Customer Reviews

ASUS WL-500W Wireless Super Speed N Router

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

 

 

got it all set up with dd-wrt. Took 2 flashes with the windows flash tool, then a final one through the GUI. works great.

I have used several Asus routers. Out of the box these stink, but if you install the tomato firmware, this turns into a powerhouse router. Yes it does add some complexity, but it is well worth it. If you have any problems you are usually able to reflash it with the clear settings firmware and start over. This is one of the few routers that works with tomato and has 32mb of flash storage (for the firmware).

One hitch, the tomato firmware currently doesn't support USB. There are other firmware options if you must have usb suppot.

I didn't give it a 5 star, because it does require some time and patience to initially set up the tomato firmware.

Pros: 802.11n, usb storage link / print server
When this access point works, it works well, but it doesn't work a lot of the time. I have a lot of problems connecting 802.11g clients and connection via 802.11n isn't available right away after connection is initiated.

I bought this router based on it's specifications: 802.11n and USB ports for network print or storage services. My intention was to buy one, and if it worked out, buy more to upgrade all the wireless routers found at the homes of my parents, siblings, etc. After all, I'm the family tech support guy.

So, to cut to the chase: The WL500W works, but I find it extremely painful to use. It often takes 30 or more MINUTES for the router to get an IP address from my ISP, Comcast. Compared with the 10 seconds or so it takes with my "in the closet" Linksys, TrendNET, D-Link and Belkin routers, this is amazingly slow. Make a change to the configuration? Reboot and wait... often MORE than an hour - before obtaining an IP address.

About two weeks ago I upgraded the firmware to the latest offered by ASUS on their website. NO IMPROVEMENT. And as for using this router as a print server, I had zero luck. The router could "see" my HP printer, my computer thought it sent a document to the printer, but I never saw anything come out of it. I spent hours trying to get it to work without success.

So, in conclusion, I feel this was a lousy purchase for me. I still have this WL500W, but there is no way that I'll buy one of these again. My plan is to try out alternative firmware for the device, as I am very unhappy with the device as delivered by ASUS.

It is unlikely that I will ever buy another ASUS product again (after many years of buying their motherboards, I thought they'd be a good bet.)

Two stars: one for the fact that it has good features, and one for decent wireless connectivity. Loss of three stars for lousy DHCP negotiation and lousy USB. I think I'm being quite generous.

I have had this router for over six months now and I am terribly disappointed with it. I still can't get it to operate any faster than 130 Mbit/s, which makes the USB functions useless. It also frequently looses its connection to the WAN and I have to unplug and power down everything before it comes back -- check out the Asus message boards. This thing is nothing but trouble. Update: I've had it with this thing. Ordered an Apple Airport Express last night. The Asus is going in the trash!

I replaced my Netgear W54g with the WL-500W after reading a review that it worked with a Mac. Fat chance. It lights up, looks pretty, but so far, nothing. If anyone has any ideas on how to make it work with a Mac, please post a comment and let me know how or email me directly at tommylaws1@gmail.com.
Thanks.