Pros: Easy Setup.
With an external Antenna connected to the unique separate Receive antenna port, you do end up with a broader available networks. Couldn't find another such device that works this way, a separate antenna for External WiFi and then two other antennas for Internal WiFi

Cons: The "Dual Radio" part is misleading, for I think just technology stands in the way of repeating full bandwidth. Dual-radio repeaters are interesting in theory, but unless they are on different Freq. they cannot broadcast simultaneously.

The Throughput is half, I think that is just they way it ends up. Interference I would guess, 0ne 2.4ghz signal at a time, so 50%. I will live with it in the situations where I need the increased range to the source and connect direct when I am close enough
But you get to have an External Antenna.
Now there are the Dual Band Extenders, but you have to choose 2.4ghz in 5 ghz out or the other way. I my case, in an RV, 99% of the time it is 2.4 in and nothing I have uses 5ghz, so would need to have all new devices for it to be perfect I guess

Other Thoughts: Throughput is 50% of the host's, 16Mbps will be 8 through the Repeater

Pros: Getting it connected up was painless. ust took a minute

Cons: Used the provided onboard antennas for local transmit and connected their Hi-Gain Omni antenna with low loss cable in the receive port and placed it up and away.
While I have good signal, what I noticed was a 50% loss in Download Speed.
With the laptop connected to the building wifi using its internal antenna, 16Mbps from where I was sitting. Then connect to the HW2R1 WiFi, which is also connected to the building network, but with a hi-gain antenna up in the air above me mind you, 8Mbps.
Guess it is just par for this kind of device

Other Thoughts: SO, I think, maybe it is the external antenna or cable. SO I put the third onboard antenna on the HW2R1 receive, sitting a few feet away from me (should be worse right). SAME RESULT.
Got to be the device

Pros: Easy Setup

Cons: Poor speed, poor range. Waste of money.

Other Thoughts: Bought it to replace previous Hawking which had performed well but stopped working. I have a Mac and the software_HW2R1.exe file from Hawking website is Windows only.

Manufacturer Response:

Sorry for your experience. Note that for Mac users, setup is done via the web browser so no software is needed. Just open your web browser and type in the IP address.
As for speed issues, here are some things you can check:
Log into the Smart Repeater, go to General Settings, go to Home Wireless, basic settings. Try adjusting channels until you get close to your original speed. The reason for this is related to wireless interference.
Another issue that might cause the problem might be the security. Log into the Smart Repeater, go to General Settings, go to Home Wireless, Security Settings. Change the security to WPA-Pre-shared key and select WPA2-AES. Type in a passphrase. Save and apply.
These usually solve any speed issues.
As for range, make sure you place it at a midpoint. It acts like a relay so it should be placed inbetween your wireless router and where you have low wifi signal. At the very least, it should at least double your range.
Hawking Techsupport

Pros: None - It does not work as advertised! Really Slow!

Cons: In sharp contrast to Hawking Technologies stated "Features" and "Claims" of technical superiority I found the HW2R1 to be severely lacking. Straight out of the box speed tests show a marked reduction in performance. The results of over 100 speed tests for multiple testing providers to diverse test locations around the USA and abroad showed the HW2R1 to be consistently ~70% slower than testing that did not include the HW2R1. Either this unit was severely flawed or this two radio "smart repeater" is a joke!

Their tech support is also of limited value and has no weekend or after hours support. Additionally, due to the language differences they were at times difficult to understand.

Other Thoughts: None

Manufacturer Response:

Sorry for your experience. For speed issues, we recommend the following
Log into the Smart Repeater, go to General Settings, go to Home Wireless, basic settings. Try adjusting channels until you get close to your original speed. The reason for this is related to wireless interference.
Another issue that might cause the problem might be the security. Log into the Smart Repeater, go to General Settings, go to Home Wireless, Security Settings. Change the security to WPA-Pre-shared key and select WPA2-AES. Type in a passphrase. Save and apply.
You may have called the wrong number for our support since we do have 24/7. Please make sure you call 1888-202-3344.

Pros: easy setup, excellent coverage, nice interface, better than most and I can use it in the RV.

Cons: No 5G

Other Thoughts: Bought this based on several reviews, totally satisfied with the performance. Place this in a cabinet with glass doors shut, 4 bars all over 2 story home. Added the DLink antenna for the RV, this router rocked 50 yards from access point at campsite. Can't go wrong if you don't need 5G.

Pros: Fast, reliable, affordable. Currently running all gizmos, Sharp 60 1080, 4 security cams with no drops or problems. Added one external antenna for extra coverage, placed behind glass on bottom floor, gets 5 bars on 2nd level. Very good repeater with Netgear and DLink.

Cons: No 5 GHZ or gigabit lan but the 2.4 is extremely dependable and reliable, throughput excellent. No lag with 1080.

Other Thoughts: Used several different access points, this one works flawlessly when configured correctly. Mine has been on 24/7 for one year without one single drop in signal, grabbing 78% signal from upstairs, for the price you cannot go wrong if you know how to set up an AP and need to extend range or add DHCP or more switches.

Pros: The signal distance is pretty good, and the size of the unit is standard. The setup is easy and quick, and straightforward. Good for someone who is just trying to boost their signal in their home or business.

Cons: Every 10-15 minutes or so the internet connection drops for about 20 seconds then comes back on. This is quite annoying if you require a steady signal for whatever it is you are doing on the internet. Also as mentioned in someone elses review, it would be nice if Hawking Tech would create a forum where other owners could talk to each other to try and solve technical issues. Its hard to find a place online where people can post problems in a central place, most posts online are scattered in other forums. Like any other hardware manufacturer there should be one site that they provide for owners to communicate back and forth on tech issues, performance issues, ideas, setups, etc. Finally the firmware update..there should be more tech support or more instruction in the manual about updating the firmware on the unit.

Hopefully the signal drop issue can be fixed in a firmware update, but first there should be information on the firmware updates to begin with. troubleshooting, walkthroughs etc.

Other Thoughts: If it wasnt for the signal/internet dropping out every 20 minutes this would be a great piece of hardware. However since this is obviously not an isolated case, and has been going on for a while now with no change or support from the company, unless you know alot about how to maintain networks, it wouldnt be a good buy for the casual homeowner who doesnt know alot about networking in my opinion. I hope that the company does something about this issue, it gets quite annoying. I may be buying a different signal booster here in the next couple weeks. We shall see I guess....

Pros: none

Cons: got it hooked it up setup like it said and didn't work. called tech support they came to the conclusion that it was bad straight from the box. boxed it up sent it back for refund. Price was a little high also but if it would have worked like advertised. maybe it would have been work it.

Other Thoughts: return process was easy and good. no problems there just the hawking product

Pros: 1. You can put it in a CAR/RV/BOAT and run it off the 12V battery.
2. You can log into the router via iPhone, Droid, iPAD and select which hotspot you would like to repeat.

Cons: 1.18 Firmware Upgrade is painful and Support is slow. Ive been trying to address the random drop out issue when hotspots or the 802.11 source your repeating changes channels.
Therre are reportedly 2 ways to upgrade the firmware:
1. Via web http://192.168.1.200
When you select tools, firmware, and atempt to load firmware_1.18_HW2R1.bin, the second you hit apply it goes to a webpage not found! (nice...... NOT)

2. Via the HAWKING SUPPORT UTILITY.
When you select firmware upgrade, and attempt to load firmware_1.18_HW2R1.bin, the utility pauses then tells you to "disable your firewall and antivirus, and try again".

Ive tried on Windows XP, Vista, 7, and MACOS, this thing wont accept the newer firmware. :-(

Other Thoughts: It would be wise if hawking technology could spend a little money and add a Forum where hawking owners could collaborate with each other for solutions.

Pros: It worked. It worked in the Quick-Setup config mode and it worked in the advanced mode after spending many, many hours trying to configure it.

Cons: Too expensive. The device has two radios. The sender radio is OK but nothing to write home about. The receiver radio seems to limit the speed to a theoretical 5 mb/s which translates to a real 2 mb/s.
May be I have a bad unit. But there would be a mailing fee to get another unit. I give up. Set-up interface is very slow and just bad.

Other Thoughts: What are two radios for when I can get e.g. an Apple Airport or something less known for $30 with a repeater function that provides faster access? To all those who rates the devices well: It might work in special situations when trying to connect to a remote hotspot (don't know). But it does not work at all as range extender.