| Netgear WGT624 Super G 108 Mbps Wireless Router |
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Model: WGT624
Brand: Netgear
Manufacturer: Netgear
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 274
Operating system: Apple MacOS
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| Features: |
108 Mbps with Super G Technology (when used with Netgear WG511T PC Card)
Smart Wizard gets you up and running in fewer than 5 clicks
Over 10 security and privacy features including Double Firewall (SPI & NAT)
802.11g standard compliance; interoperable with existing 802.11b and 802.11g networks
Compatible with Windows 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP, Mac OS, NetWare, UNIX, or Linux |
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| Description: |
| The NETGEAR WGT624 108 Mbps Wireless Firewall Router is 10 times faster than 802.11b routers. When used with NETGEAR's WG511T 108 Mbps Wireless PC Card, it delivers speeds up to 108 Mbps, using Super GTM Technology. It's the next generation of home networking, with the power to stream MP3 & video, share printers, chat and distribute large photo files Exceptional range keeps you connected at the farthest ends of home or office 4 RJ-45 Ethernet ports, 10/100 Mbps auto-sensing Dimensions - 1.1H x 6.9W x 4.7D |
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| User Reviews (274 total): |
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Best wireless router I've ever had, April 11, 2005
By m_lott (Deltona, FL USA)
Let me just say that this router does everything advertised, and does it exceptionally well. Before this router, I had a Linksys for several years, and when it finally died I went looking for a new router, albeit on a tight budget. Still, I wanted something with excellent range, super speed, and as much security as I could get for the least amount of money. What I found was the NetGear WGT624. It gives me 108Mpbs speed (with a matching NetGear PC Card for my laptop), allowed me to setup WPA-PSK encryption (since I work over VPN from home on my laptop, I need good security), and it gives me about 4 or 5 times the range of my old Linksys (even though the old linksys had modified high gain antennas added to them, they still were no match for this NetGear). This thing is just flat out awesome, and worth the very small amount of money you will spend.
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JUNK, JUNK, JUNK, April 7, 2005
By Michael Walsh (Cary, NC United States)
Do not under any circumstances buy this router without first Googling to see all the problems reported on it and related Netgear products, including unsolved ones on Netgear's very own forum site!!!
In the first month or two your support is free, but limited to a support desk overseas where they can do little more than read from basic scripts. After that it becomes extremly expensive paid support.
On my first Netgear (814) the person basically told me that the problem I was seeing was probably a design problem, and that I could send it in (and be without a router), but that the replacement would probably do the same thing. There was no real way to get the problem escalated. He then told me to instead by the WGT624 instead, that it was a very solid, new router and that I would be happy.
So, I got rid of the 814 and bought the 624. I can not go more than 2 days without having to power reset the 624 because it freezes up due to the DHCP renewal problem it has. Being on Vonage, this means I lose PHONE service too.
I ditched the 624 last week and purchased a Linksys WRT54G, and so far it is solid as a rock, no reboots, nothing. Works great. And because it does not insist on being your DHCP proxy, my Internet surfing is substantially quicker. Finally, if you are technically minded and want to play around, there is plenty of custom firmware (www.linksys.org) that you can use in the router because Linksys GPL'ed the code.
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Reboots, Hangs, and Poor Cust Support, March 31, 2005
By R. Lin (ELK GROVE, CA)
I purchased the router back in November. When I emailed support, I got a lot of useless advice. They told me to reload the driver on my adapter even after I told them the ROUTER was rebooting even when I used only wired connections. They told me to get the latest firmware even after I told them I WAS on the latest. Finally, I got them to agree to ship me a new one. Now, 2 months later, the unit is rebooting again every couple of minutes. It even reboots when there's no activity on it. I've since found it that this is a known problem. See for yourself:
http://forum1.netgear.com/support/viewtopic.php?t=1238.
It's a shame that Netgear appears to be on the decline.
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Would rate it "Black Hole" if I could., March 22, 2005
By orionca (Riverside, CA USA)
I bought this router, hoping to upgrade my current LAN to include wifi but could not get it to work. Some users here claim they got up and running with "5 clicks" in the setup wizard: After many, many clicks it still tells me that it can't detect my network.
I have a Netgear rt314 router already: I tried copying settings across and it stopped working altogether. Reset to default, try again, wouldn't detect any of my clients. Finally gave up and returned it.
Netgear has had so-so quality for the past couple of years: I had to return another of their routers the last time I tried to upgrade. Really disappointing; my current RT314 router worked right out of the box, no setup issues, nothing. But it doesn't have wifi and it's getting pretty old so I'm looking for a replacement before it cuts out on me. I'm just going to have to keep looking.
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If you like frequent router reboots & dropped connections..., March 6, 2005
By J-man (Palm Springs area)
then this router is for you. Google it and you will find multiple forums with ample posts about this router and its problems--wish I 'd read them before I bought it. In spite of numerous attempts to configure it per instructions and updating the firmware (which the almost unintelligible Indian tech support urge you not to do after waiting on hold for 20 minutes), still problems. It seems to drop connections most during online gaming.
My opinion is, keep looking for a router and do a forum search before you buy
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Keeps on stalling after every 10 mins, March 2, 2005
By Asif (Richmond VA)
Technical support did not help much, the Router keeps on stalling and needs to be rebooted every 10 Minutes.
I upgraded the firmware too but didnt help much.
I dont know what to do with this router now.
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Waste of money, February 20, 2005
By Walt#
I am tired of endless rebooting.
I have only one wish: to get rid of this junk as
fast as possible.
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Pure junk, February 20, 2005
By keithsutton1 (Seattle)
It set up well and work well for a brief period of time. Quickly though it began to fail until it gave up completely. This is pure junk!
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How to make this Router Work, February 17, 2005
By B. Hinton
First, let me preface, like many have posted, the unit can reboot continously. However, this can be FIXED and the unit is rock stable afterwards. The solution: Update the firmware. Unfortunately, the automatic "check for firmware updates" menu function does not do this correctly.
Go to Netgear's website and download firmware V4.2.6_1.0.1. After downloading, manually update the router from the "Router Upgrade" menu.
The link to the firmware is:
http://kbserver.netgear.com/support_details.asp?dnldID=900
Prior to the upgrade, under heavy load (ie. Bittorrent), the unit would reboot continously and lock up after 6 hours. Since the upgrade, the router now has handled 6+ days of a continous heavy load (300k down, 50k up) without as much as a hiccup.
As for the router itself, it is beautiful and functions perfectly. It has a small footprint than almost every other router available and hosts every conceivable option necessary. The only function it does not have is QoS (quality of service), but I have never encountered a situation where it would be necessary. I've had VoIP for over a year now and not once has heavy downloading affected my phone quality.
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No hassle or No Problems..Definitely recommend!, February 12, 2005
By cash (Tempe, AZ)
I have owned this router for 5 months now and I have never had a problem with it whatsoever. I have a WEP set up and that was a piece of cake. Good Job NET GEAR!
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Junk - buy at your own risk!, February 8, 2005
By sgt619 (MI United States)
Like others have said here, this router just drops connections. I have had it for about 4 months now and at first it worked fine. I only had an occcasional drop. However, as time went by it happened more often. Now it has come to the point where its unacceptable. (several times a day) I have the latest firmware. And just to humor Netgear, I ran the antivirus software on every computer just like it says on their site, which did not do squat to remedy this problem as every computer was clean. In all it is difficult for me to recommend this unreliable piece of junk. Nothing but a waste of time and money. Also, its been 4 months and no rebate. Just sleazy marketing practice. Avoid Netgear like the plague.
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MAKE SURE YOU HAVE LATEST FIRMWARE, February 2, 2005
By Noe (San Mateo, CA United States)
Ok first off, I would have trashed this router too as some of the other reviewers have had I written this review a couple of months ago. This router consistenly "dropped" connections and was a bear to deal with until I updated to the latest version of the firmware (version 1.XX.14 or something like that as of this writing). Once installed the router has been perfect with no more "dropped line" problems.
I do think that Netgear should have troubleshooted that problem prior to shipping this router out, but that aside (and I concede it was a major issue), this router works terrific with the latest firmware and has given me outstanding speed and range in my household.
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GARBAGE - Drops Connections, January 29, 2005
By Vag (CT, USA)
This router is nothing but trouble. I'm trying to use it for VPN connections. DROPS THEM. Also drops connections to any other computer every 5 minutes or so. Did site survey, nothing else here to cause this. Also, no other phones, or other appliances to cause interference. This router just flat out [stinks]. [...]
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if security is your thing, January 26, 2005
By value guy (San Jose, CA)
then this is the router to go with. I have no problem with it, however that doesn't mean you won't. Seems that it comes with pretty good support though from what others say. It's a faster router than most, if your PC is fast enough to tell the difference. In most reviews, be it magazine or otherwise, everyone has good thing to say about it. for novice, setting up all the security may be troublesome. referred by WhoSave.com, just checked it out, it's a great price for this great router. I got it a little while ago, the price is getting real attractive.
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Very solid router, January 15, 2005
By Nick (Kinnelon nj)
After using my netgear MR814v2 for about 2 years it started to work only when it felt like it. The reception wasnt making it throughout my house anymore. I was going to go linksys but im glad i didnt because im very happy with the WGT624v2. This thing can handle my 2 wired computers, my xbox, and two wireless computers without breaking a sweat. the firmware is solid and is easy to tweak for the best performance. Id def recommend this router.
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It works well, but..., December 31, 2004
By R. Wille (Camp Hill, PA)
I FINALLY got this package (WGT624 router + WG511T card) to work correctly, but only after a couple of days of tinkering and a 25 minute wait to speak with NetGear customer support (Dom in India). I've got a Dell laptop w/Windows XP Home edition and it turns out that Windows needs to configure the wireless network settings (despite instructions NOT to let Windows configure it). I could tell the tech had had this problem before and, once that box was checked, the problem was solved and it runs perfectly. Lesson: A little too fast to market, so we (the consumer) become the beta sites.
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netgear 624, December 20, 2004
By James Destaso III (cornwall, new york)
trying to connect windows 98 to windows ME.unable to do it myself, called india.waited 45 minutes, he said I need 2nd edition windows 98.my buddy downloaded 2nd edition of win 98 still no connect. called india waited 45 min, man wanted me to download drivers .I said no. Went to computer store in town, he hooked me up in no time. works excellent, better than expected. i am 80 ft. from main computer in a detached garage.the speed is impressive. dsl service. upgraded win 98 to windows XP, by the way. been a month, no problems.
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Not reliable, December 16, 2004
By tech & wine guy
i own a netgear he102+ha501 combo (purchased in 2002). it's been rock solid. not this unit (wgt624+511t). as several reviewers have already mentioned, this unit will reboot constantly. if you read broadbandreports.com's netgear forums, you'll find several workarounds for this problem (setting preamble mode to long, enable broadcast ssid's etc.). i use it only as a wireless access point not a router (i have an older almost 3yr old SMC barricade which works great). since putting in the workarounds (and also the fact this is only an AP), the reboots have decreased in frequency but they haven't stopped entirely. for me the it's my 2.4GHz phone which causes this piece of junk to reboot. not all phone calls, only some, and fairly at random. i don't think i have to get a new phone just for this access point.
in any event the Super G (108mbs) is not really worth all the hassle. besides it's a rare occurence that you will get persistent 108Mbs anyways.
thus unit, even with the latest firmware, is not worth it. so save yourself the trouble and buy a linksys or a buffalo router. Netgear's product quality is so bad, i would give this as a gift to my worst enemy.
oh btw- if you are on linux/*bsd, madwifi+wpa_supplicant works okay with this router and a wg551T card. of course madwifi will only support upto g mode (54Mbps) and not super-g. ndiswrapper+wpa_supplicant works in super-g (108Mbps) but the driver will constantly crash.
on windows, if you have the wg511T cards, you can try the atheros reference drivers (i did), but it doesn't make that much of a difference anyways.
in any event don't let the marketing drivel fool you. if you see this hunk o' junk, run.
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I will never buy Netgear again, December 15, 2004
By T. Rysenga (Austin, TX USA)
I'm writing this to save you grief and down time. I bought this router and used it for about 1 month. It died suddenly so I exchanged it at the store where I purchased it. The next one seemed flakey in that it kept restarting randomly. I would notice that all my connections had dropped. Looking at the router log, I would see a message that it had initialized - no reason. Finally I saw that there was a firmware update available (it is nice in that it can check for updates and apply them at the click of a button - or so I thought). I accepted the firmware update only to have the process fail and my router dead as a doornail. Being under warranty I figured bad products can happen so I'll just call and get it replaced. Boy was I wrong. First of all for the past 3 months they have had hold times in excess of 15 minutes. On top of that the 5 calls I made to tech support all ended with sudden (convenient) disconnection. Odd that I can remain on hold for 20-30 minutes and then get dropped while talking to a support rep (one for only 5 minutes). After having lost over 2 hours of my life, I decided to use the web support instead. I typed in 2 messages one to support one to feedback about how bad my service had been so far. Neither message was ever responded to. A few days later I typed some more messages - still no response. I continue to flood them with messages - certain that someone must read them eventually. A month later one of my messages gets a response. Today I got thought to tech support on the phone after 10 minutes of hold. Even though they had all my other calls recorded, it still took 20 minutes to get my RMA number from them. Now they will exchange my router as long as I pay to ship it back. So while legally they are upholding their warranty, they are not a company I will ever do business with again.
Needless to say I have already purchased another router (linksys) and will be selling the Netgear as soon as it is fixed.
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Don't buy it , I tried 2 models and none worked !!!, December 11, 2004
By bibi (Bronx, NY United States)
This router is really fast when it works. Unfortunately, it constantly reboots, even after upgrading to the newest firmware. First, I thought it was defective so I returned it for a replacement. The second one had exactly the same problem. Neatgear has to work this out and release a new firmware upgrade.
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