Customer Reviews

SMC Networks SMC2802W EZ Connect g Wireless PCI Card (54 Mbps)

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

 

 

My install was on par with the best wired NICs I've used, including 3Com's. (I can't compare to wireless cards because this is my first) The included systray icon seems to do a good job at scanning for networks in both ad hoc and full network mode, and Netstumbler seems to see it as well.

The included antenna is short but very sturdy, and stays out of the way. The connector is reverse-SMA, but third-party antenna cables are readily available to adapt to the standard N-connector used with external antennas.

If you get this card, make sure you update the drivers! The SMC website has newer "Nitro" drivers, promising a much faster burst mode in mixed environments.

This card works ok in Windows, but the linux drivers are not mature. Don't buy it if you're interested in running linux.

Installation was easy: plug the card and use the CD to insert its drivers.

The reception, however, totally sucks. It's very inconsistent; one moment XP tells me the signal is "very good" and the next momemt it's "very low." The router is no more than 25 ft a way (granted, through a wall and many objects). Still, I have another comp. that's at least 30 ft away (with many obstructions) and the signal it gets is "very good" most of the time (Linksys wmp11).

DO NOT buy this card!

I purchased this card and an SCM router as a package. I got home installed the router and all was great. I then installed the PCI card into my wife's computer running XP SP2. I used the default drivers that came on the driver disk. The card worked pretty well, but it kept loosing the connection to the router. The router is on the 2nd floor about 30 feet away, if you go through the floor. One evening I downloaded the drivers to update the card from SMC's web site. I ran the install util and updated the drivers. After that XP networking died. I could ping devices, but I could not connect to them. I was not able to surf the web, check email or anything related to the internet. My other computer could connect and surf just fine so I know it was not the router having problems. To make along story short I had to use XP restore to get the machine back. After several emails with SMC tech support they informed me that they SMC utility that you use to configure the card is not totally compatible with XP. I was told to use the built in XP wireless config util. I did this and it did work but the problem with the wireless card dropping out continued. It got to the point so being so bad that I went back to using a hardwired cable running from up stairs to down stairs. At this point I am going to pull the card out and sell it. I have check SMC's website hoping for an update, but as of today no other updates have been posted.

not the 1155 feet they claim. You practically have to be in the same room as the access point. pretty bad

SMC makes the sorriest cards I've ever used. I bought a wireless card for my PC and one for my laptop. They worked fine at first, but after months of heavy use both of the cards stop working. I'll never buy a SMC product again.