The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    WIFI finders: really useful?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by kilou, Apr 27, 2005.

  1. kilou

    kilou Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    279
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hi,

    I'm interested in buying a WiFi finder/seeker/locator to detects WiFi access points easier. However I've heard that most do not tell if the detected WiFi is open or closed and thus that they are mostly useless. Some units are able to tell if the network is open or closed but those are more pricey units and larger too (as they use a TFT screen).

    Do you think that a WiFi finder such as the PCTel WiFi Seeker (simple unit that only detects WiFi no matter if the network is opened or closed) are worth it or are these useless gadgets?

    The PCTel unit seems to avoid interference signals such as thse from cellular phones or microwaves ovens etc and seem to work pretty well. Which unit would you recommend?

    Thanks
     
    kilou, Apr 27, 2005
    #1
  2. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    947
    Messages:
    8,970
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    There are hundreds of these things now, I sort of classify them as toys. For $5 it's a nice impulse item, but beyond that I think it's a waste unless you're hunting for access a lot.

    Brian

    www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com
     
    Brian, Apr 27, 2005
    #2
  3. kilou

    kilou Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    279
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    <blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Brian
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    kilou, Apr 28, 2005
    #3
  4. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    947
    Messages:
    8,970
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    For the most part they work exactly as advertised, they're not junk. Plus it sounds like you will be able to use it, so don't worry.

    Brian

    www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com
     
    Brian, Apr 28, 2005
    #4
  5. kilou

    kilou Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    279
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I bought the PCTel WiFi seeker as it seems it is one of the best available device. Moreover it is very small and fits as a key chain. It seems not all wifi finders are equal, especially Kensington units have very very bad reviews. Looking forward to receive it [ :)]
     
    kilou, Apr 28, 2005
    #5
  6. JPH

    JPH Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Please do let us know if it works well.

    I was this close to buying one at Circuit City a couple of months ago and to be honest, it would have been better than my having to open up my laptop every now and then on my subsequent business trips.
     
    JPH, Apr 28, 2005
    #6
  7. Chutsman

    Chutsman Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    609
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I would suppose if you're travelling, you're going to open the lappy anyway for other reasons than to check for hotspots, right?
     
    Chutsman, Apr 28, 2005
    #7
  8. JPH

    JPH Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Well when I am travelling, other than opening up the laptop in meetings, I need to check my mails constantly as I am stuck in a time warp - GMT+/-, dealing with Asian countries as well as European ones (and USA), plus mails coming from my own office so even when I am sleeping in my hotel room, mails may still be coming in.
     
    JPH, Apr 28, 2005
    #8
  9. kilou

    kilou Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    279
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    <blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by JPH
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    kilou, Apr 28, 2005
    #9