IOGEAR GWU627 Universal Wifi Adapter for Internet Ready TV, Game Consoles & Ethernet-Enabled Devices

Pros: * For such a small device it gets excellent WiFi reception. * Although it's not readily available or documented anywhere that I've found, if you browse directly to http://[DeviceIP]/menu.asp page (You'll have to type it directly) you'll find a ton more configuration options than you get from the main page, including the ability to set a password on the device itself and to set the device to use either a static or DHCP IP of your choosing instead of having to be stuck with it on the default 192.168.1.252.

Cons: Got two of these in the last week and both had firmware that was outdated. Make sure to get the latest firmware as it fixes some known security issues and improves support for IPv6. (The original firmware on both of mine only partly supported IPv6 but the update fixed it on both.)

Overall Review: Reading the other comments there is some confusion about whether or not they continue to use 192.168.1.252 after initial config. They do, and they do not (by default) DHCP for their own addresses. I know this because my network DHCPs in a different range but if I statically configure my laptop to a 192.168.1.x/24 IP I can still ping a GWU627 at its 192.168.1.252 address. If you have two+ default-configured GWU627s on your network you'll get to whichever one ARPs first. The only time this would be a problem however is if you had another device on .252 that you need to access. Otherwise, this "conflict" isn't a problem for two reasons. 1. They still bridge packets for other devices just fine even if they ARP-battle each other over who is the rightful "owner" of 192.168.1.252. 2. If you browse to http://[deviceIP]/menu.asp (not documented) you'll find a wealth of add'l options including the ability to choose a static IP or set the device to truly DHCP for itself - problem resolved.

Pros: Very small, includes USB cable and power adapter, works well after set up.

Cons: Could not phone tech support but figured it out myself instead of trying later. Read below.

Overall Review: My wireless router is set for a security password (WPA2). In the past the WPS (auto connection) did not work with my wi-fi TV so I had to manually enter into the TV. I again had the same trouble with the iogear adapter. The instructions describe how to connect to the adapter using your Ethernet cable which goes from your computer to the router. If your WPS won't do an automatic connection then you will need to follow the steps carefully (use the steps for the correct OS, mine was Windows 7). As a last step, click the Manual WLAN Setup button (on screen) and enter your security password. This installs it into the adapter and after you reset your computer and router to normal, the adapter should work connected to whatever you are using it for. The WPS light is off for normal operation. You may need to power the router off then on. I'm using the adapter at about 25 ft. from the router.

Pros: Cheap, small, easy to set-up.

Cons: Drops connection see below

Overall Review: I have this on a Onkyo HT-360-RC receiver it was dropping out when I was listening to internet radio. It was driving me nuts! Finally in desperation I got a 3 foot standard CAT-5 cable. Guess what, no problems! So throw the cable that comes with it away!

Pros: Simple to use, worked as explained right out of the box. I am rating it a 5 but there were issues and I will put them in the con box, but the fix was easy. I have used this with many different networks and devices, and it has never hiccuped after the first day. From using it for my XBOX 360 to now my desktops connection to the net, and its fast enough to be well under 100ms and game-able. I recommend as long as you follow what is in my con section.

Cons: Throw out the included ethernet cable and replace with one that you know is good. When I first bought this hardware, my machine would connect to the network, work for a second and reset.... This happened over and over. As soon as I replaced the cable, the box has functioned perfectly. Gleaning other reports, I have come to the conclusion that this is a common issue with this hardware, and it technically isn't anything wrong with the unit, its the cable making the box look bad. I tested the cable on a special ether-net test unit and it failed bad. Lots of cross talk. It barely passed the 10baseT test. So replace the cable and you should have no issues. I'm sure many on here have returned their units with many a complaint, and they do have a right to be mad, but if you work through it logically, in the end the cable had to be the problem, since I was able to set the unit up with the cable, and it wasn't until I started to try to push at speed that the problem showed...

Overall Review: If you have issues, try a good 5e patch cable, especially if your box resets or loses connection... it is a sub par cable that will cause the box to go into diagnostic mode and drop the connection... The hardware is cheap, but it doesn't mean that it is bad, I have found that the cost maybe cheap, but the performance I have gotten is anything but.... I get speeds and pings that are almost as if I was plugged into the wifi router.

Pros: When its working it works great. But that is for about 20 min at a time.

Cons: Constantly drops connection. Does not work well with subnets or IP address reservations. Must be using an entire class C network in order for it to utilize 192.168.1.3 and 192.168.1.252. Came with a bad ethernet cable. I guess I should have known to start troubleshooting at the physical layer.

Overall Review: Bought to give my PS3 a wireless N connection for movie streaming. Gets rid of studdering caused by low bandwidth wireless streaming but will not hold a connection long enough to watch a 30 min show. Very frustrating. Maybe a firmware upgrade will correct. IOGEAR watcha got????

Pros: Here's what I do first: I check the IOGear site for the latest Firmware & download it. Next I follow the excellent enclosed instruction to connect the GWU627 to my PC and check the installed firmware. In my case it needed to be upgraded to the latest release from August 2012. Next go back to the install booklet, set the GWU627 for your home network. That's it, your connected. This is the second GWU627 I have purchased to connect DirecTv HD DVRs to wireless N routers. The first one I purchased for my Daughter's DVR at her home when we realized trying to run Cat5 cable wasn't worth the time or expense. That first one has been up and running since July 2012 without a hiccup. Now I've got my second DVR at our home also connected to the internet for Video On Demand from DirectTv

Cons: None that I know of...

Pros: Working great, connects my surveillance DVR to my wireless network, the range is very good, connected for over 3 months now, no complaint, no disconnection, great price, great device

Cons: none so far

Pros: I unboxed this little beauty and had my Panasonic DMP-BD65 up and working in 2 minutes. Saved half the price over the recommended WiFi port which Panasonic suggested I use.

Cons: If your router does not have a WPS button then set up can take 5 minutes+. Once I discover some cons with this decide I will update this review. :)

Overall Review: I like things which work. I am happy when they work. This works. Ergo I am happy.