| NETGEAR WG602 54 Mbps 802.11g Wireless Access Point |
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Model: WG602NA
Brand: Netgear
Manufacturer: Netgear
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 47
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| Features: |
802.11g access point offers an easy way to set up a wireless network
Delivers up to 54 Mbps of wireless throughput
Supports 128-bit WEP for enhanced security
Backwards compatible with 802.11b wireless networks
Device measures 6.9 x 1.1 x 4.7 inches (WxHxD) |
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| Description: |
| Netgear WG602 802.11g Wireless Access Point - When using the Internet, you have the ability to freely roam websites with ease. However, accessing this vast network of information is still a wire-based affair. You must be at a fixed location, tethered to the wall, like a dog on a leash. Now with 802.11 wireless technology, that connection has been severed, allowing you to wirelessly access both the Internet, and other computers wherever you choose. The 802.11g standard supported in this access point, offers up to 54Mbps of transfer speed for fast file transfers and better support of streaming video & other multimedia applications. Older 802.11b equipment is also supported for increased compatibility. |
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| User Reviews (47 total): |
Page 1 2 3 of Total 3 Pages
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WG602 WAP, January 7, 2008
By user (Fort Lauderdale, FL USA)
My laptop built-in wireless picks up more networks then this AP. I purchased this so that I could pick up MORE not LESS. LAME.
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Extremely bad performance, January 4, 2008
By user (San Francisco, CA)
My title is my way of being kind. What I really wanted to say is that fits the term "POS" to a "T".
It will not perform well in an environment with more than 2 or 3 other access points - like in residential multi-dwelling units (apartments/condominiums) and/or office suites/towers for those brave enough to even try this unit in such an environment.
Yes, it's easy to install, and yes, it **should** perform well if you are the only one in your neighborhood who has discovered the beauty of wireless networking as of 2008. If this is your environment, then I guess this will work for you and at a great price.
However, if you are in more metro areas, where cordless phones exist, microwave ovens, etc., litter the landscape, and have neighbors as wired as you are, please stay clear of this unit. You are not saving money and only gaining aggravation. Spend wisely and go for newer units, costs more, but will be worth every penny.
Issues:
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- constant disconnects/reconnects
- it seems to have the weakest radio in the market, it will disconnect you even if you are literally 3 feet away if the channel is "packed" (re: other access points in the vicinity use the same channel)
- it will not automatically adjust/change the channel for best reception, which isn't a fault, its the way it is (re: it doesn't have that feature)
- if you need to change the channel, pray that you have a laptop, to access the unit directly (plug directly via Ethernet). As stated, auto channel selection isn't a feature of this unit, you'll have to change channels manually. The only way to do that is to connect directly - why? the only reason you'll have to is if you can't connect to it wirelessly (so if you can't connect wirelessly, you can't do anything).
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Works great with two bridging to one another, November 9, 2007
By user (United States)
I've had two WG602v3's bridging between each other (through 3 walls and about 30 feet) for about 2 years. They are rock solid ALL the time, except when the power goes out. When the power goes out, it sometimes takes some finessing to get them to see each other properly again, but I just noticed there is new firmware released about 6 months back that appears (by the description) may fix this issue. Unlike some reports on here that state they need to power cycle it daily, I at least have never had an ounce of problems with my two v3 units (running firmware Version 1.2.2), other than than when the power goes out. I use WPA2-PSK AES for my security.
I think these could be a little bit of a challenge for someone not fairly comfortable with networking, especially if they use them in bridge mode; but this could probably be said of any networking gear with a similar use.
Great product in my eyes. Thanks Netgear!
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Great AP, September 17, 2007
By user
I got this to expand my wireless to the other side of the house and it works great. I had the WGR614 wireless router setup already and wanted wireless far away on the other side of the house. The house is already setup with cable run through it so setting this up was a breeze. I connected a cable from the router into the wall and from the wall on the other side of the house plugged a cable into the WG602 Access Point.
Just follow the directions by first connecting the AP to your computer to configure the AP and all is good.
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Works as Advertised, January 18, 2007
By user (NJ)
Works just as advertised. No problems installing or using. Thumbs up.
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DO NOT BUY!!!, November 18, 2006
By user (Burleson, Tx USA)
Died after 6 months, could not configure. Would only reset to default config which gave no security. Worthless. Support was BAD!! Never again for Netgear products!!
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Good Bridge, November 11, 2006
By user (California)
This thing is handy as it will do a variety of things. It works as an access point but you can also put it in bridge mode which is quite handy. I got one for my dad and I have one as well so we can connect our PS2's to the internet. Works like a charm.
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bridging use.., June 11, 2006
By user (Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA)
I bought this product to use it as a bridging client in an existing belkin wireless network and it failed to pass any data even though it showed connected to the belkin Access point. According to the Netgear docs this access point can operate as a access point or as a bridging client but what the fail to tell you is that it bridges only in a netgear environment. After spending 20 mins on the phone with Netgear they told me i needed to buy a different model which is non netgear-proprietary or more netgear access points....
How can a company like this be selling proprietary hardware in todays day and age...
Leon McCalla
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Fast & Easy Installation with included CD, March 16, 2006
By user
Truly a fast and easy installation. Make sure you do the steps correctly (there are only like 4 of them!) and you'll be wireless in no time. It took me 5 minutes from box to install. Truly the way to go if you want to have both wired for some computers and wireless for others.
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Works as I hoped, March 8, 2006
By user
I read other people's reviews recommending its functionality but complaining about its documentation. It did take me a number of tries to get it to work and to find a location for it. But it works fine in the end. I did have to give up on WEP and turn to MAC-based access control. The instruction apparently is too simplistic and assumes you have a Netgear router. I use it to extend a Hawking 54g wireless router to cover 2 floors, with WG602 in repeater mode. The antenna give better signal than a 7db one I was using. If it were not for the lame documentation, I'd give it 5 stars.
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review of Netgear WG602, February 28, 2006
By user
In an attempt to increase the range on my Netgear MR 314 router, I got this WG602 access point but I could not get it to function. I was told I needed two of them, so I got a second one and I still could not make it work. I gave up and replace my router with a RangeMax WPN 824 and it is terrific. Gives me all the range I could want, letting me send and receive at 24 Mbs where the MR 314 would not reach at all.
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DO NOT BUY, February 17, 2006
By user (Canada)
I wish I had read the problems and netgear.com forums before purchasing this product.
Huge flaw in this product requires that it be restarted daily. This requires you unplug and plug back in the AP in order for it to stay visable to your computers.
Second problem I am noticing is that the 54mbps speeds are very rare, and even at 3-5feet from the AP the unit is around 11-36mpbs.
Do not buy this product, find another company who stands behind there products. All of my contacts with them have landed me somewhere in India. People on the phone dont know how to help you and email support is a joke. Latest firmware fixes none of the problems.
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Total Junk, January 18, 2006
By user (Spokane WA USA)
I have to reboot this at least twice per day. Netgear refuses to acknowledge that their Access Point sucks.
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reboot at least once per day, November 7, 2005
By user
I have the WG602V3 with the current firmware updates appled. This is the first Netgear product that I am truly disappointed in. I need to reboot this unit at least once per day. It completely drops out of sight on the wireless network as well as the wired network. The only way to solve the problem is to remove power and let the unit restart. After reading other reviews, it's not even worth trying to call netgear support, this unit is going back to the store for a refund.
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WARNING Get V2 or V3!!!, October 5, 2005
By user (Coast Guard Island, CA)
Be careful when shopping for this-I got an old version without realizing the firmware was basically broken (version 1), so make sure you buy versions 2 or 3. The (others I have) device works great if you have version 2 or 3.
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Why doesn't amazon sell version 3?, September 24, 2005
By user
this product is wg602 v1. does not support wpa encryption.
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Just hope you don't get a broken one, August 14, 2005
By user (UK)
I've had my access point for about a month. The wirless connection (which gives 2 computers the internet) has been randomly going down, which was fixed by unplugging and replugging the unit... which was annoying but not to drastic.
However a couple of days ago the wireless connection went down and refused to come back on. After 20mins on the phone to customer support trying this and that (restoring it to factory settings, pinging it etc) the guy resolved that it must be a faulty unit and put me on hold to talk to a senior tech guy about a replacement.
AFter a 30mins+ of waiting music I finally got though. I was told I had 2 options:
- PAY to send it back myself and they would send another one out...which would take some time. I would NOT be reimbursed for the shipping.
- PAY THEM $30 to send another unit straight away (which would still take 10-15days to arrive) and pay to send my unit back. Again I would not be reimbursed.
I am fuming. I freelance over the internet with my partner and the internet to both of our computers is essential. I am therfore forced to pay the $30 + shipping to get a new unit although they have admitted that I was given a faulty one from the start. Disgutsing. I will never be buying a netgear product again.
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Misleading feature list., May 13, 2005
By user (Westlake Village, CA USA)
The wireless bridging that the WG602v2 and WG602v3 of this model claim to support are only compatible with other WG602 units. In order to connect it to a WGT624 or a WGR614, I have discovered that the WGE101 is what we are all looking for. Virtually plug and play compared to the extremely misleading and frustrating experience of the 602. If properly marketed the 602 would be a quality product, but due to the extreme number of people who have misunderstood, I give this item only 2 stars.
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Missing (important) information..., May 4, 2005
By user (Austria, Europe)
I bought a WG602 to extend my wireless network (being established by a WGR614) - after two hours of trying, I gave up and started searching the internet for results. Just then, my friend google *told* me that the WG602 only works with a limited number of other APs (the WG602 and WG302 seem to be the only ones compatible as far as I know..). But that doesn't seem to bother Netgear, they don't give any hint at all, neither on the package, nor on their website. This is a darned cheek! It's almost like having them say "Hey, we're selling cars!" and after buying one of them you discover its disability to drive...
CONCLUSION: If you need a AP, try it, it might actually work - if you need a repeater, just keep your hands of the WG602's!!!!
...words from a frustrated consumer...
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Bridge functionality extremely limited, May 2, 2005
By user
I bought this item, because, on the back of the box, it shows the WG602 being used as a bridge to connect to a WGT624 access point. This is extremely misleading, and well, plain wrong, as a couple of other reviewers have pointed out. I was on the phone with extremely unhelpful tech support (that they outsourced to India, I believe), and it took several hours of run-around for the support guy to actually admit that the two products are not compatible (he had to ask someone else). Had he researched this properly in the beginning, hours would have been saved. I was eventually informed (after being told to upgrade firware, change numerous settings, etc.) that the WG602 would only bridge to another WG602. THE BACK OF THE BOX IS WRONG! Don't buy this if you're looking for a bridge that's compatible with any other AP.
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