Netgear wireless router $20AR at Microcenter

[mocca]

This is my first post in the hot deal forum so go easy on me alright I just stop by at a local microcenter in Cambridge, MA and they have Netgear wireless router (MR814v2) for $20 AR. The original price is $80 with $30 instant discount and $30 mail-in rebate. I bought one of the router and install it. It working flawlessly and I get max transfer speed around 5-6 mbps (which is pretty good consider I'm about 10m away from the router and in another room as well. This is with file transfer from my laptop to a desktop using the wireless router). For most ppl, 11mbps would be plenty since the cable modem max out at 1.5mbps anyway. Oh, I'm not sure if this is nation-wide or not but it look like it is (they have like twenty of them here).

Link to Netgear wireless router web site

Original price $79.99
Instant discount $30.00
Mail-in rebate $30.00
-------------------------------
Total AD/ AR $19.99


Mocca

 

[dew042]

not bad at all... nice deal...


dew.

 

[oddjob303]

If i didn't grab that dlink for $10 i would definately have jumped on this. Not sure if the coupon is still valid but you could try adding that $5 off 20 if it is, but im fairly sure its not around microcenter is a good 20 minute drive for me

 

[garsh]

I can't find the item for sale on the website, but the ad is here.

It's two rebates: a $10 Microcenter rebate, and a $20 Manufacturer's rebate. If you click on the link in my signature, you can find two ways to get this same router for free this week.

 

[robsdeals]

Is the D-Link deal still available?

 

[TXMatt]

DAMN! Good deal, I got the same one @ CC for $40 AR. I am gonna go see if I can get a PM out of them. Is the deal in an ad or on the web site?

Matt

 

[jimbc]

Does it do wireless accessing only? I have Cisco PIX, don't need the routing function!

 

[dragonlord2112]

Originally posted by: jimbc
Does it do wireless accessing only? I have Cisco PIX, don't need the routing function!

Yes, but you need to set it up by wire first.

BTW: This is a GREAT router. I moved up from a 314 and it has worked beautifully. The wireless was very easy to set up (easier than the D-Link - I set that up for a friend) and it is rock solid.

 

[jimbc]

Just came back from Microcenter in Cambridge.

Actaully it's $40 after rebate. $10 from Microcenter and $20 from Netgear. The addition $20 from combination of buying a notebook -- which I assume not everyone does. I bough it anyway.

There are options: Belkin $20 AR and SMC $30 AR. any ideas on these two?

 

[stultus]

Finally installed mine. Looks like the rebates are all valid through 8/31, so here's my review.

I recently purchased a Netgear MR814v2 because 1) it was cheap, at $40 after rebates, 2) it has wireless access, and 3)it had good reviews.

Anyhow, I just got done setting it up, and all I can say is WOW! What a breeze.

Using a cable modem (and already having the computer configured for DHCP) I plugged the modem into the router using the provided cable and plugged my network cable into one of the router ports. It blinked for about 3 seconds, and then my computer was online.

I entered the admin menu of the router, enabled wireless, punched in my settings and wireless MAC address, locked down access by MAC address, and scanned the network. Found the router after a couple minutes (my axim must be slightly retarded), and everything works great. Went to check the firmware (figured I might as well upgrade since I'm in there) and found out it came with the newest firmware. Cool!

Started digging through the advanced features:

It features website logging, blocking (by schedules - keep kids offline from 8-5 when they're supposed to be in school/doing work etc), port blocking, etc. It can email email you alerts if stuff is accessed when it's supposed to be turned off.

It tells you what devices are attached (useful to see if anyone is using your wireless AP if you have it shared to the public).

It has lots of backup features and what looks like a really easy way to upgrade firmware.

Also has the usual port forwarding, DMZ, ability to turn off responses to pings (!), DHCP, built-in dynamic DNS client (only dyndyns.org is in there by default, but that's fine by me), static routing, remote management, and UPnP (which I don't think anyone ever uses). So, I can now (presumably) connect to my computer through remote desktop using my "static" IP without running any of that crap on my PC.

All this for $40 in a unit that is slightly smaller than but slightly thicker than a DVD case. I have to actually do serious testing (gaming, remote desktop, IRC file sending, etc) to make sure this is all kosher, but right now it's looking pretty sweet.

EDIT: typos

 

[althes]

thanks for the review looks interesting.

 

[puppyfriend]

Why not just get this at CompUSA for $20 no rebate?

David

 

[NauTiKa128]

nm

 

[dragonlord2112]

Originally posted by: puppyfriend
Why not just get this at CompUSA for $20 no rebate?

David

Answer: Because I'll take a brand name I recognize..although I'm sure the ConUSA is a rebadged something - but who knows what kind of range you will get from it. My neighbor upstairs gets an "excellent" signal through thick walls with my Netgear. I will also add that I like the design and plan on adding a switch (that matches it perfectly) so I can get a few more wired ports.
(Link to switch)

EDIT: I now see that router is a "FMI" a quick google search turns up nothing. I've learned some things you don't go cheap on. A power supply and networking stuff. 'nuff said.

 

[axskkyline]

i will go for brand names too, most of times, they have better replacement policy.

 

[puppyfriend]

Originally posted by: dragonlord2112
EDIT: I now see that router is a "FMI" a quick google search turns up nothing. I've learned some things you don't go cheap on. A power supply and networking stuff. 'nuff said.

Well you should have done a search on the model number, WE711-APR. You'll find that it's a Gigafast product that's been rebadged by CompUSA. This is a obselete model which has been replaced by the WF711-APR. If you look at the picture for the WF711-APR, it looks exactly like the picture of the WE711-APR on the CompUSA website.

Oh by the way, if you dug a little harder you would have found that FMI stands for "Fujitsu Microelectronics, Inc" I believe they are somewhat known for producing quality products.

> CHIP CARRIER PACKAGE SAN JOSE, California, June 18, 1997 -- Fujitsu Microelectronics, Inc. (FMI) today introduced single and dual phase

David

 

[dchakrab]

I'd still take the rebates for a netgear. My Siemens wireless router was nothing but trouble from day one (though siemens, you will note, is also a major manufacturer). The D-link that replaced it was a breeze to set up and use, and hasn't crashed or hung once.

A rebadged router might not provide the same range, signal strenth, or uptime that a "name brand" router does, for wireless networks, so i think it's definitely best to spend a little more money for a quality product. You could even go cheapo on the switches later on, if you want, but it's usually worth the extra cash to have a solid machine acting as a router.

My $0.02.

D.

 

[QueHuong]

Someone addressed this, but will the rebate still be valid if I don't buy a laptop with it?

 

[tbidwell]

Originally posted by: MindStorm
Someone addressed this, but will the rebate still be valid if I don't buy a laptop with it?

$20AR w/ Laptop purchase

$40AR w/o laptop purchase.

 

[QueHuong]

Well, I just bought this thing for $40 (after rebate); my MC still has quite a few left. Some Amazon reviews seem to be pretty bad for version 2, which is what I got. We'll see.

Is wireless networking good if I span 3 floors: 2 main floors and a basement?

 

[randomlinh]

i'm begining to be unhappy w/ this router.. not sure if it's just this one is bad, or all of them... heavy traffic/massive hits seems to lock up the router w/ the newest firmware... the older firmware helps... but the router mac needs resetting... grrrr.

 

[ViperV990]

If you click on the link in my signature, you can find two ways to get this same router for free this week.

At least also mention that a forum registration is needed to view the threads...

 

[cjchaps]

Can you use this as a wireless access point?