Customer Reviews

LINKSYS WRT54G3G-ST WRTR Linksys Wireless-G Router for Sprint Mobile Broadband WRT54G3G Wireless router + 4-port switch

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

 

 

Make sure you do some reasearch before purchasing this router. I purchased the WRT54G3G-ST from CDW Warehouse. I have a Gateway M320 Laptop with a Sierra 580 Aircard from Sprint. I followed the instructions step by step to the letter. In the middle of installing, the Linksys installation program stopped at step five, and stayed that way for 20 minutes. I had to terminte the program and start over. Once I got the router configured, all of my wireless computers could connect to the router. That was not an issue. The problem I had was the blue light to the Air Card would continue to flash, attempting to connect to the Sprint service. Something that would take seconds without the router, was taking minutes... or would not connect at all. Sometimes it would connect, sometimes it would not. I called the support at Linksys, and reached some folks who wanted to help, but were so thickly accented and hard to hear, I could not communicate easily. I tried three different people. Instead, I called the support over at Sprint. They told me that they could not support my issue, because the Sprint Card was not inserted into the laptop. If the card is inserted into the router, I would have to call Linksys... even though this router has a Sprint sticker on the outside of it. FInally, I called CDW Warehouse, and after speaking with a support person, he told me that the Sierra AC 580 was not compatible with the WRT54G3G-ST router. He told me that Sprint and Linksys say that it is, yes, but that he had many support issues just like mine with the 580 card. After a few more hours of testing, a few more resets, I gave it up. I had to send it back.

I have been using this router for about a week and I have my network connected and working fine, but many of the set-up features (Access Restrictions & Connection Logging for example) do not work. I have been on the phone for hours with tech support, only to finally be told that, "Oh, this is a known issue." This router is not so new that they haven't had time to work out the bugs. It's just sloppy business in my opinion.

I DONT HAVE CABLE OR DSL WHERE I LIVE SO I USE A SPRINT MOBILE BROADBAND CARD. I BOUGHT THIS TO SHARE MY INTERNET THROUGH OUT MY HOME AND IT WORKS GREAT FOR WIRED ONLY DEVICES. THE WIRELESS G KEEPS GOING IN AND OUT EVEN WHEN YOU'RE WITHIN 5' FROM IT OR ANYWHERE ELSE. I USE THE S720 CARD AND IT SEEMS JUST AS FAST AS DSL OR BETTER.

Here's how to get this working for much cheaper.

If you have a desktop.. get a wireless router, set up a wireless network but without a WAN. Then plug in the broadband card from sprint on on of the machines (preferably a desktop - u can get a usb version of the card).

Then set up all machines on the wireless network to use the other computer as a gateway.. Simple, very powerful.. cheap!

It took a bit of googling for me to find the right configuration information that I needed, but the router works just fine for me. I use a Sierra Wireless AirCard 881 on AT&T. I'm actually getting my 3G signal via a zBoost repeater (available on Amazon.com), which brings the strong signal from up at my rooftop to the downstairs of my home and re-broadcasts it. (I've digressed momentarily, but this might be another useful product for some readers.)

I will say that I'm unimpressed by the fact that there hasn't been a firmware update in over two years. The router lacks some of the fundamental advanced features found in the majority of routers today. For instance, it doesn't provided IP address reservations using DHCP. But for the "typical" home network, I'd say that it fits the bill.

Occasionally, I will lose my 3G signal (as others have reported). However, I've confirmed (in my situation) that this is due to problems with the provider's tower. I can take my iPhone out in the yard and easily confirm the presence or absence of a 3G signal. The router hasn't let me down yet for the better part of a year.

With this router, I use an Actiontec MegaPlug A/V 200 Mbps Powerline Network Adapter (another great product available on Amazon.com), which connects to a switch in my media cabinet. To the switch I have connected my Yamaha receiver, my Panasonic TV, my DirecTV receiver, and my Airport (which lets me stream audio from my PC to my receiver) - all of which utilize the Internet connection and/or other network devices via this router.

With no cable or DSL options in my neck of the woods, this setup has been a real blessing to me.

Having used one of these for nearly a year, I've changed my mind about this product. I feel that you really need to have two, one to use for target practice due to all the reboots and wifi failures, and one to hopefully replace the first one you hooked up that will remain working. When it works it is nice. When it works...

Great Product, as expected from Linksys!!! I have owned this wireless router since signing up for Sprint Mobile Broadband. No issues since day one. At first I setup the router without any security. After a few months I decided, it was time to add encryption. So I went thru the setup again and made it WEP. Again no problem! I recommend this product. I have the Novatel Merlin S720 Mobile Broadband Card. Hope you have the same experience I did!

I am no computer geek, but with some help from my computer-geek brother I was able to set up my home network so that I get great internet service through Sprint!

Amazon SUCKS! And its resellers SUCK even MORE ...

I place an order for my item almost 10 days ago and paid an additional charge for its so called "expedited" delivery. As of today I still do not have the order. Amazon "Customer Service" points the finger at the reseller - it figures!!! And the reseller has not even responded to any of my inquiries.

This has been a lesson for me to NOT deal with Amazon AGAIN!

Come on people - let Amazon hear it ...