Pros: Compact, nice package, works as a full-featured wireless router with WEP
Cons: WPA doesn't work in router mode, poor support, poor manual
The Bottom Line: It works (barely) in the most common mode, but I can't recommend it - an important feature doesn't work, and Belkin provides poor support. Avoid this turkey.
Ames100's Full Review: Belkin (F5D7233) Wireless Router
The idea of a wireless travel router is to have something small and light and portable that you can carry with you for wireless hookups in hotel rooms or at conferences. This Belkin unit certainly fits the bill, fitting easily in the palm of your hand while offering a full-function 802.11 b/g WiFi router. Unfortunately there are some problems that lead me to not recommend it, as you'll see if you read on.
This unit has 3 modes, selected by a slide switch on the back:
- Wireless router (hardwired ethernet connection to internet modem or cable, providing WiFi router function to wireless clients in the area)
- Wireless adapter (connect to an ethernet port on your computer and use it as a wireless 802.11 b/g adapter)
- Wireless access point (connect wirelessly to an existing local network)
There's a single ethernet port on the back, which you use to connect to a router or modem, or to connect to your computer as a wireless adapter. A short ethernet cable is supplied. Power is provided either by the plug-in DC adapter or by a short power-only USB cable (included). A short flexible antenna on the side can be rotated to a vertical position. Three blue LEDs on the top show power on, ethernet connected, and wireless on. The only other control is a small Reset button on the bottom.
The package comes with a nice zip-up rigid case that holds the router, the ethernet cable (supplied), the USB power cable, and the power adapter. I recommend the case, by the way, as you may find it useful for carrying other things if you end up throwing away the router. :-)
The router takes about 30 seconds to boot up, during which time it doesn't give much indication what's going on - you need to give it plenty of time before you attempt to access it. It runs very hot in operation, which may be a longevity factor, but I haven't had any problems so far.
There's the usual web browser interface for admin configuration that will be familiar to anyone who has used other routers, complete with all the usual router functions such as security settings, port forwarding, logging etc.. It appears to be a common interface shared with other Belkin routers.
I found that it works well enough as a compact wireless router in unsecured mode or with WEP encryption. Performance seems similar to full size wireless routers, although the range isn't quite as good with the small antenna.
Unfortunately the goodness ends there.
The most serious problem is that the WPA security mode does not work properly on this router due to a firmware bug in the configuration interface. Anyone familiar with wireless security will appreciate that WEP encryption is insufficient, and WPA is required for adequate security. From the messages I have read on the web, this bug has been reported to Belkin many times, but with no response from them. I too was unable to configure WPA security mode when accessing the router configuration page, and therefore unable to use the unit as a wireless router at home. However, I did have more luck getting it into the WPA security mode when connected as an adapter via ethernet using the adapter default 192.168.2.225 configuration page address. But there's a defect in the Belkin's signal strength detection - it shows the access point 3 feet away as a very weak signal, impossible to select, but the signal strength increases the further away I move it until it finally becomes possible to select it. Hard to tell if the receiver is being overloaded too close up, or the firmware just gets the signal strength measurement wrong.
Belkin responded to my support enquiry about the WPA router mode problem by sending me a link to the manual.
The manual itself is not good, being repetitious, short on technical detail, and full of errors such as paragraphs taken from other Belkin product manuals that don't apply to this model (e.g., listing a 4-port ethernet switch as one of the features). There's no printed copy of the manual, only a brief quick start guide with 3 steps. Many important installation and configuration instructions are available only by loading the CDROM and reading the pdf manual, so it would have been better to have either a full printed manual or a more extensive quick start guide.
The supplied Configuration Wizard software did not work for me, either crashing or getting stuck when I followed the instructions. It's not clear exactly what it's supposed to do, as Belkin does not explain its function, but it appears to be just a dumbed-down method of accessing the brower configuration pages. I gave up on it and used the more advanced browser interface.
There's a support web page for the product, but there are apparently no firmware updates for this model, and only a link to the generic FAQ for Belkin routers.
Update: Strangely enough, Belkin updated the support page with firmware one day after my support enquiry - but although the firmware date is Dec. 10, 2007, it's apparently just the original firmware version 1.01.20.
Supports 802.11b/g Wi-Fi Protocols Supports WPA and 64-/128-bit WEP Encryption Technology Up to 300 Foot Range Compact, Portable, & Lightweight Design...More at Amazon Marketplace
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