NetGear WG602 802.11b/g Wireless Access Point

Pros: Asthetically pleasing
Cons: Problems galore (read for more)

As usual, an office that needs to be connected wirelessly will need a wireless access point. So with a positive experience with Netgear's Rangemax line of products, we decided that a standard G AP was all that was needed in a 5-desktop user enviroment. ...

Pros: Easy setup. Good range and speed when it works. Handles mixed 802.11b+g environments well.
Cons: Limited features(no diagnostics). Latest firmware buggy. Technical Support stinks. I've had several fail.

I'll give a quick summary, followed by a more detailed history... Summary: I just came home with my 3rd WG602 Access Point. The first two failed in the following manner: - radio coverage / connection dies - firmware info page accessible from a ...

Pros: got good reviews :-). WG602 web interface is clear and functional.
Cons: still can't get it to perform reliably, or well.

I am still trying to determine if the WG511/WG602 combination I am using is faulty, incorrectly configured or just messed up by a poor signal environment. What I do know is that I have not had the success with it I had been hoping for. But I haven't ...

Pros: Fast, Easy to install, Fast, Good range, WEP encryption, Did I mention it's fast?
Cons: No telnet configuration, PCI cards weren't ready for the product release

For months I've put up with cat-5 cables running through my house because I knew that 802.11G was coming and I didn't want to put out the money on something I would just be replacing. I'm really glad I waited.

Even after the WG602 came out I...

Pros: Easy setup, good looking
Cons: Weak signal and weak connection. Simple doesn't work

I bought a Dell 600m laptop one and half year ago. With it, I set up my home wireless network. I already have a broadband network setup so a wireless access point would be enough for me. At that time, 102.11G was just in beta period and there was not too ...

Pros: Good value, easy setup, good speed and coverage, decent security.
Cons: Plasticky feel, little in the way of diagnostics.

We got this at work to give limited wireless access to the small (under 10) number of people who wanted to ditch the cables now that their laptops have wireless built in. Out of the box it was clearly a brand new product, packaged appropriately but ...

Pros: Never got it working long enough to find any!
Cons: See the text of my review.

Recently, I decided it was time for me to replace the old Belkin “B” router that I’d been using for some time with a newer, “G” system. Not that the increase in transfer speed from 11mb to 54mb meant a thing in my particular ...

Pros: Cool looks is about it, but who cares, it is a router!
Cons: Netgear should be embarrassed that they ever let this product out the door...

I bought this to upgrade to 802.11 G and because it came bundled with a USB stick for my laptop. Well from the get-go, I could not get the wireless connection running using a wep key because I tried using the phrase vs entering a full key (which took ...

Pros: Easy setup, performance is fast for the first few hours of operation.
Cons: Buggy firmware, no foreseeable upgrades.

1) the box said WPA support would be available in a future firmware upgrade. This was a major point influencing my purchase decision. But now Netgear answers my inquiries with "no such upgrade will be offered." (WG602v1) 2) the performance slows ...

Pros: price
Cons: lasted 6 months

Netgear access point worked good for 6 months then died. Could not configure it because the ethernet port died. Would only run in default mode, wide open with no security.
This box was basically useless. Chunked it in the trash and bought a 3Com access point, much easier to set up. Hopefully will last longer, no more Netgear products for me.

Pros: Easy setup and install thought probably no better than anything else
Cons: two for two failed each within two days. cutting my losses

Seemingly tech support in India has no a clue if the answer doens't come up on the check list. Problem seems to be final rf out or driver. didn't open the box and try to trouble shoot it. What's the point. Finally talked him into letting me send it in for exchange but I had to pay shipping. Turns out it was no more expensive to drive back up to Fry's and exchange it it. Next one worked great like the first and failed again during the second day. Both kept loosing connection until they finally failed for good. I'm not happy, but I'm just going to cut my losses. What's the point of getting a replacement piece of garbage. Sure wish I could remember who told me netgear was any good. Those 5 star ratings are bogus in my opinion. Don't waist your time or money here.

Pros: easy to install and use, nice lights not just LEDs
Cons: Can't configure it yet, physically bigger than competitors

I have the 2nd version of the WG602 (ie the WG602v2) Wireless Access point by NETGEAR.
It seems to work ok - just plug and play. Well, just install the software, then the hardware (NETGEAR Access Point, and PCMCIA cards) plugged into any hub or router LAN port.
Signal strength good to excellent, speeds 36-54 Mb consistently throughout my brick-built 1960s semi.
I replaced a D-Link Access point and cards because they just wouldn't work consistently or well with my laptop. Also they wouldn't work atall with NETSTUMBLER for wardriving. The NETGEAR works fine.
One problem though. I can't configure the access point. The web page for access to the settings (Name, SSID, security etc just doesn't work - I'm sure I'm doing everything right.
NETGEAR provide free tech support by email, so I'm trying to get help that way. It may yet work, but if it doesn't I'm open to other people using my bandwidth - who would do that ????
Look up Wardriving and NetStumbler on Google....

Pros: Seems to do ok as a simple little WAP. Setup was fairly easy.
Cons: Check product version -v2 or -v3 if you're seeking bridging or repeater capability.

Three versions of same hardware. WG602 is not WDS (Wireless Distribution System)ready. Make sure you note which one you are purchasing. The box should have WG602v2 or WG602v3 (White Color of Access Point). The basic version WG602 (aka WG602v1) is not WDS Ready -- that means no bridging or repeater capabilities. Nobody tells you that so be aware. For simple "Access Point Use" it seemed ok. No WPA but the WEP seemed to work ok. Check www.netgear.com for latest firmware as the standard WG602 has some security issues right out of the box. This seems to be netgears illegitimate son of a product. Also, Netgear's customer support is slim -- Absolutely no 800 phone support. Unless you're in the $30 USD range 8/2005, I'd pass on this one.

Pros: Simple set up and install.
Cons: None

We have 5 computers in the house on a wired network. Two are laptops and I wanted to go wireless with those. The Netgear WG602 seemed like a good choice based on what I had read.
All I had to do was open the box, plug in the power, and plug the Ethernet cable into the router. The software for the wireless cards is automatically loaded when you insert them into an xp machine, so nothing to do there. Both laptops were immediately active on the network. I later made some configuration changes to invoke WEP security. This took more time than anything else I did, maybe 10-15 minutes to read up on implementation options. All of the components, router, access point, and wireless adapter cards are from different manufacturers (Access Point = NetGear, Router = 2Wire and adapter cards = Dell) and work together flawlessly.

Pros: Can be used to wedge open a door.
Cons: Spontaneous lock ups, continuously slowing performance.

When I first bought it, it would spontaneously lock up - often. Netgear eventually released a firmware upgrade which changed the lock up issue to a slow down issue. The router slows down after about 2 hours of use to a crawl. Rebooting it brings it back up to speed.

Netgear support is a joke.