At first glance, the Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router does not look like much--basically a flat grey box with three antennas sticking out and a few LED indicators. The unit includes four Ethernet ports and the slim case and sleek look make it easy on the eye and it wouldn't look out of place in home or office.
Features
But enough about how it looks-- it is what's inside that matters. The configuration for the Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router is quick and painless and even a "newbie" user will be able to get up and running in no time. In addition to the features that you would expect from a wireless router, the Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router comes with access to Web content filtering which includes parental control, so you can block out unwanted Web sites. As with most wireless routers, it also features security delivered through Wi-Fi protected access (WPA), a firewall and pop-up/adware/spyware blocking. Unfortunately the Web content filtering and blocking features are only provided as part of a 6 month trial offer, if you are looking for a permanent solution to either of these problems, you will need to fork out some cash.
Performance
The real differentiator with this router can be seen when you plug it in and test the coverage area and speed. Belkin claims that the router has increased coverage by up to 800% and to test this we plugged the router into a home network and then tested from various locations around the house using the accompanying Pre-N notebook network card. We received a clear, consistent signal in every room and decided to venture to the roof of the building (one floor up) and the signal still stayed strong. Intent on finding the maximum range, we took my laptop down 6 floors to the street level and was amazed to still find a clear, strong signal. It wasn't until we started walking down the street that the signal was actually lost, but the coverage provided is well beyond any other router we have used or reviewed.
When tested with a "normal" 802.11b network card on another computer, the connection speed did not drop for the laptop equipped with the Pre-N network card installed--this functionality is provided through Airgo Networks True MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) antenna technology. This is one of the router's main selling points and for users who are serious about their connection speed, this is a must-have-- it means that devices with different wireless protocol speeds can connect to router and function at the best connection speed available.
In total, the Belkin Wirless Pre-N Router is a sign of things to come and for users who need more speed, it is well worth the price for both the router and optional network card.
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rayee
20/07/2008, 10:46 AM
rating
8/10
After the first one could not be fixed, within two weeks , I called Tech Support and told to return back to Best Buy. I got same router updated firmware, just had to set channel from Auto to a set channel like 1 to 11 . Everything has been working fine on a two-story house. Even outside two houses away!
Pros: Great Range
Lifetime Warranty
Cons: Dropped Signal when channel was set to Auto. Fixed problem by setting to a set channel. Otherwise Everything works great.
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wireless
30/05/2008, 03:51 PM
rating
8/10
Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router is not best it is beast. Brings extreme speed and excellent performance. You can really enjoy with this device. But one main problem is it is very costly.
Pros: Compact design.
Fast and efficient.
Catches signals very powerfully.
Cons: Automatic install may fail.
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gnuru
03/02/2008, 07:05 PM
rating
7/10
good , though I do get drop-outs.
Pros: very easy to set up, fast.
Cons: do get drop outs.
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bbmak
06/08/2007, 07:00 PM
rating
2/10
junk router
If you are using p2p, do not buy this router. Your connection will drop all the time.
If you are using this router for voip phone, do not buy this router.
Pros: only Good AP
Cons: IP connection limited to 253.
Bad Firewall Function
bad customer support
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Chris Clark
10/07/2007, 04:44 PM
rating
9/10
Would like to know how to connect a computer up to my broadband which is two houses away I currently have a Belkin F5D6231-4 router and would like to put an antenna on the computer that would connect. Have tried a 7db antenia but it was not strong enough.
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curtizb
11/04/2007, 01:54 PM
rating
2/10
Yes, the Belkin Pre-N router has wasted hours of my time, and I would love to smash it to pieces. For one thing it does not perform any better than my Linsys 54G. Sure I can connect at 108 now, but the distance is still VERY poor. I cannot connect to this piece of junk from less than 5 yards away. The ports on this thing are complete junk too. The firewall is a freakin joke, and forget about using it as an access point. If anyone has been able to use this as an access point with more than one router on the network, I would be happy to know how you did it. I have tried everything short of editing static routes in. I have to reboot this thing at least twice a week becasue it dumps the wirelss signal.
Tech support from Belkin is the very WORST I have every dealt with. I tried to explain this sittuation to this S.N. adn he comes back with directions on how to enable wireless security! He wanted me to enable 64bit wep even though I was already using WPA2 just fine. It had NOTHING to do with my problem at all mind you.
DO NOT BUY THIS PIECE OF CAMEL DUNG. For that matter, you should AVOID Belkin all together. Let them stick to making Cat5 cables; they suck.
Pros: None: JUNK
Cons: See Above:
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jstickles
16/12/2006, 02:34 AM
rating
8/10
I love this router.
Pros: I can still connect from 500 feet down the street! Never drops below excellent in my house. I bought the Pre-n notebook card, so I cannot comment on compatibility.
Cons: Stops communicating with my cable modem every now and then. I've read somewhere that this could be the result of other wireless networks in the area interferring with the Belkin's channel and the Belking not recognizing to change channels while set in the "Auto" mode. Some have suggested setting the channel manually may fix this problem.
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twister60
20/11/2006, 11:57 AM
rating
10/10
Worked on the First Try, Just skipped the CD Wizard and logged on to it VIA: 192.168.2.1
I ended up buying Four PC/Laptop Cards (Comes with the adapter, saves $$$) and Two Routers.
Pros: When paired with sibling cards and optimized, will perform on par with wired connections , within 10/100.(Copper For-The-Win!)
Cons: May be some compatibility issue, but firmaware upgrades, will fix them.
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28/10/2006, 04:31 PM
rating
6/10
Great when working but drops out regularly
Pros: easy to et up and works like a dream, conecting iMacs and PC's to a single broadband connection.
Cons: But the signal seems to drop out without warning, just stops and you have to reboot!!
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yoshidad
29/08/2006, 02:42 AM
rating
7/10
Good Performance, Easy Setup
Works great, setup is a breeze, using G only and WPA-SK crypto. Works great w/ my Mac and my Compaq laptops as well as several wireless printers.
Pros: Unbox it and its ready to broadcast
Interface is real simple
Cons: Firmware updates, no WPA-SK2 or N1 code for it. It should be compatible to the N1 router by now. Needs a status/log/ revision number indicator not just connected
Documentation is vague
Support not so great
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