Customer Reviews

Canary Wireless HS-20 Digital Hotspotter

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

If you're looking for a small device to sniff out wireless access points, this is a very handy tool. It's got great range and it gives much more information than any other I've used, short of using a computer and some software.

Whether you're a tech looking to map a hotspot or just a user looking to get access to read you're mail, the Canary Hotspotter is a great tool. When you click the upper right side button, it'll start up and scan. Once it does that, you'll get several lines of information about each hotspot. Clicking on the lower 2 buttons will allow you to move between the different hotspots you're likely to find.

I've used a number of these hot-spotting devices and most have been simply toys. This is a serious tool for finding and getting information about hotspots. It'll give you information about it's address, name, encryption, and whether it's locked or not. Definitely not a toy.

Very compact and professionally made. Works as advertised. Loads of informaton provided on LCD panel. Good range sensitivity. Overall good product. Dectects channel, strength, wi-fi type, encryption type, network SSID. Will also detect several networks SIMULTANEOUSLY.

This thing really does the job even when driving down the street. HOWEVER, don't try to get any answers out of Canary! I had a simple question and wrote them 4 times looking for an answer. They still have not answered. USELESS for customer service!!!!!

While this devise is easy to use, a previous review complained about not having "constant updates", all you have to do is press on/start again, and it will re-scan. Found the sensitivity to be less than my Compaq 6910p laptop, but the convience of having a small device to carry around to check for HOT spots is very handy. The best feature is showing if a Hot spot is "open" , or closed.

I am a trucker and have used it for several month now. It shows what WIFI's are in the area. Tells me if they are secured or not.
Sure is easier than firing up the laptop, just to find out there is no or only a secure access available.

I love this gadget, small, light weight, slip in small pocket or purse- take with me on all trips, scout area before bringing laptop out,Have found many interesting places to surf the web, do business from unusual spots. Buy this, you'll not regret it

This product is a winner!
I purchased this wifi detector with the intention of minimizing use of my cell phone based 3G wifi hot spot while travelling the country in our RV. The rationale is to save the plan data limit for times when no open network is available. We live in a rural area with the closest homes over 250' away. I was able to detect open and usable network signals from four different sources on the periphery of my property. This would range from 50 to 100 feet from neighboring structures. I found that a signal was available to my workshop that was equal in strength to the one from my home.
The one thing missing from the instructions is to hold the detector vertical and by the bottom to avoid shielding the antenna and missing signals. With the quick scan time and easy refresh you can determine the optimimum location for best access.

I bought 2 of these devices to determine the best placement for AP's. There are 3 buttons. 1 turns on the power. The other 2 are for scrolling through all the AP's found. It provides good relative signal strength and other useful info. The only thing I don't like is that the signal strength does not update. Therefore, if you turn it on next to your AP, it will show 5 bars, but it will not update if you start walking away. You have to press the power button to get the signal strength to update. Unfortunately, if there are many AP's, you have to scroll back to the one you were checking to get updated signal strength. There are often over 20 AP's detected and it can be frustrating having to scroll through them every time you want to update the signal strength. It would be more useful if you could filter the display to only show a selected AP. It has an easy to read backlit LCD display. It comes with 2 AAA batteries.

I find this to be helpful. Afterall, why unpack everything, only to find "NO SIGNAL". You can have this in your pocket or somewhere handy & check for Wi-Fi BEFORE you unpack. I also find it's just fun to play with, while moving around. Whatever....Get one. It good & handy, Very Helpful.

Just as advertised, it detects and gives the strength and tells what type wifi signals (b, g, or n) are in the vicinity. It also tells if they are "open" or "secure".

Nice tool. Much easier than carrying a laptop around.