| CANARY WIRELESS The Digital Hotspotter |
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Model: HS10
Brand: Canary Wireless
Manufacturer: CANARY COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 22
Hardware platform: PC
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| Description: |
| The Digital Hotspotter is the first full-featured, second-generation Wi-Fi detection and analysis device. Like "first generation" analog Wi-Fi detectors, the Digital Hotspotter detects signal availability and strength. However, it is the only device of its kind that provides essential information about wireless networks, including: Network ID, Signal Strength, Encryption Status, and Channel. |
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| User Reviews (22 total): |
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Does good job, but smokes batteries, August 29, 2007
By user (Sedona, Az USA)
I'm just now getting around to this review. I bought it back in the summer of 2005. As I recall, I bought it because it was the only one that told you if a net was encrypted or not, afterall, no need to waste time trying to hunt down and log onto nets that are encrypted.
The only downside is that it rips through the batteries pretty quick. And I think it does it even when it's powered off, so I recommend always removing the batteries once you're done with it. Maybe newer models don't have this problem.
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Wireless finder, June 13, 2007
By user (Nashville, TN)
Got it, it works well, I have used it a lot. Saves time.
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A "Must have" for the computer user on the move, February 8, 2007
By user (San Francisco)
Works flawlessly. With this little gadget on the market I would never consider spending money on a Wi-Fi finder that doesn't have the ability to tell whether a hotspot is open or encrypted. The only improvement I would suggest is to recess the button to avoid accidently turning on the unit while carrying it in the pocket. I have started carrying it in my jacket pocket, rather than my pants pocket and that seems to have taken care of that issue.
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WIFI Checker, January 15, 2007
By user (Bradenton, FL USA)
I recently purchased this and find it very helpful in finding "Hot Spots" without having to fire-up my laptop. Seems to be very accurate and advises you of multiple sites if you push the button more than once. Unit turns off automatically to save battery life. I highly recommend this particular unit.
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Not bad but could be better, January 5, 2007
By user
picks up single very well needs to be backlit. very hard to read
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Pretty sweet, January 5, 2007
By user (Chicago, IL)
This thing does exactly what I wanted it to - and it tell you the network name and strength. So, you know how many networks are available and can usually tell whether its a wireless internet network or some other wireless signal (sometimes other signals appear but they're easy to spot). The only inconvenient part of it is that you have to wait for it to scroll across - however, this does mean that it's really small and compact.
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Time Saver, January 3, 2007
By user (Sioux Falls,SD)
I'm an over the road truck driver, I use it all the time to see if I can get online at truck stops or motels. Only missed two or three times compared to my laptop. highly recommend
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Hot Spot Detector, January 3, 2007
By user (Hot Springs Village, AR United States)
Tis little pocket size device finds hot spots without having to boot up your computer. It gives the name of the connecton and whether or not it is encrypted. If more than one is in the area, it will show them all. It also indicates signal strength.
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Nifty gadget, November 11, 2006
By user (Los Alamos, NM USA)
The Canary Hotspotter is small and light. I carry it along with my laptop and it can find a wireless network in a few seconds. It also tells you if the network is secure or open. This eliminates my having to unpack and boot up my computer in order to see if there is a wireless network available. It's a great time saver. I love it!
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The best hotspot locator!, November 4, 2006
By user (Welches Oregon)
I've used many of the wifi detectors and found most of them useless. The Canary is the only one that tells you the name and the signal strength of the wifi modem. It also tells you if it's open or secure. The detector is a little big for some, but I like it's size. It's the only one I use. We've took a trip with out RV around the USA and used it everywhere hunting for a hotspot.
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Fun with a button, October 7, 2006
By user (London, UK)
It is fun to use this as you walk or drive around and see all the open networks, with default names and presumably admin passwords, that people have set up. Also nice to see channel numbers, in case you want to change yours. A few small problems:
1. Button on the front gets pressed in your pocket or bag, harming battery life (mine said "low battery" shortly after purchase).
2. It showed nothing at Logan airport, but when I fired up my laptop there was a very strong signal.
3. Text scrolls quite slowly. Also, you press button again to see next network -- would be nice if it said total found up front.
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Works Perfectly, October 6, 2006
By user (Silicon Valley)
Gives the WiFi access point's
1)Name,
2)Signal strength, and
3)Status: open or secure.
Works Perfectly. It lists APs in order of strength.
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Wonderful for traveling., September 9, 2006
By user (Missouri, USA)
This is a great wifi finder. While traveling it is nice to be able to find an open or free hotspot. Knowing that it is open is of key importance to me. I don't want to keep stopping only to find out, after getting the laptop out, that it is secure. It is priced higher than several other brands but it is well worth it.
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Practical, Pleasuring, Purr-fect., September 8, 2006
By user
Hello! As a very "tech" cat, I take my trusty laptop nearly everywhere with me and usually spend hours with it at a coffee shop. Eventually I became curious at to just how many wireless accesses are out there. So when I found out about Canary Wireless Digital Hotspotter, I was hooked like a cat on catnip!
As soon as I got the item, I could hardly wait to try it out. The next day on the way to/from work, when I'm stopped at a traffic light, I would use the device. WOW! A hit. I press the button again and get another hit! Another press and yet another hit. I got many hits, especially in busy areas. It was loads of fun to look around and try to figure out which building emits the signal. I'm not certain as to what the range for this device is, but it has to be pretty wide! One of the commentors here said it's about 1/4 mile radius - that sounds right to me.
I have a secure wireless router deep in the center of my home. So I walk outside to the front of my immediate neighbor's house. Yep, the device could detect my router! So I keep moving away until I'm at the third house away. Still a hit, albeit with a weaker signal. There were other hits coming from my neighbors, too, many of them marked "open". Makes me glad that mine is cloaked (certainly not foolproof, but better than nothing).
The hotspotter also helps me determine the wireless strength of the coffee shops that I go to. If it's a nice day outside and the strength is strong enough, I enjoy the internet outside.
Pros: Among numerous other good points, it's very intuitive. Tech "newbies" shouldn't have any problems figuring it out. It seems to last a while on two AAA batteries.
Cons: The device is square-ish and fits the palm of my paw, but it's kind of awkward to hold. Probably would be better if it were shaped like a rectangle. It's also made of smooth plastic which could slip out of your hand. So that made me wish it had grooves/rubber for better grip. These are minor peeves, though, it still gets 5 stars from me!
Conclusion: Highly recommended, especially for those who travel with a laptop, or for tech geeks who get a kick out of finding wireless accesses. This device rules. Rowr!
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Worth the extra money, July 26, 2006
By user (Miamisburg, OH)
This device is more expensive than most, but well worth it. Instead of needing too long to detect to be practical, it locks in after just a couple seconds when there is a decent signal, and finds even weak signals in a few more seconds.. Plus, it tells you the name of the WAN, and whether it's open or secure, so you don't waste time with a secure network.
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Great little box, July 10, 2006
By user (Westland, Mi)
This unit works perfectly....it is very simple...simply push a button and you get wifi in an area of about a 1/4 mile radius. It tells you the name of the wifi...if it's secure or available...and it's signal strength....all in a matter of seconds. Very simple to use. So much better than powering up your laptop then finding "nothing". Highly recommend it.
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Operational Consideration, April 26, 2006
By user (Brighton, Colorado USA)
Received my HS10 today and was delighted with the ease of use.
I have 2 APs running in my house and was interested in the competition that they have for radio spectrum.
I became concerned when my basement AP was shown on the HS10 as OPEN on CHAN 3 - It should have shown SECURE on CHAN 2. My other AP on the second floor was correctly shown as SECURE on CHAN 4.
After a walk around the neighborhood with some revealing results showing many OPEN links and serious over-use of CHAN 6, I went back to the issue of incorrect CHAN and Secure status.
I monitored the APs from a varity of distances inside and outside my residence. My conclusion was that with two moderate to strong signals on almost adjacent channels, you will often get an incorrect Security status and/or a false Channel number.
This can be remedied by cupping the HS10 in your hands to lower the received signals and producing the correct indications.
How do you know when to do this? You don't. But you may want to try this if you are in the presence of a strong AP signal and see if your results changing or unstable.
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I love the convenience of this item., March 3, 2006
By user
This is a great product. It tells you everything you need to know, including the ssid, the signal, and if it is encrypted or not. Now I don't have to pull my laptop out to see if there is a wifi signal around or not. Much easier to handle than my laptop.
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Great product!, September 20, 2005
By user (Sumter, SC USA)
Works great - definitely a plus to not only show whether a WiFi signal is available, but whether or not it is encrypted. Highly recommend it.
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Cool Hotspotter, June 12, 2005
By user (Mt. Shasta, CA)
Just got my "Canary", and I am very pleased! Drove up to a church, a diner, a coffee cafe, triggered the Canary, and voila, found an "open" (free) WiFi connection at all three places.
This neat device would rate five stars except for two points. The lcd data screen is unreadable in low light, and the ergonomics of the device could be improved: the start button should be to the front of the device rather than at the rear; and the lanyard ring should be at the rear of the device (and upsized a bit) rather than on the front end.
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