Cisco-Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router
by Linksys
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Our Price: $72.97 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $22.95 (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 Cisco-Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router
Customer Review: Everyone Should Own One of
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently decided to upgrade to a wireless network, and was a bit confused on which product to get. For me, the main purpose of going wireless was the ability to connect my Xbox online. Due to low pricing ($30 after rebates) I opted for a D-Link DWL-G820 ethernet game adapter. I wanted to make sure my router and wireless adapters were compatible. At first I figured buying a D-Link router was best. I was looking at the DI-624, but after doing lots of research (alot on DSLReports.com) I found there were constant reboot issues with the router and numerous unhappy customers.
While I realize no product is perfect, I wanted something better and followed the advice of several unhappy D-Link customers and started looking at the LinkSys WRT54G router. The reviews I found were much more favorable. It offered all the security and reliability I needed and expected from a router.
Also a BIG plus I found out is that the firmware is open source. This is great for the customer because they can download the code and see how it is written. Then they can modify it to add, delete or tweak current settings to their liking. I personally lack the ability but several individuals have already done it with excellent reports. The most popular is HyperWRT which is based on Linksys 3.01.3 firmware for the WRT54G and Linksys 3.37.2 firmware for the WRT54GS. One of the big features is it can improve your signal strength. I am currently running the HyperWRT firmware with great results and it works great, even on my Xbox. [...]
In the end, you'll find most routers are about the same price, so the choice comes down to reliability. I couldn't ask for a more reliable product, plus it was easy to setup. And having open source firmware is just the berries and makes it the #1 choice for me. I'd definitely choose this router over again.
Customer Review: Opening review.....let's just knock on wood
Summary: 5 Stars
OK, I needed to replace a well worn Belkin wireless router that served well for over three years and I bought a WRT54G by LinkSys/Cisco.
Looks cool with its dual pseudo-rubber ducky antennas and bold color scheme. But honestly, that's not why I bought it.
I'm a Mac user and it seems that most after market companies neglect to mention if their router(s) are Mac compatible. Now I know that basically, wireless is wireless and 99.9% of all routers probably work with Macs OK. But BEFORE I purchased I called LinkSys just to be sure and I was told very politely by an AMERICAN CS rep that YES, ALL LinkSys routers are compatible with Macs and that if I have any trouble simply call customer service and they'll walk you through.
So I bought it. Got home, opened it up, hooked it up and just for s**ts and giggles I started up Firefox (Internet Browser) and I had internet.
Now hold on. It wasn't really right. I still had to configure the router and I couldn't access the router's home page. I knew this would happen. No big deal. I called LinkSys and within five minutes a wonderful young lady by the name of Roxanne had all of my settings straightened out.
Now I know that this isn't really a big deal. Or isn't it? I was going to buy Apple's Airport Extreme. The price tag didn't bother me. But do you know what did? No tech support unless your have an active extra care plan on your computer. You can get tech support but you have to pay for it. Outrageous, but I still love Apple.
If your looking for an affordable wireless router with no bells and whistles and you appreciate good, American customer support. Buy this one or one of LinkSys's other routers.
I've probably jinxed myself now and there'll be some problem coming up. Knock on wood.
Customer Review: 5 stars no less unless you dont know about how wifi works
Summary: 5 Stars
This router is my 3rd router in various places. The one key component for Linksys G/Super G routers is the QoS feature. QoS allows priority of internet packets. This feature is a MUST for VoiP services. I have never had any issues setting up ANY router, crappy or not. The low stars are due to people not understanding the basics to router setup period. This router is FLAWLESS.
Things to do once you get the router to ensure it works perfectly:
1) Upgrade the firmware right away if it's not the newest version. One key for upgrading: Newest factory firmware upgrade gives you QoS support!!
2) Disconnect your 2.4Ghz cordless phone. You will always have issues with it, so eliminate it right away to make sure your wifi setup is up and running first. You might live in proximity to neighbors with 2.4ghz phones, so be wary of that interference. Dont blame the router right away.
3) Ditch your 2.4ghz phone if possible for 5.8ghz cordless phones, i did this knowing the technicalities of the interference which i experienced.
4) Enable QoS for VoIP users, this is the ONLY reason i purchased this router. VoIP (vonage) is working flawlessly in any situation where I am downloading heavily, the VoIP packets get priority.
5) Read the dam instructions before posting negative reviews on the product.
6) Do not setup encryption on intial setup to test that it's up and running first, then move onto more complex setup with encryption. Read the instructions !!! And you SHOULD enable encryption for godsake.
Those 6 steps should allow any non-technical person to get this, or ANY 802.11b/g router up and running. Remember, 2.4Ghz phone usage will kill your wifi connection regularly, especially in big buildings with many tenants!!!
Customer Review: Linksys WRT54G Delivers as Promised
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading every review here of this item, I was a little hesitant to purchase it but decided that there was just as many or more positive reviews as there were negative.I purchased the Router, the 54G Notebook Adapter and the 54G PCI adapter at the same time.
I was in the process of installing the software for the router and ran in to my 1st and only problem. The install CD reported that there was no internet connection when going through the checks, when infact there was indeed a connection. I called Tech Support (only 5 min wait on a Friday afternoon) I'm sorry to report that the first Tech was clueless, and even told me after 30 minutes on the phone that the problem was my Windows 98SE Operating system. I knew better than this, told him thanks and hung up. Five minutes later I contacted Tech Support again. (If you don't get someone knowledgeable the first time around, just call back.) The lady that responded to my question immediately asked who my Internet Provider is and upon finding out that it is Adelphia told me to disregard the Setup CD and do the Setup manually as per her directions. In five minutes the Router was configured to my host PC and my Laptop was also running (didn't need any help with the Laptop and had installed everything for it earlier in the day) My router is located on the top floor of my house and so far my signal rate is at least 65% throughout the house and I can say this is just fine for internet access. Based on my experience, I would highly recommend this router. Tommorrow I will install the PCI adapter in my other PC. Oh by the way, I am running three different Operating Systems. Windows 98SE on the host computer, Windows 2000 on the Laptop and Windows XP on the second PC.
Customer Review: Outstanding router for home
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read some of the negative reviews on this product, but they didn't scare me off. I use Linksys products at many of the locations I support at work, so I was pretty sure I wanted Linksys when I set up a wireless LAN at home.
First the general interest stuff
The version I have has firmware version 1.00.6 There is an upgrade avaialable, but the router worked fine so I left it alone. I plugged it in, turned it on, answered a couple questions it asked, and I was in business. I have never had a router set up so easily.
I tested signal strength by taking my laptop on a stroll. By the time I was behind my neighbor's garage and I was still getting good signal, I declared victory and came back inside.
Now a little technical detail.
This router wants to be on subnet 192.168.1.0. If you let the router's built-in DHCP assign the IP address to your devices, that is your only choice. I had to change the IP address of my network printer to accommodate this. That would be unacceptable in a corporate environment, but okay at home.
This router supports all of the wireless security standards available short of WPA Enterprise. Be sure to implement one of these. 64 bit WEP is the least common denominator so every wireless device should at least support 64 bit WEP. I am using WPA because it is more secure. At least a half dozen of my neighbors are using no security at all.
Summary
This router was easy to set up, it has a strong signal, and it supports any security scheme you would want at home. If you are looking to set something up in a medium sized office, keep looking, otherwise I reccommend this router highly.