Hawking HWREN1 Hi-Gain Wireless-300N Range Extender
by Hawking Technology
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Hawking HWREN1 Hi-Gain Wireless-300N Range Extender
Customer Review: Had some issues with 1-2-3 setup.
Summary: 4 Stars
I was trying to extend a N network using a Belkin Router and a Embarq modem. The setup is unconventional because the network required for the Embarq (per their tech support) is a class B network (255.255.0.0). It also uses unconventional IP addressing (not 198.162.0.x). I tried to follow the HWREN1 Router/Access Point set using WPS - which failed. After reviewing the setting with Daniel in tech support, we changed a bit of things and tried a couple settings. None of which really did much, but he got me the basic information I needed, which was the 198.162.1.240 base address so I could look at the Hawking's settings. After trying a few things, he told me to hold the button down for 4 minutes (LOL, yeh right... whatever) and call back in 30 minutes (uh-huh). So I reset the Hawking and called back to get more help. The next guy helped a little more, trying a few address changes and walking me through the settings on the Hawking. At this point I had a pretty good idea what was going on, but he still couldn't get it to work. So he told me I could mail it back. I didn't (I worked with computers for seven years and know relatively what is happening). I read online that the Hawking is trying to set up its own network (thus the .240?) so I tried matching it to mine, as well as setting it up within the DHCP server range (at .99). This didn't work either. I upgraded to the latest firmware, in vain hopes that maybe that would do the trick, but again, the network wouldn't talk to it (I could talk to it on the cable or the wireless nic, but it wouldn't pass to my router). So I disabled my security on my router, and removed everything I could from interfering with the passage of IP (per a comment from another person on another site). I then ran (cabled) the setup app that comes with the Hawking. It set it at a .5 within the IP range of my original DHCP server. Whalla! Onto the network via the new network connection I went. I also renamed the Connection (as suggested on that other site) in case a neighbor bought one sometime in the future.
Overall, I think it wasn't that bad, even though it was not 1-2-3 out of box.
The quality of signal ranges from 2-5 bars where I want to use it, but 2 bars appears to be as good as 5 - googled images don't "chunk" download, they just fill. So this is probably fine for the future. If I have issues, I know I can just unplug it from where it is and put it somewhere else without any issues (doesn't lose settings when unplugged and came back up just fine).
Tech support "ok" - the first guy really didn't want to deal with it any more (hold a button for 4 minutes? LOL - having been TS for 2 years I know better thanks, its a 10 second reset - even though it doesn't do it every time you hold the button down the first time, watch for the first two lights to blink fast then release the button and unplug it, then hold another 10 just for kicks, and replug it to get back to 192.168.1.240). The second guy probably should have had me run the software (I could have told him the information for the setup without blinking). They wouldn't have "lost" a possible sale that way.
As it is, I am happy with the unit and we will see how well it works as time goes by.
Customer Review: HWREN1 vs Linksys WRE54G
Summary: 4 Stars
On the surface, both are 802.11 range extenders, but that is where the similarity ends -
WRE54G is a simple repeater, all it does it to act as a repeating device for your wireless router (or access point). No more, no less.
Pros - configuration is simple - you enter the same SSID, channel, encryption setting as in your router and you are done (nor can do you much else). The device is effective in extending the coverage of my trustworthy Linksys WRT54G. This little unit looks great, and it offers simple yet elegant mounting options. I love the slip-on plug that lets you fix the entire unit directly onto a wall socket.
Cons - quality. See below.
HWREN1, in contrast to the simplicity of WRE54G, is very much a full-featured wireless access point. You can connect to your existing router (or access point) wirelessly or via its LAN port, and you can configure it in just about any imaginable way (for a SOHO product that is)
Pros - flexibility. You have almost as much control over the behavior of HWREN1 as with your router. Although I did not test this, I suspect you can plug this device into your switch and use it as a standalone wireless point.
Cons - complexity. If you use MAC filter like I do, you will have to enter the MAC addresses on your router *and* on WRT54G, which is a major hassle. The Web interface of HWREN1 does not accept MAC address with the standard ":" notation, which means you won't be able to copy and paste them from your existing router unless you also own another Hawking product.
Actual usage:
My WRE54G hung/froze frequently when any of my wireless clients disconnected. I was unable to resolve this problem even after upgrading to latest firmware and tweaking just about anything configurable. I returned the device after more than a week of pure frustration.
HWREN1, on other hand, is much more solid. I did run into a problem in the initial configuration - The MAC address printed on the sticker affixed to the side of the chassis was that of the LAN port (beats me why!), and the MAC of the wireless interface is not documented anywhere, not even on the Web interface. I wasted a lot of time trying to figure out why my router refused to connect with HWREN1. Eventually, I disabled MAC filter and that is when I discovered the real MAC address of HWREN1 (from my router's wireless client list). The good news is that, once the extender is configured, it works flawlessly. It looks like the latest (1.50) firmware has fixed the connectivity issues reported by other users. I have a healthy mix of 802.11 b/g wireless devices - 4 laptops, IP cameras, Wii, PSP, iPhone, iTouch, Blackberry, Printer, just to name a few, and they all connect up without any problem. I did not test 802.11n capability of this device.
To me, the best networking products are the ones that blend in and never to be heard (or thought of) again, looks like this little Hawking box is getting there.
I give HWREN1 four stars because of the MAC address saga, and the fact that I have no long-term reliability data of this point.
Customer Review: A Wireless N Range Extender that WORKS AS ADVERTISED!
Summary: 4 Stars
I was skeptical about this product due a lack of reviews on the net but decided to take the plunge...
My wireless network consists of a Belkin Wireless N Router (F5D8233-4)using WPA,WPA2 w/ TKIP+AES security and the Hawking range extender has no problem communicating with it.
I chose to forgo the setup CD and went directly to the web interface to set things up. The interface is simple and pretty self explanatory. Out of the box the ip is 192.168.1.240. Login is: admin, pw:1234
Initially I was getting intermittent and/or limited connectivity when trying to connect to the internet; this is usually due to the security/encryption settings so make sure to enter your info carefully to match your parent router exactly. To remedy this here's what apparently worked for me (my security settings were matched up)
-Updated the firmware. Mine came shipped with ver. 1.10 There is a new one out 1.13 that you can find on the Hawking Technology website.
-In the "Advanced Wireless setup" I unchecked the WMM option...possible conflict with parent router?
-Set CTS protect to auto (as suggested in manual)
-Unplug the power for 10 seconds and plug back in.
After that I was all connected!
The am VERY impressed with how much my overall network range has increased, especially considering the 5 or so walls this it has to go through...where there used to be no signal, I have full bars and an excellent signal. In contrast, the belkin g range extender it's replacing did little to improve my range. On a plus note is that you can upgrade the antennas if needed.
Primary use is for my Direct TV HR-21 for VOD. As far as I know there are few marketed "N" options available to do the job...two are:
-Linksys WGA600N- Wireless bridge that reportedly works very well.
-D-Link DAP-1522- includes 4 LAN slots. (I was concerned w/ compatibility issues with my router)
I chose the Hawking because it advertises to work with "any" AP or router and for roughly the same $$ of the Linksys, I can extend the range of my signal too. If I need another LAN port I'll just buy a cheap 10/100 switch.
I can't give it 5 stars because I have no long-term experience with the product.
In short, if you're looking for a "N" WURE solution for your network, give it a try. I would do it again in a heartbeat!
UPDATE 1/15/10...
Well it has been over a year and I am still thoroughly satisfied with this product and has performed flawlessly for me. Over this time I have swapped out my parent router for a D-Link 655 and have added a 10/100 switch to the Hawking to also connect a new PS3 Slim. I am still running the same firmware since I have not had any issues with it; going with the philosophy of, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." I'm considering picking up another one when the price is right to further extend my network. On a side note, my apologies for not addressing questions over the year; I didn't select to receive notifications for comments on my review.
Customer Review: Overall, a great result so far
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this range extender based on the Amazon reviews and after a very bad experience with a D-Link DAP-1150 that I bought in a store in Australia without considering any reviews. So far, the difference between the Hawkings product and the D-Link product couldn't be more stark. Here is my situation. I live in Shanghai in a 3 story lane house with thick concrete walls. My DSL connection is only available in the top floor office and can't be moved to a more central location. I use a Netgear WGR614 Wireless Router that I bought here in China. My WiFi signal is fine on the top two floors but quite weak on the ground floor where our living room and dining room are. Both my wife and I recently bought iPhones, which were not able to pick up a signal on the ground floor. So, I was looking to find a way to increase the signal strength on the ground floor.
My first effort was a dismal failure. I bought a D-Link DAP-1150 in a store during a trip to Sydney. That product claims to work as an Access Point, Repeater, and Client (it has a switch on the back with these options, which would imply that it is indeed designed to work in these three modes). I didn't have time to research the specific product when I bought it so I just took a chance. Unfortunately, I was unable to use the product in any of its three modes. Indeed, I was never able to actually connect to it from my MacBook, a problem that I later learned was widespread for other users when I search for help online. The lesson learned--with networking products do a careful search of user experiences before you buy. Had I read about the product before hand, I would never have wasted AUD 90 on it.
So this bring me to my experience with the Hawkings HWREN1 Range Extender. I spent a significant amount of time reading both the good and bad reviews for this product and others that are available. For me, a product failure is particularly expensive since getting it to and sending it back from China is a pain in the neck. Most of the reviews were positive for users with similar needs to mine.
Here's what happened when I brought it home. I opened the box and found a very clear set of instructions for a simple setup. The only problem was that I learned that you need a Windows machine to set it up, something that I hadn't known about when I bought it. Hawkings claims that the product works with both Mac And Windows, so presumably I could have figured out how to set it up using my MacBook. But since I had so much trouble with the D-Link device, I decided to borrow a Windows laptop from work to set it up. I used a Thinkpad running Windows XP Pro and followed the set up instructions to the letter. The result? I was up and running in 10 minutes without a single problem. I moved the range extender to a second floor room, more or less half-way between the Netgear Access Point upstairs and the ground floor living area. I now have full strength signal throughout the house. Overall, a great result so far.
Customer Review: Absolutely Awesome
Summary: 5 Stars
I had tried everything to extend the range of the router I bought my parents so i could get service 2 doors down. I put a HUGE antenna on the Modem/Router, I had tried a USB type antenna on my laptop, and other repeaters/extenders. My problem is this: The "Hotspot" is at my mom and dad's house, there's a house in between, and then MY house (2 doors down). The house in between is actually a larger house I am building for myself. I bought this prodduct, opened the box, and there's a poster inside that a 3rd grader could read. Literally there are 5 steps:
1. Plug the repeater into a wall socket
2. Plug the repeater into the modem/router with a provided cable. (this connection is temporary, just to calibrate the repeater)
3. Put the provided setup disc in the disc drive, follow the steps (which it does itself)
4. When it's done, unplug from the wall socket and unplug from the router. throw away or save the cable they provided running from the repeater to the modem/router - remember, this
was atemporary connection just to calibrate the new Repeater/extender. you might as well save the cable in case you need to re-calibrate at a later date.
5. bring the Hawking extender/repeater to a spot halfway between the "hotspot" and where your signal fades, point one antenna toward the hotspot and one toward where your 2nd
computer (the dead spot) is.
DONE
All you do is click in the lower right corner of your computer (on the vertical bars for wi-fi) and look for "Hawking hi gain wireless" (or whatever it says with Hawking on it) and select that option.
I couldn't believe it. i am one of those people that NOTHING ever works for me. I did this fully expecting to have wasted the money. I plugged the unit in the middle house, and walked over to the the 3rd house in line, 2 doors down from the hotspot, and sure enough, zero bars..UNTIL!!!, I clicked on the wi-fi bars in the lower corner, selected the Hawking option, and whereas in the past I'd have zero or one bar, I had 5 bars. NOT KIDDING. 5 FRIGGIN BARS!!! In fact, when I visit my parents, and select their wi-fi, I get 4 bars. Then I select the Hawking repeater (again, by clicking on the wi-fi bars in the lower right hand corner) and I get 5 bars. SO...I'm 20 feet from their router and I get 3-4 bars, and I'm 100 yardss from the Hawking and I get 5 bars. Un-friggin-believable.
PLUS...If you have a small resort or something, you can put bigger antennas on it, and also have a passowrd so nobody can hack in. I'm not kidding. This thing is the cats A$$. Questions? email me at jb0579@yahoo.com (thats a zero after the "b", not the letter "o". I'll answer any question you have.
Fully endorse this all the way. 5 stars in every category..Absolutely stark raving psyched that I now have Netflix, email, facebook, etc, without having to walk 2 doors down to mom and dads. BUY IT!!!