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| Date Reviewed: Oct 28, 2006 |
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Strengths: Signal strength, connects and stays connected! Easy setup.
Weaknesses: Form factor a bit awkward but function drives form.
Summary: I am a full time RV'er and need to pick up a signal in campgrounds where WiFi is frequently free but not available throughout the campground. The Hawking works in the RV, not just in the office area! Also allows me to "borrow" a signal occasionally from a motel parking lot or "neighbor" for email on the road. For use near a WiFi router any wireless adapter will work, but if you are a distance from the router, you need this device. I have bought 5 different wifi adapters (3 USB and 2 PCMCIA) and this is by far the best. I will buy no more!
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| Date Reviewed: Apr 25, 2007 |
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 HWU54D vs. HWU8DD Strengths: HWU8DD - Easy to connect. Much improved reception compared to laptop's built in wireless card
Weaknesses: HWU8DD - Physically fragile compared to HWU54D. Bulky to carry around. Installation software ruined HWU54D's setup.
Summary: Over the years, I've tried four different receivers. Two NetGear and the Hawking HWU54D and HWU8DD.
Comparing reception and internet speed, both Hawkings did about the same. I tested U54D and U8DD on two PCs simultaneously. Signal strength indicated by the Hawking software's signal percentage are nearly the same. ISP speed are about the same using speakeasy test available on the internet.
Construction wise, the U54D was much cleaner and sturdier. The U54D has a metal bar that rotates 180 degrees on one axis. Its slimer, boxy design makes it easy to fold and carry without worry of breakage. The U8DD's bulky dish folds 45 degree on vertical axis and +/- 90 degrees on the rotational axis. Feels like the plastic hinge will break if I pull it beyond its vertical position.
The heavily advertized 5 LED signal indicator is fancy, but all signal status is available via the software. I don't really care for it.
The U8DD driver is a real problem. It automatically removes the U54D driver permanently. Unlike Netgear, different receiver model's drivers can co-exist. Detection is automatic upon plug in. When I tried to reinstall the U54D driver, windows XP keeps looking for the U8DD driver in a directory structure that differs from the U54D. I finally had to revert windows to a previous restore point to get the U54D working again.
This is my third Hawking receiver. I wish the U54D is still availble.
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| Date Reviewed: Jan 27, 2007 |
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Strengths: Range extension absloutely incredible
Weaknesses: A little bulky especially for airline travel
Summary: Several friends that are reasonably WiFi savvy recommended this so I thought I would give it a try. I live in a remote area with no interference and lots of space, so I was able to give it a good comparison vs. the built in antenna on my IBM ThinkPad. Connecting to my Linksys router with stock antennas the ThinkPad's built in antenna is good for not quite 100 yards. With the Hawking, I was able to get a very reliable signal (26% strength and 60% reliability) from 1000 yards measured with a laser rangefinder (this was the furthest I could get away and still see the house). Installation is straightforward. The only thing to watch out for is other wireless radios must be turned off when using the Hawking.
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| Date Reviewed: Nov 6, 2007 |
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mobileduke
- Member Since:
Nov 2007
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 Carry a thick wallett!! Strengths: Generally this unit will work well for 3months.
Weaknesses: When it overheats,(3mths) you're dead in the water.
Summary: This product works well for the first 3 mths. It has a tendency to overheat and die. Trying to contact Hawking, is practically impossible. The advertised phone number, in packaging and on the boxing does not exist. The only way to contact these people is through e-mail, and then it's a hope you will have some-one respond to you. Trying to have the item replaced or repaired will cost you the last dollar from your wallet. You will be pulling your hair out and kicking your dog trying to get any kind of satisfaction through these people. Good luck, you'll need it!! Try Netgear, they have a similiar product, which is only the size of a cigarette package and delivers better db gain for a mere $10.00 more.
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| Date Reviewed: Apr 21, 2007 |
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Strengths: Hi-Gain Antenna technology extends wireless connection distances by up to 300%, 8dBi Directional Dish antenna, and LED signal strength indicators .
Weaknesses: The product is made of plastic, easily breakable. The dish has limited turning capabilities.
Summary: Very powerful product. Just what I was looking for. I was having problems with the Netgear USB Wireless Adapter. It does what it says it does and gives you a significant range boost over a standard wireless card. It will frequently exposed networks that you can't even see with your wireless usb adapter, and it will allow you to achieve a good connection to networks that your normal card can see but not connect to.
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| Date Reviewed: Jan 23, 2007 |
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Strengths: Good reception, LED signals indicator, easy to install
Weaknesses: Not easy to travel with
Summary: This dish helps me catch weak signal, it receives two more signals than just with my wireless card.
But it seems not to sustain the signal all the time, it could varies a lot. This might because of weather.
Basically, it serves my need.
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| Date Reviewed: Nov 7, 2007 |
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Hang on to your wallet!
Strengths: Works well for 3mths (give or take a day)
Weaknesses: Full lifespan is 3mths. Customer support will have you pulling your hair out.
Summary: Kinda out-dated. Come-on, a mini-dish? Technology is a little more advanced than a dish from the 70's. However, if you purchase this product, you will have 3mths (give or take a day) of satisfaction. Until it dies. This unit has a tendency to overheat and burn out. Trying to contact Hawking for a replacement or repairs is practically impossible. The phone number on the packaging including the insert paperwork is non-existant. The only way to contact these people is via e-mail with hopes of a response. Unless you do some research to find a valid number for them. Tech-support will immediately offer you a "updated" driver. Guess what? It won't fix the problem, the unit is dead! You are now at their mercy for a replacement unit, and it will take the last dollar from your wallet trying to get any satisfaction from these people! Good luck, you'll need it! Try Netgear, they have a similiar product, (more updated, compared to a mini-dish) which has a better db gain and definately more reliable. About the size of a cigarette pack for a mere $10.00 more.
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| Date Reviewed: Mar 29, 2006 |
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Strengths: Much better range (sensitivity). Cute look. Much faster connectivity. Very useful Wireless Center (Hot Spot) locator.
Weaknesses: Pricey. Vertical dish movement a bit limited.
Summary: I decided to buy it after trying first the TrendNet's Wi-Fi notebook adapter TEW-424UB (pretty good) and after that NetGear's WG111 v.2 (it is a joke not a adapter, do not waste money on it) and I have to say that Hawking's HWU8DD is the best of them. Its range (sensitivity) is much better and connects to the Internet much faster (almost instantly.
It is expensive but satisfies my needs. I live about 200 feet from the public library and I can enjoy fast internet without wires and for free :)
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| Date Reviewed: Dec 5, 2006 |
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Strengths: Great signal. Great range
Weaknesses: Big. Quite fragile. Expensive
Summary: Pretty big - not portable. The product extends the WiFi range very well. It's better than HWU54D, which is also cheaper. Big and plastic = not very resistant. It can break. If you don't require top of the line WiFi gain, I recommend the cheaper version: HWU54D.
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| Date Reviewed: Jan 9, 2007 |
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Strengths: -Very good signal strength
-Sturdy design
Weaknesses: -A little bulky
-High priced
Summary: Been using this Wireless adapter for over a week now. My computer is relatively far from the router, I used to have Hawking HWU54D and HWU8DD has increased my link quality from ~50% to ~90%! I am very pleased by how well it works. I am very happy with the product and highly recommend it.
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| Date Reviewed: Sep 8, 2006 |
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frequentonlineshopper
- Member Since:
Mar 2004
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Low quality
Strengths: When it works, have good signal
Weaknesses: Low quality device with high price, bulk.
Summary: This device disconnects after a few munites of use and won't re-connect unless you let it cool down for 10 minutes. I'm an IT profession since Apple II age, used few dozens of wireless network device and build my own PC since Intel 80286. So I know what I'm talking about.
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| Date Reviewed: May 5, 2006 |
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 hi gain usb wireless g dish adapter Strengths: small , easy configuartion
Weaknesses: the price to hight
Summary: I live in the basment is very hard have signal from my 1 st floor from my router when i read " increase up 300 % more wireless distance i think wooo is great but is not true only in scale 1 to 5 , 1 was regular before i buy and 2 after buy only increase one line where is the deal 58.00 dlls for one line more thats it
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| Date Reviewed: Nov 6, 2007 |
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mobileduke
- Member Since:
Nov 2007
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Hang on to your wallet!!
Strengths: Will work well for 3mths.
Weaknesses: Customer support does not exist.
Summary: If you are fortunate to purchase a unit which actually works, you will be quite satisfied however, this unit has a life span of 3mths whereby it has a tendency to overheat and die. Trying to contact Hawking for a replacement or repair will have you pulling your hair out, kicking your dog and spending the last dollar in your wallet trying to get satisfaction. The advertised phone number on the packaging and within, does not exist. the only means of contacting these people is via e-mail who will always give you the same solution; download the updated driver which does not fix the unit,,it's dead. You are now at their mercy and it'll cost you! Good luck, you'll need it!
Try Netgear, they have a similar product the size of a cigarette pack with better db gain and much more reliable, for a mere $10.00 more.
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| Date Reviewed: Jan 26, 2007 |
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Hawkings HWUDD
Strengths: Real good fast
Weaknesses: it did not last
Summary: Thats how long it lasted is their no warrenty it says on box 2 years Bought/4/06/2006 And went out 06/12/2006 did get some download on it but did not fix it
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