GUIDE TO WIRELESS RANGE EXTENDERS

D-Link DWL-G710 Wireless Range Extender, 802.11g, 54Mbps

Manufacturer : D-Link Systems, Inc.
In Stock : 4

List Price:	$89.99
Price:	$78.58
You Save:	$11.41 (13%)

Features

Takes an existing 802.11g wireless signal and repeats it
Enables wireless connectivity in the basement, patio, garage or any dead spot areas
Works with virtually any 802.11g wireless router or access point on the market
128-bit WEP encryption for secure wireless communication
Setup takes only a couple of minutes

Product Description

For users seeking a simple solution to improve the reach of their wireless signal within their home or office, the DWL-G710 is the answer. This Wireless Range Extender takes an existing 802.11g wireless signal and ?repeats? it to enable wireless connectivity in the basement, patio, garage or any ?dead spot? areas where your original wireless signal could not reach. It's capable of repeating the signal of virtually any 802.11g wireless router or access point out on the market today. At the same time, the DWL-G710 can still communicate with other 802.11b/g wireless client devices.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating of 3.00 out of 84 reviews

Rating :
Fine product / awful documentation - William L. Springer, May 15, 2008

The repeater/range extender works perfectly once set up. However, the instructions will never tell you how to set it up. You need to do an online web search for the product and how to install it in order to have any chance. You must assign a constant ip address to your computer before you start or else nothing will ever happen.

The only other problem I had is not the extender's fault. We have a portable telephone system which blocks almost everything that runs on 2400. So I have an X10 switch on the phones so that when I want to use the extender, or my wireless video cameras, or whatever 2400 - I just turn off the telephone with the X10 switch. I have a 1:15 pm and a 10:15 pm automatic "on" programed into the X10 system, so if I forget to turn the telephones back on, they come on automatically.

I would buy another one if I needed it.

Rating :
Not compatible - Laurent Chardonnet, May 04, 2008

I was very excited about this product as I did my research. I knew it will not be easy to set (no plug and play here), but I was ready for it. But what a nightmare it turned out to be. I set it up, screwed up my wi-fi set up, called the support service 3 times, who ended up telling me to call my service provider as it was not their fault. Then I had to deal with a 3rd vendor, and so on. The whole thing was a mess. Finally after several hours on the phone, D-link support told me that the product was not compatible with my Netgear box (great thanks for telling me after the 4th call to them!). What a waste of time...

Rating :
Works as advertised - C. Marino, May 03, 2008

I bought this product for two reasons. First, I needed a universal extender since my Linksys woudl not work with our new modem/router. Second, the user reviews and installation hints were consistent and clear.

It took 10 minutes to set up and has worked like a charm. If you need a universal extender, especially if you have the latest Ambit modem/router combo installed by Time Warner, then this is the one!

Follow other's advice and do not use the disk to install...not necessary.

Rating :
No luck with this one - Anonymous in White Plains, NY, Apr 28, 2008

I tried for hours (and I am quite experienced in technical matters) to get this unit to work with WEP encryption turned on to no avail. I did not call the customer service number because I have no patience with out-sourced technical assistance reading a script, no matter how polite and well meaning they are. Life is too short! Either the gear works like it should or it doesn't. My computers detected the extended network but wouldn't log on to it. All of the equipment in my network is made by d-link and should have been compatible. Returned it to Amazon and received a refund. 5 Stars to Amazon for its smooth handling. Very disappointed with d-link. My next move is to upgrade my entire wifi network with wireless n equipment. I had hoped to avoid that expense.

Rating :
Great Extender - D. Jukic, Apr 27, 2008

Here are a few additions to the reviews posted previously.
#1 - I tried updating the firmware, but the date of the firmware on the unit itself was 12 2005, and it would not update with more recent one. Nevertheless, all security options were there on the original firmware.

#2 - If your network has a hidden SSID or you have MAC lock (address filtering) on, this extender will NOT connect. You have to disable both before connecting.

#3 - In my case, the wizard did it's job minus the fact that it did not assign the gateway (which should be, again, the same as the IP for your router - usually something like 192.168.0.1). There were no spaces in front of the network name as reported by some users.

#4 - the router itself (IMPORTANT) was assigning the addresses only in the range from 192.168.0.100 to 192.168.0.199 which would not let the repeater on the network. You have to either go into the router and widen the range anywhere from 192.168.0.29 on or change the default IP of the extender to let's say 192.168.0.130.

#5 - Once your extender is on the network, you can re-enable the MAC address filtering as well as hidden SSID, but since the extender continues to broadcast the SSID no matter what, you will just have to live with it. Make sure you DO NOT leave your password blank on either router or extender (which are default factory settings). Also, please do not use variants of "PASS" or "PASSWORD" (like PASSS or PWRD).

#6 - Do yourself a favor and read the reviews on this site BEFORE you install (especially from Craig Dickson, Jamie Vachon, Uri Teitler, E. Isaakov, and Ken "Just another computer user" (the last one is the most helpful).

#7 - I put it in the garage under our addition. Most of my machines would not connect there (~20 feet from the router WITH an upgraded omni directional antenna, 2 brick walls) and now the signal has risen from 10 % to 90-100%). No diminshment in the speed I can see.

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