Ask Engadget: Best (useful) WiFi network detector?
By Darren Murph 
posted March 12th 2010 12:23AM
posted March 12th 2010 12:23AM
You know, we appreciate the honesty here. And we totally feel you. If anyone out there has found a fantastically useful WiFi detector, throw your recommendation(s) in comments below!"I just got a new laptop and am looking for a WiFi detector. The catch is that I want one that will tell me if the network it is detecting is open or not. I can't fathom the point of one that doesn't tell you that information. If posted, this will probably generate a lot of snark, but whatever, I just want to be able to find open networks!"
How 'bout a cell phone? Grab it, check for Wi-Fi, if there are good networks, then pull out your laptop.
Besides that I don't have much to suggest besides those goofy T-Shirts :)
@ScienceProUSAcom
+1 a smart phone is probably the best bet here... even used on ebay, no service required.
@ScienceProUSAcom I agree with the phone also. Mine works quick enough. If you have to have one. Think Geek make a nice one http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/89d1/
@Annoying Poster no, no you absolutely wouldn't be carrying a cellphone these days. Isn't that still a luxury item only everyone and their grandma can afford?
@ScienceProUSAcom
Why cary any device? ThinkGeek has a wi-fi detecting t-shirt you can wear!
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/interactive/991e/?cpg=cj
@ScienceProUSAcom
Yep any smartphone or even an iPod touch, has WiFi and will tell you quickly if you need forgo booting up your laptop or if you will be able to surf away...
@ScienceProUSAcom
It's nice to get a good piece of software to gather the info for you as well. The list is good but they can give you more specific data and strength info. I use AiroMap and it will use your GPS to map the data and export to software like google earth and garmin map programs, etc.
@ScienceProUSAcom Used WiFi smartphones are still not cheap enough these days just for use as a WiFi detector. Instead, take a look at the Sansa Connect. It was one of the first DAPs with WiFi, though it's now useless since the Yahoo music service to which the function was used for got shut down. However, it still works just fine as a WiFi detector or as a no-frills 4GB DAP.
@ScienceProUSAcom
Better yet, ZxXEL AG225H is a wifi detector complete with LCD screen. But unlike most thumb drive sized wifi detecotors, this one serves a second function as an actual 802.11 network adapter and once a network is found it can then plug in to your computer and connect to the new found network.
It's cheaper than a used smart phone, uses less power, smaller than a smart phone, and serves a more "useful" secondary function. Oh and smart phones, especially older ones with worn out LiOn batteries will need constant charging.
The ZyXEL can be found on ebay for about $25 and around $60 from discount online e-tailers.
http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/01/16/zyxel_ag_225h_wifi_finder_and_802_11a_b_g_usb_2_0_adapter/
http://www.livedigitally.com/2005/11/09/zyxel-ag225h-review/
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2745
It's called 3G and it negates the need for one.
@wickedwobotics
yeah everyone knows 3g is faster than wifi!
/s
@wickedwobotics are you paying his bill?
@eddieexe
are you paying for his wifi detector?
@n8equalsd he had /s for sarcasm you down voting monkeys!
Everyone going USE A SMART PHONE or GET A WIRELESS INTERNET STICK or whatever are rich dorks who don't realize that most of us college student can barely buy instant noodles for the month let alone paying stupid contacts.
Also he might live in Canada, not the USA. Which makes it worse because both those things are HORRIBLY expensive in Canada and very much not worth it.
@Denji umm ebay plus boost mobile = cheap smart phone with an unlimited plan for 50 dollars a month and no contract. Yes I am a college student too...
@Denji
He doesn't need a contract, it doesn't need cell service to serve this purpose. If he doesn't have a smartphone he just needs to get a used one on ebay for like $70 or whatever they go for. turn the phone on and check for wi-fi... might not be much faster than the computer but it won't use his battery, and he could keep it in his computer case turned on all day
@Picard
Are you in Canada?
@Picard 50 dollars a month is expensive as hell for a University student here in Toronto! I can barely afford my limited $32 plan!
@OwenV
That's like saying you need to look up a book at a library but instead of writing down the code for a single book, you attach the library catalog to a trolley and drag it around with you. If I had a normal pay as you go cell and was told to pick up a smart phone just to find wifi, I'd probably give them the middle finger.
@Denji
There's plenty of plan in Canada without any contracts and various pricing options.
Virgin mobile, koodo, fido. Telus don't have them, neither Bell (last time I check).
But you don't even need a carrier to detect wifi with your smartphone.
@Dood
50 bucks is not only expensive, but they lock you in 4-5 year contracts.
Also the only ones that give SIM cards instead of using GSM or whatever is Rogers which is also equally frustrating.
@Denji
I don't see whats so unattractive about it. its a device, most wi-fi detectors are around $50, there are used winmo smart phones on ebay for more much more than that and they offer the increased functionality he wants. why would you give someone the finger who just answered your question. the difference is less than $20... someone who spends more than the 2 minutes I spend on ebay could probably find a used smartphone for $25
@OwenV
Considering the fact that a smartphone is not only probably larger, but you'll have to navigate through a bunch of menus and if you already have a phone it will be STUPIDLY USELESS.
YO DAWG WE HEARD YOU LIKE PHONES SO WE PUT A PHONE IN YOUR POCKET WITH YOUR PHONE SO YOU CAN PHONE AND CHECK WIFI WITH YOUR PHONE.
I've seen a billion wifi detectors however that are the size of a pager and if it finds a locked wifi, it'll put a little 'lock' icon beside it. We're trying to go as convenient and small, and cheap as possible while still maintaining the fact that it can tell you if it's locked or not. Not just 'get a smart phone' which is not useful at all. Hey, why don't I just strap a battery to my wii and drag that around? It'll tell me if there is wifi around, and I can PLAY GAMES. Amirite?
@Denji
Ummm, i have 30$ prepaid, no contract, no time lockup.
@Dood
Mind telling me what carrier? I'd like to get in on this. o:
@Denji
You're wrong.
Smartphones aren't hard to use, and give you much more information on wifi networks.
@Denji
I'm on FIDO.
@Denji
"I've seen a billion wifi detectors however that are the size of a pager and if it finds a locked wifi, it'll put a little 'lock' icon beside it"
Link one and /thread. I believe you, I just don't know of any with the "little lock icon". My suggestion accomplishes his task, albeit ungracefully. we would all welcome a better device I'm sure, but remember there are many unprotected wi-fi networks that don't have internet access, only local access (I see them all the time). A smartphone would allow him to determine if there was actually internet access too.
I almost think denji is just trolling this comment section
@Denji
Like everyone else said the best bet would be to check eBay or craigslist for a cheap smartphone or dare I say it...iPod touch (my 1st gen works great and can be bought used for pretty cheap these days) that way you have something that not only checks wifi but can also play games and what not. Much better in my opinion than using a stand alone wifi detector, heck, the one that adidar83 suggested coated $49!!!! What a waste!
@Denji
I wifi tether with my droid for $30 a month or $360 a year, roughly the cost of a netbook. If you can't afford a netbook what device are you using to access the internet?
@Denji "We're trying to go as convenient and small, and cheap as possible while still maintaining the fact that it can tell you if it's locked or not"
Well given most students have the need for a phone then it fits the bill perfectly. Buy one off contract and add a plan if you can't afford it. You don't need a fancy one either.
@Denji
I agree.. Also the person could be a traveller, like i was, where getting on a 3g internet plan or even considering roaming options are wayyyy outta the budget..
You've got to be kidding, right? I've had this Zyxel for years, and yes it detects encryption method. Why don't you know a bout this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300359592902&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=L*F%3F&GUID=31be10531270a02684339cc3ffed2587&itemid=300359592902&ff4=263602_263622
@aiieee
Another vote for the Zyxel AG- 225H. Simple, effective, convenient (not too expensive either. Got mine for $35). I've had one since 2007 (it replaced the crazy Japanese one I got in 2006 that died...though that one was cool too, you could scan, select an open AP, lock onto it, and then plug the dongle into your laptop and it would auto connect to the AP).
Needs a refresh in 802.11n flavor...
This comment thread is nuts though! Almost the entire first page is comments recommending using $200 - $500 smartphones.
@Denji If you can get an old smartphone for the same price as a Wi-Fi detector and leave it on the Wi-Fi settings screen then he saves on batteries and otherwise breaks even. And the smartphone will have an integrated note-taker and PMP just in case.
I don't see what's difficult in detecting wifi with your laptop.
Unless you're a complete total n00b.
@Dood
it wastes battery to boot up just to look for wifi
@HookEmHorns
14 hours netbooks exists. I love mine :)
@Dood Yes, but not everyone has $400 to spend on said 14-hour netbook.
@Dood a solution that works for you does by no means apply to everyone else. im guessing he wants to identify available networks before booting up his laptop which for all we know has a 2 hour battery that he does not want to waste a minute of.
@Dood Imagine you're walking down 5th Ave when you realize you need to upload something to FTP. Are you going to pull out your 15" laptop and walk around like a dork?
I have to ask: What good is a (useless) wifi detector, even the best one?
If you have an Android phone, the app Wifi Analyzer will indicate open networks, and even what channel they're on, so you can choose an empty channel for your home network. It's even free and has no ads!
I second WiFi analyzer but for either Android or your computer, try out WeFi - http://wefi.com/
Also just because its open doesn't always mean you should use it, especially in terms of security. If you have a VPN then its fine though...
@NeoBlade WeFi, the last time I used it (about 2 years ago), was terrible on resources. It uses around 90% CPU when starting up.
@ndrwme 2 years is a long time and software can be optimised quite a lot. I don't mind too much about peak CPU utilisation when loading up, as long as it doesn't stay there...
I'm using the eWiFi app for the iPhone. It tells me what type of network security each network is using as well as telling me if it's hidden or not.
@Truckondo It ain't a cheap solution if you don't have an iPod touch/iPhone (2G even) already, but I second the notion of an app. It's too bad that Apple just cleared them out of the app store, cause I find WiFiFoFum to be a damn good wifi scanner on my iPhone. It tells me SSID, MAC, channel, strength, AP/Ad-Hoc, encryption on/off, and can differentiate encryption type between WEP, WPA, and WPA2.
@michael I second WiFiFoFum, I just downloaded it yesterday from Rock app store, impressive wee app!