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- Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 56 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
4.0 stars
"Ridiculously simple set up! Good range, no antennas!"
Pros: No antennas! Very sharp styling, (looks futuristic!). Good network security.
Cons: Range is about the same on Wireless G as other G routers. I did not notice a significant difference.
Summary: This router was purchased to replace a flaky Belkin router that cut out when two or more computers were attempting to pull high density data from the Internet. In this area, the WRT110 does this seamlessly. Even though speed out to the Internet was not much faster than the previous, especially with the highest level of security, it seems that web pages load twice as fast on the wireless network side. On Cox High Speed Internet, the download/upload speeds are beautifully balanced at 4.5 Mbps. The second computer on the network wired into the router shows and incredible 16.5 Mbps downloading speed. Why both routers are slower on the wireless side escapes me! My laptop is running a wireless A,B & G card. Both routers were set up for the highest level of security WPA2, and the encryption algorithm is quite complex so that might account a lot for it. This router offers performance about what other wireless G routers do and I haven't noticed really that much better range, just better coverage, (less holes), than my previous wireless unit. It really is amazing considering this wireless router has NO outside antennas! It is my impression that the wireless unit compensates for a bad placement environment getting a better signal out from poor locations.
The area of performance I find that is dramatically improved is when dealing with streaming audio or video. Webcam is noticeably sharper with less noise when videoconferencing on instant messenger with a lot less video resolution switch down on Skype in particular. Internet Radio is amazing, whether fed to the wired computer on my network or the wireless laptop. the stream is steady ad very highly detail;ed, (very low packet loss).
The unit was deceptively simple to set up. Almost too simple in fact! I can't tell whether or not the router is using AES or TKIP encryption on WPA2. The interface is built so that you aren't supposed to worry about that and trust Linksys on this one, but I would like to know! The browser based utility didn't tell me anything on that either but it impressed me in that the interface has a lot of features you would find on Cisco commercial routers. The firewall appears to be fantastic and it clearly provides another layer of security over whatever software firewall you run. Even an unprotected machine gets pretty decent protection from this firewall! What is amazing is how such a stiff firewall lets networked machines communicate with each other on the network. After set up, the computers on the network communicated and traded files effortlessly whether they were on the wired or wireless side of the network.
This is one of the most "stylish" wireless routers I have ever seen! The usual Linksys/Cisco unit is a bulky cumbersome looking thing with a pretty good array of antennas sticking out of it! Here there is a slick sleek futuristic looking thing with beautiful blue LED's, which aren't so small you can't instantly identify which light is which. It's truly a nice piece of equipment to look at! there are no antennas to break off. I do agree with the author of the review that it does show fingerprints remarkably well, so if you want to keep it nice, best bet is not to touch it! The router, while keeping it stupid and simple has enough features that probably 5-years down the line I'll still be running it. I don't have wireless n yet but will probably find it performs quite adequately when I do.
I like it so far! Mine sits up high in my apartment and that is on the second floor and it appears to cover the entire complex and the surrounding area and is secure so only me and my friends can log on. I can't ask for better than that!
Updated on Nov 25, 2008Update: Watch out for the first generation units, the wireless transmitter burned out in 3-weeks! After replacing it with a second generation unit though, I noted considerably better performance but still had a problem with "Limited or no Connectivity" on first log on requiring that a repair be run. I found that Linksys offered a firmware update, version 1.0.0.4 Build 10. THAT DID THE TRICK!!! The wireless connects every time and stays connected even when using complicated encryption schemes like AES. I still haven't noticed a range increase in wireless g but get better throughput on weak signal conditions then on my previous wireless router. Being on the second floor also it has range well over 300 feet! I am running it matched with the Linksys CM100 cable modem and the two are a perfect match! I've noticed another nice trait, if the wireless computer connected is far away the wireless indicator on the unit will flash dimmer than a close by computer does...neat! I.
Where to buy
Linksys WRT110 RangePlus Wireless Router:
$34.99 - $90.00
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$64.99 | Yes |
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$34.99 | Yes |
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$49.00 | Yes |
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$59.99 | Yes |
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