Nifty Wireless Tool I found

[WheelDweller]

I don't get a commission- I was merely asked to review the thing, and as it turns out, I really enjoyed it.

It's a USB directional wireless. It's meant to sit on your laptop and pick a distant signal out of the crowd, or pull in weak signals (I'm thinking, the campground WiFi...) and it's only $60. And it REALLY WORKS.

I was very happy with the results; it works with Windows, Mac, and LInux- on Linux it was plug-n-play. It just plugs in, with or without your built-in. Takes no tools or power supply.



If you like it, let me know!

[Ray,IN]

After reading that commercial webiste, I am sure I made the right choice in selecting this: http://www.engeniustech.com/datacom/products/Category.aspx?id=5
USB Adapter. It sells for ~$70, with much better signal amplification.

[KIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN After reading that commercial webiste, I am sure I made the right choice in selecting this: http://www.engeniustech.com/datacom/products/Category.aspx?id=5 USB Adapter. It sells for ~$70, with much better signal amplification.

I checked the page and there are several on that page. Which one?
Also, will it work on a laptop with a built-in wireless antenna? If it matters, it's a Dell. Thanks

[WheelDweller]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN After reading that commercial webiste, I am sure I made the right choice in selecting this: http://www.engeniustech.com/datacom/products/Category.aspx?id=5 USB Adapter. It sells for ~$70, with much better signal amplification.

Wow- that's a lot of different products, too. I especially like the PCI-based cards that are more performance-related than the Linksys card I had around here. Who needs 1m/sec? The Atheros cards are fabulous. And, my trailer's built-in uses the PCI format.

How'd you find these guys?

[skipwil]

WheelDweller:
You'll find around this forum nobody knows everything - but everyone knows something that the others don't. You'll get the best cross section of knowledge anywhere. I'm glad to have the opportunity to browse these threads.
Safe travels...

[WheelDweller]

Quote:

Originally Posted by skipwil WheelDweller: You'll find around this forum nobody knows everything - but everyone knows something that the others don't. You'll get the best cross section of knowledge anywhere. I'm glad to have the opportunity to browse these threads. Safe travels...

Well, now I'm about to get some gear from them; I expect they'll be a longer-term sponsor of CounterMoon.org; the guys you found have the kind of vehicular gear I really need.

I have a number of other projects to finish before I can expect to go full-time:

- Large shower bay with toilet and much fiberglass
- Underside plumbing
- Underside insulation including that 'plastic cardboard' stuff
- Rooftop A/C with climate control computer
- Same computer to announce things over the radio system

There's a lot of work, but it's the only way I actually *want* to live...but I suppose you know that feeling already, aye?

[Meandering Retiree]

I have a Wi-Fire and found that it paid for itself prior to purchasing a phone card.

[Jim Stewart]

The Wi-Fire by Hi-Field is different that a standard network adapter card or the built in network card in your lapbook or notebook. It is a network adapter with a directional antenna. By being external to the PC and by being able to point it in a given direction to obtain the best signal, it can allow you to connect to networks that you would otherwise either not be able to connect to or would drop because the signal was weak.

I have read many reviews although not necessarily positive about the mount, most all agreed that they were great at receiving distant or weak signals, the kind most get in remote areas or in RV Parks. It should get signals between 800 and 1000 feet away.

[Ray,IN]

Kix, it is the "USB adapter", 2nd down in left column. It works very well on my Dell and my HP laptops, although Vista has problems with the 05 model. Vista wants to take over and limit signal strength to it's parameters, limiting EnGenius software. I think the adapter in the webpage is Vista compatable, mine is a 05 model, that required an afterthought driver.
When I showed it to my puter guy, he was amazed at how many wifi networks were near his shop. I think I spent the $70 well.

[KIX]

Thanks Ray, IN

[Dwain]

I had interest in these products and after reading many posts about the various prodcuts, I too had purchased the Wi-Fire. Running a Dell laptop which has an internal antenna, I eagerly installed the software and plugged in the usb cord from the wi-fire. I didn't have the success myself and actually found the internal worked better than the directional wi-fire antenna. Downloaded the updated software, used the signal finder but still didn't work as anticipated.

Could be the locations I tried (Thousand Trail campgrounds), although signal strength was sufficient to get onto the internet. Unplugged, switched back to just the internal and a weak signal appeared. I tried all combinations of just one, both, then the other antenna to see how signal compared.

Lots of people have has success, my Wi-Fire is neatly stowed away in the box for now.

[speed racer]

And I thought you couldn't advertize or indorse products on this website.

[Dwain]

The technology forum would be mighty quiet (not to mention empty) if we couldn't endorse any products on this website. In fact, the mods could probably eliminate 90% of the forums listed here as they all contain recommendations suggestions and opinions on nearly every topic under the (rv)sun. For this particular product, pretty sure dweller isn't peddling H-Fields wares but only offering his opinion of their product.

[Route 66]

Quote:

Originally Posted by speed racer And I thought you couldn't advertize or indorse products on this website.

Members are permitted to recommend products or services and provide links to those products or services, as long as the member has no financial interest in those products, services, or web sites.

From our rules;

Quote:

Be Ethical! Many participants have commercial interests associated with the forum topic and bring valuable information and expertise to share. With a few specific exceptions (see Commercial Participant section), forum members may not use the Forum for commercial gain. Participants may not post affiliate links or direct others to any pages at their own commercial website or website in which they have a commercial interest unless a commercial account has been established.