Netgear MR314 Wireless Access Point / Router - $40 Price Drop

[kbaxter]

I bought one of these a couple of months ago and have been extremely happy with it. Very easy setup, good range, and solid performance. I have two to three PCs at a time on the wireless link and have also used the wired side and it just WORKS. The range is pretty good in my residence and I can even link up from my driveway. Netgear has a new firmware release that provides MAC filtering and that came in handy when a neighbor started trying to access my system.

I paid almost $170 (after $30 rebate) when I bought it. I just got a Datacomm Warehouse catalog and they feature it for $129 after $30 rebate. The best price I could find on the web today was $155, so this is a pretty good deal if you're looking to add wireless LAN to your system.

Disclaimer: Datacomm Warehouse's web site here shows it at $169 and also shows the $30 rebate. You may have to call and say "hey, your catalog has it at $159 plus the rebate". Catalog is Volume 92.

<Threadcrapper Insurance:>

* Yes, I know that 802.11a gear is now widely available and has better bandwidth. But it costs more, and 802.11b has PLENTY of throughput as far as I am concerned. If you want top of the line and max bandwidth, pay more and get it.

* Yes, I know that there are a number of other WAP brands out there and some are even less than this Netgear box. I had bad luck with one in particular, so this WAP/router seems like a good value to me. Even more so at the lower price.

</end Threadcrapper Insurance>

Good luck all and happy shopping!





🙂

 

[wfay]

any idea if this thing can take an external antenna instead of that short one mounted on the back according to the pic??

--w

 

[kbaxter]

The external antenna capability would be a good one, but I don't think it's an (easy) option. It's been a while since I've looked closely at mine, but it appeared that they used a semi-permanent swiveling antenna attachment. It's not a standard connector like the Linksys WAPs use (BNC). It might be possible to do a mod to the box, but you'd probably have to open it up...

Here's are review that basically says "doesn't support an external antenna":

MR314 Review at Practicallynetworked.com

Are you sure that it wouldn't have the range as it is?

 

[wfay]

<< Are you sure that it wouldn't have the range as it is? >>


i'm not honestly concerned about the range, i just prefer something thats upgradeable/mod-able to something that is not in general! just in case i need a better antenna in 6mos for whatever reason, i'd rather BE ABLE to add on a different antenna than BE FORCED to buy a new WAP. =)

--w

 

[zemaus]

$143.70 + Free s/h at PC Nation
Rebate $30.00 = $114.04 (incl postage)

 

[dnightfly]

<< $143.70 + Free s/h at PC Nation
<< Rebate $30.00 = $114.04 (incl postage)

where is the rebate at PCNation?

 

[wfay]

two quick comments:

#1
the rebate at Datacomm Warehouse says: "2. Enclose the original Micro Warehouse invoice (keep copy for your records). Invoice must show purchase of Netgear MR314 Cable/DSL Wireless Router Item # DEB3114." so i assume this Datacomm Warehouse is a division of Micro Warehouse?? and most likely the rebate IS NOT good anywhere else. so zemaus your deal won't work...

#2
i also found this item at the Datacomm Warehouse site for $544.94 -- "Netgear MR314 Wireless Router with 5 PC Cards and Palm VX"... but then there are NO more details about the package on the site. i assume they are netgear PCMCIA 802.11b cards. assuming a value of $70 per cards (5x$70=$350) and $120 for the router and $150 for the Palm VX (new), that's a pretty good deal if you need all that stuff ($350+120+150=$620 < $550).


--wayne