| Belkin F5D8230-4 Wireless 802.11x Pre-N Router |
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Model: F5D8231-4
Brand: Belkin
Manufacturer: Belkin Components
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 221
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: |
LAN Ports - N/A
WAN Ports - N/A
Warranty - Lifetime Limited Warranty
LEDs - Yes |
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| Description: |
| Powered by Airgo Network's True MIMO technology, Belkin Pre-N products improve wireless reliability and performance, and enable users to work with high-bandwidth applications, such as audio and video streaming.Belkin utilizes True MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) from Airgo Networks in its Pre-N products. True MIMO is the first technology to address the issues of coverage, speed, and interference in larger homes and offices.True MIMO is a smart-antenna technique that uses multiple antennas to transmit and receive wireless signals. It reaches a step further than other smart-antenna technologies by transmitting multiple signals on each antenna. As a result, Belkin's Pre-N products with True MIMO technology create a robust wireless connection while providing a larger coverage area with the bandwidth and quality of service needed to run advanced applications, such as streaming video or Voice over IP (VoIP).True MIMO is one of the underlying technologies being considered for 802.11n, a standard in the works for the next generation of Wi-Fi technology. |
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| User Reviews (221 total): |
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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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Belkin F5D8230-4 Wireless 802.11x Pre-N Router, January 26, 2005
By Amazon Reviewer (California USA)
The Belkin Pre-N router setup was extremely simple. The router comes with a CD-Rom which contains an install wizard. It took less than 5 minutes to connect the router to the DSL modem and complete the configuration. The router works perfectly with my Dell Axim X50v. A scan of the firewall using Steve Gibson's scanner at www.grc.com indicates that the router performs perfectly by indicating stealth mode for each connect attempt. The router produces a very strong signal.
Highly recommended!
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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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A panacea - just do it, January 24, 2005
By M. Barnard
It works - phenomenally well. Phenomenal range, speed and reliability.
This is my third wireless network. The first was Netgear - first without bridges and access points and later with them. Neither version provided adequate coverage or a consistent signal. The second was Buffalo with their pre-configured access point to extend the range - the range was far better, but it needed constant rebooting.
This Belkin pre-N provides excellent range (range is no longer a problem in our older house), excellent speed and has been perfectly reliable. This holds true even with g cards in our notebooks. If you switch to Belkins' n cards it gets even better.
Thank you Belkin.
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Worth the extra, January 23, 2005
By lancenz (Wellington, New Zealand)
I used my TRENDnet TEW-411BRP router for a couple of years in association with a D-Link DWL-G650 card. It served me well but for one troublesome spot within my house. Unfortunately that spot is my favourite place. Home-made cardboard/foil antenna "boosters" helped maintain a steady signal, but it was never good enough for reliable audio - let alone video. The D-Link DI-624 router seemed the obvious choice as a replacement as it matched the ExtremeG mode of the card. No such luck. The combination worked fine over the rest of my house, but transfer rates were mostly no better than with the TRENDnet. It was considerably worse in my "dead spot". I returned it, and decided to pay twice the price for the Belkin Pre-N router and get the matching card. Fantastic! For a start I left the D-Link card in my notebook. I now had a reliable much stronger 802.11g signal in my dead spot. Installing the Pre-N card in my notebook gave a stronger signal and "very good" quality indication. The indicated speed is around 100Mbps - and streaming audio and video is solid. In a nutshell, I'm very happy with this Pre-N router and card combination. There's no denying it is expensive - but if you need the range OR have any dead spots in your house - this is the one to get. The fact that it is not using a ratified standard doesn't bother me a bit. It's my house after all.
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Seems good but I'll find out soon, January 22, 2005
By Nathan (Indianapolis, IN)
I just got this router to replace my D-link extreme G, 624. I wanted to try it out right away, but found out that if you have SBC DSL with the Speedstreem 5100b, you have to call SBC and have them change your modem to bridge mode. This would have been fine if the Belkin tech would have properly recognized my modem as a 5100b, but I actually have a 5100a. This modem cannot be put into bride mode. I then had to start all over with Belkin support. They were helpful but concluded that the device was faulty. They said they would send out a new one. I called 2 days later to ensure it had been sent because I am anxiously waiting to try out the new Pre-N stuff. Well the tech hadn't ordered my replacement so it is a good thing I called. The new one is on its way and hope the router is as good as the notebook adapter seems.I just got this router to replace my D-link extreme G, 624. I wanted to try it out right away, but found out that if you have SBC DSL with the Speedstreem 5100b, you have to call SBC and have them change your modem to bridge mode. This would have been fine if the Belkin tech would have properly recognized my modem as a 5100b, but I actually have a 5100a. This modem cannot be put into bride mode. I then had to start all over with Belkin support. They were helpful but concluded that the device was faulty. They said they would send out a new one. I called 2 days later to ensure it had been sent because I am anxiously waiting to try out the new Pre-N stuff. Well the tech hadn't ordered my replacement so it is a good thing I called. The new one is on its way and hope the router is as good as the notebook adapter seems.
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If you need to speed or range go for it, January 8, 2005
By www.Dontquotemeonthat.com (Seacoast New Hampshire)
Here's the situation, if you need to expand your wireless coverage on a G. network or B. then this router will do the trick. Have been using this for more than a week now and the throughput is amazing, superfast. All my G. signals are pegged!
N. products will not be out for about a year. So if you drop the cash on this bad boy. You'll have some time before that standard comes out. And it will improve your reception of any networks you have up and running now. One computer I had running on G. in another house from the router was low about 50% reception is now running at 100% and never fluctuates.
So instead of buying a range booster. I just bought this bad boy.
I still haven't got it to work with my Linksys network storage drive, but I'll figure that out eventually. (This problem has been fixed). What I had to do was change the IP from 192.168 2.1 to 192.168.1.1 and a storage Link showed up fine!
Overall, I'm very happy with this product I bought this because of the fact that the N will not be out for a year or more so if I invest in this now. It's not like it will be quickly replaced.
Peace out
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Amazing Peice of Equipment, January 1, 2005
By Greeneye38 (New Jersey)
This is the best peice of computer equipment I ever purchased. It was a snap to set and ran flawlessly. The speed I receive from this router is astounding. When I hit a link on webset site it instantly pops up. No waiting. I have downloaded files from the net, and sat waiting and waiting figuring somthing was wrong here, the downloads happend so fast I assumed somthing was wrong. I'm not used to working with upload and download speeds this fast. The wirless link is faster than connecting a computer directly to router. Go figure.
I called Belkin support to help me set some security options. They were knowledgable and spoke English! Belkin support is based in the US not India like every other computer company.
If you purchase the router, get the Belkin card as well, any b or g card will work but the Belkin Pre-N card will run at 108Mbs.
Definately worth upgrading. I really enjoyed using the Belkin software to configure the router. It was easy to access and set up. The firewall was a snap to initiate.
I know there is review on this site that gave this router a bad rating because of his PDA being not able to connect up, but as far as setting up a wlreless internet for your computers this is the best router on the market.
I am someone who hates bad engineering, and the first to take something back that doesn't perform up to specs, but this thing runs perfectly.
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Great Speed and Distance When It works, November 27, 2004
By Lynx
I bought the Wireless Pre-N Router to use with my PDA. Most of the time it wouldnt even connect with the pda becuase it it would hang on the getting an IP. Even with no security or Access Control. When it did connect, I did notice a bit of a difference in speed and range. But it seems that this router is not very backwards compatible with 802.11b.
The DHCP Client Tables would not update and my computer (wired) never even showed up in the tables. I have never spent all day trying to get a network to run right. This piece of junk is going back.
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it seams good the Wireless Pre-N Router from belkin, October 31, 2004
By unknown
(...)
"Wireless Pre-N Router
Part # F5D8230-4
Now you can share your broadband Internet connection farther and faster than ever before with Belkin Wireless Pre-N. It uses revolutionary smart antenna technology to boost wireless network speed and range far beyond that of today's standard 802.11b/g and 802.11a wireless networking technologies. This technology is perfect for larger homes or offices that have a wide area to cover and want to run multimedia and high bandwidth applications reliability.
With the Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router as the central network connection point, your connected computers are able to share a broadband Internet connection and networked peripherals such as hard drives, printers, CD-ROMs, and DVD players. An integrated, 4-port 10/100Base-T Ethernet switch also allows you to connect wired computers to the network.
Pre-N offers backward compatibility with existing 802.11g and 802.11b, to provide seamless integration into existing wireless networks. Its advanced technology enables Belkin Pre-N products to significantly improve the performance of standard 802.11g and 802.11b devices in the mixed network environment.
To maximize your network's security the Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router offers advanced Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) support that provides enhanced encryption to protect your wireless network. Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) and Network Address Translation (NAT) doubles your firewall and safeguards your network from Internet intruders. VPN tunnel pass-through provides secure Internet connections to your office. Built-in Parental Control/Web Content Filter provides over 50 fully configurable filters that allow you to block websites and images.
Advantages
*800% greater coverage than standard 802.11g - Belkin Pre-N provides the industry's best wireless coverage, extending your range with improved reliability and fewer drops.
*600% greater speeds than standard 802.11g - Belkin Pre-N provides the industry's fastest wireless connection for gaming, streaming video, Voice over IP, and moving large files efficiently and quickly between all the devices in your networked home.
*Improved performance of standard 802.11g and 802.11b networking devices - Using a Belkin Pre-N Router or Card with an older 802.11g or 802.11b networking product increases wireless coverage up to 20%.
*Improved resistance to wireless interference - Belkin Pre-N products sense potential interference and dynamically shift to the clearest wireless channel available.
*Belkin Pre-N products do not drop to the lowest networking speed in a mixed-mode environment - If a standard 802.11g or 802.11b device is introduced into a Belkin Pre-N network.
*The Belkin Pre-N product will not drop to the standard 802.11g or 802.11b speeds - Belkin Pre-N products will continue to transmit at a link rate of 108Mbps, a result competing products cannot achieve.
*Advanced Security - Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) support provides enhanced encryption protecting your wireless network.
*Pop-up Blocker - 6 months of free pop-up, adware, and spyware stopper
*Web Content/Parental Control Filter - Web Content/Parental Control Filter 6 months of free built-in parental Control/Web Content Filter provides over 50 fully configurable filters that allow you to block websites and images.
UPC: 722868470671"
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