Customer Reviews

Cisco-Linksys WUSB12 Wireless-B Compact USB Adapter

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have a wired & wireless 802.11b Linksys network, which has been working well for some time (and now works even better since the addition of a Linksys Wireless Signal Booster).
Recently I became a Beta tester for Tivo's new home network (which I'll review +++ once the NDA expires), so my Tivo-2 needed to access the network via its now-active USB ports. I bought this WUSB12, took it out of the box, plugged it into the Tivo, and I was done. Turning on the Tivo, I went to setup and found it had already recognized the network. I selected the network as my connection choice, it tested the connection and then executed an entire day's download in about 15 seconds. Wow.
The device itself is slick, looking like some kind of big Sharpie. Sliding off the pen-clip cover exposes the business end of this USB device, and also allows access to the release button for the little antenna. There are 2 lights in the base, one for power and one for link detection. The package includes a little USB cable (if you need one) and a lanyard to carry this thing around your neck (not me). I did install the software, which was painless and in my case (network is not password protected) not really necessary. I predict this is going to be a very successful product as more and more wireless networks are deployed in public places like schools, libraries, malls and coffee houses.

I initially purchased the Linksys WUSB-11 v2.8 from Amazon but found out that my Tivo Series2 did not support the 2.8 version, only 2.6 (Tivo now has a beta upgrade that will support v2.8). I had heard of signal strength problems with the WUSB-12 so I was hesitant. I went out and tried it anyway and it works perfectly. Tivo recognized it immediately and installed a firmware upgrade automatically. I get 70% signal strength, my access point is in my office and the Tivo is in the living room.

This little beauty is the real deal. No more 100 foot telephone cords snaking through your living room. Pop this little baby into the back of your TIVO, follow the instructions on the screen, and you are set!

The instructions that come with this adapter are for use with a laptop or desktop, they do not apply if you are installing this on a TIVO. Go to your TIVO menu, plug in the adapter and follow the instructions on the screen.

I was able to get this adapter up and running in less than 5 minutes. My TIVO automatically told me I had to update my firmware (it also told me how to do it). Then I just entered my closed network SSID and it was up and running. Beautiful!!

Like other users have stated, this adapter is PERFECT for Tivo. Plug it in and Tivo recognizes and upgrades the device. So easy to use, I highly recommend it!

Absolutely painless install on my TiVo. The TiVo box even detected that this adaptor needed a firmware upgrade and then did the upgrade for me. Took less than 5 minutes to install and works great!

Sometimes I get burnt by adopting new technology before its well tested, but in this case I feel like I made a good choice. Windows XP detected the card right away, asked me for my drivers, next my 128-bit WEP code for my SSID and I was off and running around the NET! I don't know if there's Linux drivers yet, but as long as your using 98SE and above - and like being able to carry around an adapter on a keychain - this is the wireless adapter for you!

Note: I bought this since I could not surf the internet and access my removable hard drive at the same time. I was unable to use my usb 2.0 pc card together with my dell truemobile 1150 wireless pc card adapter. I own a laptop with one PCMCIA slot.

I was able to use this item on my upstairs Tivo to connect to my network wireless Linksys router WRT54G (located downstairs). It took me awhile to find the gateway, but it finally connected. Now I can use multiroom viewing with my two TIVO(s) located in seperate rooms. Love it!

I was able to network my TiVo to my home (wired and wireless) network within five minutes of opening this adapter. TiVo recognized, updated and configured the adapter without a glitch. It has worked flawlessly since installation--the connection to my network is always excellent. I'm quite happy with this device.

I thought this product was a brilliant concept - the form factor is great. No wall-wart power supply, etc. However, the performance is terrible. I've used almost every Linksys wireless product with the BEFW11S4 - the PCMCIA card (WPC11), the Wireless Bridge (WET11), and this one. The other products perform much better.

I bought two of these for two home machines. They both struggled with reception (only about 30 feet away, through a couple of walls), getting 0 to 20% signal strength, averaging probably 8%. It would drop out completely for a while at times. This is WITH the linksys signal booster on top of the BEFW11S4.

With the machines in the exact same place I hooked up a WET11 bridge instead. I get 80% signal strength or better, and no dropped connections. It is much faster, presumably because of less error and retries.

I am returning both of these and using either WET11s on my machines, or trying the WUSB11 adapter, which has an antenna. Hopefully that one performs better. The form factor is not as good and it requires power, but at least it should work well.

If you are planning to have TIVO join your home LAN using a WUSB12 from Linksys, be careful. The TIVO bulletin boards are replete with problems getting wireless to work with TIVO. The problem seems to be on the TIVO side. However neither TIVO or Linksys is much help in solving the problem.