Linksys' WTR54GS Wireless-G Travel Router reviewed
By Evan Blass 
posted May 5th 2006 3:50PM
posted May 5th 2006 3:50PM
We sure wish we'd had Linksys' WTR54GS travel router a few months ago at CES, where press room Ethernet connections were few and far between, and the single venue offering free WiFi seemingly devoid of techs to keep the network running. Mobile Tech Today also seems to think that this 802.11b/g router would have served us well, providing both basic SecureEasySetup-compatible WEP and WPA encryption along with more advanced Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) and browser-based fine tuning options for regulating traffic. With four out five stars from MTT, the only downside to this 5.2-ounce router is its range, due mostly to the internal antenna, but when you're sitting five feet away from it in your hotel room that probably won't matter too much.
uh oh, i can see linux on it already
uhh... ever hear of Airport express... hope they dont think they discovered america with this one.
They painted the Airport Express silver!!!!
Re: 2&3.
Uhh.... no. The Airport Express has a USB port for network printing and an audio out for AirTunes. :)
Of course, if you are sitting five feet away a piece of CAT5 would serve just as well. Not to mention that it would be cheaper (unless you bought it at ConUSA), lighter and easier to configure.
Yea but that wouldn't nearly as "Cool" and uhh..err..unsafe!
"Of course, if you are sitting five feet away a piece of CAT5 would serve just as well. Not to mention that it would be cheaper (unless you bought it at ConUSA), lighter and easier to configure."
To be fair the linked-to review does say it was designed for connecting *multiple* devices. One could make the same argument of a small 4-5 port switch, but I get the feeling that travelers would get a bit tired of winding/unwinding CAT-5's all the time.
I've been using the HR-200 Pocket Router from Linksys for some time now. It's basically the same sort of size and with an internal antenna, but without the built-in power block.
It's working fine with the various laptops in our flat, going though several walls into other people's rooms. It won't network an office - but it'll manage fine in a typical home.
I would assume this new router can do the same - if not better.
I have this work work and it is terrific - smaller than the airport express and half the price too! I take it any time i leave my home network & sometimes, if i need a singal amplifier I use it at home too (it can accept either wired or wireless network sources). highly recommended, have used it in hotels, homes, basically every type of network possible
uhh number 4, have you ever looked at an airport express? it has an RJJ-45 port on the bottom, so it can be used as a router/wireless adapter
#4. uh nooo.... the Airport Express has an audio out, USB, AND ethernet (in/out if you know how ;) )
I am ignorant and need some help. If I have a Sony Vio with wireless and bluetooth built in, and a Pda/Phone with the New Windows Mobile 5, Bluetooth, Wifi, and Skype built in and I only want to use wireless away from home, do I need this thing or the AIRPORT or none . Thanks for the help.
It is for an entirely different crowd than the Airport Express. I don't think that anything else can act as a wireless DHCP server fromn another access point.
The range is bearable (way better than my Palm T5 with sd Wifi) and the point is wireLESS so CAT5 cable is not an option.
As said, it goes everywhere with me and makes friends when no security is used.
But the build quality is not superb and the mass distribution is not quite right - it falls out of electrical sockets regularly.
But for the price and the size ...
I like this, and I would buy one.
Pardon the lack of Propeller-Head rhetoric, but you've probably seen enough of that by now.
Would anyone else almost rather that it have a short electrical cable (maybe even retractable) instead of the jack just sticking out the side? Seems like if it's meant to go anywhere, you'd want to be able to plug it in anywhere. What if its bulk prevents it from plugging into the only free socket?
I was debating between this one and the Apple Airport Express, and chose Linksys simply because the Apple one does not have a web interface, you have to have a CD to do setup, which is annoying to say the least. If you forgot your CD you're pretty much out of options when trying to do setup in a hotel.
The wireless music streaming is nice on the Express, but that feature seems to be more for home users. For a business traveller, you just want internet to work. Without a web interface, the Express loses big marks.
no. 17"" thats incorrect, you do not need to carry around the c.d, i have never used the c.d on friends laptops. it just works... apple rocks
Um... there is no Airport Express CD Utilities->Airport Admin Utility for all your interface/control/setup needs. If you're on windows, then the AIrPort (Express) isn't right for you really... operating any apple product with windows is hard and vise versa
Regarding post #9, according to the respective specs for each product, the Linksys is slightly larger but lighter than the Apple Airport Express (AAE).
Post #18, I have the Apple Airport Express and it works flawlessly with my Windows based Sony Vaio. So does my Nano. I left town the other day without the AAE and was miserable without it!
This is a really excellent unit. I have been using one when I travel for 6 months now and couldn't fault it. I have now got all the settings punched in to my Vonage wifi phone. Whithin minutes of checking in I can be fully connected with no hassle at all.
Have frequently found the range is good enough for a travelling buddy a few rooms away, or on another floor can often share aswell.
I've owned the WTR54GS for some time now and find it very usefull. I also own the Airport Express and the Linksys has replaced it.
- The WTR beats the AE for ease of setup.
- The WTR has two ethernet ports. This is perfect when visiting a friend who connects directly to a DSL/Cable modem. Their connection works and you're wireless ready. (It's simple enough for my 74 year old mother to use when visiting relatives. It also keeps her off the street Wardriving.)
The unit is not as expensive as the AE and its real advantages are the incoming and outgoing ethernet ports. Not everyone has a router/hub/switch with ports to plug into for your AE. This solves it in one fell swoop.
Still, the AE is nice. With that USB plug, my laser printer now connects without wires when at home and it also serves as an extra charger to my iPod & Windows Mobile phone when traveling. My Apple gear plays nice with my MS stuff which makes me happy when I log on to my laptop running Ubuntu. :)
The Airport is exactly TWENTY dollars more. Not "twice," not "$40." For that twenty dollars, you get a wireless print router and a wireless music streamer. Try to buy those functions separately, and you are looking at $350. Anyone who would buy the Linksys over the Airport is a fool. An idiotic fool.
The Apple Airport Express was designed mainly for Apple computers. I've actually tried it out and had problems with some of my wireless devices (Non-Apple that is). On the other hand, I also have the Linksys router and it works seemlessly with Apple's devices. So, this device is great. Also stop comparing Apples stuff to "PC" stuff. There are plenty of routers out there that cost $40 (with deals usually) and it might be little bigger, but have twice the range of Airport Express AND this Linksys router.
"The WTR beats the AE for ease of setup."
I didn't know the Linksys product existed ten minutes ago, but I'd bet this statement is incorrect.