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Netgear WGT624 Super G 108 Mbps Wireless Router

Netgear WGT624 Super G 108 Mbps Wireless Router

List Price: $108.00
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: There's no net with this gear.
Review: I recently upgraded my DSL and with the upgrade came a long awaited static IP. I was ecstatic becuase I could finally contemplate VPN. And if I was going to get a VPN router, why not upgrade my wireless network at the same time. My Linksys 802.11b router worked like a charm, but my new laptop with built in 802.11g was urging me to upgrade to g.

Good idea: upgrade my wireless network and get VPN functionality;
Bad idea: using this product to try to accomplish either.

After 3 calls to my ISP support (Bellsouth, who has been awesome for the last 3 1/2 years I have had their DSL) and 2 calls to Netgear support, I finally gave up trying to get connected to my ISP through this device. Netgear's support staff was not only technically inadequate and difficult to understand with the language barrier (thanks Netgear for outsourcing overseas!), but they were downright rude to boot. When I told the second support rep that I did not need all this information for my Linksys B router to connect with my new static IP, he recommended that maybe I should go back to Linksys...and that I will. The moral is that, as with most things, you get what you pay for: I tried to save a few bucks and I paid for it with this debacle.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Awesome speed, range, and features
Review: After being fed up by the breakage of two netgear 802.11b routers, i decided to go all out and get the super g! What a great decision is was. The range is like three times as good, it is ten times as fast, and it has all sorts of nifty features. I particularly was impressed by the automatic firmware update, so you don't have to bother with all that yourself. They make the setup and configuration process very easy as well, so definately buy it now.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best On The Market
Review: If you're looking for the fastest, most secure, longest reception, wirless router on the market, look no further. NETGEAR is the first to come out with the absolutely competition punishing 108Mbps speeds... 5 times faster then the competition. Independent tests prove it's range is double the LinkSys as well. (...). Setup took about 15 minutes, and that included setting all the security features up. Surfing the internet took even less then that.

Make sure you get version 2 (which is being sold basically everywhere at this point so it shouldn't be a worry), and you can see 'V2' on the bottom of the router itself if you're not sure. To realize the full 108Mbps speed advantage you need to buy the matching NETGEAR Super G adapter for your computer (which is also rated highly).

Cons: the only con i can think of, is that it helps to be remotely computer savvy. I could see someone with no computer experience getting a little lost, but even though this is my first wireless router, I was able to set it up without even reading the directions (to give you an idea of how easy it is).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Second Time's A Charm!
Review: After ordering Netgear "802.11g" wireless router which worked only five hours, I returned it and upgraded to the WGT624 Super G. What a difference. Installed completely within 20 minutes including the wireless card on my laptop, and everything ran perfectly. Before you hook up anything, put the installation cd in your computer and then follow the instructions. This one simple step makes everything work. Also, the ethernet cord they give you is way too short. You will need to purchase two 14' ethernet cords so you can locate the router away from your processor: one for your DSL modem and the other for the router.

This is my first time at writing a review. But after reading so many of the negatives on NetGear, I decided to post my opinion. My second time at using this product was a charm!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Works Reliably
Review: I bought it because of the SPI & NAT firewalls and because of the 128 bit encryption. It works great. I'm happy I bought it.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Good Super G Router
Review: I bought Netgear WGT624 Super G from Amazon for $85-$25 rebate and the corresponding WG511T from Best Buy for $89-$40 rebate.
Actually, I like Linksys because it is reliable. So, I bought Linksys WRT54G first from Fry's, but they sent me an old version of WRT54G which was reviewed having a lot of problems. I returned Linksys and bought Netgear because it says it can go up to 108 Mbit and it is cheaper than Linksys. Hopefully, they really send me the rebate.
Installation to replace my old wired Linksys router was relatively easy (with Comcast and RCA modem). However, for some reasons, I can not make my laptop to work at 108 Mbps. The fastest it can go is 54 Mbps. This is after firmware refresh (both the router and the card) and using channel 6.
I can not say that the signal is great, since from about 10 feets distance in the same house, the speed drops to 24-36Mbps.
I have not try with 11 mbps b card, so I can't say anything about this.
Few things to remember when installing the router:
1. Do not rush opening the box. You need to check if the router you have is firmware upgradable. Netgear was reviewed to have some rotten apple in their batch that do not allow firmware upgrade. Go to their web site: http://kbserver.netgear.com/support_details.asp?dnldID=592
and enter the serial number of the product to see if the one you have is firmware upgradable. If not, you should return it.
2. You want WGT624G version 2 or later. This later version uses a better chip set. However, I think there is no way of finding the version without opening the box. I order from Amazon because according to reviews Amazon ships version 2; although mine has a low serial number.
3. They have a URL that describes the setup for various ISP: http://www.netgear-support.com/ts/doc/ispguide.htm.
It would be a good idea to check it before installing.

I rate this as a good product althought I am not quite satisfied since I can not make it to work up to 108Mbps as advertised.
-- bens

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Rock solid and works flawlessly !!!
Review: After years of using Linksys, I heard good reviews on Netgear and wanted to upgrade to 802.11g, particularly, the "Super G" they offered. Although I haven't fully tested the "Super" mode, the standard "g" works flawlessly. Superior range over linksys (40% better speed performance compared to Linksys). As for setup, it's a breeze. There isn't much in the way of manuals, but the software tutorial is a snap. 64 or 128 bit encryption and you can select MAC addresses to really put forth effort to prevent hackers from gaining access, or simply to prevent a "leech" from stealing your wireless connection. In light of the upcoming days of streaming music and video around the house, this puppy does it and does it well.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Solid box w/ good features...
Review: (...)I actually purchased a Linksys WRT54G just a month before I picked up this netgear unit and am quite pleased that I did. The two reasons why I went the netgear route instead of sticking to my linksys box were (1) the netgear box has the additional SPI firewall in addition to the NAT and (2) the overall transmission range of the unit was significantly greater.

(...)Although all wireless units have their specific advantages/disadvantages, I feel that this unit strikes a good balance for my needs.

I would recommend though not to just stick to the default settings that netgear provides (I felt that they did not give adequate instructions as to how to use the robust set of security features they have available). Take the extra 10 minutes or so and actually change the default security settings (they are OFF by default). That is, I would do the following tasks the second it comes out of the box: (1) change the router's password; (2) enable WEP or WPA-PSK (preferred); (3) change the network SSID name from its default; (4) disable the SSID broadcast; and (5) use the Wireless Card Access List to filter MAC addresses. With those tasks accomplished, you should actually feel somewhat secure. (I emphasize this because at my house I can access over 6 wireless networks that are completely wide open and have zero security whatsoever)

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Update on a review
Review: I cannot remember if I posyed a review on the WGT624 or not, but here it goes.

I bought Netgear because of great products and support in the past. I have to say that both have declined greatly. I have the v2 of this router, and its buggy. In wireless mode, the router begins rebooting itself! I have spent some time with this so I will break down this issue here:

Wireless mode turned off: no reboots whatsoever, stable.
108Mbps enabled: reboots every few hours
G and B mode: reboots every 2 or 3 days
in B mode only: reboots every 5 to 6 days.

When I contacted Netgear (and contacting a call center in India), it took 20 minutes to explain the problem only to have them parrot back a misinterpretation! Its not their fault, its Netgears fault for contracting with them - sure it saves money but at what cost?

Their suggestion was to diable SPI firewall which did nothing. They will RMA the unit. What is strange is if you search Google for "WGT624 reboots" and you will find a host of people with this issue. Problem is Netgear is neither aware of the problem, nor willing to acknowledge the problem.

I will send this in for RMA. In the meantime, I decided to buy a new wireless router - the Microsoft MN-500. I read the reviews and it received good press. I must concur that the Microsoft router is problem free, greater range, much cheaper, and simple to setup. I will review the router so look for it.

Bottom line, avoid this router. If you are still willing to shell down money for a gamble, I would wait until Netgear finally acknowledges the problem that way it can be fixed!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Not as bad as I expected
Review: After reading the reviews, I bought this router expecting the worst. I am an AOL Broadband user, and it was one of three companies I could use. In fact, I believe Netgear has been taken off that list, and its down to two--thats after I bought the router. Nevertheless, the damn thing works anyway. Oh it took some tweaking, and being an internet idiot, a few calls. Tech support is outsourced as some have said. This is not good. But in the final analysis, two calls to Netgear helped me with my problems and got me going wireless, so I dont think the word useless, as Ive seen here, is accurate. Patience is needed on both sides of the phone. I would like to know, though, now that Im a hotspot myself, just what I can do with my wireless connection, other than hook up to the net with my laptop. No website seems to key in on all that wireless can do, none Ive found, anyway. The router itself is just fine. Good range, good speed, looks cool. I have version 3 (they call it NA) and I havent upgraded the firmware, as I was told not to as long as everything was working properly. You dont have to be a geek to get this system to config properly, but geekish would be a plus here.


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