- Boosts wireless signal to previously unreachable or hard-to-wire areas flawlessly
- WPS button for instant set up
- Smart Signal Indicator helps to find the right location to place the range extender
got some issues here
06/03/2014
This review is from: TP-LINK TL-WA854RE V1.2 300Mbps Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender, Repeater, Wall Plug design, One-button Setup, Smart Signal Indicator
Pros:
This range extender works for the most part and adds WIFI to my detached garage where I had absolutely no signal before. I was able to easily connect three android smart phones and an older Toshiba satellite laptop to the extended network without any major issues. Very good internal receiver antenna as I was able to connect to my network with 2 bars where my phones would have none whatsoever. WIFI calling works great while using the extender as well. Reliable connection while in close range.
Cons:
Ok, here we go with the bad. If I'm anywhere in the middle between my router and the extender then both phones can't choose witch access point to use and end up draining the battery rapidly. My Galaxy s3 used an entire battery in standby in less than 6 hours because it constantly switches between the router and the extender. I tried to remedy this by moving the extender as far away from the house as possible and although I managed to improve the problem it still randomly disconnects from the router to use the extender. This poses a major problem with WIFI calling as the call gets dropped every time it reconnects to either AP.
Another issue I'm having is that even though I can connect to the extended network almost every time without an issue this is not the case while trying to connect to the main network when walking back in range of the router. I would get stuck in a connect/disconnect loop on every phone I tried this on and was only able to reconnect to the main network after turning WIFI off and back on again on the phones. The laptop seemed to always reconnect to the main network without issue.
Overall Review:
I've found that even though I loved having WIFI in my garage that I can't use the extender because of how bad it interferes with the main network in the house. I loved the simple setup and used it plenty while outside but the problems caused my main network just outweighed the need for internet outside.
I think that there is a perfect place for one of these at a different location where most of the wireless is needed farther away from the main router but I think the best solution is to use a different hotspot altogether.
I plan to use this extender when I have cookouts and company over because we are usually outside and there would be very little traffic on the main network at that point.
Manufacturer Response:
Hello Customer,
Thank you for your review.
We are sorry to see that you are having some issues with your phone and this Range Extender.
The issue that you are describing with your phone is not something that we've heard of and may require some in depth research.
However this is still more so an issue with the phone OS as the Range Extender is unable of causing the phone to change AP's by itself.
This seems like we may need to spend time with you to help configure and set up the Range Extender to work with your Main Router.
You may always contact our 24 hour technical support team or you may contact me directly for further support.
Best Regards!
TP-LINK Support Team
Howard.he@tp-link.com
(866) 225-8139
http://www.tp-link.com/us/support
Share this review:
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
- Matthew C.
-
EggXpert
-
Owned For:
1 week to 1 month
LOADING...
