Customer Reviews

Hawking HAI7SIP HiGain 7dBi Indoor Omni Directional Antenna

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I got this this antenna to attatch to my pcmcia orinoco wifi card (a MC->RP-SMA adapter, obtained off ebay, was required) in my laptop. The antenna cost me $30 after mail in rebates at CompUSA.

Testing it right next to my router, signal strength with:
No antenna: ~32db
the HAI7SIP: ~41db
for contrast, a (highly directional) Cantenna: ~55db

I then walked upstairs to my bedroom (the router is in my living room), closed the door and ran the tests again. This time signal strength with:
No antenna: ~7db
the HAI7SIP: ~22db
the Cantenna: ~38db

I want to comment that when I went to store the antenna, the way I did it was by bending down the the "blade" on to the base then wrapping the cord around the blade. On whim I plugged it back into my wifi card in this state, and I found that doing so increased my range tremendously. My signal about 10 feer from my router jumped from about ~41db to about ~54db. This is amazing and I hope it will act this way consistently.

I just want to make one more comment that the build quality on HAI7SIP is first class. The antenna feels quite solid which is always a plus.

So overall, I'm satisfied with the HAI7SP, and I think it was worth the money as it did increase my singal at rather distant ranges by a good bit, but at the same time I don't think it's anywhere near amazing, and I certainly don't think the 3x range increase advertised on the box could be achieved in real life conditions. Rather I feel it's an average buy, and thus I rated it 3 stars.

I purchased this antenna based on a article I read in a weekly magazine recommending it to improve weak signals from my router. I was disappointed with this antenna as it added little or no additional signal strength for my wireless laptop one floor above the router.

Purchased the HiGain antenna in an attempt to enhance the signal from an Actiontec router. Simple to install and up and running in a matter of seconds, however checking the signal strength at various locations showed absolutely no improvement over the 2dB antenna supplied with the router. I returned it and purchased a Hawking HWREN1 Range Extender from Amazon and "WOW" what a difference! I now have full signal strength throughout my entire house with no dead zones. The range extender is obviously more expensive and complex than just a simple antenna change, but it really solved all my signal problems. I had a LinkSys range extender for a while but it did not provide consistent signal strength and was difficult to configure. The Hawking was a snap to set up and has performed flawlessly.

I bought this antenna along with Hawking HWUG1 Wireless G USB Network Adapter with External SMA Jack thinking I could get a superior connection. On the box they recommend pairing them together so I did. Turns out the antenna included with the USB adapter totally stomps this antenna. With this antenna connected, It struggled to get 70%. With the antenna included with the USB adapter I see on average 86% strength. I am in an environment with multiple wireless networks, and the signal got significantly worse on all of them, some not even visible with this antenna.

I cannot recommend this antenna to anybody. Buy at your own risk. If you need a better signal for your laptop, I do however recommend the Hawking USB adapter.. reviewing that now too.

This product will not fix your serious wifi signal strength 'blind spot' problems.

What it will do is give you a marginal boost in signal strength. I bought and installed this antenna on my Linksys WRT54G in my upstairs computer room, and the 'weak spot' downstairs where I usually work saw a signal strength increase of approximately 1 bar in the Apple Airport status indicator.

However, it didn't fix my problem entirely. For that I had to add a second router and run WDS between then. Now I get full 5 by 5 wifi signal through my entire house.

This is a good starting point though, the little boost you get may just be enough.

I'm returning it today--connection strength is no better than the little antenna that came with my wireless card.

You might use the antenna for rubber bands because that it all it is good for. No help in extending range, in fact the modem's performance was better with the antenna that came on it. A real waste of money.

I actually get a better reception with the little 4 inch antenna that came with the Wireless PCI card that I installed on my PC. The antenna looks nice but it does nothing as stated in the nox. Back to COMPUSA for a return on this antenna!

The item was as promised. Would gladly do business with them again. I had no problems with the transaction and I feel I got a good deal.

I got this to extend the range of the verizon router. It was easy to install (just screw off the old one and screw this on.) It works great... I've noticed that I have not had a loss of signal from any of my wireless devices.. The router and antenna is on the second floor and I was having problems with wireless devices on the 1st floor. (streaming videos and logitech music sources).. Since I installed this antenna signal strength is twice what is was before with no interruptions.