Belkin N Wireless ADSL Modem Router Hi-performance 300 Mbps Starter Kit (Includes N High-speed Wireless Router (F5D8636uk4A) & N USB Adaptor (F5D8053uk)

2 Responses to “Belkin N Wireless ADSL Modem Router Hi-performance 300 Mbps Starter Kit (Includes N High-speed Wireless Router (F5D8636uk4A) & N USB Adaptor (F5D8053uk)”

1. Danny Boy 99 says:

   June 27, 2010 at 6:12 am

   Review by Danny Boy 99 for Belkin N Wireless ADSL Modem Router Hi-performance 300 Mbps Starter Kit (Includes N High-speed Wireless Router (F5D8636uk4A) & N USB Adaptor (F5D8053uk)
   Rating:
   I bought this to replace my god-awful Netgear DG834N modem router which randomly disconnects itself whenever it pleases (but that’s another review).
   
   Hooked this one up and ran through the ‘quick setup wizard’ only to find that O2 broadband wasnt in the list of ISP’s used to set the connection settings. No matter, as I know my way around a router config page I went to the ‘manual settings’ instead. Put in the correct settings for O2 and…. nothing. The thing tries to connect then fails. 30 mins on the phone to Belkin’s technical support in India going through their scripted checks and I’m told I have a faulty modem. Back it goes, replacement arrives a week later and has the same problem. Then spend another 45 minutes on the phone to Belkin technical support going through the same steps as before, explaining that my other router works fine, that my line is fine and that my ADSL is working fine so all they can come up with is that I have another defective unit. Now I have given up and continue the hunt for a decent wireless N modem router elsewhere. Not sure if this is related to my ISP or what but having read a few other reviews on Amazon there seems to be quite a few people with the same issue. Avoid.

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   Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
2. Top tip says:

   June 27, 2010 at 6:06 am

   Review by Top tip for Belkin N Wireless ADSL Modem Router Hi-performance 300 Mbps Starter Kit (Includes N High-speed Wireless Router (F5D8636uk4A) & N USB Adaptor (F5D8053uk)
   Rating:
   Wireless routers can be a minefield, as you search and research, and then search and research again for the right sort for your connection/s. First of all I can honestly say I love gadgets and will put the time into learning about a product before I buy it, but I didn’t realise just how long this was going to take to simply buy a router. After all it is very common for people to have a wireless connection these days, but for myself it has not been necessary as I have always had the systems / consoles close enough to run a wired connection. However with the addition of newer items, such as a laptop and no more wired ports I thought it about time to make the change, after all how difficult could it be?

   First of all I realised that the cheaper equivalents are often for cable users (even if the description is close), keep your eye out for this. Basically if you use a BT connection / phone line, even if you are with a different service provider, you need an ADSL modem – router (please feel free to check up on this first as I give advice and do not profess to be a technical wizz in this department). Then once you have established this, the speed of the modem in relation to the speed of your internet and what you desire it to be used for is indicated by the letter. You can google this but for example, G is slower than N. So if you are looking for a speedier router (like N) then you will need to make an informed choice. I believe G is still suitable for general internet use, e-mails and so on but N will work best if you wish to download or will be using it to play games across the internet that take up more bandwidth. Equally the range that the modem will work across may also be important to you. I think this modem – router will work across a maximum range of 300m, which is fine for me and I would think most households.

   I hope the above helps for those doing their searching and researching before deciding, but what about this product? Well, I can honestly say it is fantastic and does everything that I have ever asked of it. It has never, over weeks of usage, lost connection. It works with a strong signal in all parts of the house and beyond!!!! The security levels are easy to set up and use. The WPS function (like a release of security to quickly allow a wireless product to connect) is a great optional feature. I can still use the 4 wired ports for those non wireless products with no problem. The USB wireless adapter is brilliant and reliable. In fact it has to be for me as I have an old computer which would not work without this (no ethernet ports and therefore no inbuilt wireless capability).

   Now the product is great but equally if not more importantly was the level of after sales service that I received. The problem being that I wanted to begin using the router with the USB connector, but without a direct wired connection to set things up initially I was completely stuck, this is not in the manual as far as I know, having looked. So I rang Belkin (not a free number but hey, when you need help…), and spoke to a representative, late at night (no queues then) as they have 24-hour support. I could not begin to tell you how they sorted out my problem, guiding me through every step. But after a short while, they did it, quite honestly brilliant, they really knew their stuff. Following this I encountered a “real” problem, one I thought would be almost impossible to sort, but they ran me through it, being very patient and got it sorted. At no point did I get put through to another department or basically get fobbed off.

   I hope this helps those not so confident about which router to purchase, but for me the reasons above mean I would now buy a Belkin product above others as a very satisfied customer.

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   Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)