Hawking HWREN1 Hi-Gain USB Wireless 300N Range Extender (White)

Other products by Hawking Technology

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8 x 4.5 x 5.5 inches ; 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001DMEYCY
• Item model number: HWREN1
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (147 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank

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  Electronics > Computers & Accessories > Networking Products

• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 31, 2008

Product Description

Product Description

Hawking HWREN1 effectively doubles the operating distance of your entire wireless network. Whether it is an area in your home that has limited or no wireless coverage or a warehouse in your office, the Hawking wireless-300N range extender takes the signal from your wireless access point and retransmits it at a higher rate. Simply place the range extender halfway between your wireless access point and wireless trouble spot. The HWREN1 is the only wireless repeater on the market that supports most wireless 802.11b/g/n networks and devices so you never have to worry whether the wireless network at your home or office will work with the range extender. The HWREN1 also features a new software setup wizard for hassle-free installation. To setup the range extender, you simply load the setup CD and scan for a network to extend. Package contents include one hi-gain wireless-300N range extender, one power adapter, one CD with PC setup wizard, one RJ-45 cable, and installation guide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Wireless N Range Extender that WORKS AS ADVERTISED!, November 16, 2008

By	Jason B (California) - See all my reviews

I was skeptical about this product due a lack of reviews on the net but decided to take the plunge...

My wireless network consists of a Belkin Wireless N Router (F5D8233-4)using WPA,WPA2 w/ TKIP+AES security and the Hawking range extender has no problem communicating with it.

I chose to forgo the setup CD and went directly to the web interface to set things up. The interface is simple and pretty self explanatory. Out of the box the ip is 192.168.1.240. Login is: admin, pw:1234

Initially I was getting intermittent and/or limited connectivity when trying to connect to the internet; this is usually due to the security/encryption settings so make sure to enter your info carefully to match your parent router exactly. To remedy this here's what apparently worked for me (my security settings were matched up)

-Updated the firmware. Mine came shipped with ver. 1.10 There is a new one out 1.13 that you can find on the Hawking Technology website.
-In the "Advanced Wireless setup" I unchecked the WMM option...possible conflict with parent router?
-Set CTS protect to auto (as suggested in manual)
-Unplug the power for 10 seconds and plug back in.

After that I was all connected!

The am VERY impressed with how much my overall network range has increased, especially considering the 5 or so walls this it has to go through...where there used to be no signal, I have full bars and an excellent signal. In contrast, the belkin g range extender it's replacing did little to improve my range. On a plus note is that you can upgrade the antennas if needed.

Primary use is for my Direct TV HR-21 for VOD. As far as I know there are few marketed "N" options available to do the job...two are:

-Linksys WGA600N- Wireless bridge that reportedly works very well.
-D-Link DAP-1522- includes 4 LAN slots. (I was concerned w/ compatibility issues with my router)

I chose the Hawking because it advertises to work with "any" AP or router and for roughly the same $$ of the Linksys, I can extend the range of my signal too. If I need another LAN port I'll just buy a cheap 10/100 switch.

I can't give it 5 stars because I have no long-term experience with the product.

In short, if you're looking for a "N" WURE solution for your network, give it a try. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Fix for "Drops Internet Connection Repeatedly", January 26, 2009

By	Bob A. (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews

2/9/09 New information to modify below review, which I gave one star:
I have discovered that the extender's inability to maintain lock occurred with WPA2-PSK (AES) security set. I reset security to WPA-PSK (TKIP) and the extender now seems to work fine. I hope this saves people the trouble I went through to get it to work. I would now rate the extender four stars. Can't give it five, because the extender is supposed to work with any security setting, but doesn't.
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I initially gave this product a favorable review. However, after using it for a couple of weeks, it is now evident that there is a problem: the range extender loses internet connection very easily. My router is a Netgear WNR2000 N router. I verified the problem is with the extender by placing the extender close to the router to insure high signal, as required for proper operation. The internet connection still dropped out frequently. When connected directly to the router without using the extender, there is no problem. So, there is either a problem with the unit I received, or this extender does not work with my router. I will have to return this unit, as it is useless.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good device, a few setup issues, November 14, 2008

By	Benjamin Nicholls (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Once you get it working it is great. My router is in the basement and the signal is not the best on the second floor. Using the HWREN1 I now have full signal for the entire second floor. My connection speed more than doubled. I'll share a couple setup tips that will save you a headache and a call to tech support.
1) the auto setup CD does not correctly set WPA passwords with spaces in them. It accepts them, then truncates everything after the space and fails. Use the web interface setup instead (see the manual on the CD).
2) Don't leave your router's channel selection set to auto. You have to set both the router and the HWREN1 manually to the same channel. Their tech support recommend channel 2.