| Netgear RangeMax Wireless Router (WPN824) |
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Model: WPN824
Brand: Netgear
Manufacturer: Netgear
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 170
Operating system: Apple MacOS
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, 802.11 Super G
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| Features: |
Seven internal smart antennas – no need to manually adjust and no risk of breaking
SmartWizard simplifies setup by automatically detecting and configuring your router for virtually all ISP connections
Maintains video quality speeds throughout your home, up to 10 times the speed of standard 802.11g
Improves performance of existing legacy 802.11b and 802.11g wireless devices up to 50%
Data speed of up to 108 Mbps |
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| Description: |
| The WPN824 RangeMax MIMO-G Wireless Broadband Router gives wireless network users better connectivity. As computers become a more integral part of life, you want the best possible home computing environment. When you set up a wireless network you'll find that Internet connections will fade in and out in spots -- or even drops off completely. The RangeMax Router puts an end to that, giving your the freedom to work and play online, anywhere in the house. Time-based usage controls, Web logging, remote management and URL content filtering Auto-sensing RJ-45 10/100 4 port Ethernet switch with half & full duplex support |
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| User Reviews (170 total): |
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Works very well if you know how to fiddle with it, June 7, 2006
By A.Helmi (Jamaica, NY United States)
After I got it working, it did every thing the manufacturer said it would do.
Don't depend on the wizard, it doesn't always get it right.
some settings you have figureout your self and specifically ask your ISP for, and you have to research the internet to figureout the security setting that is compatible for both you netgear and network card.
At the beginning, the signal was not detected every where as advertised, to my surprise, updating the wireless network driver and using the card manufacturer software fixed this problem for me, it was Windows XP that was not able to get it right and misslead me to believe that there was no signal with its error messages.
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Great range but needs frequent "reboots", May 29, 2006
By Christopher Mclane
This is the best range and speed that I have seen in a wireless router so far but as many other posts have indicated, the router needs to be frequently unplugged and replugged back in to re-establish the Internet connection. Not sure what is going on there. Maybe Netgear needs to release a firmware update to correct it or something. Also, like many others, the blue lights are a bit annoying. Still, it does provide excellent speed and range in my house.
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My first router, March 31, 2006
By A. Dang (San Jose, CA)
I finally got rid of Dial-up last month and got DSL. My friend recommended this router and CNet reviewed it as one of the best routers in the market today along with Belkin Pre-N router, which would've been my second choice if this netgear didn't work. My desktop is directly wired to the internet and three other computers are wireslessly connected: a desktop and two laptops. So far, I don't have any complaints. Two thumbs up.
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Wireless router for people in glass houses., March 27, 2006
By drbayer (Naperville, IL United States)
Don't believe the "RangeMax" claim of extended range on this router. I have 2 desktop computers and a laptop and was upgrading my old router to the G format for greater range and speed. This router has less range than my old B type wireless router. I had more "dead spots" than a morgue! I found the wireless plug-in access port accessory useless even when I put the small notebook wireless adapter right next to the plugged access point. Signals would drop like flies. I bought Linksys Rangeboost router and had NO problems with the same computers in the same locations. Buyer Beware of NetGear claims!!!
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Excellent range & performance, March 15, 2006
By David (Arlington, VA USA)
This router is by far the best one that I've had. I've seen poor reviews on this post and they seem to be from people that do not know what they are doing. This router is easy to set-up and I will recommend to install the CD contents, follow the easy installation set-up and you will be ok. Things to consider will be what kind of security option you have on your wireless cards, more likely you will have WPA encryption so you will be ok, as long as your key matches on both ends. The problem people is having with disrupted connections is due sometimes to people "playing" with their IP settings. If you know what you are doing with static IP's and reservations then do so, you will have no problems, id you don't, DON'T TOUCH IT, in short don't fix what ain't broken! All in all this router is excellent, great security with WPA, access control by MAC address and the option not to display your SSID. My setup includes 1 DNS/DHCP server, 1 E-mail server, 3 wired stations, 2 laptops with wireless access cards, and VOIP through Vonage. I just added a storage device for my movies and music and can stream it through my network with no loss in quality and great range. Hope this was helpful. (Tip: Buy the Pre-N cards for greater speed and access, I have combined a, b, g and Pre-N, so far I've seen improvements in a, b & g and abismal difference with the Pre-N cards...).
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Buy something else., March 14, 2006
By Mr. Sterling (Cary, NC United States)
I have owned this item for a little over 4 months now, and have had nothing but trouble with it. I run 2 wired desktops, 1 wireless desktop, a Voip phone, a laptop, and an Ipaq all under one roof. This thing is a nightmare. It wouldn't let the wireless desktop on except under special occasions like a full moon , and when it did allow access, it would dump EVERYTHING after 10 minutes. I have followed all the install procedures to the "t", rebooted, reinstalled, and still have problems. If you want a disco light coaster, this is your unit. If you want a good router, get something else.
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Worse than the other wireless router, March 14, 2006
By silicon_dad
There is a reason that this router is getting such a poor review; I think they have some serious firmware/design flaw in the WPN824. My router will drop the connection, on the average, once a day, and will reconnect if power-cycled. The netgear tech support guy is a joke. The range is great, but the product is just not ready.
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Works Great! What a value!!, March 8, 2006
By MM&M (Alameda, CA)
We're not tech savvy but setting up a wireless network in our home office was easy enough. We followed the directions and after 5 clicks (as the box says) we were ready to go. We hesitated to have a wireless network because we often have bad signal on other wireless devices due to the building structure. We're very happy not only to have a wireless network but also to have a steady and reliable one!
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Great wireless range - but it needs frequent reboots, March 7, 2006
By C. Harding
Compared to the Linksys router I replaced, this WPN824 has an awesome range. But, I have owned the router for three days and have had to reboot it 5 times. It will appear that it is running, but none of the computers on my network can access it or the internet. Once I reboot it by unplugging and pugging it back in, then all of my computers can get to the internet. I am going to give their customer support one attempt to resolve this before I take it bake to the store. I am running hte v1 router and not the v2 - I do not know if that makes a difference.
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Poor wireless range, March 4, 2006
By Hiking Joe (Boston, MA USA)
I currently have a Dell TrueMobile 2300 and was not satisfied with its range. The PC in my attic (has TrueMobile 1300 adaptor and runs Windows 2000) had a weak (6-12Mbps) connection to the router in my office and I was getting lots of flack from the family about how slow it was (hence they always want to use my computer).
The Netgear WPN824 sounded like a great solution given its promise of much better range. I installed the new router on my main computer and that went okay. I configured the wireless connection as I had it for my TrueMobile. However, when I went to the attic to see how it would work with my PC, the network was not even visible (four from my neighbors were). After spending a few hours pouring over documents and website postings, I gave up and reconnected my TrueMobile (thankfully it still worked!). The Netgear is going back.
It looks like I'll have to wait for 802.11m. Hopefully, the gear heads will agree on a standard soon so the products can flow.
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Good Wireless bad WAN router, February 28, 2006
By Happy husband (Denver, CO USA)
Easy enough to set up and the wireless range is definitely superior
to my old linksys wireless router....but....
...as a WAN router it does not perform. My 5meg DSL connection was performing at about 0.5meg after installation. Played will all the settings (I am a computer dude) to no avail, so now this is just for my wireless and the old linksys is my WAN router still.
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Finally...I can see my network!, February 27, 2006
By Michael Ness (South San Francisco, CA United States)
I've been using an old Linksys wireless router for the past year and have had a love/hate relationship. I love it when it worked and hated it when it didn't. Lately, I've been in a hate mode. So last week, I bit the bullet and got a new router (Netgear's RangeMax...WPN824). I've been using it for four days now with nary a hiccup (YEAH!!!). It looks like I can safely work from home without fear of being constantly in looking-for-network mode. Now Netgear...keep up the good work!
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Great router, February 27, 2006
By R. Castro (Texas)
i bought this router, because i needed more range and it certainly gave it to me there is no more dead spots in my house and the speed is great, so i'm really happy with it
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Good Solid Router, February 24, 2006
By EW (USA)
I decided to purchase this Netgear router as a replacement for my old Linsys router after doing a bit of research. The initial setup went smoothly and I've definately noticed an improvement in the connection speed and now I have complete coverage throughout my entire house. Previously, my old router got a weak signal in certain areas of my house. Overall a Solid product.
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Great range, February 22, 2006
By Sam Stevens (Dublin, CA)
This covered a few extra dead spots in our house. The install process could be smoother, but it seems to work just fine so far. Internal antennas make hiding it in the dining room a snap, and looks sharp.
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Oh My MIMO, February 14, 2006
By Big Wave Dave (Palo Alto, CA USA)
I've been waiting to purchace a MIMO device ever since I first heard about the technology and the RangeMax router does not disappoint. The first thing that impressed me was that setup was greatly simplified. The SmartWizard automatically configured the router to work with my SBC DSL account. Once configured, I noticed that signal strength was improved even out on my patio, where I had only been able to recieve a weak signal with my previous router. Sitting on my patio, sipping a lemonade and streaming DVD quality video to my laptop has made me a big fan.
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Not Much of An Improvement Over 54G, February 9, 2006
By Tech Dude (PA)
I have done approximaetly three (3) wireless routers since I have been a broadband man. All three of them were Netgear Routers. They have performed adequately, although none of them have done what they purport to do (eliminate dead spots, increase range, etc.)
This rangemax is no different. It did not eliminate the dead spots I was getting with my 54G Wireless Router. That is not to say that it isn't a decent router; it handles my family's usage well enough. It just doesn't do anything special.
The blue lights were not irritating me as much as the fact that I thought this router was overhyped.
Tech Dude
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Don't purchase this - a complete waste of time & money, February 5, 2006
By Kasia
Whatever you do, don't wast your money on this. It is extremely difficult to install. I still don't have it working correctly. It totally trashed the network settings on my laptop so now the laptop hangs for over 3 minutes when I start it up. Not only can I not get it to work wirelessly, I lost my wireless settings entirely. The tech support on the Netgear website is absolutely horrible. It is almost impossible to figure out how to contact them - you go around in circles trying to find the right link to their tech support form. I'm an experienced user, although I've never tried to set up a wireless network before. I've used my laptop wirelessly with no problems until now. I followed the directions exactly, but I might as well have thrown my money into the street. I just hope I can get my laptop back the way it was (it won't go back to the restore point I created). I won't ever buy any Netgear products again after this experience.
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Disappointed, January 31, 2006
By S. K. Hayes (Ohio)
In trying to install the Netgear Wireless Router(WPN824)on my system I have had some major problems. I have contacted Netgear support. My internet server is satellite. My modem is a DW6000 modem/router. It has taken two weeks of contacting Netgear support just to be able to make communication with my computer to their WPN824.Their directions suggest 20 minutes for installation. I am maybe half way there and I have had the unit three weeks. I am told by friends who have standard dial-up modems they have had no problems installing the WPN824. I will keep trying.
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WPN824 Died after 2 months, January 31, 2006
By Tech User (Orlando, FL United States)
After initial setup, the WPN824 worked great. Then after approximately two months it started dropping Internet connection and other PC's on my home network could not see each other. After a power off/on reset of the router would work OK again for a while.
This started happening more frequently and finally would start losing internet connection and local network after 5 minutes.
Called Netgear Tech Support, they were totally useless and not helpfull at all. They are reading off a script, and I hate to say, hard to understand as Netgear has outsourced their Tech Support to a Third World country and their English as a second language leaves a lot to be desired.
I removed the Netgear router from my set up and hooked up my old Linksys WRT54GS router (which the Netgear had replaced in hopes of faster speed). My Linksys WRT54GS is functioning flawlessly albeit a bit slower. Well, slower is better than constantly losing connection.
So, I DO NOT recommend the Netgear WPN824 at all. Now I have a $99 paperweight that Netgear refuses to acknowledge has any problems. From now on I will stick with Linksys. The Linksys Tech Support is also much better on those occasions I have had to call them.
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