High gain?
Pros:
Excellent design, easy install.
Cons:
Pricey, small effect on signal strength in my case.
The Bottom Line:
A great idea, but little effect in my situation. Some people love it though.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
The product is a pair of antennae designed to replace the original antenna on Linksys wireless base-unit products for better reception and transmission strength.They would also work on any wireless product with TNC type antenna connectors. It has a stabilizing bar which has no effect on signal strength and may be removed if desired. The product is a passive antenna, meaning it does not require its own electricity.
The design is excellent, both from a quality and aesthetic standpoint. Much prettier than the rabbit ears on granny's old TV set! The positional angle can be fully adjusted, just like the original Linksys antennas.
When comparing these to the original Linksys base unit antennas, you will see they are only a few inches longer. One wonders if the originals could have been designed with extendability, which would eliminate the need for this replacement.
My signal strength went from 6 bars to 7 bars, out of 10 max. My installation was from 1st floor router to 2nd floor PC in a townhouse.
Some antenna placement tips would have been helpful, but none were included. For example, is the antenna omnidirectional? How do different positions and environmental factors affect the product? Fortunately, there are antenna positioning tips on the Linksys.com Web site, in the product support area. But Linksys could have put the highlights on the back of the package, too.
A 10% improvement in signal strength in my case did not justify the cost. But each installation will have different results because of different buildings, placement, and radio frequency environments. Others have reported that they are very satisfied with this product. For some, it could pay for itself, as improved signal strength will mean you are able to take advantage of more bandwidth on your Internet connection.
If you are truly desperate for improved signal strength, an alternative might be the 2.4GHz WLAN Antenna YAGI RP-TNC Connector, by Telex. It is rated 13.5 dbi whereas this Linksys is rated at 7dbi.
This review (c) 2005 by nulmana.
