Hawking HWREN1 Hi-Gain Wireless-300N Range Extender

10 Review to this product

• 

  ~Z~
  November 22nd, 2010 on 4:04 pm

  Rating

  To be quite honest I was a little hesitant on purchasing the Hawking HWREN1 Hi-Gain Wireless-300N Range Extender after reading most of all the reviews. Many have mentioned that the installation process has be be manually inputted and that worried me since I am by far NOT a “techie”. I can follow instructions but I can not “dissect” or troubleshoot when an installation goes bad.

  I currently use the D-Link Wireless DIR-615 N Router, 4-Port 10/100 Switch, 2 Antennas, Draft 802.11n as my wireless router. I own a two-story level split level home and was not receiving a strong signal in the farthest corner bedrooms. On a good day the signal would be 2 bars. I decided after reading so many reviews on many different wireless extenders, I would bite the bullet and get this one. I prepared myself by printing out several of the reviews which gave step by step explanations how to install it manually. When the unit arrived I just looked at it for several minutes trying to debate if I should try to install it myself or call a professional. I had to give it a shot. I put aside the CD installation software as many suggested and attempted to install it manually. I can not recall why or what I did at the time, but I was only able to connect to the “Local” network and not the internet. I tried to go to the internet login page on my browser but it would not connect. I repeatedly retraced my steps and could not figure out why it would not work. I finally decided to insert the installation CD. IT WORKED! I followed the instructions on the CD very carefully, found my network and it only took about 8 minutes to have the unit up and running. Unplugged it and relocated it to the farthest bedroom in the house and it actually improved the signal to the best possible range…5 bars! The signal is constant and does not drop at all. I also want to add that I did not have to go to the login page to make any changes to the configuration (i.e set channel). Thank goodness I did not have to make any changes, because with my luck I would of changed something and it probably would of stopped working.

  Maybe Hawkings realized that there were many problems when the unit first came out and since so many voiced their concerns and opinions, they have updated their installation software to be much more user friendly. I want to thank everyone who wrote very informative and helpful reviews. I am extremely happy with my purchase and would highly recommend it.
• 

  TFK
  November 22nd, 2010 on 7:13 pm

  Rating

  Before buying this extender, I read a lot of reviews and many people have complained about the difficulty of setup and potential IP conflict. Because I really need a wireless range extender for 802.11n (I tired powerline products but did not work for me at all) and there are only 2 products available. One is made by D-link and the other one is made by Hawking. I ended up buying this because most of the reviews are positive. It turns out it was a good choice although I did run into a problem during setup.

  My setup:
  
  Router: D-Link 655 Extreme (everything default except using WPA2)
  
  Connected wireless devices: imac, windows pc laptop, ipod, iphone, ipad, Xbox360, ps3, Wii

  Installation:
  
  1) Although many reviews suggested alternative setup method, I completely followed the instruction
  
  2) When asked for the SSID, I choose a new SSID name
  
  3) I then followed the rest of the instruction. No issue at all until the very last step. My windows PC laptop (the one I use to install the utility) popup a message saying “IP Conflict” All my connected devices immediately lost their internet access.
  
  4) Instead of trying to manually fix it immediately, I unpluged the Ethernet cable connecting the extender and the router (You need to do it anyway if you follow the instruction). Once disconnecting the cable, all my devices were able to access the internet immediately except the windows PC laptop. I rebooted the laptop and everything back to normal.

  Therefore, I believe many reviewers might have overreacted the error message. If they followed thru the entire process, they could have avoided many of their workaround

  Pros
  
  1) Once overcoming the setup confusion, the router works like a champ
  
  2) I did not feel any slow down and the range is greatly expanded. No more dead spot in my house. Love the performance

  Cons
  
  1) Tricky installation. Remember, just unplug the extender will solve the “IP Conflict” issue
  
  2) using a new SSID means you end up with 2 sep networks. You have to choose one netowrk or the other. Inconvenience. But to me not a big deal. I don’t find switching network too big of a deal.
• 

  Edward Wiles Jr.
  November 22nd, 2010 on 8:43 pm

  Rating

  My son was having problems getting his X-box online, despite the assistance of tech support. Finally we decided to test the wireless signal strength upstairs – the Apple Airport Extreme is downstairs at the other end of the house. We found the data download speed was so poor he couldn’t establish a connection so we went looking for a range extender for the signal. The Hawking was simple to set up, plugged into a socket closer to the X-Box it provided plenty of throughput to get the gaming online functionality working. Price was very reasonable and the unit is nice enough looking that my wife hasn’t even objected to it. Overall very satisfied with the setup, functioning and look at a reasonable price.
• 

  Marsha Stanley
  November 23rd, 2010 on 10:54 pm

  Rating

  Our wireless router is by necessity located in a basement to be near two webcams that must plug into it. Our N router was not strong enough to broadcast a wireless signal up two floors and across a driveway and up into an apartment above our garage. Signal there had been too weak to surf the web. This wireless range extender installed in less than 15 minutes after getting help from tech support. The tech support person answered the call after two rings, was polite and helpful in assisting with a manual setup. A poor phone connection with the tech support line lengthened setup a bit because of the need to repeat parts of the conversation and instructions. After completion, the signal in problems areas inside our large, three-story home and in the nearby but physically separated garage apartment is very strong. I am a 62-year-old woman and NOT highly tech savvy. If I could set this thing up in 15 minutes with a little help, ANYONE can do it. I highly recommend this product.
• 

  G. Palanzo
  November 24th, 2010 on 1:20 am

  Rating

  I’m currently using this with a D-Link DIR-655. As others have said, I was skeptical about ordering it due to lack of reviews. Setup was a breeze and done within 15 minutes. I put the device in a central location of my home and now have a full 5 bars (was only 1-2.)
  
  Give it a try.
  
• 

  D. Nichols
  November 24th, 2010 on 11:43 am

  Rating

  I have 1.5 MBPS DSL, and am using the supplied 2wire 2701HG-D modem/WAP. The wireless network includes a MacBook running OS 10.4, a VAIO running Vista, and the most recent: an HP mini running XP. There is also a wireless HP 6100C on the network.
  
  The 2701HG is located downstairs near the MacBook, the VAIO is upstairs, the mini floats between upstairs and downstairs. The MacBook and Vaio have always had good performance with at least 3 bars showing upstairs and down. The new mini, however shows 1 or 2 bars and 1 to 5 MBPS speed upstairs, or in the kitchen.. I ordered the Hawking HWREN1 range extender from Amazon 11/6/09, it arrived via USPS (free shipping) 11/12/09. Prior to it’s arrival, I walked around the house with the mini to determine the range of the 2701HG, and decided where to place the HWREN1. When it arrived, I opened the package, read the Quick Install instructions, hooked up the HWREN1 to power and the router/WAP, inserted the CD in a PC which was already connected to the router via ethernet, and followed the instructions. When it came to the step dealing with security, all I did was enter my WEP key in the empty key 1 slot, hit next, and waited for reboot. Then I unplugged the power and router, moved the HWREN1 to my predetermined spot, plugged it in, changed the mini over to the new network, and wandered around checking bars and speed. I now have 5 bars throughout the house, 54 MBPS upstairs (1 or so before), and 48 MBPS in the kitchen (stainless steel and metallic tile backsplash, wall ovens).
  
  Installation time was less than 20 minutes, including the walking around verifying the great results.
  
  I’m not a computer power user, but I do know how to read and follow directions.
  
  The product works better than I expected it to, the price was competitive, delivery was quick, and as usual, the Amazon experience was great!
• 

  Big Halos Fan
  November 24th, 2010 on 2:35 pm

  Rating

  Thanks to others here at Amazon.com, I decided to purchase the Hawking HWREN1 in an attempt to solve our wireless problem. Even with the new Dual Band “Range Max” Wireless N Router (WNDR3300) from NetGear, we could get no more than 3 bars of wireless in most places downstairs. Our existing set-up is at the upper corner bedroom of our house with 9 foot ceilings and lots of distance between our base and entertainment center. Our goal was to get wireless access down to our Play Station 3 system for system updates and such. With the new NetGear installed, the PS3 indicated a source strength of 17%, totally unacceptable. So I took the plunge and bought the Hawking.

  SET-UP: Proved to be trickier than what others experienced. Thanks to Greg from Texas, I knew I had to first establish a fixed channel (not automatic) on the NetGear for the 2.4Ghz system (which is the only one the Hawking can extend). I made the mistake of randomly setting it to “9″ and then proceeded to install the CD-Rom for the Hawking. For some unknown reason to me, I could not get the web access page to the router. I tried the one listed in many reviews “198.168.1.240″ and got nothing. I then tried a few others listed in reviews. Fortunately, as I proceeded to install according to the CD set-up, I realized it was showing an IP address of 192.168.1.5, so I went back to my browser and got access to the router set-up. By then I was getting internet conflict errors. I reset everything and still got them, so I went back to the NetGear and reset the Channel to “11″. That did the trick, as once I was able to get back on the Hawking router page, I discovered it defaulted to Channel “9″. If that is the standard default, then BE SURE YOUR EXISTING WIRELESS ROUTER IS ON SOMETHING OTHER THAN “9″. I did experience the IP address for the Hawking seemed to drift from .5 to .4 and back to .5, so if you have trouble accessing the web router, be sure to start the CD from scratch to discover what IP address you need to access it.

  I then returned to the CD set-up and proceeded along the steps. As others suggested here, be sure to name the Hawking wireless point something different than your existing system. I just defaulted to the Hawking name. Then I entered the exact same password as my NetGear, as I have reached and exceeded my brain’s capacity to remember any new passwords. Be sure you are using the same type of password security and then you are set. The test confirmed I was receiving wireless on the LED of the Hawking and I unplugged it from my PC.

  Finding the best location to base the extender is easy if you have a wireless laptop. In my case, I walked around downstairs to as many places as possible to see where the best signal was. It was in a room that was somewhat far from our entertainment center where the PS3 is. So I kept looking and found a bookshelf in the room right behind the wall of the PS3 where I got 3 bars of 5 from my NetGear network. Thus, I plugged in the Hawking there.

  END RESULT: I booted up the PS 3, connected to the Hawking network name, entered the password, and voila: internet access. How much? 100% percent coverage!! Amazing, for $70, I was able to boost my wireless coverage from 17% to 100% on a level and area completely different from where our primary modem/wireless set-up is.

  Despite some challenges in set-up, this product is outstanding and ideal for others in two-story homes like ours that had given up hope of getting a strong wireless signal on the level below or above where the primary set-up is.
• 

  JUstme
  November 24th, 2010 on 4:36 pm

  Rating

  I live in a multi level cinder block and stucco house that creates havoc with my Wi-Fi reception.

  My past experiences have all been with Linksys and spending hours on the phone with their customer (in the Phillipines?)support and ending up frustrated. So when my Linksys Range Extender died I was dreading setting up another. Well I did a lot of research and decided to try this unit. All I can say is unbelievable!!! I took it out of the box and followed the Quick Installation Guide and Voila…success. I now have 3 and 4 bars on the other ends of the house.

  Oh…one thing to not forget, once you get it set up, remember to scan for available networks and select the one you just created. It is that simple. Now I have better Wi-Fi reception than I have ever experienced in the past.
• 

  SureWhyNot
  November 25th, 2010 on 7:17 pm

  Rating

  I have over a dozen things on the network, from PC’s, Tivo’s, blackberry’s etc. We were getting low reception down to 29% on the edges of the house. I put in this range expander and the connection in that spot went to 93% from 29%. So day one, this configured easy and worked great with my Linksys 600N router. I just ordered another one for the other side of the house. Note: You do have to tell each device this new connection is available. Once that was done things were great. I noticed a few reviews that I wondered if they told the device to connect to the range extender or not.
• 

  Leib Lurie
  November 27th, 2010 on 11:25 am

  Rating

  I needed to extend wireless range to my back porch in my old plaster walled home (and plaster has metal lathe in the walls that acts like a cone of silence for RF signals)not to mention the blockage from leaded glass windows!
  
  If you need to extend your range too, you can try these steps:
  
  1- Buy a new lynksys N+ router- Nope.
  
  2- return to store.
  
  3- purchase the lynksys extender- spent 3 frustrating hours with Indian chat support – to no avail; dozens of re-boots, paper clip resets and obtuse MS-DOS commands. she diagnosed it as a failed unit.
  
  4- return to store
  
  5- exchange for new extender, drive home
  
  6- spend another fruitless 90 minutes with tech support to be told. gee, guess the lynksys extender doesn’t work with a Lynksys router.
  
  7- return to store
  
  8- go to amazon buy Hawking extender.
  
  9- plug in, click ‘next’ a few times. voila. coverage to the back porch and even the pool deck.
  
  10- relax with mac by pool.

  My suggestion… skip steps 1-7. Go with the Hawking.