Cisco-Linksys WRT54GL Wireless-G Broadband Router
by Linksys
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List Price: Our Price: $54.95 You Save: $25.04 (31%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $39.99 (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 WRT54GL Wireless-G Broadband Router
Customer Review: good product, not so easy to set up and hack
Summary: 4 Stars
I searched long and hard to find an inexpensive wireless ethernet bridge (after I learned THAT was the term) for my aged Mac G3/OS9. Was referred to this model of the WRT54 by a an out-of-state tech wizard buddy, who had loaded hacked s/w into just such a router. The reason the "GL" is offered by Linksys is precisely because hackers love to use this router for just such a purpose.
The product works (after a week of frustration), and the price was decent. On the downside, the set up, even with my buddy's help (and my own technical savvy), wasn't easy. The "hack" help offered on websites was not easy for me, a non-wizard using an old computer. (There were also problems getting good support from Comcast about configuration to work with what turned out to be a secure wireless network.)
Not all the problems were with the device: I was using something other that most current Windoze (the included set up disc only works with current Windoze), I was programming it to do something different than the Mfr. programmed it to do, my technical knowledge is outdated and limited (so I couldn't tell where problems with the router/bridge stopped and problems with other things began). The bridge has worked perfectly for the last 2 weeks. Your mileage may vary, of course, but be warned that if you plan to alter this device, you need a truckload of technical expertise, PATIENCE and resources.
Customer Review: Its a cheap router with equality to expensive ones
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought the WRT320N Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router by linksis and have had better results with this one. It says on the box of this router that its not really intended for multiple computers or devices to be used, not really for multiple gaming, downloading music fast, and states that the ethernet hookups are not as fast as the WRT320N. I ran my own speed tests using the internet one hooked up through the ethernet and another test using wi-fi. I ran the test multiple times using both routers and didn't really see a difference in speed. I then ran my laptop, desktop and two xbox gaming systems together all on the router at once and it handled all four with no lag. I don't understand how the box says its not really intended for multiple uses because I only have one xbox plugged into the ethernet cable area and the other three are wireless. With the WRT320 I also had to reset it every day almost and have not had to do so with this one.
Finally, I would have to say this router will give you a very reliable source to connect your computers and/or gaming system too. Don't go by what the box says or the speed test because it will vary. Use it personally first for a bit and you will love it. It costs half of the WRT320N and its better. Based on my personal use of the product. Don't use the disk either because it sucks setting it up this way its better to do it manually. Google it!!
Customer Review: Cisco WRT54GL
Summary: 4 Stars
Situation: needed to replace 5 - 10 year old LinkSys wireless router; old machine requires re-boots about when iPad and Iphones arrived in network.
Wireless nodes: 2 iPhones, 1 iPad, 2 Lap tops and one wireless printer
External network (WAN) speed 500 kilo bit +/-
OS: Vista SP2 and Apple iOS 4.2.1
Experience: The installation wizard did not accommodate installation. After a few failed wizard tries I turned to "manual" installation.
Manual installation went fine but does require some familiarity with networking and wireless security.
Including the two or three failed wizard based installation attempts, total installation of the wireless router and net took about an hour.
The router has performed flawlessly since installation two or three weeks back.
No re-boots required.
We do not move video files frequently, as the WAN speed might suggest.
If you must move a few Giga Bytes at 10 MegaBits / second, prepare for some delay; that is not a flaw. It is router spec.
If the router installation wizard fails and you are not too familiar with terms and tech, you may have a challenging time.
None the less, the juice is worth the squeeze and more so if the device is well priced.
Customer Review: my first wireless experience
Summary: 5 Stars
I've always wanted to go wireless. I just recently got a decent high-speed connection; much faster than DSL, which meant enough bandwidth to actually make wireless really worth it (at least for me). The main reason was that I had an old sony vaio with a dial-up modem only (i know... sad), and I wanted to use my "old friend".
I have no experience with networking, or wireless networking for that matter. After reading up, found out about this router and just had to have it. After setting up my network using the linksys firmware (very easy), I decided to use the 3rd-party firmware dd-wrt. Its almost the same interface as linksys but WAY more features. Of course most of these features us newbies won't use at first, but if your like me you'll learn quickly.
There is a lot of helpful information on this router online (simple Google search) because its so popular; much more helpful than Linksys support from what I've read. Even if your internet connection doesn't take full advantage of wireless-G now (mine only uses about 25% of what it can actually do - around 27 mbps), it should eventually as ISP's are getting faster and cheaper.
All in all, my first experience with wireless networking was awesome, and the WRT54GL is worth every penny, even if the sorry people at linksys are pawning an old version off as new.
Customer Review: Great Router for the price
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this router to replace an older Lynksys router. The older one, a WRT54G2 all of a sudden kept disconnecting from the network several times a day. I read the reviews on the 54GL and most people seemed satisfied with it. But like most said, there are no written instructions. So I loaded the CD and assumed that would work. It didn't. It kept telling me it wasn't connected, when in fact it was but the CD wouldn't let me go any farther. So I picked up the phone and called their support. I got a gentleman who was easy to understand and he had me up and running in about 15 minutes. He was remarkable. He took control of my PC and had it going quickly. He had all of my computers (3) working flawlessly. I connected the printers myself since they have their own setups.
I've now had this unit for about a month and not only have I had no network problems but everything runs faster. I would recommend this unit highly. But if you buy one, save yourself some time and just contact their support group first.
As usual, Amazon did what they do best. We had some really foul weather with many roads being closed because of snow. My unit was delivered a day late but Amazon notified me by email of that. I can't say anything bad about Amazon. I've purchased many things through them and never had a glitch. My hat's off to them