Cisco-Linksys WRT160N-RM Refurbished Wireless-N Router
by Linksys
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List Price: Our Price: $29.99 You Save: $70.00 (70%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $19.99 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Cisco-Linksys WRT160N-RM Refurbished Wireless-N Router
Customer Review: Works Great for Me
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this wireless router because I wanted to upgrade my wireless connection to the N standard. I have had a WRT54G v3 for years, and it has served me well, but I wanted something that would be able to stream HD content reliably through the house, which wireless G isn't really suited for. I have received a version 3 router. This router uses the 2.4Ghz N band, not the 5Ghz band. This suits me well, since I have read from different sources that the 5Ghz band, although uncrowded, doesn't penetrate as far as the 2.4Ghz. Although this router isn't dual-band all my wireless devices are compatible with N so it's alright. I was skeptical of refurbished products, thinking they would arrive broken, however this router looks brand new like others have said, and works like new as well. This router does get warm to the touch, more so than my old WRT54G, and I have measured temperatures of 106 degrees Fahrenheit with my infrared thermometer. I haven't had any overheating issues though with intense online gaming. I bought this in conjunction with a Linksys WMP600N dual-band PCI card, so I could upgrade to dual-band in the future if need be. Setup was easy for me, because I have previous experience setting up routers. The browser interface is nearly identical to the old WRT54G, so if you know that interface it'll be no problem setting this router up.
Pros:
Steady connection
Looks really cool
Low cost
Other:
Warm to the touch
I would recommend this router to anyone who wants a decent N product for a low price.
Customer Review: Exactly what I needed
Summary: 5 Stars
This wireless router/switch was exactly what I was looking for and at half the price. I had an 802.11g wireless network running just fine. Then, I added an xBox360 with an 802.11n wireless interface. It immediately began to complain about the low bandwidth of the g network. My problem was that my wireless g router was also my T-Mobile VOIP device. I couldn't just take it out of the net because I'd loose phone service if I did. So, I figured I'd take a low risk gamble on this -- $36 (or whatever) is a lot less to throw away on a chance than $70 or $80, which was the next option. Anyway, I got this, I disabled the wireless feature of the T-Mobile router and plugged this into it as an ethernet device. When I ran the setup CD, it detected the situation and asked if that's what I wanted to do, when I said yes, all that was needed was to reinstall all of the security information (SSID, encryption mode, password, etc.) from the old network into this router. Bang! I was up and running. All of my wireless network devices (Notebook, iPod, xBox, girlfriend's notebook, and even my old Palm pilot) never noticed any difference other than increased speed. I did not have to download or install any special, magic device driver for this to work. The whole process took me abourt ten minutes, start-to-finish. Now, Netflix on the xBox never hangs or restarts. All is good. Oh, and my T-Mobile VOIP works perfectly and my wireless network notebook boots even faster than beefore. No downside, nothing but upside, as far as I'm concerned. System in operation one week as of this writing.Customer Review: Fantastic hackable router
Summary: 5 Stars
Like many others, I bought this router just to convert it to a bridge with dd-wrt, to use with my XBox. I didn't even fool around with the included software; I just installed the dd-wrt firmware as soon as the router was delivered, and I was up and running in about ten minutes.
It works great!
The official Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter A/B/G & N Networks costs around eighty dollars, so right there I've already gotten a good deal. Throw in the network switch and the ability to connect four devices wirelessly to your network, and you've got a terrific piece of hardware for a very low price! Right now I have it connected to my Xbox 360 Elite Winter 2009 Lego Batman / Pure Bundle and a Panasonic SC-BT200 1000W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System, and I'm having no problems at all.
The one complaint I have is that video streaming on the XBox is a little choppy, but that is probably because of all the wireless devices I have that use 2.4ghz. I haven't noticed any problems with multiplayer gaming.
The Panasonic SC-BT200 lets you watch YouTube videos and Amazon Direct Video, and I haven't had any issues with playback on it.
I would recommend this router to anyone looking for a dd-wrt platform.
Customer Review: Refurbished WRT160NV3 + DDwrt firmware update = Excellent router!!
Summary: 5 Stars
It is a great steal for those who are bit of a tech savvy, who know/can learn to update the firmware. For those who plan to use this router out of the box, please pass on this product. Treat this router as a laptop that sells for less because it cames with a less popular operating system. You buy it only to wipe it clean an install your fav OS.
The reviews from Christopher Gonzalez and Veer Dhandapani were extremely helpful. Thanks.
The refurb version of the router is less than one third the original price of the router. Talk about value for money!
Let me lay out simple step by step instructions to upgrade the router -
1) Make sure you got WRT160NV3, i.e. version 3. Check at the bottom of the router next to Model #.
2) Download the file [...]
3) Follow instructions according to the setup disk that came with the router. Choose all defaults.
Complete all steps till it says "restart your computer".
4) Your computer does not need restart, rather restart the router. Also re-start your internet modem.
5) Wait till the router and modem settle down.
6) In your computer open [...]in IE (username and password should be both 'admin')
7) click on 'Administration', click on 'Firmware Upgrade'.
8) Browse open the file [...]
9) Start the upgrade, it will take a few minutes to complete. Click on Continue if the new firmware website asks so.
The router is ready. Enjoy its excellent performance.
Customer Review: Good deal. Well worth the price.
Summary: 5 Stars
I received a Version 1 of the router. Apparently its luck of the draw if one receives a Version 1, 2 or 3. I am using the WRT160N as a basic wireless access point for two laptops, an XBox 360 and a Zune HD. When the unit arrived I immediately updated the firmware to DD-WRT. I inserted my PPOE username and password from my ISP, and I immediately had wireless internet service to all of my devices.
Three weeks later, I suddenly lost internet access. I could still communicate between devices, but not out to the internet. I still had internet access when I connected the ethernet cable directly into the laptop, so I knew the issue was with the router. After trying different settings with the router with DD-WRT, I decided to give the Linksys Firmware a try. A quick download from the Linksys website and firmware update later, the unit was up and running on the Linksys firmware, all devices could communicate to each other and the internet. The lesson learned here is I should have tried the Linksys firmware right out of the box because it would have only taken five minutes and probably worked.
I am still giving this unit five stars because it is a $120 home gateway for $30 and it works (with a little tinkering). Diehard Apple-product users who expect all electronic devices to work FLAWLESSLY all of the time and who have no patience for tinkering should try another unit .... and expect to pay at least five times the price of this router.