Canary Wireless The Digital Hotspotter

by Canary Wireless

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces
• ASIN: B0007W717Q
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,490 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 28, 2005

Product Description

The Digital Hotspotter is the first full-featured, second-generation Wi-Fi detection and analysis device. Like "first generation" analog Wi-Fi detectors, the Digital Hotspotter detects signal availability and strength. However, it is the only device of its kind that provides essential information about wireless networks, including: Network ID, Signal Strength, Encryption Status, and Channel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very cool, simple to use, works perfectly., June 11, 2005

By 

SuperDougio (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Canary Wireless The Digital Hotspotter (Electronics)

VERY happy with this. There are cheaper WiFi detectors around, and smaller ones, but this one is highly portable (check the picture with it in a hand for size) although a little too large for a keyfob. However, what it lacks in smallness, it more than makes up for in utility. As well as giving directionally sensitive signal strength information, it shows the name of the network and whether or not it is secure. Having all this information BEFORE hauling out and booting up your laptop is a real timesaver. You can also use this to troubleshoot your home or office network.

Use is simple, for example, enter hotel lobby or Starbucks, remove from pocket. Press button once. It then reads: "Wifi detection: scanning: -= T-Mobile - Open" and you know you're good to go.

My only minor criticism is that its cool design seems to lend itself to slipping out of my hand more often than if it was just boring and flat. That does not prevent me from giving it a 5-star rating though. Everyone with a wireless laptop should have one of these.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cool Hotspotter, June 12, 2005

By 

Rob (Mt. Shasta, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canary Wireless The Digital Hotspotter (Electronics)

Just got my "Canary", and I am very pleased! Drove up to a church, a diner, a coffee cafe, triggered the Canary, and voila, found an "open" (free) WiFi connection at all three places.

This neat device would rate five stars except for two points. The lcd data screen is unreadable in low light, and the ergonomics of the device could be improved: the start button should be to the front of the device rather than at the rear; and the lanyard ring should be at the rear of the device (and upsized a bit) rather than on the front end.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great product!, September 19, 2005

By 

John Hicks (Sumter, SC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Canary Wireless The Digital Hotspotter (Electronics)

Works great - definitely a plus to not only show whether a WiFi signal is available, but whether or not it is encrypted. Highly recommend it.