Netgear WPNT834 RangeMax 240 Wireless Router

by Netgear

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000BZ1K9E
• Item model number: WPNT834
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 4, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

You may not even know it but your wireless home network may be slowing you down. As everyone in your home begins to stream more video, download more MP3s, back-up and synchronize files on networked storage, play online games, and make more Internet phone calls, you place a greater demand on your home network. What you need is the speed to move content faster to everyone in your home without interruption and without wires.

Take a closer look at the RangeMax 240 Wireless Router's ports.

Now you can with the RangeMax 240 Wireless Router, the first router to deliver wireless speeds as fast as your wired connection, up to 240 Mbps when used with a RangeMax 240 Wireless Adapter. And with Adaptive Channel Expansion (ACE) technology, the RangeMax 240 dynamically adapts to wireless interference to deliver the speed that your applications require on-demand. So whether you are streaming audio and video, uploading large files to your Storage Central, or just surfing the web, RangeMax 240 delivers the speed you need for today and beyond. Now the performance and quality-of-experience once only associated with wired networks can be achieved in your wireless home.

Superior RangeMax Coverage
Does your current wireless network cover your entire home? Today, most wireless routers are only able to "listen" to one wireless signal at a time, the strongest one. If that signal is blocked or interfered with for example by a closing door, cordless phone, or your microwave oven, it can result in a wireless dead spot, cutting you off from your network.

With other wireless, your signal fades as you move further from the router. With RangeMax 240, you maintain a strong signal throughout your home.

Effective throughput (speed) comparison.

However, the RangeMax 240 is capable of "listening" to multiple signals simultaneously, utilizing its advanced MIMO (Multi-Input, Multi-Output) technology. So if any one of those signals is disrupted, the RangeMax 240 automatically maintains your network connection, eliminates dead spots and extends your range throughout your home.

Enhanced Wireless Speed
The RangeMax 240 Wireless Router and Adapters are twice the speed of other MIMO products, and for the first time perform at virtually the same speeds of wired networks. In addition, it is fully compatible with your legacy (802.11b/g) equipment, in fact those legacy devices will experience up to 50 percent better performance -- especially at long distances. The RangeMax 240 enables higher quality video streams, faster MP3s downloads, uninterrupted Internet phone calls, and more efficient file sharing all with your existing equipment.

Unsurpassed Security and Ease
With Netgear's exclusive Touchless WiFi Security, you can rest assured that what happens on your network stays on your network. Touchless WiFi Security guides you through the simple set up of standards based wireless security, allowing you to securely connect all of your wireless clients, whether they are from Netgear or from another brand. The router's powerful safeguard against unauthorized network access includes a double firewall, WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), WPAPSK, and WPA2-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access, Pre-Shared Key).

Netgear's SmartWizard also makes installation simple. SmartWizard automatically detects your ISP's network settings then easily configures your router for optimal performance and security. You also are automatically notified on all product updates, so you will know your performance is always optimized. You are also backed by Netgear's 24/7 technical support.

What's in the Box
RangeMax WPNT834 240 Wireless Router, AC power adapter, vertical stand, category 5 (Cat-5) ethernet cable, resource CD with manual and application notes, wireless home router setup guide, and warranty and support information card.

Product Description

Unleash Your Home Network with 240 Mbps Wireless Speed. You may not even know it but your wireless home network may be slowing you down. As everyone in your home begins to stream more video, download more MP3s, back-up and synchronize files on networked storage, play online games, and make more Internet phone calls - you place a greater demand on your home network. What you need is the speed to move content faster to everyone in your home without interruption and without wires. Now you can with the RangeMax 240 Wireless Router (WPNT834), the first router to deliver wireless speeds as fast as your wired connection, up to 240 Mbps when used with RangeMax 240 Wireless Adapters (WPNT511, WPNT121). And with Adaptive Channel Expansion (ACE)technology, the RangeMax 240 dynamically adapts to wireless interference to deliver the speed that your applications require on-demand. So whether you are streaming audio & video, uploading large files to your Storage Central, or just surfing the web, RangeMax 240 delivers the speed you need for today and beyond. Now the performance and quality-ofexperience once only associated with wired networks can be achieved in your wireless home.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Unreliable and poor technical support, August 15, 2006

By 

Stan Durbin "Stan" (Chula Vista, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Netgear WPNT834 RangeMax 240 Wireless Router (Personal Computers)

I've been using the router for a few months and, after the first couple of months, I would have rated the router 5 stars. When it works, it does significantly extend the signal range.

One day I suddenly lost connectivity, only to my laptop. Level 1 technical support was horrible. It was difficult to understand the agent. He said my problem was software related and, since Netgear software support is only good for 30 days, I must pay for "software support" to resolve my problem.

I insisted on being transferred to level 2 support who was very helpful and knew some tricks to get me going again (changing the SSID to force the wireless nics to reconfigure)

It worked fairly well on Channel 1 for a while (area is congested with other wireless routers on 6 and 11) until I bought a new laptop and tried to connect.

My new HP laptop uses Intel's 3945ABG wireless adaptor and this WPNT834 router apparently doesn't like it. The router persistently locks up when this laptop is connected, requiring a hardware reset. Whenever the laptop is turned off, the router works fine. Ironically, the laptop easily connects to a neighbor's wireless router that is half a block away.

I dread making another call to Netgear tech support. They're sure to tell me it's a software issue again and I'm not donating any more money to them.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WPNT834 Great speed and range, simple setup, November 11, 2006

By 

synthkid (Saskatoon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Netgear WPNT834 RangeMax 240 Wireless Router (Personal Computers)

Highly recommended router.
Don't fall for this Netgear knocking because you're not seeing comments from happy customers.

I bought this router from Amazon. The first one was DOA but I have never had a DOA Netgear router before and I've been installing WIFI professionally since 2000 for home and business (Netgear and any other brands you can think of).

Netgear support was extremely responsive. That was a 10 minute call. Exchange with Amazon was smooth but of course it's a hassle packing the thing up and mailing it.

Got replacement and as I expected it is an awesome router and solved my connection problems in every room of a 4 story house. I've never had anyone complain to me about this router. I've installed over 20 of them for different customers before and after I bought my own. The lack of problems is why I bought it for myself.

If you have issues with your connection get yourself a Netgear WPN511 card or desktop adapter to go with this router.
Note: Don't expect to see 108Mbps speed because you won't see it. 54 Mbps is the typical speed. Have found that trying to change WIFI strength or speed settings at the router is not worth the trouble.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars cutting edge and working well, April 21, 2006

By 

Elliott Frutkin (Scottsdale, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Netgear WPNT834 RangeMax 240 Wireless Router (Personal Computers)

So far I am a big fan of this router. I am struggling with how to best expand my network (adding range repeaters/boosters and a Gigabit wired infrastructure) since I am using this WPNT834 as the core of my network, but I'm sure time will open up my options.

Just recently I switched from using Linksys as my primary and favored manufacturer for my SOHO networks (home and office/small warehouse). They seem to have a number of products that meet my need which is the area between low end items that aren't as robust or feature heavy as I require and want and the $1k+ products that are overboard for my purposes. It's great to find a company that has such a range of products that fit into my sweet spot.

More details on my experience with this particular router over time. It set-up easily and seems to be operating with no hitches thus far. If you want the latest and greatest and need speed over your wireless network, you would be foolish not to check this out as an option.

My only negative comment is that this router, along with any other is suseptible to interference and I would suggest that a good place to start to optimize your wireless network is to take a look around your home and to eliminate or strategically place any item likely to cause interference - cordless phones, baby monitors, wireless speakers and on and on and on.