| Netgear WGT624 Super G 108 Mbps Wireless Router |
 enlarge
|
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
|
|
|
| |
| 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 |
| |
| 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 |
| |
| User Reviews (274 total): |
|
Random Reboot, December 9, 2004
By Mike C. Computer Engineer (Florida, US)
I wish I had read reviews on this product before I purchased one. It does have an excellent range and it is fast ( when it works ), but it tends to reboot itself very often, especially if it is under heavy usage. My first guess was that it was over-heating, so I placed a large fan next to it overnight while I downloaded a few gigs worth of files, but with a room temperature of 65F and a 10" Fan blowing at it at full speed the wonder Netgear still managed to reboot itself several times over the course of 4 hours. In my honest opinion Netgear should stop selling this item until they fix the problem. I have been working on computers for over 15 years and I have worked as a technician for over 8 years. I'm not blowing smoke, save yourself the trouble and buy a linksys.
F------ for the product. Worse router ever.
|
BUYER BEWARE, December 8, 2004
By Trust me on this review! (Santa Cruz, CA)
This is a fast router. WHEN IT WORKS. All the people on this page who think this router is great probably are having the same experience I did when I first got it. It has great range and speed, even in my problem house. However, eventually, it will start to reboot it self constantly (chek google if you think it's just me!). With my first one, this happened every week or so. I called and after several calls and about 2 total hours of listening to obviously wrong suggestions (Netgear has the worst tech support in the industry), they sent me another totally new version of the router. It went for a month or so, then I had the same problem. However, the new one had new sypmpton as well: You could ping it, but the configuration page would not load (Yes, I tried on several computers and browsers). So now I have a brick. I bought a new one (my third) from a local store and after 2 weeks -- reboots all the time. I was able to return that one. But I also have the essentially dead one. Netgear won't replace this one unless I pay for extended support. I use this one as a support for my new D-Link DI-624. I'll never buy another Netgear product. Ever. You shouldn't either.
|
great router great price, December 5, 2004
By C. Cole (Burlington NC)
I researched this router and it has been everything I read it was..easy to configure and very fast!!! 3 Desktops and one laptop all work great. This is my first wireless router and I am very pleased.
|
Netgear is NO BUY-Waste of Money & Time, December 5, 2004
By Olduser (Seattle, WA)
I bought this peace of trash because I thought I would be able to get a better signal-range and 108 MB transfer rate in my two-bedroom apartment (using with Netgear desktop-PCI card) but I all get was very low signal sometimes or nothing... Mannn, my neighbor uses a Belkin-Router and I am able to get an excellent signal. It seems to me that almost always Netgear likes to be first to bring new technology, but cheap+crappy, to the market. If it is a new technology and it is made by Netgear don't buy from them AND JUST WAIT, please wait, I am sure Linksys, D-Link or Belkin would probably make something better than Netgear.
Furthermore, WPA never worked... For technical-support, talked someone from India, who I thought just wasted my time. Disastrous ---
N E T G E A R = I DO NOT RECOMMENDED IT
|
I take back all the bad things I said about Netgear, December 4, 2004
By M. Lemanski (Worcester, MA)
I origianlly gave this unit 1 star and I guess its too late to change it now.
This is an update of my previous negative review and I'd like to upgrade my rating to 4 stars now.
I wasn't too thrilled with this router when I first got it. It just wouldn't hook up. I spent two sessions, about 5 hours total on the phone with Netgear customer support, and I must admit they were a lot more patient than I was. Anyway it turnred out that the reason for the unit not connecting was due to a problem at Verizon DSL, NOT Netgear. So if all you guys at Netgear are listening, I take back all those bad things I said about you guys .... We are now fully connected. We've got a laptop downstairs that has its own built in 54g adapter running Windows XP SPII and my PC running Windows 2000 PRO and a Netgear WG311T adapter is upstairs. Just as an oh-by-the-way, I added a Dlink ANT24-0400 antenna to the WG311T instead of the stock Netgear antenna that it came with, otherwise the stock antenaa would have been buried among a bunch of cables and hidden in the back of the PC and not exacttly in the best possible position for maximum reception. We've been up and running for couple hours now.
I'm happy. I'm up and running or should I say "flying".
I'll have to wait and see if the performance degrades over time as some people have experienced.
|
Works for me .... ( * UPDATED * ), November 12, 2004
By stereo55 (Menifee , CA)
I have used this router for almost a year now (v2) and have had no problems what so ever to date (and always using the latest filmware) . I have used the router "wired" for this last year (for threee pc's) , but thats soon to change with a newly purchased Wifi card(s) WG3IIT . I will update my findings on wireless usage and report back ; but at this time I see no reason to worry .
Bottom line is that Iam happy with the router results thus far .
*UDATE on wireless results with WiFi card(s) 311T installed *
Just installed the WG311T PCI cards on two pc's connecting through my WGT624 and so far everything is great . Good signal and speed on both computers with no dis-connects .
IMPORTANT NOTE ON INSTALL WITH WINXP AND SP2 (using WG311T pci cards) !!!
1.)If you use the Netgear application to monitor/manage your Wifi then you MUST disable the "wireless-zero" in the Adminstative tools" in the control panelfor things to work correctly ( start/settings/contrpl panel/administative tools/services/wireless zero ; and put to DISABLE)
2.)If you use WindowsXP to monitor/manage your Wifi , then you MUST disable the Netgear application (start/run/ then TYPE IN: "msconfig"/ then go to "startup"/ then DIABLE(uncheck) the line saying "GEAR 311T".
You must do one of the two items Ive listed to make sure your netgear Wifi works /connects properly . Seems you cant NOT use both applications together in anyway . Ive done ALOT of testing on this and this is the ONLY method(s) Ive found to work (and is not mentioned by Netgear or Microsoft) .
I hope this helps future users of this equipment . =)
|
Unreliable. No log of wireless connections., November 9, 2004
By mooneyman (Atlanta, GA United States)
Unreliable. 4 Port switch doesn't work correctly. No log of wireless connections.
The first one I got kept rebooting even though it was a "v2" model. After much diagnosing and fiddling, I finally convinced the Netgear tech (who barely spoke English) that the unit was defective.
I just hooked up the replacement one and it has stayed up long enough for me to use it a little bit and I have discovered that it has a problem setting speed and duplex. My configuration is: PC-netgear624-othervendorhighendswitch-server. Even if I set my PC fixed to 100/FDX and the othervendorhighendswitch to 100/FDX, the 624 won't work properly. You also can't hard set the port speed and duplex setting.
I am an IT networking professional and have set up many wireless networks. I WON'T be buying Netgear again and I won't be recommending it to my customers or friends.
|
I Am Happy With It, October 28, 2004
By A. Cleland (California, USA)
2004 OCT - I am definitely not a computer tech, but rather an average internet surfer and emailer. So far, this wireless router is great. The dsl internet speed seems just as good whether I have the cable hooked up or using the wireless. I have had no trouble with being randomly disconnected. However, I did find the Netgear documentation to be mediocre. I ended up having to call tech support when I couldn't get my wireless network password working. My call was answered immediately and my problem solved in minutes (call time: Wed 3:10pm).
2005-JUL-24 The router is still going great. No problems what-so-ever. The router is in the front room of the house, and I have my laptop in the backyard with no internet connection issues.
|
Good for basic use only, October 27, 2004
By A Silicon Valley computer geek (Mountain View, CA USA)
This device worked well as long as I kept all the default settings, which is the way most home users will use it. However once I customized the router settings to interoperate with my in-home LAN, it became extremely unreliable. It would drop connections and refuse to re-establish them until the router was restarted, it would refuse remote management, and it would sometimes mysteriously alter its own settings. I used to rely on Netgear as a safe brand to purchase and rely on, but sadly the last two products I've bought from them have turned out to be throw-aways.
|
Synch to hook up and fast, October 21, 2004
By John M. Cinalli (NJ)
I have to say, I am really impressed with this router. First, I expected nothing but headaches but was pleasantly surprised that between the three computers, the wireless hook up worked the first time with no trouble whatsoever. I get good connection speeds with both the wireless card and the notebook card. No percieved dropouts either. Highly recommended.
|
|
|
Bought 6 routers and all work to perfection!, September 29, 2004
By Guavashot (TX)
Installed six WGT624 routers at a hotel and all work flawlessly. Range is great. I can sit in a corner on the third floor and pick up at least 4 SSIDs. Never have had a problem with dropped connections or needing to reset. Upgraded all routers to latest firmware with no problems. Works much better than the Linksys wireless B I had.
|
Defective Router, September 25, 2004
By Evan Economos (Palo Alto)
1) No icon on my screen to let me know if the router is functioning correctly
2) I never got anywhere near 108Mbps. This router performed worse than the 54 mbps router I owned. In fact, I never got an adequate connection and am now looking at router expanders.
3) After 1 week, the router stopped working completely. I spent an hour on the phone with a woman whose Indian accent was VERY difficult to understand. She finally determined that the router was defective and should be returned. I had to pay shipping costs to send it to Memphis TN even though Netgear was responsible for manufacturing a defective product.
After I returned my router, I checked the online information page and found that she had gotten my address wrong. I guess she had as much trouble understanding me as I had understanding her. I am lucky I checked this before they sent the replacement router to the wrong address.
4) Beware: There are two different WGT624 routers. version 1 and version 2. Version 2 has a different chip set and is labeled "WGT624v2" I don't know which is better, but I didn't even know there were 2 versions before I bought mine.
So far, this router has not lived up to expectations.
|
TERRIBLE...DO NOT BUY IT... 3 ROUTER & NO SOLUTION, September 24, 2004
By Andrew (Illinois, USA)
I have gone through 3 same routers. All the same reason...router being rebooted very very frequently. FYI, I also have the matching 108Mbps card to go with it. I have given it enough chances that it had to be refunded finally. Tech support of ok but after making me try different things, all three times they told me the unit is defective and should get a replacement.
I would definitely NOT recommend this product at all...!!!
You will lose lots of time and left with frustration and anger...
|
Just OK... & here's a tip for getting outgoing email to work, September 13, 2004
By jm109 (nyc)
I bought this router to compliment the SuperG notebook card I have. It installed pretty easily thru the web-browser control panel. Everything worked fine except my outgoing mail (I use Outlook with a Lycos POP email account, and my internet access is thru Optimum Online). I could browse the internet, receive mail, but not send mail... I got a couple of different errors when trying to send. I called Netgear right away (the problem started right after installing the router) and got their tech support in India, which was basically useless to me, as I had already tried the 1st-tier solutions. They upgraded me to 2nd-tier support and promised to call back in 48 hrs. Meanwhile I read about email providers blocking port 25 (SMTP, for sending mail) if they are connecting via a different provider. Now my old Lnksys router had been working fine all this time, but I tried switching my outgoing (SMTP) server from smtp.mail.lycos.com to mail.optonline.net. I left the pop3 server alone. NOW IT WORKS! I don't know why. And I still haven't heard back from Netgear, three days later.
The speed is great, 108 Mbps, even out on my patio and two floors above the router (in the basement). This morning while connected to the router by CAT-5 cable I experienced the connection being dropped every 5 minutes or so, then picking back up in 30 seconds.
And as an industrial designer I'm impressed by the design of this product. Very slick and I like the tpe foot for standing the router up on end. I would be happy to put this router on my living room shelf.
|
Connections Dropped. (...), September 12, 2004
By Don (Seattle, WA)
(...)
Since I have installed various Wi-Fi Routers and Access Points for a number clients the Router was fairly easy to configure and set up WPA security. This Router is cerainly not the easiest product to set up.
The router drops wireless connections and the only way to reconnect is to reboot the router. This is true for Netgear PC Card with Super G as well as other Wi-Fi vendors.
|
WireLESS, September 11, 2004
By Ace man (Rockland NY)
The wired part of the Router works fine, but the Wireless signal was not usable in my home within about a thirty-five feet distance between the router and adapter. Even with a high gain directional antena replacing the Netgear G adapter antena, no usable signal got through! Their Technical support line had very long hold times (around 45 minutes). When I got through to the 'outsourced 'Techies they told me anything to get rid of me. Worse-one immediately hung up the phone when he/she answered (up/down/click)! Worst Tech support I have ever encountered.
|
Problematic and even worse support, September 10, 2004
By I-fan Chou (Salt Lake City, Utah)
The Netgear WGT624 router has gone through several firmware updates since I first purchased it along with the Netgear WG511T wireless card. At first it worked great, reliable speed and connection, both LAN and Internet. I thought that for once I've made a good investment by getting this product....but I was wrong.
I own the largest LAN gaming organization in the western USA and am an active alpha online game tester for several game developers. My house is setup with wired LAN in 4 bedrooms and I also connect 1 laptop wirelessly to the router. After a couple firmware upgrades, the networking connection for my wireless card starts to slow down, which isn't a big issue. The big issue started when the router began to drop internet connections and/or having extremely slow internet connection. I use Comcast cable internet, and normally when I ping google.com or yahoo.com the ping time is always below 100ms, after a recent firmware upgrade, the router slowed the internet speed to 800ms-1500ms ping time, yes it is worse than 56k modem speed lol.
Writing to the tech support didn't help much. I listed my background and how I have the latest firmware for the router, explained that the first 1-5min after rebooting the router I get great internet speed but soon it slows down to a phoneline speed. The tech wrote back asking me to upgrade to the latest firmware lol how funny is that?
After reading many online reviews from various sites, I've decided to switch to a D-Link DI-624 AirPlus Extreme instead, hopefully I will not be unlucky again.
Final word, the Netgear support is amongs the worse, unless you don't mind speaking to tech in India with hard to understand English and limited tech knowledge. The product is good when it works, but the problem is it rarely works the way it is supposed to. Don't waste your money!
|
Very disappointing...., September 9, 2004
By Fang Yu
BOTH Netgear WGT624 and its service were poorly. I had owned a Netgear b, it didn't have good signal. So I decided to upgrade it to a Super G to get more range. However, I didn't get good range as well. The only room I could receive signal was in the same room where the router was located; nowhere else! More surprisely, the router needed frequent reboot. Worsely, I had a strange problem where my laptop could receive signal but my wired desktop had no Internet connection.But the worst thing was that Netgear only offer 90 days telephone support. You have to write them an email for products older than 90 days, and they only reply you by email. After tried several email back and forth by weeks, my problem was still not solved. The technical support stuff transferred me into another department, where they didn't contact me for more than 10 days!!! Finally, I decided to give up on Netgear. I will never touck this brand again!!!
|
Works OK but buggy, September 9, 2004
By Cool Dude (CA United States)
Works OK but really buggy - connections ALWAYS drops. I have to reset it at least 3 times a week. Updated firmware to no avail...no go! Returned the unit and bought the Linksys WRT54GS router - faster and 100 times more reliable with alot more features.
Netgear: Highly NOT recommended!
|
By far one of the best, September 6, 2004
By A Meka (New York)
This router is one among the best.It just took 5 minutes to setup both the router and wireless PCI card.My wirless internet was up and running in 5 mins
|
|
|
| Copyright 2001-2007 WiFiReview.com |
|