D-Link DWL-G800AP Wireless Range Extender, 802.11g, 54Mbps Reviews

• DOES NOT WORK AS ADVERTISED

  
  By A2XKQSYYLZFY5V on 2004-11-20
  DO NOT BUY this product if you are intending to use it as a repeater. It does not support WPA or WPA-PSK in repeater mode. Their web site does not mention this, nor does their firmware upgrade documentation. I spoke with a tech who admitted this fact, but the idea that their ads were [...] did not mean much to him. This product will NOT work with their DL-624 in repeater mode if you want to have a WPA secure network.
  
  

• Please Step Away from the D-Link!

  
  By ADYOYGXUJ1W4O on 2004-08-21
  Another steller D-Link product. Works great as long as you don't want to use WEP Encryption. After going through 5 phone techs, I finally had one level with me, saying "look, this thing never works with the encryption turned on". After that, I called back and the 2nd-Tier phone tech told me the same thing. Buyer Beware, don't purchase if you want to keep your network WEP turned on!!
  
  

• DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT BUYING THIS ONE

  
  By A1NLCL2HIJ9WU3 on 2004-08-12
  Being in need of this product I went to the the only retail store in my area that had them. Fry's Electronics had ten of them on the shelf, all with customer returned stickers on them. The salesman assured me that they were ok & were probably bought to use with an incompatable router. Since I knew that my router a DI-624 had to be revision C to work with this item I reluctantly went ahead & got it.
  
  After 4 calls & many hours spent on the phone w/ tech support I finally took mine back...
  
  I would say there is probably a problem with this model... too many returned ones on the shelf & I would imagine the majority of them didn't work too.
  
  

• At this point, don't bother

  
  By A268G3N9BN6F7H on 2005-05-19
  I have the luxury of writing this review a little bit further out in the technology cycle than most of the others, so I can say: Just get yourself a better wireless router.
  
  Based on the reviews here, several online fora, and my own personal experience, I can confirm to you that you have about a 30% chance of actually getting this to work, and you might get that percentage up a little bit if you keep returning defective ones and trying another. But why bother?
  
  At this point, there are higher-power routers, high-gain directional antennae, and there are even products sporting 802.11n, which inherently has a better range that -a, -b, or -g.
  
  If you've gotten into a situation where your router is inadequate for your needs, research and get yourself a top-notch router with good broadcast power--I would strongly recommend against trying to remedy an inadequate router by trying to add this product to your network.
  
  I understand that my suggestion may be more expensive, but I am seriously saying that you will avoid wasting any more than necesary of the precious remainder of your time on this earth. Definitely hours (if, by some miracle, everything works on the 12th or 13th try), and probably a couple of days (assuming that after 24 or 25 tries you send back the first one and try again with a new one).
  
  

• Good wireless repeater with caveats...

  
  By A112Q6263B5HGL on 2005-07-04
  The D-Link DWL-G800 works fine as a repeater once you get it figured out, it's the pathetic and inadequate D-Link documentation that's really the sticking point.
  
  This product is advertised as being compatible with the DI-624 AirPlus Xtreme G wireless router/AP and indeed it is... EXCEPT that you cannot run the DI-624 in Xtreme G mode with the repeater, unless you enjoy dropped signal and having to hard-reset the repeater every five minutes.
  
  Here's the quick and dirty if you are using this repeater with the DI-624:
  
  1. Log onto the DI-624, go into the Advanced Options and enable the "Long Preamble", then disable the Xtreme G options. Allow the router/AP to reboot.
  
  2. The DWL-G800 is then considerably more stable and can be configured with WEP or WPA.
  
  3. An aside, if you are using XP with either service pack, know that Microsoft in their infinite wisdom have now included something called "Wireless Zero Config" which, so far as I know, can't be disabled or turned off, unless you're using some sort of third party configuration utility. Briefly, this means that you shouldn't disable the SSID broadcast on either AP if using this Wireless Zero config. In fact, Microsoft advises against it since the Zero config doesn't allow you to statically enter your SSID.
  
  Open question to D-Link: why even purchase the DI-624 in connection with the DWL-G800 if you can't use the Xtreme G with it?
  
  
• Once you get it to work, it does the job!
  By AUFYW7SUQSI6Q on 2006-01-22
  I've read all the warnings and the angry messages, and decided to go ahead and try it anyway, assuming that I'll figure it out, since I managed to get its predecessor (DWL-800AP+) to work when my network was 802.11b.
  
  It didn't work. I tried all the recommended fixes that I saw here and elsewhere (disable WEP, disable DHCP, disable Super G, choose Channel 1, choose long preambles, etc, etc). Nothing worked. The client would get a great signal from the repeater, but there would be no traffic.
  
  My firmware was the latest: 2.70 on the DI-624 router, and 1.05 on the DWL-G800AP repeater.
  
  Then I tried downgrading the firmware on the router to 2.50, and it worked right away! I am using WEP and DHCP without problems, though Super-G is still disabled (the clients on this network are not Super-G capable anyway).
  
  Bottom line: If you too have this pair (DI-624 Version C3 with 2.50 firmware and DWL-800AP Version A1 with 1.05 firmware) - I believe that you should be able to get it to work.
  
  Once it works - it's worth it! No more dead spots in the house!
  
  PS. I remember that DWL-800AP+ (the 802.11b predecessor) also didn't work with the latest firmware. One would expect newer firmware to improve upon the older one! Not the case with D-Link products!
  
  
  
  
• A Good Wireless Repeater
  By A7LU0U5FLI8OO on 2004-05-26
  The DWL-800AP+ isn't officially supported by D-Link for repeating other brands of wireless access points. It's best to use this with D-Link APs only. I've heard of some working, but it's pretty random.

  I use the DWL-G800AP as a wireless repeater repeating the signal of my DI-624 (wireless router). This repeats the 54Mbps 802.11g speeds and I find it very easy to use.
  You don't need this repeater to be plugged into the network via wired connection for it to work, but you will need to when you are configuring it to work with your WLAN. Basically you plug it in, configure it, and unplug and set it in the optimum place for best repeating of the signal.
  I hide mine behind a picture frame on the mantle and it works great and isn't seen.
  
  

• Terrible product
  By A257KCT8DOUXQ5 on 2004-06-24
  I tried to use this as an extender for a D-Link 624 router. It works fine for around a half hour, then loses the connection to the router, disabling the internet connection of all computers on the wireless network. Repeated hard resets and rerunning of the setup utility are required to get it to work for another half hour before it dies again. Updating the firmware had no effect, and I don't have time to mess with tech support, so I returned it to Amazon. Instead, I bought a Hawking HAI15S directional antenna for my D-Link router, which improved my signal significantly, obviating the need for this range extender. It's also much cheaper.
  
  
• What More Can I Do For D-Link
  By on 2004-06-20
  At this point, about 5 days after receiving the range extender, I have spent more time on the phone with tech support than I have with my family. And it still doesn't work. The config is easy, but it still doesn't work. Power up, power down, reset. And it still doesn't work. The first level techs say they don't understand (with an accent). The second level can never be found. The third level only works M-F 9-5. Well, so do I, and I can't dedicate my entire life to making myself available at D-Link's convenience so that I can make their product work.

  If they hadn't sucked the life out of me, it would have been funny. But my 624 router performance is fine if you are within 20 feet and no obstructions. As the D-link tech told me, "well, are there walls in your house?" Yes, I have one of those funny houses with walls. D-Link never figured on that. What a total, unmitigated disaster this piece of useless junk is. And I want D-Link to give me back the hours of my life lost to making its junk work.

  Added 6/29/04: D-link tech finally tells me that this repeater is defective (duh). But their RMA mechanism is worse than their wares. It's a 32 step procedure that ends up costing even more money even though you've already paid for their defective equipment. If you should happen to be interrupted in the middle, you can't finish. The qualifications are ridiculous. And, as I've now found out, the defect rate on repeaters is extraordinarily high. Don't expect to get one that works on the first 3 tries.
  
  

• A Wireless Repeater for the DI-624 Wireless Router Only
  By AUY1AA5Q9WAVP on 2004-05-26
  After purchasing a DI-624 and having that one raouter cover so much ground (air?) with a wireless signal I wanted to cover the rest of my expansive house with wireless internet coverage. This little box is just what I needed. First you plug this box into one of the router's open LAN ports, then access it via web browser and configure it (about 2 mins) to work with your wireless network.

  This box will see the DI-624 and you just need to set it in wireless repeater mode. Then go put the little box at about the edge of where you get no more signal from the DI-624. I used my laptop for this. If the 624 reached out say 100 feet from it's base with wireless signal I set this little repeater at about the 75 foot mark to make sure it got a strong enough signal yet still add adequate coverage for the rest of my home.

  It's simple enough and it works reliably. After setting up as a repeater you don't need to worry about it anymore.
  
  

• MAJOR PAIN TO SETUP.. BUT WORKS WELL..
  By A31JLW49PO36KI on 2005-10-20
  As a network engineer, we've setup lots of wireless networks and never has one been so difficult to setup as these DWL-G800AP's and it's partner, the DI-624 rev C.
  Their setup manual and live tech support are a joke.
  First, make sure you have all correct firmware:
  DI-624: Rev2.37 and DWL-G800AP Rev 1.05
  (These are the config we used and finally worked)
  In the DI-624, Changed the channel to 1, disabled the super G. In the G800AP, run the site survey, and select accordingly, than manually add the GW (default 192.168.0.1). Wallah.. works. I've read that the WEP and security does not work but it doesn't matter since this project is for a hotel.
  NOTE: Some changes works immediately where others takes a minute to propagate through the network. If your change does not work after a minute, re-apply that change and try again.
  Final word.. don't buy this device if you expect an easy setup.
  Tran
  Tampa, FL
  baotran@baysidetechnology.com
  
  
• Just go with a different company!!
  By A2TTSQAXP18PK9 on 2004-04-16
  I had the worst time working with my D-Link wireless router. After talking on the phone with several different customer service representatives, I was told that I should purchase this 800AP to extend my wireless range. I went ahead and bought it. After hours trying to get this thing to work, I called the customer service number, and got some help. After working with them on the phone for a couple more hours, I was then told I did not need the range extender. I was very furious because I kept getting different answers.

  If you are thinking of improving your wireless router, just upgrade to Wireless G, from a different vendor!

  If you really want this range extender, let me know, Ill send you mine!
  
  

• This Product Should Never Have Been Released to the Public
  By A2MOAUVBO727PW on 2004-04-24
  Avoid this product at all costs. It does not work as a repeater, and, apparently, has never worked. Proof of this is readily available, just search with Google on "DWL-800AP problem" (without the quotes). It would appear that this item was never tested by D-Link before it was released. It seems to have multiple problems, and to date, D-Link has only released one firmware upgrade which fixed one problem, but not the others. I am waiting for D-Link tech support to get back to me, but based on the reported experiences of others that I have read online, I am not hopeful that they will be able to make this work. I wish I had checked the tech support forums before I bought this. Buy this thing at your own risk -- better yet, take my advice and don't buy it.
  
  
• Works well, however...
  By A2P4WYXZGLDISR on 2004-06-04
  After three hours and getting to the second level of Tech-Support, we were able to get this extender to work. It works very well and, really, there is NO OTHER option if you need to expand your wireless network.
  
  
• D-Link?? Should be D-STINK
  By A1KDT4T7CY67I1 on 2004-07-23
  I am very disappointed in this unit, especially since they make such a great router. It has NEVER worked right despite all the tech support calls and e-mail I have made and sent. Don't waste your money. Get a high range 2.4 GHz antenna instead.
  
  
• D-Link gets it right - encryption and all
  By A2UN4NLBBF4YRN on 2005-04-23
  It's now April 2005 and I have used the DWL-G800AP as both a range extender and a wireless access point - and both with 128 bit encryption. This product does exactly what it should in either mode. I use it now as a range extender at the edge of my wireless LAN with D-Link's DI-624 wireless router. Once I set the encryption key in the DWL-G800AP, it worked perfectly. Instructions are less than perfect (as a repeater, you have to set it up wired, then disconnect it, for it to work), but this product does the trick.
  
  
• Make sure you know what it is compatible with!
  By AS02U020MGBSV on 2005-05-02
  Make sure you know what it is compatible with! It only works with certain d-link products but they do not tell you this on the website. Make sure you know what works with it. The D-Link WRLS RANGE EXTENDER 802.11G ( DWL-G710 ) works well and with other products.
  
  
• Don't Buy This, You will regret it!
  By A2TTSQAXP18PK9 on 2004-04-30
  I had the worst time working with my D-Link wireless router. After talking on the phone with several different customer service representatives, I was told that I should purchase this 800AP to extend my wireless range. I went ahead and bought it. After hours trying to get this thing to work, I called the customer service number, and got some help. After working with them on the phone for a couple more hours, I was then told I did not need the range extender. I was very furious because I kept getting different answers.

  If you are thinking of improving your wireless router, just upgrade to Wireless G, from a different vendor!

  If you really want this range extender, let me know, Ill send you mine!
  
  

• Excellent, but...
  By A3JV3WNI21NBCT on 2004-05-11
  I have a D-Link DI-624. I just have to plug the Range Extender and then I have a better signal. Thats it. It works for me. The problem is that apparently this device only works with this kind of router.
  
  
• Interchangable firmware
  By A387YKJRG26KE5 on 2004-11-19
  This may (or may not) void your warranty, but the firmware on this product (DWL-G800AP) and the Bridging product (DWL-G810) is interchangable. This may be more useful for people who purchase this product and find it useless in some ways (since the repeater is only compatible with a few select D-Link products). See other reviews.
  
  I purchased a DWL-G800AP by mistake, intending to purchase the bridging product. I'm happy to say that, after switching firmware, I'm bridging my network at 54mb/sec. The web interface even says DWL-G810 on it. All thanks go to D-Link for keeping production costs low by introducting two identicle products and marketing them in different ways!
  
  
• Works for My Need
  By A3LCTE0P55RSD3 on 2005-07-24
  For those of you who wonders whether this can extender your neighbor's unencrypted network signal, i can tell you the answer is Yes. Just hook up the extender, login to the configuration site(embeded on the device), change it to repeater mode, then choose the network ID that you want to pick up and rebroadcast. It's as simple as that.
  
  
• Extends, but doesn't pick up IP numbers!
  By A301AYWRHLGG47 on 2006-01-20
  When it works it does extend the range. However, every time you turn off a wirelessly connected PC and turn it on again, the PC is not assigned an IP number. Unplug this extender, and the PC is assigned an IP number by the router without any problem. A brief power blackout will cut IP numbers to your wirelessly-connected PCs. I purchased this particular D-link range extender because I wanted to ensure that it works well with my DI-624 router. I wasted my money buying this device. It's useless, and it's too light to even serve as a door stop...
  
  
• How to get the G810 firmware loaded
  By A2PVR4NRPT1SB5 on 2006-02-14
  I too bought this device hoping to configure it as a bridge, but with the firmware loaded it wouldnt work. After hearing the G810 firmware worked, I tried it out but got a checksum error, but it is possible. You must first load the earliest G800 firmware, reboot, and then load the G810 firmware. Now everything works great.
  
  
• does not work, even with other D-link products...
  By A3NA6BDZ5427OE on 2006-02-25
  would not work with 624 D-link, even after several phone conversations and hours on the line with dlink technicians. the techs couldn't offer any solution beyond what was written in the instructions and worse, they clearly did not care whether it worked or not -- they could not wait to just tell me to ship it back to amazon where I bought it from so they could get off the phone... it was disgusting.
  
  
• Not worth it
  By A1EPQYY324VH0V on 2006-02-23
  I did not have the set up issues the other reviewers mentioned. In fact, I followed the instructions of one reviewer and my set up was smooth and simple. Problem was the PC I was trying to obtain better high speed access on did not pick up the extender any better than the DI-624 router.
  
  

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