strength!!!
Another thing I found great about this particular router is that its user interface (installation screen and self-configuration menu) is user friendly compared to those of my experiences with Linksys and Belkin.
Overall, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this particular product/model due to its speed, range, ease of installation, reliability and a bevy of other features. The only drawback to this was the exuberant price. However, if you want something solid that should be future proof, THIS IS IT!!! I am definitely a D-Link customer now and do not even think of Linksys anymore!!!