Kensington WiFi Finder Plus

Average customer rating: 2.5

Did not work as advertised
I'll try to be nice
I find it very useful mapping wireless hotspots about the house - it worked for me.
Its just OK.
Overall good performance, but specific uses.

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Kensington WiFi Finder Plus

Manufacturer: Kensington
Product Group: CE
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B0002XHFPS

Related Categories:

Computer Add-Ons

Computer Add-Ons

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Product Description

Kensington WiFi Finder Plus 33086 - Your life on the road just got a lot easier. Just press a button and the Kensington WiFi Finder Plus lets you know if your location is "hot" with 802.11b or 802.11g...instantly. The convenient, one-button WiFi Finder Plus quickly indicates signal strength for all 802.11b, 802.11b/g and active Bluetooth enabled networks within range. Compact device attaches easily to laptop carrying case or key chain. Includes a built-in flashlight for added convenience 5 LEDs display hotspot network signal strength to correspond with most laptop signal strength meters Kensington 1-year warranty and free technical support

Customer Reviews:

Did not work as advertised.......2007-06-11

Wouldn't detect or indicate WiFi location, even when siting on top of a known good site.

I'll try to be nice.......2007-05-13

This is probably the most useless piece of equipment I've ever purchased. (You should hear me when I'm not trying to be nice)

Couple of examples. One of my neighbors has a wireless network running that I can connect to, with my laptop, from 'good' to 'very low'. Usually low. The Kensington WiFi Finder doesn't find it. There's a coffee shop I go to that I connect to from 'Excellent' to 'Very Good'. It can't even find that one when I'm sitting in the coffee shop.

The only time it was able to locate a wireless network was when I was walking across a college campus. Duh! And the signal registered as 'very low'.

I don't know what you'd use this for, but finding wireless networks isn't one of them.

P.S. Amazon should allow 0 star ratings

I find it very useful mapping wireless hotspots about the house - it worked for me........2007-01-11

This little 'key fob' device has a 4 bright green LED strength meter and is 7 x 4 x 1 cm in size. I has a classy solid feel rubbery plastic case with a simple silver click switch to switch on the meter and measure the WiFi strength. It measures 'g' and 'b' wireless strength (not 'a') in about 5 seconds. The more green LEDs the more the signal (if there is little or no signal you get a red flashing LED). There's also a single blue LED for detecting local active bluetooth (never tried that, but being such short range this device would probably only be useful to see if you have a bluetooth transmission fault). The meter supposedly 'filters out' other signals like mobile/cordless phones and microwave interference. More importantly it seems to work very well with my home D-Link wireless 'g' router/PCI card PC/Centrino Laptop network.

This WIFI Finder is really useful if you have a home network PC in a weak signal location as it helps you quickly find a better site for the wireless router or PC antenna. It's far faster and easier than using Windows XP to show the signal strength (and you don't have to lift the PC up and down). You can move about the house in minutes mapping where the high and low signal areas are. The WIFI finder batteries seem to last ages as well. I have replaced all my WIFI antennas on the router and PCI cards with more powerful D-Link DWL 50ATs and use a Hawking RP/RJ SMA 2.13m antenna extension cable to relocate the WIFI antenna to the nearest high signal area - found with this Kensington WIFI Finder. In most cases this is about 4 foot above the PC monitor. Now my home wireless g network runs at full speed all the time with few drop outs. The PC would connect at reduced speed with a 'zero' flashing red LED, but the connection was often very slow and always very unreliable (so treat the red LED as a warning, not an indication of zero signal). Also use Windows or your cards network utility to check what it thinks of the signal quality and strength (the WiFi Finder seems to measure strength not quality).

So this Kensington WIFI Finder Plus was a great buy for me and our four home networked PC's. It's also easy to take along and find local hotspots when on the move with a notebook (if there are any) - although other reviews suggest the WiFi Finder is a bit fussy about low signals for this - I only ever use this device in relative's houses when accessing their home wireless 'g' network. I have never tried using the Finder with an older 'b' wireless system though.

Its just OK........2007-01-09

The wifi detector part of this unit works without issue and I guess that is its main function however, the bluetooth detector does not work AT ALL!! I have placed a bluetooth enabled transmitting phone next to the device and it was not detected.

My other major problem was with the clasp. I had the unit attached to a laptop bag and right in the middle of an airport the clasp broke. Luckily some nice person informed me and I was able to pick up the unit.

My suggestion, go with another device.

Overall good performance, but specific uses........2007-01-05

The Kensington WiFi Finder Plus is a solid performer and does what I needed it for. I've never tried the built in BlueTooth Finder, but that's simply because I've never used any BlueTooth devices.

Regardless, the WiFi Finder is not going to give you as powerful signal as your wireless device. If you get one LED to light up on this keychain, it can equal about 3-4 bars. 2 LEDs for me equates to a full 5 bars on my laptop typically. This is not foolproof, however, as at times it will show no signal at all given its lack of power, when it is quite possible to connect.

Basically, it is a good product if you're looking to see if you're in or in close proximity to a hotspot, but not necessarily for if you're driving or walking past somewhere and wish to know if you'll have wireless connectivity inside. Buy it for specific uses but don't expect it to show signals like your laptop will.

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