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Belkin F5D8230-4 Wireless 802.11x Pre-N Router | List Price: $191.53
Discount Price: $68.00
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Brand: Belkin
Binding: Electronics
Features: - LAN Ports - N/A
- WAN Ports - N/A
- Warranty - Lifetime Limited Warranty
- LEDs - Yes
Skype Ruined By Firmware Bug [Posted on 2008-02-03]
I used this router for over a year, then when I found out that it was responsible for my inability to use Skype, dumped it for the Belkin N-1
Cons:
1. Chops up, garbles and waffles Skype IP telephone service. This is an bug in the firmware that is not acknowledged by Belkin. It does not go away with the suggested firmware upgrades and it cannot be configured away. The problem went away immediately when I used the same computer and setup with a different router (including the Belkin N-1 router) but it ruined my international calls for a year by making it impossible to conduct a conversation and that cost me plenty.
2. Technical support is slow, does not answer questions correctly. Seems like the typical sad story of high-priced, slick US-brand product with penny-a-day Third World outsourced script-reading tech support.
Pros:
1. Very powerful. Wireless will cover all floors of a small house.
2. For a router, relatively complete documentation and setup only moderately complex.
3. Largely decorative LED lights are not overly bright, unlike more recent models that light up entire room at night.
Stable, easy to configure, good range but weak signal [Posted on 2008-03-16]
I've been using the Pre-N since April of 2006 and have never had any of the issues reported here of crashes or dropped signals. Really... NEVER. The signal is received well by my G4 Powerbook, as well as two other networked Powerbooks 75-100 feet away in another building. Both the building the router is in, and the building where the remote users are located, have standing-seam metal roofs... it's even tough picking up local FM radio in this place.
We use the Belkin USB Wireless G adapters (RaLink software drivers download here: http://www.ralinktech.com/ralink/Home/Support/Macintosh.html) There aren't yet any N adapters with Mac drivers that I've found. I get clean signals, if a bit weak. Still, it's strong enough for file-transfers and Internet use.
I've only called Belkin support once, for help configuring the security setup, which is actually easy but I'd never done it before. The help was there when I needed it... your mileage may vary, as in all things.
In any case, the Pre-N router is more highly-rated on C-Net and other sites than many much-newer devices, including Belkin's own N router.
Great Range cannot FTP [Posted on 2008-06-03]
This router has excellent range! Setup is simple.
Sadly you can't upload on FTP using this router. I was wondering if anybody can advise a workaround for this FTP problem!!
2 Years, No Problems [Posted on 2008-06-11]
I've had the Belkin Pre-N for over 2 years now with no problems. Let me say that I only use this for one other computer, not a big network, and I'm using the matching Belkin desktop card. Would have given this 5 stars except that the documentation and web based set up could be a LOT better, especially for setting up the security functions. I don't seem to be able to "back up" my current settings from the tool, which makes me a little nervous when changing a lot of settings. Otherwise, I haven't had any functional problems the entire time.
PreN Router should be titled, "Constantly ReBooting Router" [Posted on 2008-06-15]
Unless you have lots of time on your hands do not purchase this router..
I never take the time to write these product reviews, good or bad. However, I feel an over whelming desire to warn the router purchasing consumer, I wish I had paid attention to the few reviews when I purchased my Pre-N Router 18 months ago. It requires constant rebooting. As time passes I reboot everytime I logon to the internet, then it started dropping while I was online. As I write this I am connected thru an unknown kind stranger in my neighborhood named Linksys, I am very grateful this person purchased a better router then I did.
FYI, have contacted Belkin support by e-mail (no response), the last time my cable/internet provider did a 3 way with Belkin support. We were disconnected when the questions got very tuff and they lacked a proper response. I believe in finding a positive on any given situation, so here is the positive, Technical support speaks english very well. Thats it, that all I have..Good luck.
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