Proxim Orinoco 11a/b/g ComboCard Gold user reviews

Pros supports nearly everything

Cons have to be next to anything for it to work

Summary I bought the card to suppliment the builtin Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG that's in my laptop with support for 802.11a (which I frequently have to use and test) when I check signal between the built in card against the same access point, without moving the laptop at all, both cards show the same signal strength, but a difference in on average 10dBm on the SNR, this difference means that the signal has to be ~11 times stronger to get the same quality when using the proxim (every 3dBm is a exponential double in signal strength) (and they claim the card is 100mW in the 2.4Ghz band).

in short, this card seems to work good, but only if you plan on being right next to your AP. it's utterly useless when trying to use many hotspot locations when you are a short distance from the antenna. and the 5.8Ghz performance is even worse then when using 2.4 (with the proxim I 1.5Mbps of thruput on 5.8 as opposed to when conecting to a weaker AP on 2.4, located right next to the stronger 5.8 AP, using my builtin card I get 9Mbps, over a distance of roughly 700 feet outdoors, clear LOS)

Pros works on a/b/g networks (I use the term "works" very loosely here)

Cons Overpriced, signal is usually very weak, connection cuts every 5 mins, sticks out too much

Summary I truly don't understand how CNET and the other reviewers can give this product such good ratings. I bought this card a while ago based on the reviews here and I have only been supremely disappointed in it.

I have used it in my laptop next to other friends with belkin, d-link, and even linksys (LINKSYS for crying out loud!) cards, and this card picks up a much weaker signal where the other cards operate fine. It also cuts the connection every 5 or 10 minutes. I have a 802.11b Netgear router in my house, and it shows "very weak" signal even when i put the damn thing RIGHT NEXT TO THE ROUTER.

My advice? Stick to Belkin, D-Link or Netgear. This product stinks, so I wouldn't recommend trying other Proxim products. Linksys is terrible too, based on my experience.

Pros It has A/B/G Has 3 year warranty (you'll need it)

Cons Short range Inconsistant readout of signals (their software says it's signal is strong, the network status icon says it's low) Signal drop Tech Support needs improvement (no offense but outsourcing to India doesn't help, I could barely understand what

Pros Great Signal Finder, Smart & Easy to use out the box

Cons None really, Head sticks out about 1 inch from PCI slot.

Summary Great card. If there is one card you will even need, I guarantee it is this one.
Living in NYC, About a year and a half ago I got this card and used it on my old Compaq/HP Presario laptop around the Village and my Upper East Side College Campus. The card always found a signal somewhere. Even when my classmate's LinkSys and Netgear (he upgrade to the netgear) card failed to get the same signal on his identical Compaq Presario laptop.
Well I sold my laptop and got a Toshiba Satellite wireless. But the wireless was no where nearly as good as the proxim card so I bought the card again and use it now. So far it has worked for me in lots of places outside New York since I travel frequently for school and work. From Maine to Florida and no complains yet.

By the way, don't pay CNET's recommended $91.99 for the card. I bought both my Proximo a/b/g gold cards off eBay brand new and sealed in the box for under $50.00 ($42.50 and $47.99 respectively).

This card has been out for a few years now and no one should have to pay the original retail price.

Get this card now.