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!"
Linksys by Cisco WUSBF54G Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder
But you would have to add a USB battery to make that thing work.
Canary Wireless The Digital Hotspotter
If you can find it. Does exactly what is requested.
http://www.canarywireless.com/canary/
$50
my Zune HD!! :D
or any other PMP these days. no contract, plus you get a sweet ass media player.
@bbqbspareribs
I love my zune HD to death, but i have found that its wifi receiver strength is nowhere near par with my computer, leading to it missing many networks my computer could connect to
NetStumbler will do it.
http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/
diddo. the guy asked for a wifi detector, not how to get a smartphone.
I like inSSIDer: http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider
Good alternative to NetStumbler
@quadt
Excellent app. I love it.
Here's a novel idea: Stop freeloading & get a MiFi with a monthly data plan.
Given the increasingly vital role wireless connectivity plays in an adult's life, it's time to start acting like one and begin carrying your own water.
No money? Get a job ... part-time if necessary. I mean, give me a break, how many hours would you need to work a week to easily afford a $60/month data plan.
Man, this thread is exploding with mostly useless posts. It's not even clear whether the question is w/r/t software for his new laptop, or a hardware device to search for wifi without having to turn on the laptop.
But I second both NetStumbler and inSSIDer. NetStumbler wouldn't work on my ThinkPad T60 (Marvell Wireless chipset) so I downloaded and used inSSIDer for the first time last month.
Smartphone...I use my Palm Pre all the time to do exactly what you are looking for! Any cell device that has WiFi should do the trick! ;-)
I use Netstumbler, which shows the open and encrypted networks.
@dnpeters
I use Back Track 4 as a LiveCD which shows open and 'open' networks.
Okay, the hardware solution to what you're asking for... I've been using one of these for four years and it is still the best thing since sliced bread: http://www.linksysco.com
@yinzer - ack, take off the www - http://linksysco.com
If your comment is redundant, why post it?
If your comment isn't solution oriented, why post it?
My one wish is that built in to windows wifi detection and other wifi detection software, were the ability to sort by Open, Internet connected, and speed; throughput and backend to internet.
The best one I've found is the Hobbes WL-F601 since it actually tells you the channel and security status. There are smaller ones, but if you are going to carry another gadget around it may as well be useful.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/89d1/
I fail to see the usefulness of wifi detectors. If you need access to the internet aren't you going to be taking your laptop out anyway?
@rhimbu Yeah, but why go through all the rigmarole of unsheathing your rig if there ain't no stinkin' signal ? Depending on how much schwag you lug around with you this can be a fairly involved process (not to mention having to button everything back up again afterwards) for ZERO payoff if it turns out there flat isn't any service.
Much easier to dip into your pocket and pull out your keys, flick a switch on a fob sized device attached to them and confirm whether or not it's going to be worth the trouble...
That's been my experience anyway. I'll admit as my gear load out has evolved over the years from a 15" laptop in a backpack to a Netbook or MID in a messenger bag this has become a little less of an issue, but I still think the Zyxel AG225H...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=300359592902&Category=45002&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D2
is well worth the price. Particularly since it provides 802.11a connectivity as well...
An Agilent spectrum analzyer, an HP 25 dB preamp, and a 13 dBi omni dipole antenna. only $35,000 or so.
I'm using an app Wifi get on my iPod touch 2nd Gen. Has better range than the standard Wifi checking onboard the settings menu and gives you a bit more information.
Maybe a bit more than half the price of a smartphone, better battery life even if you keep it on (it won't be fishing for cellular data the whole time it's on), and gives you access to iTunes and a whole host of useful to just timekiller apps (many free).
I'm a post-secondary student and don't usually bring my laptop to school because the iPod does everything I need: Social networking, e-mails, maps (even works as a makeshift quasi-GPS).
2 cents in.
In case anyone reads my comment before anyone else's, I'll save you lots of time. Use a smartphone to check wifi before you take time to whip out the laptop. That's the best, most informative and accurate way.
if you really, really want an external wifi detector it seems @Zakar has the right idea with http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/89d1/
feel free to ignore the rest of the trash and bash in this thread.
Wouldn't the only reason to be searching for a wifi hotspot with a keychain item is if your phone is dead and you don't have laptop battery to wardrive? I think this is a fairly reasonable topic.
easy - wifi detector tshirt from think geek:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/interactive/991e/
@Zer0Kage
1st: Do you speak english?
2nd: What app are you using?
Please disregard my post. Forgot wifi scanning apps were pulled from the appstore.
@Happy Haven't been pulled from the Rock iPhone app store...
How about Kismac? It's most excellent as long as your wifi chipset is supported.
The best I've found is the Canary Wireless HS-20. It sells for around $50. It tells you whether it is open or secure, what type of encryption, strength of signal, and ESSID. About the size of a pager, light, backlit screen that can be seen at night. Great little device. I think that is what you are looking for. Cheaper than getting a new phone.
If you have an Android phone, download WiFi Analyzer from the market place. Its brilliant! Will show you which networks are around you and there strength, which are open, and also give you a cool little analogue option which shows a moving needle to find the best place to sit/place laptop. It will also tell you which channels are the fastest and least congested...
Oh, and the best part..... WiFi Analyzer is free to download!
apps on the iPhone are excellent for this
I use WifiTrak on the iPhone. It couldn't be easier. You touch the icon and then a list of networks comes up. Each is color coded according to range and encryption.
I use my iPod touch.
WiFiFoFum for the iPhone:
http://www.aspecto-software.com/wififofum/
InSSIDer for a laptop:
http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider
@AaronX
on top of that there is "WiFinder" that shows you all avliable networks, there SSID, Encription type, and channel.
its free and has no adds
well so far I'm intrigued by the canary wireless device and the zyair wi-fi finder (although the later seems a bit confusing from the ebay listing . . I'll have to do some research). I downloaded the wifi analyzer app for my G1 and it seems to do a pretty good job. The only problem with using my phone is that I often have wifi turned off to preserve battery life. I'd also prefer not to have to navigate menus and apps etc. Ideally I want something i can just clip to my bag and glance at if i find myself in a place with unknown wifi options. Even some places on campus the signal is better than others, so it would be nice to know when and where I can connect.
thanks for the suggestions, i think one of those devices might just fit my needs!
-Mitchell
p.s. I'm also impressed - i expected to get many more "why don't you just turn on your laptop" suggestions. the answer to that question seems obvious to me . . .
One thing I wanted to say.
If wifi doesn't show up on what ever you are using, then the signal is probably very weak.
The best and most comprehensive by far is WeFi.
Not only detects the networks, not only tells you which is locked and which is not, it also classifies the Wi-Fi networks and knows which is a coffee shop hotspot, which one requires web-page login etc.
@ndrwme - I also used WeFi about 2 years ago and stopped because there were some bugs, but a few months ago I got a new laptop and installed WeFi again, and it has completely matured and works faster and more accurate, you should give it another try
Meraki has a free Wi-Fi scanner that runs in your web browser on Windows or Mac: http://meraki.com/tools/stumbler/. You don't need to download or install anything, and you can use it offline.
how do i ask engadget a ?
Browser-based and free
http://meraki.com/tools/stumbler/