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Overall Rating
4 Star Review
Reviewed by: bunkey
Updated:09-29-07
Duration of ownership:1 Months
Strengths: Fast, easy setup, good help and documentation.
Weaknesses: Trouble with NetGear WiFi card software.
Overall Evaluation: This router will deliver, as promised, but you have to do your research and learning about it first. Do a firmware upgrade, but you must reset the router right after the upgrade is completed and this will put the settings back to default. I had to put my phone line DSL modem into bridge mode, so the router handles firewall and PPoE sign in duties. Lastly, poor performance will happen, if using NetGear PCI WiFi card Smart Wizard software utility to setup your connection. It appears to clash with some software, that loads during bootup and gets corrupted. Re-install the software for the card and during the card setup choose Windows to configure your connection.
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Overall Rating
2 Star Review
Reviewed by: timmatt72
Updated:04-18-08
Duration of ownership:30 Days
Strengths: web content filter, Tons of user-configurable settings. easy setup, easy firmware upgrade.
Weaknesses: Little too big, can't mount to wall, no storage link for usb hard drives (for network storage). wireless hiccups with 802.11G cards.
Overall Evaluation: I am in the Lan/Wan business for a fortune 500 company, so my ideal router is one that is free, and if that cannot happen then the cheapest, because one day all will stop working. I have had the linksys b routers, motorola g routers, dlink N routers, belkin and this netgear rangemax. I liked the router for its functionality (n speeds)at first but started feeling hiccups on g cards around the house. (low signal 20 feet away and such) So I went and bought a dlink N card. That worked great but I don't want to buy cards for all my family's laptops. So I would have to say this 40 dollar cheap buy will do the trick until the newer High powered antennas get integrated into these routers in order to truely get 300 mbps throughput. In my mind the D-link wireless N I set up for a side network works true to its advertisement (300 mbps speeds). All tech reviews will claim the same too, dlink xtreme n routers are the best.
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Overall Rating
1 Star Review
Reviewed by: mleafty
Updated:07-12-07
Duration of ownership:
Strengths: Pretty box, nice paperweight
Weaknesses: Operation, tech support, manufacturer's willingness to support
Overall Evaluation: I purchased the router with seven 311 access cards, for use on computers that interface with financial websites. Router would NOT allow connections--unplug the router and it works fine. Seems there is a firmware problem. Tech Support is worse than banging your head against the wall. First they send you to morans in India, where accent and common sense stretch your ability to get anything accomplished, after 45 min on the phone to re-confirm the data registration. Then stupid questions that make you sure that Netgear wants you to figure it out for yourself long before you finish the phone call. If your problem persists, then you are sent to tech support in the Phillipines, where again you wonder how these people were ever hired. If your problem still persists, you may get the phone number for tech support in the US--where they claim to either fix your problem or give a refund. That is until they hear that you bought more than one. Then another sorry excuse about they are unable to give refunds. Some phone calls to tech support have lasted over 4 hours, with NO resolution. If you are intent on throwing your money away, let me give you a post office box.....
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Overall Rating
4 Star Review
Reviewed by: sklinstl
Updated:01-14-07
Duration of ownership:3 Days
Strengths: Backwards Compatible: Can accommodate older wireless cards and adapters among computers in our house (particularly WEP encryption). Otherwise the speed is far better than G.
Weaknesses: Set-up: while the program is easy. It did not run on my older desktop with an XP home edition OS. I don't know why. I had to use my laptop to use the set-up disk.
Overall Evaluation: The range and speed are as advertised - great improvement on my G router (which melted down) and the G+ router from Belkin which I had to return because it could not accommodated WEP as it advertised. Obviously the speed is reduced when using 64-bit WEP encryption, but everyone is happy in the house. I was convinced to get this model as it allows me to lean forward (for the future when there's N-capable wireless adapters/cards throughout the house). And, as was mentioned in another review, upgrades are available for the firmware. I haven't had any overheating problems (which is how I lost the G rounter), but I have had to periodically reset the router by cycling its power. I was in a rush and bought this at a local retailer. For my parents house I will definitely get this same router at the cheaper prices online.
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Overall Rating
5 Star Review
Reviewed by:
Updated:01-08-07
Duration of ownership:30 Days
Strengths: Easy to set up.
Weaknesses: only a 6 ft Cat5 cable.
Overall Evaluation: I have never set-up a wireless network before. This was so simple. I can pick it up across a parking lot on my laptop easily (through Al siding and a brick wall!) Great product.
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Overall Rating
5 Star Review
Reviewed by: bobley12
Updated:10-19-06
Duration of ownership:60 Days
Strengths: Very stable with the latest firmware updates
Weaknesses: You have to deal with Netgear's tech support
Overall Evaluation: I got this router from Netgear support directly because my WNR854T would not access hotmail, google earth, or any other mapping software. It had a lot of speed but if I cannot access my mapping software when I bring my work home with me, what good is that? I had to spend an hour to have Netgear "downgrade" me from the WNR854T to this WNR834B. I am VERY HAPPY that I made this decision, since this router has been ROCK SOLID. I immediately updated the firmware when it arrived, and have had no problems. As far as speed, I cannot notice any difference between this router and the Netgear WNR854T. Since this router is based on a Broadcom chip, they have a much better reputation than Marvell's "TopDog." I am using this with 3 Vonage lines and neither one gives me any problems, no settings/ports had to be opened at all, just plug them in and go! JUST MAKE SURE TO UPDATE THE FIRMWARE ASAP!
