| Belkin F5D9230-4 Wireless-G Plus MIMO Router |
 enlarge
|
Model: F5D9230-4
Brand: Belkin
Manufacturer: Belkin Components
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 21
Operating system: Windows XP Professional Edition
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11g+, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
|
|
|
| |
| Features: |
Up to 1000 ft. of wireless range
10 times faster than 802.11b and double the speed of 802.11g
Guaranteed interoperability with Belkin's G Plus MIMO, Pre-N and legacy 802.11b/802.11g devices
Improves performance of legacy 802.11g and 802.11b networking devices
Wi-Fi certified for secure network connection |
| |
| Description: |
| The Belkin F5D9230-4 Wireless G Plus MIMO Router makes it easy to share music, movies and data files among all your computers with wireless convenience. Everyone can get in on the high-speed action - making it ideal for homes and small office settings. The Wireless G Plus MIMO smart radio technology enhances the 802.11g wireless standard by providing increased speed, coverage, and reliability for wireless systems. Its design helps combat distortion and interference that lets the Belkin products send data streams farther and more reliably. |
| |
| User Reviews (21 total): |
Page 1 2 of Total 2 Pages
|
If you want to spend 1hr and 55 min on the phone with tech support, then buy it now!, July 17, 2008
By user (nashville, tn usa)
Something that was supossed to be a pleasant experience took almost 2 hours of my life that I'll never get back in 2 different calls.
Some one at Circuit city recomended it to me and I fell for that. I am returning this item. The set up wasn't that difficult. The problems began when I wanted to set up the security features. After that it wouldn't connect. I had to make 2 different calls and spent a lot of time on the phone. The issue was fixed after having to do lots of changes in my computer, going to different web sites and downloading updates.
Even though the problem was fixed, I jsut don't want to go trough the same process if the problem re appear.
|
3 minutes to full operation, July 2, 2008
By user (Katy, TX USA)
After experiencing 2 hours of D-Link wireless router set up frustration making me yearn for something fun- say root canal or colonoscopy,Belkin came to the rescue in three minutes. My D-Link wireless router set up went like this:three reboots,2 support calls- with dozens of manual clicks,selections,and entry steps to follow,and one software update download.In the end I was informed it was a malfunctioning unit as shipped from the factory. Return it for another one was the advice. No thanks. Belkin has a lifetime warranty versus D-Links one year- a tell tale sign. My Belkin Wireless G plus Mimo set up was so easy it was all done in 3 minutes. Just follow the printed pictoral instruction and the CD guide. D-Link -2 hours to diagnose failure, Belkin 3 minutes to achieve painless success! Thanks Belkin-this is how technology is supposed to work.
|
Belkin F5D9230-4 does the job *AFTER* firmware update, June 9, 2008
By user
This feature laden unit works great IF you load the latest firmware update. I currently only use the RJ45 cable connections thus I'll not comment on the wireless feature. It has a lot of handy features that the average user may not require such as handling dynamic domain name services in cooperation with DYNDNS.ORG.
The dropped connection problem occurring every 50 seconds or so was a monumental pain until I found and loaded the latest firmware update into the router. Now everything works fine.[..] Belkin dropped the ball by evidently releasing it without thorough testing. That said, firmware is often subject to the same quality assurance problems as regular software programs so this sort of thing really is quite typical albeit annoying.
Get the update from the following Belkin site:
[..]
Go to the bottom of that page and download the firmware update file labeled "5/13/08 Beta_5.02.08" and follow the manual instructions for loading the software into your router. This should get you back online without further interruptions.
|
Nothing special, but it works., May 14, 2008
By user
I recently purchased one of these to replace my now dead Linksys router. At first I was losing connection every minute or so; I contacted customer support twice, which was in itself a horrid nightmare (as with any other company). I eventually called my ISP and I was told there was something wrong with my line, and after that conversation with them, I haven't had any disconnection problems since.
There's nothing really wrong with this router; in fact, I like it...to some degree.
|
Drops connection after a couple of hours, May 13, 2008
By user (Atlanta, Georgia USA)
The router that I purchased was unable to keeps it PPPOE connection for more that a couple of hours. Now I have to constantly reboot the router to reestablish a connection.
|
Ughhh, May 11, 2008
By user
While I had absolutely no problem with setting this router up (I think I had it done within twenty minutes of having the box open, to be entirely honest), I am also dealing with the ridiculous problem of it dropping my connection every couple minutes or so. At first I couldn't tell, but after only a couple hours with it all hooked up I found my webpages hanging (photos and streaming would just stop halfway through) and my messenger applications were rendered all but useless because the connection was so flimsy.
I spent a couple hours on the phone with tech support (and I'll reinforce, like everyone else, that they are very pleasant) but pleasantries are not fixing the frustration that is this router. I recommend something - ANYTHING - that's not Belkin, as now that I've pinpointed it on this router, I realize that it's also the problem at my mother's house too.
|
A Decent Router, April 22, 2008
By user
I purchased this router from The Walmart for $60. The main reason I got this router was because it was the best one in-store and I wanted a router right there and now (typically I would read many tech and consumer reviews). In other words, I am sure that if you really searched around you could find a better router. However, this router is not as bad as many of these reviews make it out to be.
I have a cable internet connection and mainly use it for online gaming (Wii), streaming video, and some downloading. I haven't had any problems with the router and playing games on the Wii (the Wii only uses wifi to connect online, so the router is very important for this). Before I got the router I was stealing my neighbor's connection. It was a decent single, but games on the Wii got a bit laggy or unplayable. With the Belkin router I have had much less lag time in games. Now a lot of the lag and connection issues might have to do with Nintendo's craptacular online service for Super Smash Brothers Brawl, so I should say that the lag is minimal with the Belkin router whenever I can actually connect to a game on Nintendo wifi. Also, I have had some issues with losing a connection while playing, but again I think that is just Nintendo not having their sh_t together when it comes to online gaming.
I have streamed some video on my laptop since I purchased the router and have no complaints. The connection was at full strength while I was two rooms away from the router (through three walls and about 40-50 feet away) and the video loaded just fine. I haven't done any downloading with the router, but in all honesty I will likely just use my neighbor open wireless if I get any torrents (seriously people, secure your connection if you don't want someone to Shanghai it and start acting a damn fool on your internets).
This brings me to the final part of the review, setup and security setting. I don't understand why so many people have had issues with setting up the router. I should say that I did not use the setup/install disc that came with it (I don't want Belkin bullsh_t on my pc telling me what I should do about my connection). I wouldn't call myself extremely knowledgeable about computer/tech stuff, but I can typically figure it out. I also really enjoy tech and computers, so take that for what it's worth. Anyways, I hooked everything up, got the connection on my laptop, opened Firefox, typed in the ip address that came with the router, followed the basic security setup guide that came with the router, and then changed some of the advanced options, and it was all good. The security settings and homepage navigation was easy enough to figure out. I was even pretty stoned when I setup the router and didn't have any problems, so someone who is sober, knows a little bit about computers, and can follow instructions should be okay.
Overall, I would say that the router is good, but not great. If you can get it for less than $60-65 I would recommend it, but I wouldn't pay anything more than that.
|
Piece of junk constantly disconnects!, December 30, 2007
By user (NashVegas, TN)
To the person who said "For all of you complaining about dropped signals, here's a little trick: Go to Start/Settings/Network Connections/Wireless, click on the "Properties" button and then on the "Wireless Network" tab and deselect the "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings" box" that would be great except the problem is not with just the wireless disconnecting, it's with the router dropping all connections to all PCs, wired and wireless. It's not so noticable when you are just surfing the net, but when you're doing anything network intensive such as playing World of Warcraft or any other MMORPG, it's VERY frustrating because you will get disconnected at least once every 5 minutes. At first, yes, I thought it was just the wireless as I was playing on my laptop, but no... sure enough it does the exact same thing on the wired desktops. I can run a ping -t to google from a wired desktop and it will time out every 30 seconds or so. THIS IS UNACCEPTIBLE!!! I am returning this piece of junk and getting a NETGEAR!! NETGEAR FTW!!!
|
Standard simple wireless router, December 22, 2007
By user (Texas)
Used the supplied software with my Mac, set up was easy. I get good signal strength throughout my house without dropout.
Not really much else to say-it's a wireless router, it works.
|
The worst router i've ever had, December 6, 2007
By user (PA, USA)
I am a tech savvy teenager who has been setting up routers for years. Now, after 4 years of service, my Linksys router craps out on me. I go and spend the money on this thing. What a joke! The router randomly decides when it wants to connect to the internet and simply rebooting the router resets ALL of my settings. DO NOT BUY THIS or any other belkin G router. I have not tested their N routers.
Also, if I try to restore my saved settings it fails with no error message and blocks me from the admin interface.
|
|
|
router for the macintosh., July 20, 2007
By user (Baltimore, Maryland United States)
i am very happy with this router. i previously had a linksys router which, because my computer is a macintosh, was a nightmare to set up. belkin's cd worked with the mac and gave good instructions. their manual was also in a form that i could download and open up on my mac. i was able to hook everything up with no problem.
|
Had to return it, June 22, 2007
By user (Youngstown, OH)
I had to return this after trying it out for a couple of weeks. The up-time was good, better in fact than a Linksys one I was trying to replace with it. The range was acceptable but not stellar. The aspect that drove me nuts was the Web-based UI. I've tried several of these by Netgear and Linksys without complaint. But with the Belkin one, if I was accessing it while wireless, each change would force a reboot to the router, making the idea of a Web UI a joke:
- I would edit the option and click save
- The "edit" page would post to the "action" page
- The router would reboot, thereby dropping my wireless connection
- The admin interface would time out and show a "page cannot be displayed" error
- I'd go back to the root and have to login and start the process all over again
Now imagine trying to enter a list of allowed Mac IDs greater than one and realize you can only add them one at a time, each requiring a reboot (I maintain a list of ~8 allowed addresses). I was going quietly nuts. I ended up spending $20 more for the Netgear RangeMax Wireless Router (WPN824). So far, so good.
|
Not sure why others have problems, May 30, 2007
By user (Virginia Beach VA)
I've been using this router for more that two weeks now, and I stream video, audio, network, etc., without drops or loss between one wired computer and two wireless using the MIMO usb adapter 9050. It solved may connectivity problems that plagued us over several months. The router itself is upstairs and the two wireless computers are down stairs. Huge thumbs up from me.
|
Some Tips for dropped signals, March 19, 2007
By user (Julian, CA)
For all of you complaining about dropped signals, here's a little trick: Go to Start/Settings/Network Connections/Wireless, click on the "Properties" button and then on the "Wireless Network" tab and deselect the "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings" box.
What this does is prevents Windows from continually searching for better/different wireless networks to use, which causes your signal to be dropped for all browser windows you have open when it does find another network and switches over to it.
Even if you live in a remote area like I do, there are other wireless routers in the area sending out signals, so your Belkin is detecting these signals and switching to a different network when it finds a good signal, which you can confirm because you see the little pop-up box right as you get dropped saying "Connected to xxx", which is some other network, not your Belkin.
Hope this helps!
Michole
|
Another dissatisfied customer., January 20, 2007
By user (Oak Park, IL)
Not only was this difficult to set up (even a generally polite but sadly ill-informed technical helper from Belkin was baffled regarding the simplest steps and keyphrases) but once I finally managed to get it to work (by simply as a last resort resetting the router with a paper clip) it had practically no range whatsoever; in fact, my MacBook Pro placed within 2 inches of the router itself only received a 75% signal, and once the threshold of the room was crossed, the signal disappeared altogether. A free four-year old Linksys router which I received with my Earthlink "home networking" package (and which this Belkin was supposed to replace) always worked with a full signal everywhere in the house and rarely failed, and Linksys is supposed to be notoriously Mac-unfriendly. Anyway, I hope that there are enough UPS trucks in America to handle the returns that this item -- mine included -- will require.
|
Randomly drops connection, January 3, 2007
By user
I also have the problem of random disconnects. We had a techie come in and try to set it up for us, he got it working, but the thing still randomly boots us off. It does the job, I guess, of giving us a connection, but it's got almost no reliability. I hear it's got a lifetime warranty; good, we can return it.
|
Completely without Value, November 29, 2006
By user (Bloomfield, MI)
This router drops my connection every few minutes. I've spent hours on the phone with Belkin and replaced the whole thing. A quick internet search finds dozens of people reporting the same problem, with no solution offered.
It's just no good.
|
There are three different versions with this model number, September 30, 2006
By user (U.S.A.)
The original version of this router was version 1000, based on the same platform as Belkin's F5D8230-4 Pre-N and the Linksys WRT54GX routers using Airgo's v1 technology and a Broadcom engine. It got an excellent review from Tom's Networking guide.
Then Belkin put a whole new circuit bard inside the same case and called it Version 2000. It used Airgo's v2 technology and a Realtek engine, and got roundly criticized on the equipment forums for being an inferior product.
The latest version is 3000, which isn't even based on Airgo technology any more. Now Belkin is using Ralink technology, and it's essentially the same router as the Airlink AR-525W, SparkLAN WRTR-300 or Compusa's store brand MIMO router, any of which can be found in stores for about 25 bucks. The version 3000 technology bears no resemblance to the Airgo version that got such a good review at Tom's. In fact, the router with the Ralink chipset (the Airlink) came in dead last and was the only one to receive a rating of "not recommended" in Tom's roundup.
Of course there's no way to tell in advance which version you'll get, but it's a pretty good bet you'll get the latest one. The only way to tell is to look at the sticker on the bottom of the box.
This practice of changing the internal electronics without changing the model number is a really annoying practice. It's hard enough to do all your research and decide which model to buy, so then to end up with something entirely different from what you thought you were getting is just maddening. Your best bet is to just stay away from this one.
|
A wasted Saturday, September 16, 2006
By user
Extremely low wireless speed and I did confirm it on the Cox Las Vegas test. Skype dropped calls every 1.5 min or so when it was ran wirelessly using this router. Poor range not as advertised. I have had good luck with other Belkin products but what a disappointment :{{{{ ( The set up was about an hour including unpacking, rebooting etc...)
|
painful set-up, poor range, September 4, 2006
By user (Lubbock, TX United States)
Having had very good luck with two Belkin G routers, I thought that the G+ would be a no-brainer. NOT. First of all, the router would not install at all from Windows 2000. I called customer support, and after interminable waits and two tech support people (who were very polite), we finally decided to install from another computer with Windows XP. All seemed to be going along fine--the router installed--but did not allow me to set a security password for the wireless in the regular set-up process like their G-router setups did. Only when I logged on wirelessly, it let me set a password----meaning had any of my bandwidth-thieving neighbors tried to log on before me, it would have been THEM setting MY password (which would have effectively locked me out of the wireless!). It also came without a user's guide (though that is listed on the box contents) and the CD-ROM also was supposed to have a user's manual, but when I clicked on the "user manual" tab, nothing came up! After all was said and done, I did manage to get my XP system connected, but the Windows 2000 would not connect even with a cable (it was working fine on a Linksys direct cable before). Overall--a very painfully long installation that was not Windows 2000-compatible (or perhaps a firewall problem), items left out of the package, and a big step down in ease of installation from their G router. And if that isn't bad enough--the signal strength was no improvement over the Linksys G router I was replacing. Belkin, sorry--this product was below your previous standard. This one's going back to Best Buy.
|
Page 1 2 of Total 2 Pages
|
|
| Copyright 2001-2008 WiFiReview.com |
|