mjlee22's Full Review: Belkin (F5D8233-4) Wireless Router
In Oct-2007, I purchased the Belkin Wireless N Router, Model F5D8233-4, for $80. This router is built to the not-quite-official-but-stable-enough-to-use 802.11n standard. Previously I used wireless G routers (Belkin and Netgear), but a couple of rooms at the opposite end of the house did not get enough signal. It was particularly a problem for a Tivo box that was using the wireless network adapter; this Tivo set could not maintain a network connection long enough to build a program list.
This 802.11n router improved signal in those rooms fairly well. The signal strength in my room went from Very Low/Low to Good/Very Good. Speed improved from 34Mbps to 54Mbps. The Tivo box thinks it is an active account again.
The router is compatible with my mixed computer environment of 802.11g PCs and a few newer Macs. The router has two positionable antennas to boost the wireless range. It has 4 wired ports.
The router is designed for ease of use. It comes with a 3-foot yellow ethernet cable to connect to the cable modem, and the port for this connection is also colored yellow. The 3-foot power cable has a plug with a small transformer (i.e. not bulky). The router front panel has a set of labeled icons that turn blue when a component is working. For example, the modem needed an authentication login in order to connect to the internet, so the modem shaped light on the router blinked in an orange color until this was fixed.
A CD is provided to step you through router configuration. When you type in the router ip address, you see the configuration screen. I only changed 2 settings from the default values. There is no printed manual.
I found I had much better signal by putting the router on the top of my computer desk, as opposed to under the desk.
My only complaints about this router are:
1. The power and LAN cords are too short.
2. The configuration page is not well-designed.
You cannot see status until you input a password.
3. A printed manual should have been provided, because
when the router is not working, you cannot get to
the internet to read the online version.
The router has a lifetime warranty.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 80 Driver Availability: Windows, Linux, and Mac
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