Customer Reviews

3Com OfficeConnect Wireless 11g Cable/DSL Gateway ( 3CRWE554G72-US )

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It was literally as easy as plugging the thing in, putting it high on my desk in my office, and attaching the (included) network cable from the cable modem.

Worst signal strength even upstairs was 54% (Good), which was just as fast as sitting in my office (84% - Excellent).

No software installation was involved. I connected to the IP address specified, through my old network setup... I probably could have just plugged in the USB from the cable modem, no network required. There was a 10 page web-wizard to 'Next' thru... I left all the default values.

10 minutes later, I had my 3com 802.11g wireless PC card plugged in, and was tasting my first wireless experience.

I've used it all weekend, over a dozen hours, at all hours, in all the rooms of my house, and the setup has been 100% reliable.

I've used 3com products for the last 7 years, and they've earned another 7 from me. I rarely give 5 stars, but no doubt here. (P.S. Check the 3com site for rebates - I got back an extra fifty bucks by buying my PC card at the same time)

First of all, the product does not come with any type of software or even an instruction manual, so when it came time to trouble-shoot, which it soon did, I had no resource to turn to. In trying to contact the manufacturers themselves, they simply referred me to an online manual which did not resolve my issue in the slightest. I made multiple attempts, even several calls, in trying to get this straightened out, but they seem to genuinely not care about their customers.

Right out of the box I had troubles with this router, and the customer service is downright infuriating. They even went as far as claiming they'd call me back, and suffice it to say they did not stick to their word. Never again will I buy a product of 3com.

BUY ONE WHILE YOU CAN FOLKS! Anyway, (3CRWE554G72) it comes with a Lifetime Warranty + WorldWide service support.

When you buy products from the best like, 3COM, Apple, or 2WIRE (Homeportal 1000W, or 1800HG) then you'll be safe from the rest! (until the next coming up 802.11i generation)

I have bought this router together with 3coms 11g wireless card (3crwe154g72). The combo is great as long as you use WEP or non encrypted.

When ever I use WPA, the connection establishes, works for an hour or so and then drops for 5-10 minutes. I need to reassociate with the router again. Sometimes I need to pull out the card and even (rarely) restart the router.

This WPA problem may be related to the router (supports WPA), the card (supports WPA ONLY trough the OS), or the OS-drivers them selfs (Win XP PRO). However it seems, that some products do not have this issue under Win XP, so this indicates that the problem is either the router or the card.

When the WPA issue will be resolved by for instance a firmware upgrade, I will give this product 5 stars.

Please note: alla the newest (6 april 2004) relevant updates for Win XP, the newest drivers for the card and the newest firwares updates for the router was installed!

***Review Update Notes 2004 28 July***
Ok, the card and router were droping connection when WPA was used. Also, I could never boot my motebook with the card in it. I needed to eject the card, boot the notebook and insert the card back in.

Now: both the boot problem and the WPA connection drops was originating from the fact that CARD (3CRWE154G72) has a hardware failure! I got my card exchange by 3com to another card. It seems that ALL 3CRWE154G72 cards have hardware issues, since 3com offered me another card, namely 3CRWE154A72.

The Gateway has NO PROBLEMS! It is a good product and seems to be stable and secure. I think it lacks some features compared to some of the competitors, however, compare feature lists, don't take my word for it.

Given this, I can only recommend this Gateway, I give it now 4-5 stars! Also 3coms global support earns 5 star for fast and customer friendly support.
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