TRENDnet 54 Mbps Wireless G Broadband Router TEW-432BRP (Blue)
by TRENDnet
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List Price: Our Price: $22.95 You Save: $27.04 (54%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $15.99 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of TRENDnet 54 Mbps Wireless G Broadband Router TEW-432BRP (Blue)
Customer Review: Great router but range may be an issue
Summary: 5 Stars
Let's put the highest praise first: I just bought my second TEW-432BRP (first is at home; second is for work/office). Why?
1. Major selling point for me: Configuration is very easy. As a linux user, hardware often becomes a trouble point. Although the manual accompanying the unit suggests you need to run a Windows package off of a CD to set up the router, the entire configuration can be done via the web. It's hard to imagine things getting much easier... To top it off, the configuration is pretty comprehensive, allowing you to configure the device from a number of different angles (WEP/WPA support, filters, firewalling, ...)
2. Second major selling point: I'm cheap -- the price is definitely on the reasonable side
Other notes:
- The range is just fine if the building is "wireless-friendly". I have no problem connecting from one end of our 4-bedroom home (2000+ sq ft) where the router is situated at the other end of the home. On the other hand, the router I bought for work is problematic. When the router is on the first floor of the building and I am on the lower floor but otherwise nearby, the connection quality is very poor. This may be related to the construction of the building - lots of metal in the walls with cinderblock structure for the weight-bearing walls.
- having 4 LAN ports is nice if you want to plug in an internet printer or other internet devices
- my first router has lasted many months w/continuous use - reliability doesn't seem to be an issue - we'll see how the second one does
Customer Review: Lousy Router, Tech Support was Worse!!
Summary: 1 Stars
I picked up one of these to replace an existing router. After setup I noticed that the range of this unit was poor. Dropped connections, interrupted print jobs, not seeing the SSID, and so on. After going through countless tweaks (upgrading router's firmware, changing channels, setting to 802.11g only, etc.) nothing helped. On a whim, I tried switching the antenna from my old D-Link router and suddenly the range was working like my old router! When I called TRENDnet's customer service, "Jason" (with a suspiciously Indian accent) informed me that I was expecting too much from an 802.11g router - that the range on these was only 30 to 40 ft. Baloney! He had me put the original antenna back on and asked me if I received a wireless signal while in close proximity to the unit. I told him that I did and he took the position that the router was working perfectly. I explained how the older router of the same type had much greater range and that the TRENDnet router didn't - until I put the other antenna on and then it worked acceptably. "Jason" would have none of it. He would not send me a replacement antenna of the same type or a better antenna to fix the problem.
Since this router didn't work well and TRENDnet's tech support didn't take the opportunity to fix the problem, I returned the router for a refund. After all, needing to use salvaged parts from your competitor's used equipment to make something work is no way to promote your products. I subsequently purchased a Westell router that worked flawlessly right out of the box. TRENDnet should be ashamed of themselves.
Customer Review: Worked Great Right Out of the Box
Summary: 5 Stars
I had a 7 year old Linksys 802.11b wireless router that was starting to give us problems... reducing speed intermittently thru out the day, and ceasing downloads when the kitchen microwave was running (uh oh, another problem?)
I wanted a G version wireless router as a physical drop in replacement, since I was very happy w/ my configuration hooked into a 5Meg Cable Modem. I also didn't want to wait for the unit to arrive snail-mail, so I utilized the Next Day service (extra cost). Interestingly, the combined cost was STILL lower than that of local stores, incl Worst-Buy.
It arrived as promised (I'm amazed!!). I took it out of the box, followed the instructions in the Quick Install.
The SW found the old driver, asked if I wanted to keep the previous set-up (yes), and then proceeded to install the rest of the SW & told me when to physically install the hardware.
POW!! It worked 1st time!! Amazing, for such an inexpensive unit.
And instead of the previous 802.11b speeds I was getting (1.4M download), I'm now getting 802.11g 3.5M wireless downloads vs 4.6M hardwired to the Cable modem. And even the microwave can't slow it down, anymore!
I'm very pleased w/ this inexpensive (though plastic) unit... AND I'm very pleased w/ Amazon's shipping service as well. My expectations were exceeded... which is also why I just purchased a 52" LCD Samsung (120Hz) thru Amazon, as well. They consistently lead the way.
Customer Review: A solid router for a reasonable price (especially with the rebate)!
Summary: 4 Stars
My wife and I have had this router for a day or two now and so far it has not given us any problems. I was able to set up the router with our Roadrunner cable broadband box very easily because of the CD that comes with the router. It has a step by step tutorial that allows you to install everything with ease. However, make sure you do install the Network Magic program at the end, especially if your main computer with the router is your desktop, because this program makes setting up the security for your router sooooo much easier! I have not experienced problems with the signal not going through walls, but my wife uses her laptop in our living room table close by to the desktop, so I can't really comment on the signals ability to go through walls. We have an older house, it was built in 1926, so since the walls may be thicker than newer homes if I see a problem, or not, I will edit this review at a later time. In general, buy this router and especially while there is still a $20 rebate available....you won't regret it! I can also say that my wife's parents and her sister have the exact same router as well and have had no complaints!
*Since I last wrote this review I tried to see how it would do in other rooms throughout the house and it worked fine. I can also add that my wife was able to connect onto the internet at her parents' house from outside as well and they have the same router. So walls were not a problem.*
Customer Review: Buyer Beware - Use extreme caution before purchasing
Summary: 1 Stars
I totally agree with all the users who had difficulty with setting up this router. I spent over twelve hours just to try to load the software onto my computer. I finally loaded an updated copy from the Trendnet website onto my hard drive which finally worked but with still a lot of other issues. The default username is admin and cannot be changed. Your password is up to you. Once you get that squared away, loading the software is normal but very tedious. Took me almost 90 minutes to load and configure. The included manual does not help but sometimes complicates things more. Wanted to use this router as an add on router to my existing Linksys router. Simply, does not work. You need to configure this as a replacement router rather than just an add-on. Wired speeds as comparable to my old Linksys. Wireless speeds are at 54mbps and range is roughly 100-150 ft. radius which is really good. However, with the extreme difficulty I had loading and configuring the software, I would recommend to potential buyers to look elsewhere, spend the money on a device which is easier to install. The price was a steal and absolute giveaway. However, the time I spent trying endless combinations could have been spent doing something more useful. I should have heeded the advice of other reviewers and not bought this device. Clearly, buyer please be warned and aware of this product.