Winstars WS-WN518N2

Works Like A Winner – This is a solid, stable workhorse in a compact package. The Chinese translated instructions are pretty much toast and you can toss them right off the bat. You will likely get yourself locked out of the device trying to set it up. Just reset and try again pondering the logic used in designing this thing. There is definitely a correct order for doing things in the set up, but once you get the logic and get this device running you are going to have an AP and/or repeater that is pretty nice for the money. I have been using a few of these units on my home network as AP's for over a year. They are on 24/7 and they are solid as a rock. I have had a few power outages due to storms and all I have had to do is reset the time. I have found nothing close to the stability of this device at three times the cost. It stays on frequency, with reliable connection and has a strong signal. Auto negotiation downward has not been a problem whatsoever. I just don't experience wireless connectivity issues and i have plenty of wireless gadgets to create more than average interference.

I might also mention that once you set up as a repeater and save the set up the only way to change the settings is to do a reset. Moral of the story is make sure you have it right before you save. If you set up as an AP you can always access the setup menu using the device IP address and your web browser.

I found this device to be very stable, consistently on frequency, with strong wireless signal and very reliable. If you are a computer newbie the set up will beat you up and win, but if you have been playing with home networking devices for a while you will get 'er done and have plenty of bang for your buck.

Winstar WS-WN518N2 – This wireless router works well on my network. One must remember to set it up to the network that it must be used! sincerely, Bent Skaarup Retired Network Specialist

Bit of a let down – Having purchased an Apple Airport Express, only to find that it is riddled with incompatibility issues and pretty much useless, I discovered this interesting little unit, appearing all over the internet and eBay. Having read the sales descriptions, this appeared to be solution I had so desperately been searching for. The issue that I faced was that my home, is somewhat long and the signal from my Netgear Wireless N Router, though good, struggles at the far end of the home, where the Lounge and TV are located.

My problem with the Apple Airport Express (which Apple neglect to mention in their sales pitch), was that it will only allow Audio Transmissions through WIFI, unless you buy their very expensive Airport Extreme, thus preventing it from working as a repeater.

The Wireless n wifi repeater however, promised to fix this.

And it did. Sort of!

Having attempted to follow the gossy instruction manual using my PC, I soon came to realise that the instructions were nonsense, so I discarded them and messed around in the Windows 7 Network settings.

No matter what I tried, the PC would not see the Wireless n wifi repeater Set Up page, even when connected by cable.

There was only one thing for it. The Apple Mac Pro.

The Mac Pro can do anything from launch Nuclear missiles, to dissecting small rodents and with the minimal amount of fuss, it opened up the Wireless n wifi repeater software, through my internet browser.

Within minutes, the unit was set up and once placed in the lounge room, gave me an exceptionally good signal, throughout the home.

By setting the same name of the WIFI Repeater and Password to that of my Netgear Router, my iPhones, iPads, Laptops, all connected with ease as I moved around the home, picking up the strongest signal and locking in. It appeared, all of my woes were behind me.

That was, until I turned on my Apple TV 2 box.

Now the Apple TV unit, is probably one the greatest contributions to mankind since the Cup and is happy to work third party WIFI Routers, just so long as you turn of the WMM (Windows Multi Media) and Qos settings in the router. )It is all to do with information packets apparently and the Windows ones, upset Apple TV, quite a lot).

My new Wireless n wifi repeater, also has the option in the Basic Set Up menu, to disable WMM, however only if you use it in 'B' or 'G' Mode. Not in 'N' mode. When in 'N' mode, the option is greyed out. Interesting!

I tried it in 'G' Mode, with WMM disabled, but still the Apple TV coffed and spluttered like an old Combi Van.

As there is no option in the settings to turn off Qos, I can only come to the conclusion, that Qos is permanently enabled and cannot be switched of under the current Firmware.

So, I reverted back to those glossy instructions, which in section 10 describes the process to upgrade the firmware. It instructs the user to download from their website, but alas, there is no web address in the instructions. However by vigorous Google searching, I did find www.win-star.com. There I eventually found the Firmware, but it does not tell you what version and no expanders in the world, seem to extract the .bin file for upload.

So, to summarise my review, this unit is great if you wish to extend your network for iPhones, iPads and Laptops, but the instructions are useless. Bizar as it may seem, you may want to find a friend with a Mac to set it up for you, despite the instructions not supporting Apple.

Tragically, It will not work with Apple TV, but does most other stuff.

For $32.00 AU, I suppose it is pretty good, but there is zero support for this product and it is really frustrating that is no Qos setting and little chance of an update to fix this. Cheap, great signal and works with Apple products Doesn't work with Apple TV, has no support network and instructions are rubbish