How can something so hip also be disappointing? Belkin's N1 Vision Wireless Router has style, a slick user interface, a gigabit ethernet switch, and innovative features never seen before in a consumer Wi-Fi router--features such as an LCD status screen and a browserless security setup. It is also 802.11n Draft 2.0-certified (thus promising interoperability with other Draft-N devices), it has the best setup process we've ever seen in a Wi-Fi router, and its range is superb.
Belkin N1 Vision Wireless Router (802.11b/g/n, 300Mbps 128 BIt WEP, WPA2)
Pros
Allows you to set up second guest network
Superb range
Cons
No 802.11n-only mode
Below average speed
Bottom Line
The LCD screen is a novelty that wears off quickly, but stick around for the ease of setup and great range.
Belkin N1 Vision Wireless Router
N1 Vision Wireless Router (802.11b/g/n, 300Mbps 128 BIt WEP, WPA2) Review, by Becky Waring October 29, 2007
However, while the features are cool (and some are quite useful), mediocre performance and a sky-high price tag spoil the picture. For $199 we expect a top-performing router, but the N1 Vision was only as fast as non-gigabit 802.11n routers costing half as much.
That flashy LCD status screen is the Vision's raison d'etre. At 1.5-by-2.75 inches, you can't read it from across the room, but it's still useful. You can set it to show one of seven different informational displays, such as connection status/SSID/number of devices connected, current and maximum upload/download speeds, current connection speeds for each computer, Internet usage for each computer for the past 24 hours, and a date/time screen. While these displays are fun to explore at first, after a day or two they lose their novelty.
Of more lasting utility is the ability to set up security via the LCD, especially for guest users. The N1 Vision lets you set up a guest Wi-Fi net with a separate password that is isolated from your private network, so that guests can't access your computers, servers, or printers. And you can view and change security settings on the LCD, allowing a guest to have access right from the router without delving into the Web setup utility.
Also, if you have devices with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) enabled, the N1 Vision offers push-button setup so you don't have to know or enter long passwords. You first touch the WPS setup option on the LCD screen, and then the same button on your computer or other WPS-enabled device within two minutes, and you will be connected automatically. It's sort of like unlocking the door for two minutes to allow someone in.
Performance-wise, the N1 Vision scored 31 megabits per second on our midrange throughput tests, similar to the much-lower-priced Netgear RangeMax and Buffalo Nfiniti routers we tested earlier this year. Those routers were limited by their non-gigabit wired sides, but the Belkin is not, so we expected more. We suspect performance might have been better if we could have set it to 802.11n-only mode, as on most other routers, but Belkin told us that the Atheros driver it uses does not allow this (although an update should be coming to enable the option). Running in mixed b/g/n mode takes a significant toll on Wi-Fi performance.
The redeeming feature was range, which the router, when paired with a matching PC Card, excelled at. The N1 card found an astonishing 23 different networks, including at least eight we'd never seen before with any other vendor's card. And we could connect with at least 3 or 4 bars of signal strength (out of 5) everywhere in the house, also a first.
With a firmware update to support 802.11n-only mode and better throughput, along with a modest price cut, the N1 Vision would be almost 20-20.
--Becky Waring
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Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
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Reviewed by: bidhere23
Strengths: -Great design-Nice guest feature-Long Range
Weaknesses: -Getting some of the more advanced settings working on this device can be a hassle-Firmware is buggy
Overall: I don't love Belkin products because I find their firmware buggy and their support non-existant. With that said, the N1 Vision is a nice little toy. I like best the design and the guest feature. Outside of that it is basically like every other wireless router on the market. The range is good and the device is stable (to date).
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Reviewed by: n_watwe
Strengths: Gigabit LAN ports, Dual SSID configuration, Lifetime warranty good customer service
Weaknesses: Expensive, weak signal
Overall: This is one of best looking routers.works great too.lan gives me 1.0 GB connection.wireless with linksys adapter is from 260-270 mbps in 400ft range.Works great with dsl and cable modem. cable modem 100% stable but with dsl modem i tried bridging modem with router and still connectivity problems.so i went with dynamic configuration and hell works great.remember put router in area with nothing near it and turn the power save mode on no drop in connections. i think heat generated is major problem for drop in connections.transfered 50 gb from desktop to laptop ... was done in first attempt ... i dont know how much time it took as i left home after starting the transfer but the transfer was successful.again good stable router ... well its belkin but it could be better
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Reviewed by: OCDABOUTPRICE
Strengths: Can be used as a decent access point. Lifetime warranty
Weaknesses: Too many to list but here are a few: Overheats. Price. Touchpad is awful. Takes 80 seconds to reboot. Reboot is required anytime you change port settings. Poor Signal and bad tech support.
Overall: I bought this router because of the LCD screen and n draft feature but I should have gone with linksys or some other reliable brand name. My past experience with Belkin has always been great. I like the lifetime warranty and friendly tech support or should I say use to be friendly tech support. Buyer should be aware that the product does not function as described on the box. Because of poor design the router overheats easily and requires several 80 second long reboots through out the day. Reboots are also required for any changes in the port forwarding settings. The LCD screen is a nice feature but unfortunately it has an awful touchpad. User will have to press down hard and firmly on touchpad to access menu. The only useful feature I've found is using the router as an access point. That is currently what I use this item for now. I think when it's in this mode it runs smoother because the router feature is turned off. So if you want an over priced ap then go for it otherwise buyer beware!
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Reviewed by: sgee1957
Strengths: Adequate signal strength, great looks, display panel is actually useful.
Weaknesses: Does not have dual speed, but that is in the eye of the beholder.
Overall: I have had the N1 Vision now for 4 months; which replaced another Belkin N1 router that I had for over a year. The unit was easy to set up and has been very reliable. I don't know what all the complaining is about, I have as many as 7 PC's on-line in my home at a time, most of them streaming radio or RSS at the same time and I not a any problems. It is definitely faster than the Belkin N1 it replaced.In fairness, I do not (and probably never will) try to watch streaming HDTV on my laptop. I would rate myself as a competent user, but no techno geek, and this unit was very easy to set up. This isn't the cheapest unit on the market, but it has been VERY reliable these past four months (zero reboots). I am very happy with this purchase.
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Reviewed by: jwebb48111
Strengths: Looks great, 1Gbps Speed, New 802 N Specs
Weaknesses: None yet
Overall: I still need to finish setting up the details in the switch. I recently moved. But the instruction manual states that this is a switch and not a router and in my past, some swtiches don't offer as many options as a router does for setup. The connection speed between my PC and 1Gbps NAS is great. I still need setup the 802 N link. I'll update my review once I do that.

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