Symphony: Extremely difficult to conduct
Written: Apr 19 '01 (Updated Apr 19 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great full page ads in major computing magazines...full of promise and potential.
Cons: Does not deliver as promised...sadly.
The Bottom Line: The promise of wireless technology bumps up against the reality of Windows 98 conflicts, Cable Modem conflicts, and driver conflicts.
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| Bonies7's Full Review: Proxim Symphony Cordless Products |
The concept would appeal to almost anyone who has wanted to connect two (or more) computers inside the house. Wireless connectivity via the simple "plug and play" idea of using a Symphony USB Wireless Adaptor to bypass a more complicated option involving unsightly wires throughout the house.
Great idea.
Poor execution.
Having finally entered the world of high speed internet access on one computer, I began exploring the various options of connecting a second computer - which resides on a different floor of our home - with the laptop that houses the cable connection. Of course, you can run a connecting cable from one to the other, but that is a hassle and definitely "low tech" with so many other apparent options available.
A couple of trips to the local computer store (CompUSA) weren't much help. The retail sales staff at our store seemed to visually shrink when the words network computers and wireless were mentioned in the same sentence. "Uhhh, you probably will need to get a router and a splitter and a hub and a..." was the verbatim response from the one young man who the other clerks pointed me toward after hearing the dreaded network inquiry.
So, off I go to a more reliable information source - Epinions.com. Seems like Symphony Wireless has a mixed bag of admirers and detractors here, but at least the product worked in a couple of instances - although things like "line of sight" and "slow connectivity" definitely had me concerned.
Nevertheless, concern was overwhelmed by the frustration of only having one computer connected to our high speed modem, so I plucked down $200 for two $100 USB kits that promised to have me up and running in under 30 minutes. A well designed Symphony product package said all the right things: high speed connection and no internal installation necessary. Just plug the radio frequency adaptor in the USB port of each unit, install the provided software, and you'll be up and running.
Not true, unfortunately.
My first clue that things were not going to go smoothly was when I opened the box. A 300 page instruction manual dropped in my lap. Hmmmm, I thought. Nothing that requires 300 pages is "easy".
Nevertheless, there was a simple five page "easy install" guide that told me what to do. Clear the USB port - which was easy to do. Install the software in the cd-rom. Check.
Ooopps. An error message pops up immediately telling me that drivers are needed, and before I can cancel, Windows 98 goes to work and starts building a new database. Uh oh. The Symphony easy install guide said that you shouldn't let Windows do this, but you can't stop the Windows demon once it gets into high gear.
To make an extremely long story less painful for you, dear reader, let me cut to the chase. Yes, I called Symphony Tech Support and the wait was reasonable - about five minutes or so. The Tech Support Specialist first asks me if the USB Adaptor's external light is on. Yes - it is yellow in color, I respond. He then proceeds to inform me that it should be green, and that I've got a bad USB Adaptor from Symphony. "We've had quite a few DOA (dead on arrivals) recently" he cheerfully reveals. "Just take it back and try another one - you should be able to get one that works".
Well, this particular home user was born at night. But not last night, and there is no way I'm going to try my hand at Symphony's version of Russian Roulette. Back and forth to CompUSA until I'm lucky enough to get a USB adaptor that works right out of the box.
Are you still considering buying one of these units for use in your home?
If you are, I'd suggest you reconsider. When Tech Support personnel admit that the product they are shipping has a high "error rate", then you'd better run for the exit without this "technical innovation" in your shopping cart.
A five word summary should help you decide:
Stay away from this product.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
Bonies7
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: Jeff Clow
Location: The Lone Star State
Reviews written: 132
Trusted by: 1018 members
About Me:
Father, Husband, Consultant, Photographer, Writer, Conservative, Inquisitive, Texan
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