08-09-2002, 05:00 PM
|
|
Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
|
|
Going Wireless in Style with the Symbol Wireless Networker
I remember being at Las Vegas Comdex 2000 and talking to a major OEM of wireless 802.11b products � I asked them when we�d see a 802.11b card in a CompactFlash form-factor. They said the chips were still too large and it would be several years. Imagine my surprise when less than a year later Symbol announced an 802.11b CompactFlash card that would work in any Pocket PC!
Un-published PocketPC.com article originally written April 16th, 2002.
The Symbol Wireless Networker is a must-have product for wireless warriors
Device Requirements
The Symbol Wireless Networker will work in any Pocket PC that has a CompactFlash slot. It�s a Type 1 card, which means it will work in the HP Jornada � many competing products are Type 2, so this is a great solution for Jornada owners. I tested this card with an HP Jornada 565 and a D-Link 713-P wireless access point.
What�s Hot
The Symbol Wireless Networker is a small, low-power, wireless 802.11b CompactFlash card with a superb feature offering � it�s the best card on the market, bar none (the exception being its twin from Socket).
Languages Supported
English
Where to Buy
You can purchase the Symbol Wireless Networker for US $179.95 from MobilePlanet.com.
Figure 1: The very small Symbol Wireless Networker
Impressive right out of the box
Symbol did some stunning industrial design with this card � it�s small, unobtrusive, and looks excellent when in a device. The external antenna juts out roughly 10 mm, so when the card is inside a Pocket PC, the extra size is barely noticeable. The product comes with the basics: the card, and a CD-ROM with drivers on it.
Figure 2: Connection status in the bottom-right corner
Installation couldn�t have been easier! I installed the drivers, inserted the card, and the connection status immediately started in the bottom-right corner of my Pocket PC (Figure 1). The green bars mean that it has detected a wireless signal. Tapping on the icon brings up the status window where you can configure the wireless connection.
Figure 3: Setting the ESSID
This is the most important window for configuring the connection (Figure 2) � if you don�t have the ESSID (the name of the wireless network), you can�t connect. The good news is that many public networks are simply called �default�. And here�s a trick for you: if you put �any� as the ESSID, the Symbol Wireless Networker will try to connect to any wireless network it finds. In my case, I used �DOJO� as my ESSID.
Configuration options galore
Figure 4: The very small Symbol Wireless Networker
The software drivers and configuration software for this card is some of the best Pocket PC work I�ve seen. The menus are divided up into tabs, so there�s no vertical scrolling required. Each tab is for a particular element of the set-up, but the default settings work fine in most cases. You have the option of getting an IP address from a DHCP server (which is the default for more wireless LANs) or using a specific IP address (Figure 4).
Figure 5: The Power controls
Power consumption is a major issue with Pocket PCs, so Symbol made sure their card would give users control over the power consumption. Don�t need much speed? Push down the power meter. Need maximum speed for your applications and don�t care about battery life? Crank up the power meter. In most cases, it makes sense to leave the default �Automatic Power Saving Mode� checked off � this will let the software balance speed and power needs automatically.
The card also allows for the Pocket PC to suspend power while network traffic is active � this is a great feature, because more than one person has left his wireless network card in their Pocket PC, and when the device powers up at midnight to set its timers for the day, it stays on until the battery is dead. This feature that Symbol offers will prevent that.
Figure 6: Testing the card
There�s nothing worse than running into a problem with a wireless network and not having the tools to diagnose the problem. As Figure 6 shows, the Symbol software includes an integrated PING utility to let you test whether or not you can reach a specific IP address. This also doubles as a generic PING utility that can help you diagnose all sorts of networking problems (both wireless and wired).
Figure 7: Constant signal display
Another element in trouble-shooting wireless network problems is signal strength: Symbol includes an excellent signal strength meter that allows you to see the quality of the signal, the speed of the signal, and which access point you�re connected to.
Gotchas
In order to keep the size and power requirements down, the Symbol card sacrifices range. Its specification is for 300 feet, and while it supports that range adequately, competing products from D-Link and others have a range of over 1000 feet. I don�t feel this is a significant drawback, but if you�re in a fixed position and can�t get a wireless access point within range, this will be a major issue. Barring this, I couldn�t find any significant problems with this card.
The only problem in setting this card up wasn�t even from the card itself � the Pocket PC 2002 Connection Manager can be confusing to set up initially, but the simple rule of thumb is to set all the drop down menus to �Internet� if you want to get access to the Internet, and set them all to �Work� if you want to ActiveSync with your desktop PC.
Conclusion
Simply put, the Symbol Wireless Networker is the king of the hill. Its combination of price, performance, and size make it a superb choice for your Pocket PC.
|
| |
|
|
|
08-09-2002, 05:09 PM
|
|
Sage
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 623
|
|
Great Review Jason. I use one of these in my iPAQ (silver slider expansion), and a linksys access point (at home, cisco ap at work). It works great, no problems whatsoever. The range could sometimes be a problem I agree, but in my case I haven't had any trouble with it. Overall I totally agree with you, best wireless card out there at the moment. :Fade-color
__________________
~SpencerOwner-Editor of TabletPCBuzz.comMicrosoft MVP - Tablet PC
|
| |
|
|
|
08-09-2002, 05:33 PM
|
|
Pupil
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 46
|
|
I bought mine when they first came out and have had no problems with it. Yes the range is low, but very usefull.
Good review Jason
|
| |
|
|
|
08-09-2002, 05:39 PM
|
|
Pupil
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 46
|
|
I have that card and use it with my iPAQ, and I love it! I'd like to add that you can use it in your laptop as well with a CF to PC Card adapter and the drivers available at Symbol's web site. Even better, if you have Windows XP, the drivers are built in.
|
| |
|
|
|
08-09-2002, 05:57 PM
|
|
Philosopher
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 533
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by DualShock
Even better, if you have Windows XP, the drivers are built in.
|
Are you sure??? I thought this *wasn't* the case. If you're correct, that's great news! (I thought I tried this and it didn't work....the RAM in my head must be going bad :wink: )
-Brian
|
| |
|
|
|
08-09-2002, 06:18 PM
|
|
Pupil
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 26
|
|
Re: Going wireless in style with the Symbol Wireless Network
Great review Jason, my question is: where could I order one in Canada and how much does it cost in CAN$? Thx
|
| |
|
|
|
08-09-2002, 06:19 PM
|
|
Theorist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 300
|
|
I have recently purchased a 802.11b CompactFlash card (WCF12) from Linksys. Installation was a breeze and performance in terms of speed is more than sufficient. However, power consumption is a huge drawback. I can practically see the battery indicator draining in front of my eyes. Btw, I am not sure how Linksys came up with a range of 984 feet for the card. The signal strength deteriorates quite rapidly as I move farther away from the router (also Linksys). Also, I can't say anything positive about the built quality of the card. The sticker on the back is already coming off (not that many people would probably consider that as significant though  ) Moreover, the design overall seems flimsy. I only paid $64 bucks for the card, so I guess you get what you paid for.
Paul P
PS: Anyone know where I can the Symbol card any cheaper? Thanks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It looks like ecost.com has them for about $181 shipped. Mobile planet shipped price is about $192.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One more quote. This yahoo store has it for 165 shipped (not sure about them):
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/scanonli...7-1020-ww.html
|
| |
|
|
|
08-09-2002, 06:25 PM
|
|
Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
|
|
Re: Going wireless in style with the Symbol Wireless Network
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by PsyFactor
Great review Jason, my question is: where could I order one in Canada and how much does it cost in CAN$? Thx
|
You can use this affiliate link to visit HandHeld Canada's Socket store - the Socket card is identical to the Symbol card in every way. Great products (I have both).
|
| |
|
|
|
08-09-2002, 08:19 PM
|
|
Ponderer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 68
|
|
Great Review - Another Comparible Product with Kudos
Great review Jason! - sounds like a great product.
Just as an FYI to those who like a great price TOO:
I got a Belkin F5D6060 CF Wireless 802.11b card for my Ipaq about 2 months ago at CompUSA for $119.00 (plus $20 rebate, making it really a net cost of $99.00!)
It worked perfectly right out of the box, and I've had no problems since. It comes with an install CD, and an updated driver (if you need one) is on their WEB site....never needed support, despite using it DAILY. I can go anywhere in my 2-story home and stay connected to the WEB, Activesync, etc. I really LOVE the speed with which I can do a backup, in contrast to USB or Serial connections.
I love it - its nice to get something that works the first time and every time - and the cost is outstanding. I've had good luck with Belkin products - they seem to be very well made.
(P.S.) I connect to my D-Link DI-614+ Wireless Router...which also has been great.
|
| |
|
|
|
08-09-2002, 08:41 PM
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
