Netgear WGT624 Super G 108 Mbps Wireless Router

Rating:
Summary: Good features - poor design quality ... unless you get lucky
Review: I bought this router based on the outstanding record of years of reliable service that Netgear equipment delivered.

The list of of features is impressive:
1. 108Mbps Wi-Fi support / with WPA-PSK encryption
2. A built-in SPI Firewall
4. 4 Port-switch
5. Fairly easy configuration.
6. All at a very attractive price.

However, the impressive list of features is undermined by very poor firmware/hardware design, exacerbated by lack of real technical support. Of course, there seem to be positive experiences for other Amazon customers, which are probably mor of exception than the rule with this model.

As for myself, of three installations I've done with this router, two have constant problems with router dropping connections/rebooting constantly, sometimes as often as several times per hour. The installation that works is attached to DSL modem, while the two that do not - are connected to cable modems. Since, as I've mentioned, the only support you can get without going "Premium", is a non-technical person well-versed at reading from a very short script, a lot of debugging has to be done by experimentation and scouring the Internet for clues from other users. Theories on solving the abundant problems range from replacing power-supplies [...]Even then, there are no guarantees. Netgear's response - upgrade the firmware and power-cycle everything. And, so that you know, if you fry the unit in the process, you have to pay for shipping the defective unit back to Netgear! Unless you are a UK customer, as was revealed to me by one of the tech. support representatives.

To be short, spare yourself the trouble and aggravation and buy a Linksys WRGT54, which is solid as a rock. It "only" goes to 54Mbps on the wireless side, but beets WGT624 both in range and stability. Plus, WRTG54's antennas are removable. And did I mention that firmware is embedded Linux and if you know what you are doing, you can customize your own. Or just download it from plenty of websites?

You choose...

Rating:
Summary: No hassle or No Problems..Definitely recommend!
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: Junk - buy at your own risk!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Don't get this Router!
Review: [...]
This router is a lemon, pure and simple. It reboots constantly. If you upgrade the firmware, it doesn't help whatsover. In fact, I can't even get to it now that I upgraded. Since I clipped the UPC out for the rebate, I can't even return it to Amazon. Very disappointing considering I always liked Netgear products. [...]

Rating:
Summary: MAKE SURE YOU HAVE LATEST FIRMWARE
Review: 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.