| Belkin F5D8230-4 Wireless 802.11x Pre-N Router |
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Model: F5D8231-4
Brand: Belkin
Manufacturer: Belkin Components
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 221
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11n (draft), IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| Features: |
LAN Ports - N/A
WAN Ports - N/A
Warranty - Lifetime Limited Warranty
LEDs - Yes |
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| Description: |
| Powered by Airgo Network's True MIMO technology, Belkin Pre-N products improve wireless reliability and performance, and enable users to work with high-bandwidth applications, such as audio and video streaming.Belkin utilizes True MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) from Airgo Networks in its Pre-N products. True MIMO is the first technology to address the issues of coverage, speed, and interference in larger homes and offices.True MIMO is a smart-antenna technique that uses multiple antennas to transmit and receive wireless signals. It reaches a step further than other smart-antenna technologies by transmitting multiple signals on each antenna. As a result, Belkin's Pre-N products with True MIMO technology create a robust wireless connection while providing a larger coverage area with the bandwidth and quality of service needed to run advanced applications, such as streaming video or Voice over IP (VoIP).True MIMO is one of the underlying technologies being considered for 802.11n, a standard in the works for the next generation of Wi-Fi technology. |
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| User Reviews (221 total): |
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Fast Set Up and Great Performance, August 18, 2006
By user (Pasadena, CA USA)
For networking novices who are using Windows XP machines this unit is extremely easy to set up and configure. Most of the configuration is done through the cd-rom and takes about 10 or 15 minutes from start to finish. Configuring the hardware firewall and other features of the router takes longer as you work through all of the various choices, but was accomplished in another 10 to 15 minutes at the most. The firewall and security choices are fairly technical and the accompanying booklet, though very complete in comparison with what you get with many electronics components today, was a bit light on the whys and wherefores of the various choices presented.
Once up and running, it was easy to link a laptop to the network and have it up and running on the internet almost instantaneously. It was really quite impressive.
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Easy for females, August 16, 2006
By user (Trailerpark USA)
I am an above average techie and I have to admit that this was easy as pie. I had the Linksys Wireless "B" with EXTENDED wireless antennas ($60) and I am pleased with this wireless router. I usually think that Belkin isn't top rated, but they are (I sell them for a living too and this is the first Belkin product ever!). Believe you me!!!!!!!! The best techie thing I bought in forever!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm soooooo stoked!!! Last purchases: ipod and PSP.
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The Best, August 15, 2006
By user (Central Lake, MI)
I had struggled for weeks with various versions of Netgear Routers and Adapters and Customer Support . . . without success.
This Belkin product works and is Outstanding with its pre N adapter card.
Forget Netgear on all counts.
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Great Router, August 12, 2006
By user (Houston, Tx.)
Have had this router for about a month. Installation was very easy (and I'm no techno geek). So far has yet to drop a signal. No dead spots anywhere in my 2100 sq ft, 2 story house. I have a standard "G" wireless card in my laptop and the combo works great. I can't really see the need for buying a "Pre-N" card unless you've really got some serious coverage issues. I recommend this router highly.
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Doesn't seem to work with MacBook Pro or VoIP, August 11, 2006
By user (Milford, MI)
I purchased this router based on the review where a PowerBook G4 was used. Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to apply to the MacBook Pro, as I couldn't get it working at all.
Don't think "Oh, this guy can't read instructions". I've been a network engineer for twelve years, and have owned several SOHO routers in the past.
In addition to being unable to connect my MBP (it could see the SSID, but not connect -- even without security), it also saw my AT&T CallVantage traffic as a DoS attack, and blocked the traffic. Even after I disabled the firewall functions, it refused to allow VoIP traffic to pass. (On some forums, people have alleged that Belkin has been aware of this problem for months, without a fix.)
Since this product is almost EOL, I wouldn't expect much in the way of firmware updates from Belkin. This product is just too flaky if you're not using Windows XP -- and ONLY Windows XP.
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Great Router, August 11, 2006
By user
I spent a lot of time in my decision and finally decided on the Belkin Pre-N. Setup was easy except for a glitch that had nothing to do with Belkin: my server IP address was the same as the Belkin setup address, or something like that. Belkin tech support was very helpful, knowledgeable, and professional. They figured out the problem and had me up an running. The router is very stable, I have yet to get bumped off or have to reboot it after a month of use. The signal is awesome. The router is in the office on a high shelf on the top floor, and I am in the basement, two floors down, typing this. I have 4 bars of signal strength and 54Mbps of speed. I also get a great signal in my car on the street. I highly recommend this router.
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Horrible for Mac Airport 11.b networks, August 10, 2006
By user (University of South Florida)
After a week of fighting with this router, I am going back to Linksys. I have a Macintosh network with 11.b Airport cards in both desktop and laptop G4s. After restarting the computer, everything works great UNTIL the computer goes to sleep. Waking from sleep, the Airport absolutely cannot find the Belkin network until after a complete reboot. Interestingly enough, the computer never has any problem finding my neighbor's wireless Linksys network! I called tech support, and talked with someone named Adrian who knew far less than me about the system I am using. After he could not suggest anything else than things I had already tried, he just hung up on me. Thanks, Belkin--never again. Sticking with Linksys.
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Belkin sucks, August 10, 2006
By user (Norco, CA United States)
This product worked great at first, but the router is totally unreliable. The router will hang & become totally unresponsive. Only solution is a HARD reset. Technical support is unresponsive, next step is SMALL CLAIMS COURT.
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Belkin F5D8230 Wireless Pre-N Router, August 5, 2006
By user (Bay Area, USA)
With 6 computers, (3 Linux (ubuntu) and 3 Windows XP), I found this router to be an exceptional machine. Besides being really fast, it's distance coverage was the longest that I have ever used. In fact, I let my neighbor into my HS network. She is 150 ft. away. The router will let you assign the actual ip address of individual WiFi cards to let only specific computers into your network, in addition to standard Wep and Wpa password setups. Very secure. What was even more amazing is that I have older B and G cards in a few of the computers that work perfectly with this router. Belkin also has one of the best tech support teams I have ever used. It is free. I have had three other (well known) routers in the past and the tech support after the initial installation always cost me. The free tech support made the cost of the router very worthwhile. I use cable HS and this router has never blinked. As you can see, I am one happy puppy with this router and Belkin.
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Be careful!!, August 3, 2006
By user
I saw from few of you that you have certain problems with N router. This router works bad when you place your laptop too close!! (look into a manual). Also if you use G card switch the automatic channel OFF then your connection will stop to drop..
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it says 250000 feet, August 2, 2006
By user (New york,NY USA)
The machine doesnt have long distance. I go little far away from the machine and my connection speed drops down. I didnt like it..
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This router is nice, July 27, 2006
By user (Anchorage, AK)
This is the only wireless router I've used, so don't count on me for some all-knowing comparison test, but I'll gladly tell you that I've had nothing but good performance with this thing. The connection is solid, and the speed is at least as fast as when I'm wired direct. What more is there? Oh yeah, it was only 95 bucks. Cheap!
The first day I used it, I noticed that the connection had dropped, so I searched around to find out what had happened. I clicked on the airport icon at the top (this is a Mac PowerBook G4), and it told me that I was on xxxxxx network, with the x's representing the name of one of my neighbors. Yeah, well... I suspected what was going on, so I looked up that name in our city's property tax database, and found that we indeed do have a close neighbor by the name of xxxxxx. Bingo! I hopped on my bike and rode down the hill and knocked on the sucker's door to ask what the heck they thought they were doing stealing my bandwidth, but of course, nobody answered. That's when I went home and read some of the manual. It should be noted that, up to now, I didn't even need to read the manual. This thing is truly plug and play (at least with a Mac using an AirPort card). That's when I learned about setting up a password to protect my network. I got on the horn with some nice, well-spoken East Indian woman in Belkin's outsourced tech help department, and got it set up in just a few minutes. Since that day, there has been no bandwidth thievery.
So here I sit in my living room, comfortably nestled in my overstuffed Stickley leather reclining Morris chair, (un)wired and cruising the net. This is so much better than sitting in a closed room in an office chair like I used to do. I am not worried about something faster coming on the scene in few months, or this Pre-N setup not being compatible with the N standard of the future, because it's fast enough for me, and it works. Buy it. 'Nuff said.
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Fast, but unreliable, July 16, 2006
By user (Irvine, CA)
I bought this router about 4-5 months ago and was happy with the speed boost over my previous router (Belkin, wireless g). But, the thing keeps dropping the connection every few days. I have to restart the router, or pull the plug for a few minutes. Belkin tech support is very unresponsive. I wouldn't buy another Belkin, but I'm stuck with this one for now.
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Great Range, much better network speeds!, July 6, 2006
By user
I used to have an airport extreme base station. After installing the belkin I got about twice the range and I've also noticed the wireless in house networking speeds are much faster. I've very satisfied so far. Oh yea, none of my wireless cards currently use the pre-n technology, although they will soon.
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No problems, super fast, July 1, 2006
By user
This is way better than my old Linksys - doesn't drop the connection, data transfer is super fast. Highly recommended.
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Belkin F5D8230-4, June 28, 2006
By user (USA)
I just purchased this router and it is easy to install and works great.As of yet I have had no problems and hopefully it stays that way! I have another desktop and a laptop wireless networked to it and I have not noticed any decrease in speed in either. Highly recommended.
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Constantly drops connection, needs reboots, poor tech support, June 21, 2006
By user
I bought this with the matching pre-n card and it's been so frustrating. Wireless connection almost completely useless since it constantly drops the connection. My wired connection sometimes stops working and then I have to reboot the router. I've been checking tech support for a firmware upgrade/repair and nothing to be found. Reading the reviews, many people have been having these problems. I guess Belkin just feels a new sucker is born every minute. Well, this sucker is not buying anything from this company if I can help it. Another reviewer spoke well of the new Netgear Rangemax router. I'll probably buy one of those to see if it's better.
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Games/iChat, June 12, 2006
By user (Sacramento, CA)
I've had this router for about six months. Although overall I've been very impressed, there are two serious issues I've encountered that have sent me looking for a new 802.11n router. This router is not compatible with iChat audio/video chat out of the box, and even if you manually forward the proper ports, iChat still won't work. Also, it's impossible to play a game in Starcraft with more than a few players.
Both problems appear to be rooted in the fact that certain network traffic patterns are interpreted as an attempt to flood your connection and a security feature in the router is triggered. If you call Belkin, they will tell you that they're "aware" of the problem but don't currently have a timeline for a fix.
Using my old Linksys WRT54G, I'm able to join and host larger Starcraft games. Note that this issue does not appear to affect all multiplayer games. World of Warcraft works fine with both the Belkin and the Linksys.
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Quick start up!, June 9, 2006
By user (Shawnee, KS USA)
I bought this pre-N router this evening. I almost bought the Linksys last night... but decided to get this instead. I got it setup and working right away. My laptop is getting maximum performance with it's wireless speed. Plus, I locked down the router's wireless access with the easy web enabled admin controls. I'll be recommending this product to my friends!
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Very easy to set up, June 3, 2006
By user (Metamora, IL USA)
I've set up a few wireless routers (the last being a linksys a couple years ago) and this Belkin Wireless Router was incredibly easy. Using the setup disk it essentially did it all for you, and it actually worked the first time! No putting in IP addresses, setting up PPOE vs whatever. It did it all. Amazing! Maybe Linksys is better now, but it was a pain 3 years ago. The Linksys finally quit after 3 years, but it had been a good unit overall. This Belkin without a booster gives about the same coverage as my Linksys B did with a booster. Don't have the Belkin wireless cards (all 3 of my laptops have them built in; some are B, some are G), but they all work well and are plenty fast.
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