WIRELESS NETWORKING - D-Link DWL-650 11Mbps PC Card $30 at TechDepot

[FOBioPatel]

wasa, torn from gujudeals.com again


D-Link DWL-650 802.11b PCMCIA card priced at $30 shipped, there are no rebates involved. Wireless is getting very cheap these days. Here is a layman's tutorial (and product recommendations) for those interested in wireless and want to upgrade or replace their existing wire network.

 

[ucdchan]

Hmm.. looks pretty good. Anyone have a good deal on a wireless router?

 

[jrichrds]

This is one of those cards in which you're either happy with it, or you absolutely hate it. I like it. It works fine for me. Connection is jumpier than other cards I've used (move a couple inches and it can go from full connection to no connection). But typically, the connection is stronger than most other budget cards (which wouldn't include the Cisco-based and Lucent/Orinoco-based cards).

Keep in mind there's a few different versions of this model. DWL-650 L1, the latest version, is the one I'm referring to. It's based on the ADMTek ADM8211 chipset. Any comments about the other versions of the DWL-650 (except the A1, which is the same as the L1) won't apply, as they use a completely different chipset.

Oh yes, and the Act LED flashes constantly and provides no useful information. I find it rather annoying, as I can see the flashing at the corner of my eye at all times. It was easily remedied by sticking a small piece of post-it note over the light. But it would've been nice if it actually indicated activity. Can't really complain though, as the 3 previous wireless cards I used either had a solid Act light at all times (less annoying than constantly flashing) or didn't have an Act light at all (only a Link light).

 

[XCLAN]

here

or here

 

[DigDug]

Sorry to threadcrap, but I must do so. You can get Orinoco Silver's for $38 bucks from other places, and can get rebadged Orinoco's on Ebay for about $25 bucks! do a search for "roamabout" - Enterasys/Cabletron's Roamabout cards are rebadged Orinocos. The range quality is SO MUCH BETTER that I would hate for anyone to buy these junk d-link cards.

 

[yellowperil]

Originally posted by: jrichrds
This is one of those cards in which you're either happy with it, or you absolutely hate it. I like it. It works fine for me. Connection is jumpier than other cards I've used (move a couple inches and it can go from full connection to no connection). But typically, the connection is stronger than most other budget cards (which wouldn't include the Cisco-based and Lucent/Orinoco-based cards).

Keep in mind there's a few different versions of this model. DWL-650 L1, the latest version, is the one I'm referring to. It's based on the ADMTek ADM8211 chipset. Any comments about the other versions of the DWL-650 (except the A1, which is the same as the L1) won't apply, as they use a completely different chipset.

Oh yes, and the Act LED flashes constantly and provides no useful information. I find it rather annoying, as I can see the flashing at the corner of my eye at all times. It was easily remedied by sticking a small piece of post-it note over the light. But it would've been nice if it actually indicated activity. Can't really complain though, as the 3 previous wireless cards I used either had a solid Act light at all times (less annoying than constantly flashing) or didn't have an Act light at all (only a Link light).

I bought 2 of these for $20 AR, one for myself and one for my roommate. I agree about the flashing LED - it's annoying, plus it was a potential giveaway to my professors that I was surfing the web during class I just put a piece of electrical tape over it. My roommate's has a different design and no flashing LED. Both of them work fine on my Linksys router and the WiFi at school, in fact at home it rarely goes below 'Excellent'

 

[FOBioPatel]

sweet, i love this thing!!! you can stack these babies like the wired units

 

[BlitzRommel]

Bump for a nice wireless card.

 

[FOBioPatel]

this is compatible with that recent d link OD promo thingy that went down.//

 

[Packy]

I think I'm going to snag this card from computers4sure for $29.95 shipped. This is a good, reliable card... at least, it has been for me. I already have one in one of my laptops, and I'm getting this for my 2nd one.

 

[XCLAN]

Originally posted by: SlamDonkey

Originally posted by: XCLAN
here

or here

hey xclan, that's a different router different price...

i was bein lazy....was showing people where to get a good deal on a router. i got this card...and the roter...both working just fine.....even been able to use my laptop while in my car...out in my driveway.

 

[OneStepsAhead]

Be careful with this one. There are (at least) TWO DIFFERENT VERSIONS of this card.

The DWL-650 is the old card and will only work at the 11 mbps.

The DWL-650+ (with the PLUS) is the new model and will work at 22 mbps with a D-Link PLUS router, and can have a firmware and driver upgrade to work at 44 mbps, almost 802.11g speeds.

The DWL-650+ can be bought from Amazon for $53.99 less $10 coupon = $43.99, less coupon if you can find one. This would be a much better deal that the old model for $30.

Routers:

Amazon also has the "D-Link AirPlus DI-614+ Wireless 22 Mbps Broadband Router" at $65 AR, if you missed the price mistake from OD that allowed many people to get them for free, AR.

And BB is supposedly restocking their shelves with Netgear MR814 routers for $50 less $30 MIR, net $20 AR with no coupon or PM needed.

 

[wirelessmouse]

I missed the BB MR814 deal. Today they're showing online as $99.99. Any word on when they're going to drop the price again?