| Belkin F5D8230-4 Wireless 802.11x Pre-N Router |
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Model: F5D8230-4
Brand: Belkin
Manufacturer: Belkin Components
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 216
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11n (draft), IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| Features: |
Pre-N speeds and coverage mean 4x greater coverage than standard 802.11g and 4x greater speed than standard 802.11g
Wirelessly share a broadband cable or DSL Internet connection
Built-in 4-port 10/100 Ethernet switch
High resistance to wireless interference--the router will sense potential interference and shift to the clearest available channel
Note: Pre-N routing speeds require an optional Belkin Pre-N wireless networking adapter |
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| Description: |
| Belkin Wireless 802.11x Pre-N Router - This wireless network router features Belkin's Pre-N networking technology. Pre-N offers you amazing advantages in speed, coverage, & performance when compared to other wireless 802.11x networks. Some of the benefits include up to 800% greater coverage and up to 600% greater speed than 802.11g! If a standard 802.11g or 802.11b networking product is introduced into the Pre-N network, the Pre-N router will not drop to the lowest networking speed. When used with 802.11g & 802.11b devices, the Pre-N router improves their wireless coverage by up to 20%! Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) Support Web Content & Parental Control Filter (6 months free) - provides over 50 fully configurable filters Pop-Up Blocker (6 months free) - provides pop-up, adware, & spyware blocking |
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| User Reviews (216 total): |
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BUYER BEWARE! NOT COMPATIBLE WITH XBOX LIVE!, May 3, 2005
By spy-hunter (Honolulu, HI)
As a previous review said, while gaming this router drops packets like a mad dog, even if you place the game system in the DMZ!
I have the original version of this router, Version 1001, and it does not do this, so I am using that version now, but the version they have been producing in 2005, Version 2000, is rotten...
It all comes down to firmware, both versions run different firmware, and from what I've heard Belkin's hardware and firmware teams have a hard time communicating, and it shows!
The original router had an issue connecting with PSP which took months after the release of PSP to be combated with a firmware update, now with this problem it appears that it may never be taken care of... Stay away from this product if you are a gamer...
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Awsome, April 17, 2005
By leblond (California)
This is my first foray into wireless. I took my sweet time because I would not sacrifice bandwidth to go wireless, and i feared this was a given because of the size of my house. After reading lots of reviews, i plopped down $200 for the Pre-N router and cardbus adapter. After the very easy setup, I was totaly impressed (I always thought belkin was import crap, so this surprised me). The range on this thing is fantastic. I did some experimenting to see how much bandwidth degradation the wirelless router would introduce. I first hooked up my cable modem directly to the PC. I downloaded turbotax(300MB). The turbotax server is fast, and I saw a constant 475KByte/sec download rate. This is about what the comcast service provides at 4Mbit/sec. I then hooked up the Pre-N router with a Pre-N cardbus laptop adapter. I downloaded the same file and saw 430-460KB/sec rate. I tried it all over the house (3000sq feet 2-story). The rate was the same everywhere in the house, it just kept bouncing around between 430-460KB/sec. I guess the slight hit in bandwidth is due to the encryption overhead (I use 128-bit WEP). I also use my PDA with wireles-b with no isues. I have seen no real issues so far after 2 weeks of use. The only thing I see is that if I put my modem (SB5100) on stanby and then out of standby then I have to reboot the router, I'm not sure what the problem is. One annoyance is that the router does not have a standby button or even a power button, but I dont think any other routers do either, this is clearly a security flaw. When I'm not online I would like to put the thing on standby to reduce security risk, seems obvious to me.
Although i'm not a "power" user I can attest to the speed and range of this router and can say that if you buy this router you will not be disapointed in that respect. No wires, no range issues, no bandwidth compromise, I'm happy like a pig in S*#!
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Great set-up, April 14, 2005
By I can fix it. (San Bernardino, CA USA)
I decided to go wireless in my home, no small feat when you consider I have 1 desktop, 2 laptops, and 2 printers. I initially tried to go with Linksys, but had no joy. To solve my printer problem I needed a printer server with 2 USB connections, as far as I could find out, Linksys doesn't even offer this. I had the one printer server which took me all evening to configure and still needed to be connected to my router, when it took a dump on me. I couldn't reconfigure it to work on and of my comps, so I replaced it with the Belkin with 2 USB connections. It configured right away, with encription. So I replaced all my linksys router, network cards with the Belkin pre N. What a difference, easy to set up, easy to use, and everything works, fast and smooth, with no dropouts. I can even unplug my printer server from my router and everything is still encripted. One tip, make sure you re-boot after running the set-up, the software doesn't always tell you to do it. Apart from that one thing, no problems.
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sometimes fast, sometimes slow, April 12, 2005
By W. Kish (California)
My unit only achieved the promised speeds on channel 1; channel 6 and 11 were horrible even though I don't have any neighbors with WiFi. The other problem I had was with my Centrino laptop, which had bad performance most of the time with this router.
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Forget the encryption feature, April 9, 2005
By Computer Wiz (Seymour, CT USA)
This product was easy to initially install and get working. I never had a range problem with my older SMC router, but it eventually just stopped working, so decided to give the Belkin a try because of the good press reviews. Mistake!
I experimented with both the 64 and 128 bit encyption. Even when the client is just a few feet away from the router, the wireless connection goes up and down. I have had the same experience with a few different client PCs and 2 different Belkin routers in 2 different locations, DSL and cable internet connections - not that it should matter. The clients had various wireless adapters including a Belkin adapter. Same issue in every case. No encryption no problem, turn on encryption and you get a flaky connection.
The other very annoying thing is you can change the router options and apply them on the fly but the router software does not indicate you need to reboot. The changes sometimes do take effect, but unless you reboot the router, the wireless connection is flaky even if disable encryption.
I described my problems to Belkin tech support and their first suggestion was to lower or drop the encryption. What does that tell you?
If encryption is a requirement for you, I would suggest checking the competition.
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System installer has to speak up., April 5, 2005
By L. M. Sharp (Fort Worth, TX)
I have to tell you that I have configured 5 of these in the last 2 months. One was dead on arrival, one had very weak signal strength, and a third had compatibility issues with it's own pre-N NIC security settings. In my opinion, this system is much on hype, but little on delivery. It carries all the flaws that have follwed Belkin's G series routers, like only the default network address will work with DHCP, and brings some new ones into play. It sure sounds like a good product if you haven't seen any work though. More information can be found at http://www.advotechllc.com/Tips/WirelessSecurity.htm
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Never underestimate the underdog, March 30, 2005
By David (Pleasanton, CA)
I had always been a loyal Linksys customer until my home network grew beyond the range of my Linksys wireless router. After trying a couple different solutions, I researched the Belkin Pre-N Router and found that almost everyone loved it.
I purchased it yesterday and it was up and running out of the box. The range is absolutely phenominal and while it is a bit more costly than most other routers, it's certainly worth every penny.
Bravo, Belkin!!
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FAST & great range, but $$$$$, March 27, 2005
By MyPenName (Florida)
Connection setup:
Belkin PreN Router
Belkin Pren Notebook card
In the beginning, I had Linksys WRT54G router AND Hawking Model: HAI6SIP / HAI6SIA Hi Gain 6dBi Antenna. I was still getting drops at 20 paces as the crow flies thru a few walls etc. I swapped it out for a Netgear WGT624. Signal strength was about 5 db stonger according to NetStumbler on the Netgear so Linksys went into storage. BTW, I am connecting via Intel 2200 ProWireless, Linksys WPC55AG, and Belkin Wireless G USB Network Adapter F5D7050.
The best transmission rate I could get out of the Linksys was 7-8 MB/s. On the Netgear, I could peak at 9-10 MB/s. The Belkin PreN blow the doors off !!! I was getting almost 54 MB/s !??!?!!
So this is defintily legit. The next test was distance at straight line of sight. I would have to say that I was about a football field's distance between the PreN router and the PreN card and I was still getting 12-15 MB/s (with no obstructions in between). I ran out of straight line of sight to keep on testing at my condo complex !!!! Hence, this router should have no transmission problems for most houses (unless you have alot of $$$ and have a REALLY REALLY large house).
Note: WEP does not decrease thruput, but WPA reduced thruput by 50% !!! I'm sure you could still live w/ 27 Mb/s :P
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Solved my wireless coverage problems, March 26, 2005
By Novak (NYNY USA)
I bought this unit to replace the no longer supported Microsoft wireless in my home office. With the old unit I was never able to use my wireless laptop in the back rooms or downstairs. The Belkin router gives amazingly clear signal in all areas even out in the back yard over 500 feet away through walls and floors. I am using the Belkin adapter card for my HP laptop.
Also: I am using WAP encription security and not displaying the SSID. I have not had any problems.
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Worked like a charm (after dumping Belkin's software), March 24, 2005
By Mark (NY, NY)
Two words. Get it. Belkin's Pre-N is super fast, even when paired with a wireless G card. I now have the Pre-N PCMCIA card and my connection is even faster (surprise, surprsie). I did a quick bandwidth check using Cnet's online tool and my connection speed came in at over a T1 and just below a T3 (I have my router connected to a cable modem). Hasn't dropped a connection yet. The online managment tool is super easy to use, too.
Just one word of caution. I've read of quite a few people having problems with the PCMCIA card. The belkin wireless utility, should be called belkin useless utility, is a piece of junk. It crashed every time I used it. After I got the belkin driver to install, I downloaded Boingo's free wireless utlity manager and it connected fine first time.
Wanted to add a follow up to my review above... I recently upgraded to the latest version of Boingo, after which Boingo stopped working with my Pre-N router and wi-fi card. I have since switched to J-Wire's wi-fi browser/connection software and it works like a charm once more.
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Worth the Money, February 22, 2005
By Lava Man (Kailua-Kona, HI USA)
This router replaces my SMC Barricade .b with matching notebook card. After a couple of years of dropped connections, delayed write errors, and reception that barely made 50 feet, I decided to upgrade. The Belkin Pre-N is quite a bit more expensive than other products available now, but so far I am convinced it is worth it. As other reviewers have attested, the speed and range are terrific -- I can now take my laptop in any corner of my 4000 sqft house and get excellent to good throughput and signal strength, even through stone walls and a swimming pool! Previous reviews that warn about locking this down because anyone in the neighborhood could tap in are correct.
I bought the matching Belkin Pre-N notebook card and I achieve 108 mbps over a wide range, just as advertized. I haven't noticed very much difference in battery life either. So far (about 1 week) it has remained rock solid.
Setup took a couple of tries to get the security protocol set correctly, and although the manual could be more clearly written, it is a vast improvement over my SMC documentation.
Bottom line -- this product delivers, though at a price. For me it was worth the cost.
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What an amazing product - My reception problems solved, February 21, 2005
By gana2k (Palatine)
This is so cool!!! What an amazing product. Just what was promised in the box and Belkin's web site.
This is my first ever review of any product and I have bought 100s of computer products and I just have to write a review.
I have a 3400sqft home with vaulted ceilings and my old linksys router is connected to the upstairs computer.
The machine downstairs had very poor reception - signal strength around 50% and speed hovers between 24-48mpbs. When I turn on the microwave in the kitchen, just forget it - the speed will go down to 1mbps and most of the time loose network connection altogether. It was just horrible. Tried many different options - different routers, boosters, antennaes - no luck and no change.
Bought the router and the desktop network card - plugged it in and everything worked beautifully. My signal strength initially was 100%, but turning on the microwave brought it down to 97% and has not moved down since.
I am very happy with the product and i would recommend this product over spending money on boosters or different routers. The price is reasonable when compated to speed boosters and 40$ antennaes or other AirG or SpeedboosterG products.
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Not so lucky, February 6, 2005
By TJS (SF Bay Area)
I ordered the Pre-N router after reading Mossberg's positive recommendation in the WSJ. Range has been the problem for our previous SMC 7004 and SMC 2804 WiFi routers, and the addition of high-gain antennas (both 6 dB directional and 4 dB omni-directional) to the 2804 also didn't do the job in connecting reliably to distant Dell, Sony, and IBM laptops.
Our experience was that we couldn't configure the unit to obtain both reliable wireless connectivity and consistent download throughput. We could stabilize one or the other, but not both, and we didn't see any significant increase in signal strength at the most distant machines (about 60 ft away). Six calls to tech support, several days of trying different configuration options, and a new unit didn't solve the problem, so back it went.
On the positive side, both the set-up and the router's admin software are best of class. Belkin's tech support was also the best I've experienced for WiFi products: short waits, and in all but one instance knowledgeable people. They even express shipped a replacement without demanding the return of the suspect unit.
My experience seems to run counter to that of most other reviewers, but in light of my first-rate experience with Belkin's customer service I'll have no reservations about buying their products in future.
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very good product, February 6, 2005
By JoVill (dulles, va United States)
stable, solid and well built product. better range than my linksys router with amplifier and gain antennas. works well with my linksys usb g adaptors. only minor complaint that login page on the LAN side of the router gives a good bit of information without a login. really prefer a login to get the router details. i have difficult environment with concrete walls and this router performs well and provides good signal coverage.
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Great Router, January 31, 2005
By Surfer Joe (Huntington Beach, CA)
This is an absolutely amazing product. We just purchased a notebook PC with a B/G wireless card. We also have a two year old desktop PC.
We bought the Belkin Pre-N router the other day and had it working in just a few minutes. The signal strength is great throughout our entire home, which is two stories and about 2300sf. We did not add the Belkin card to our laptop, and it doesn't look like we need to do so.
We have internet service through Time Warner cable with AOL as our service provider. Adding the router in line with the cable modem was pretty simple. Just follow the directions on the CD that comes with the router.
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Awesome, January 30, 2005
By TK7 (Ohio)
There is just no need to say anything other than this is the best wireless router for home or small biz use. I mean I have worked with more than my share of wireless equipment and this couldn't be simpler. I never RTFM unless there is some quirk that I haven't already come across and in this case it wasn't needed. Surprisingly all I had to do was plug it in and connect the wires. It was online before I even got my head back over to the monitor! Obviously it wasn't tweaked and secure but still that doesn't happen very often. The menu system is simple and clear. The definitions are perfect for non-techie people. It's just awesome. The price will drop but that's just the same as any tech product. You can't beat this device in any way until the next gen comes out. The price is really not that much for what you get but if it's too much for you then don't buy. I mean who wants a $40 router that drops or fades all over the place when for $80 more you won't have to worry about it? Seriously peace of mind and reliability is worth the money IMHO.
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It solved my wireless problems, January 28, 2005
By Rose Vines
If you need or want good wireless reception right now, I unreservedly recommend the Pre-N, despite its proprietary nature. No, it's probably not going to work with the next generation of N standard wireless products, but if you need wireless this instant, the Pre-N is the way to go.
I've tried numerous other wireless products, trying to get reception throughout my 2-storey house, and been bitterly disappointed. So I installed the Pre-N Notebook card in my notebook and got an immediate improvement when coupled with my Linksys G-standard wireless access point. After that success, I decided to buy the Pre-N Router as well, and now I have rock solid wireless reception all over my house (and my yard and front porch -- keep that in mind when setting up security!).
So, even though I may end up buying another wireless product sometime in 2006, in the meantime I am extremely happy to be using the Pre-N. Buying it has been a liberation.
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9000 sq ft 3 story house on 1.2 acres - FULL COVERAGE, January 27, 2005
By Franni (Atlanta)
There is not much to tell you other than I switched off my 3 wireless G routers and replaced with this 1 Belkin Pre-N router.
I get FULL coverage in EVERY part of the house and on EVERY corner of my 1.2 acres and in my tree house 250 feet away :) :) :)
This thing does EVERYTHING it says on the tin. I'm selling my netgear G stuff on EBAY....
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Much improved range in a mixed b/g and PC/Mac environment, January 25, 2005
By MyNameISNeo (MA)
If you are even considering buying this particular router now, you should not need tech support to set it up! The range increase is great and the varied levels of encryption are easy to set up. I configured everything initially from my hardwired PC. Type the generic 192.168.2.1 into your browser (I use Firefox) and the router menu instantly comes up.
Most of the stock settings are OK, but you should IMO activate the security features from the menu. On my Powerbook, I am getting easily an additional 50 feet (about 2 rooms/3 walls) further then I did with a G router.
I'm pretty skeptical about the negative review commenting on signal loss. I've had no problems with full VOIP using nothing but wireless phones and plenty of other interference potential, literally directly next to this router. Download any free traffic monitoring add-on to "see" the significant speed improvements.
FYI, these will drop in price buy half or more within a few months (AC/AR - just like the rest of the belkin line of routing equipment).
Hope it helps - MyNameISNeo
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No technical support, connect problems, January 24, 2005
By consumer davidm (toronto, ontario Canada)
First off, we would have been happy with any old 802.11b router/access point, since for most people including ourselves the cable/DSL Internet connection is slower than even 802.11b, but this was the only thing available in the local store and we needed to get online (I'll believe all those who see increases in Internet speed when I see objective analysis).
Got the unit home and it works fine in wired mode. However, my partner's Thinkpad T40P, with dual mode B/G connection can't connect (it connects fine to numerous other wireless access points), and my Toshiba M200, with standard Centrino 802.11b, is constantly disconnecting.
Called Belkin tech support 6 days ago and the lines were busy, send an email 6 days ago and got an automated acknowledgement but there has been no follow up from Belkin.
(Another hint for Belkin, besides providing tech support: if you call your product "PRE-N," maybe the search engine should support hyphens instead of truncating the query to "PREN." Some consumer oriented usability testing and engineering might be in order here).
I will say one thing, the signal strength remained at "Excellent" through two solid walls. But we have work to do and are using this overpriced collection of plastic and metal in wired mode now. Some things you need to just work.
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