Netgear WGR614 Wireless-G Router by Netgear
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Digital camera reviews of Netgear WGR614 Wireless-G Router
Digital camera Review: ...almost gave up
Summary: 4 Stars
I read the reviews... wanted to believe it would work for me, so I ordered it anyway. The short version, it works great once you figure it out. The long version: I had hoped that once hooked up, it would run right away. To my disappointment, it didn't. I spent many hours fussing with it, trying different combination to get it to work. I called my ISP, they couldn't solve it. I finally picked up the phone to call NETGEAR and within minutes the tech was able to troubleshoot the problem and away I went. Turns out, since I have a T1 connection with a static IP address (as opposed to DSL or other standard dial-up and dynamic IP address) the hook-up of the router is not the typical and is not spelled out anywhere in the instructions. Turns out, instead of plugging the cable from the wall into the router's "internet port (A)" like the instruction indicate for a DSL scenario, the tech told me that I needed to plug the cable from the wall into one of the router's "local ports (B)". Also, with a static/private IP address, I needed to make sure both the wireless NIC card and router have the necessary information plugged in that were provided to me by my ISP ie: IP, Gateway Flash, DNS, etc.. This, the tech didn't mention, but after a few more annoying hours of unplugging, and replugging, resetting and cursing, all was figured out and solved. So now, I am up and surfing at 54Mbps and without any problems thus far. You would figure I wouldn't recommend this product, but knowing that my hook-up wasn't the norm, I guess I'm not surprised it took some finagling to get it going. Now that it is going, all is good.Digital camera Review: 2nd Netgear Router, Drops Connection often
Summary: 1 Stars
This is the 2nd time I have had Netgear Router and 3rd Netgear Product. First Router I bought was 2.5 years ago. I don't remember the model number but it was 802.11b only, not G. It was OK, but the connection used to drop every once in a while. We had to reboot it to reestablish connection.
I bought this WRG614 a year ago, and couple days after setting it up, the connection dropped and the only way to reestablish the connection was rebooting the router. Since then, this occurs on average twice a week. I have to reboot the router every time. I didn't mind rebooting so far but, I am thinking of getting a VOIP phone service and this router is not reliable. I can lose calls and faxes if the connection drops and I am not in front of the computer to realize connection drop.
Bottom line is that I have a word to not to buy netgear product again. I will try linksys routers. I definetely recommend you to stay away from Netgear routers.
Digital camera Review: 2nd Netgear Wireless Router
Summary: 5 Stars
There is some good stuff in the review by Cyberdesi. David McCulloch's review is a good recap of my experience except I think David overstates how hard it is. I just set up my second one (a gift to a friend). Turn off your computer & modem. Plug in the router: to the computer, to the modem & to the wall. Turn on the modem. Turn on the router. Turn on the computer. In that order, per directions. All done. Well, it's wise to fire up net access & double check. Make any of the adjustments Cyberdesi addresses now. It isn't obvious to me how to make it any easier to do.
Now I hear we are getting cable at the condo at the beach. Guess I'll get a third Netgear wireless. Maybe I should buy stock??
Digital camera Review: 3 in a row
Summary: 5 Stars
I've owned one of these for a number of years and it has worked without a hitch . . . so I bought 1 for my brother-in-law and 1 for my Dad for Christmas . . . they are pleased, too. Just make sure, on install, turn everything off. Connect cables. Then, starting at the "wall" - turn on cable or DSL modem (or similar) first, then this router, then other network devices (switches), then computer(s). I especially like the straightforward, web interfaced (192.168.1.0, default) configuration software that allowed me to easily put WEP security in place (which action I HIGHLY recommend after 1st hand experience of abuse) and to monitor access via email by logging all web sites accessed by the 4 computers on my home network. I'm no techno-geek but, knowing that, I do recommend this device.Digital camera Review: 3 years and still going!!! I use it like no other as well...
Summary: 5 Stars
First, let me tell you that my background is in IT. I am an IT manager, so i know all about networking and IT.
I bought this router back in Winter of 2006 i believe. So i've had it for a solid 3 years now. I've put it to good use. My network consists of multiple computers (Lan and wireless) and a ps3 and xbox 360. In my house its not uncommon for 3+ of those devices to be used at the same time. I bought this router originally because it was a) cheap b) i was going to buy a gaming router but didn't want to put one in my apartment. I never ended up buying that gaming router because:
1) The router is fast. It's only wireless G, but its still pretty fast and as long as you keep your wireless cards updated on your computers, signal reliability shouldn't be a problem. I can have my ps3 online at the same time as my XBOX 360 and have no lag at all on either, plus i can have 1-2 laptops all on at the same time. For example, from a speed test on my laptop (This varies depending on your kind of broadband connection too though) with my ps3 and xbox 360 online, with 2 laptops online i can still download at about 1800 KB/sec and upload at about 950KB/sec which is really good. I barely notice the decline in speed even when the router is in full use.
2) I never had a problem it in these 3 years. It's never stopped working or turned off on me. I was surprised at what this cheap router can do. You really are getting a lot out of a little with this puppy.
3) It's secure. You have WEP, WAP and WAP2. I keep my network on WAP2, the strongest encryption that (to this day) is still unbreakable. It's extra piece of mind knowing i can do my online shopping and banking worry free of anyone intercepting my wireless data.
4) After a year i decided to start shopping for the gaming router. I went out and saw they sell for about $150...Sure they have all the latest features but do you really need an LCD screen ON your router? its worthless. I realized that for that year my WGR614 had been working fine. So i stuck with it. Best decision ever. It's been 3 years and still pulling strong.
5) The range is perfect for my apartment. I can go anywhere in my apartement and outside (its about 1600 sq. ft.) and i get no less then 3 bars of signal out of 5 at the furthest point i use it at which is through 3 quite thick walls.
6) Firmware upgrades are super easy. My younger brother can upgrade the firmware and that really says something because unlike me he has no idea about anything network related. Netgear fixes the main issues you have with their updates which really means im getting a quality product and Netgear is actively fixing user issues as they are reported. A Firmware update takes about 5 mins and my internet speeds always seem to go up a little with every firmeware upgrade.
The only cons with this router are:
- It's antenna probably wouldn't be good for long ranges. So if your home is larger then probably around 2000sq. ft. you'd be looking at weaker signal or maybe no signal at some ends of the house.
- Wireless encrpytion is easy to set up for me, but for some they might find it challenging. If you just follow the instructions, it's pretty easy to to get it set up though. I can't really say much about the issue because i am IT person so its butter for me, but i could see why the average non-tech user would be lost in the installation.
- It feels cheap. It's lightweight and feels like its going to break easily but hey i've had mine for 3 years without issues so its not really a con for me anymore.
I'm switching to wireless N soon so this router won't be around for much longer, but i can probably safely say that it will be in working condition even when i replace it. I'll keep it around just in case i have issues with my wireless N router because a lot of people are reporting issues with them. Sure wireless N is faster, but very few N routers are as bug free as this little G router.