TRENDnet TEW-690AP Wireless AP/Bridge TRENDnet TEW-690AP Wireless AP/Bridge

Pros: Sometimes it works. Hint: don't buy two.

Cons: The documentation is poor. The web site is not very informative.

My access point had a non-standard default password when reset to factory defaults. I had to guess to figure it out.

I bought two to set up a network for a larger area. Figuring out how to do it was a process of trial and error. In the "Knowledge Base" on the TRENDnet web site, it's hard to tell which access point needs to be configured in what way in order to get it to work.

I could forgive these problems. However, when conducting large data transfers over a secure network (think backup) it would reboot itself. Often, when it did so, it would forget it's entire configuration. Fortunately, I backed up the configuration to a file. It's annoying to have to manually fix my access point every few weeks... more often when it's hot.

Eventually I bought a netbook cooler (with a fan) to put the thing on. That helped... now it does not reboot and loose its mind so often... but it still does occasionally.

Other Thoughts: Stay away from this junk. I used to love TRENDnet because they had good quality products for good prices. Now, I will stay away from TRENDnet products. An item this expensive should have better documentation and should be reliable.

Pros: none

Cons: with all the personal offers to help... has anyone been helped? Has anyone's faith in TrensNet products been restored? Is this nothing but a waste of time also... just a smoke screen? I wish I could get my money back... I bought 2 of these and I am out quite a bit of money... oh well.

Other Thoughts: expensive since it DOES NOT work... look at the reniews below... beware.

Pros: I am a server administrator by profession and understand networking. I was not impressed with the speed using an access point and repeater combination. I went through several very lack-luster tech support calls and after going through several agents located in foreign lands who didnt do much, my complaint was escalated to a person in California who was unable to assist either. At a distance of 100 ft., I get speeds of 144mbps... I would have been happy with 240 but that is just a pipe dream. I wasted my money.

Cons: see above

Manufacturer Response:

Valued Customer,

Please contact us at Sales@trendnet.com , reference "New Egg Product Review" and someone will contact you to ensure your settings are correct.

Regards,

TRENDnet Sales Team

Pros: none

Cons: Would never save default gateway for a static ip address. I got it to work for about an hour using dynamic ip but just having it connected to my network slowed all the devices on my network to a crawl. The next day, it wouldn't connect at all. Trendnet tech support tried to help, but couldn't figure it out either. I will say that even though they couldn't help, I was impressed with the effort they put in to try. The only thing I can think of is that this device doesn't understand that the default gateway isn't the same ip address as the dhcp and dns servers on my network.

Other Thoughts: Was going to use this to "upgrade" from my Hawking HWREN1 300mbps to the 450mbps this device offered. If you're trying to to extend the range of your wireless network, save yourself a lot of time and trouble and get a Hawking repeater instead. Verrrry easy to setup and very reliable.

Manufacturer Response:

Valued Customer,

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you. We would like to suggest that you change your static ip address to be in the same network where your gateway resides . Otherwise, you can also choose the “dhcp client”, so that the dhcp service would automatically assign an ip address/gateway for you. If you still have issue please contact us at sales@trendnet.com, reference "New Egg product review" and Sr. technical personnel will contact you immediately to help. We look forward to working with you directly and restoring your faith in TRENDnet products.

Warmest regards,

TRENDnet Sales Team

Pros: Re-stocking fee is a bit steep, but Newegg has a speedy response times.

Cons: People of Newegg, be warned, all time lost trying to baby this shiny new product along will age persons by least twice their time invested. But if you must buy: 1) make sure your router is compatible, and be OK with disabling all firewalls 2) disregard the included instructions, initial setup password is “admin” 3) should you be fortunate enough to receive, “Congratulations! Your 450 Mbps Wireless N Access Point Is Now Configured”, then disregard further instructions to log in with “default” address 192.168.10.100 --the correct IP is briefly given during the install. Wait, you didn’t catch it? No worries, by this time you’ve probably gotten pretty good at re-installing the cranky setup anyway 4) an automatic update function? You spoiled brat, what’s wrong with a good old manual firmware update? 5) abandon all hope and anticipation when you actually test the connection...

Manufacturer Response:

Valued Customer,

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you. We would like to clarify and better understand your concerns. Please contact us at sales@trendnet.com, reference "New Egg product review”. Someone will contact you immediately to go through final Wi-Fi settings and hopefully resolve the connection issue. We look forward to working with you directly to restore your faith in TRENDnet products.

Warmest regards,

TRENDnet Sales Team

Pros: Great coverage, stable firmware, good speeds

Cons: Cost, no 5 Ghz spectrum

Pros: Three antennas... black and shiny.

Cons: Does not work as advertised. Configuration was NOT a snap, and "default" password did not work as it was NOT blank by default. WPS setup between the TEW-690AP and TEW-647GA was hit or miss. Signal strength through one (metal framed) wall over a distance of 30 feet is 2 out of 5 bars. There is not much to love about this device.

Pros: Good Specs

Cons: Could not log into the device to configure it. Connectivity was direct Ethernet cable (same cable I use to connect to my switch). Device puts up log in screen but would not let me log in. Tried 4 different browsers. Reset to factory default 5 - 60s in 5 second increments. Gave up and sent the box back. Newegg gets 5 eggs for service.

Other Thoughts: One egg because you cannot choose zero

Pros: 3 antennaes, 802.11n

Cons: Cant connect thru 2 stone block walls, even standing right outside the room this is located i get 3 bars. Cant connect thru 2 doors, one of which is a sliding glass door. I cant even go to the configuration page thru internet explore or chrome, or firfox.

Other Thoughts: I build and setup computers and their networks. No way this thing can reach even 50 ft. Cant connect thru a laptop 30 ft away thru 2 stone block walls. Not enough signal to connect. Dont get anywhere near 450mbps, max is 144mbps if your computer is within 5ft of this. Don't waste your time.

Manufacturer Response:

Valued Customer,

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you. Please contact us at sales@trendnet.com,reference "New Egg product review" and someone will contact you immediately.We look forward to working with you directly to restore your faith in TRENDnet products.

Warmest regards,

TRENDnet Sales Team

Pros: FAST SPEED
> conntions for existing N speeds are even better
> no drop out even with 22 connections at same time
> great for Video streaming > now I get whole 3600Sq ft house with ONE AP
> good security - easy connections to wired router

Cons: Price

Other Thoughts: LED lights are way way tooo bright - in fact I can read anyting inder these 2x blue 1x red led lights - can be very annying at nights when all lights are off !!!
(since my AP is hanggin over head on the 12ft ceiling)
lower power lights (less brighterones) might also help in lower energy costs.