If you were to ask me how to improve on a wireless router’s design I would have to admit I would be a little short of words. There isn’t really all that much to a wireless router and my opinion would have been nothing, that is right up until I got my hands on the TRENDNET TEW-673GRU Dualband Wireless N Router With LCD Screen. Having all of your configuration on a tidy little LCD panel instead of going into the webpage interface is genius to say the least. Let’s get a good look at this router and we’ll see if you share my feelings on this new idea:
Provided By: TRENDNET
Price: $164.99
Closer Look:
Specifications and Features:
- Compliant with IEEE 802.11n/g/b/a standards
- Transmits simultaneous 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) signals (with separate default SSIDs)
- 4 x 10/100/1000Mbps Auto-MDIX LAN ports
- 1 x 10/100/1000Mbps WAN port (Internet)
- 2 x USB 2.0 ports
- 1 x Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button
- Color LCD management interface: view device status, local time, network performance, and additional router management options
- Compatible with most popular cable/DSL Internet Service Providers using Dynamic/Static IP, PPPoE and PPTP
- High-speed data rates up to 300Mbps using an IEEE 802.11n connection
- Network a USB flash drive, hard drive, or printer using software utility
- 2 detachable antennas provide high-speed performance and expansive wireless coverage
- Advanced firewall protection with Network Address Translation (NAT) and Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI)
- Access restriction with Internet Access Control; MAC, Protocol, and Domain filtering
- Virtual server and Application Level Gateway (ALG) services for special Internet applications
- Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) for auto discovery and support for device configuration of Internet applications
- Multiple pass-through sessions for popular VPN applications (IPSec, L2TP, and PPTP)
- Advanced QoS support includes: Uplink speed control, IP prioritization and Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM)
- One touch wireless security setup using the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button
- Complete wireless security with WPA/WPA2-RADIUS, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK, and WEP
- USB control center utility (designed for storage devices and print servers ) works with Windows 7/Vista/2000/XP
- 3- year limited warranty
| Hardware | |
| Standards |
|
| WAN | 1 x 10/100/1000Mbps Auto-MDIX port (Internet) |
| LAN | 4 x 10/100/1000Mbps Auto-MDIX port |
| USB | 2 x USB 2.0, 1.1 compliant USB type A port |
| WPS Button | Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) with other WPS compliant devices |
| Connection Type | Dynamic IP, Static (fixed) IP, PPPoE, PPTP |
| Router/ Firewall | Enable/disable firewall NAT, SPI and DoS (block ping, port scan, sync flood) MAC / Protocol/Domain filtering (deny or allow) UPnP, DMZ, Static/Dynamic Route support |
| LCD | 1.5” x 1.25” color LCD management interface with 4 control buttons |
| LCD display | Displays real time performance statistics (2.4GHz, 5GHz, wired switch ports, and Internet connection), device status (2.4GHz, 5GHz, wired switch ports, and Internet connection), management controls (router restart, factory reset, date/time, connected device information), WPS setup, and current PIN information |
| LED Indicator | Power |
| Power Adapter | 2A external power adapter |
| Power Consumption | 1200mA (max) |
| Dimension (L x W x H) | 194 x 118 x 38.5 mm (7.6 x 4.6 x 1.5 in.) |
| Weight | 365 g (12.8 oz) |
| Temperature |
|
| Humidity | Max. 95% (non-condensing) |
| Certifications | CE, FCC |
| Wireless | |
| Frequency | 2.412 ~ 2.484GHz 5.180~5.240GHz / 5.745~5825GHz (a/n) |
| Antenna | 2 x 3dBi detachable dipole antennas |
| Modulation | OFDM: BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM DBPSK, DQPSK, CCK |
|
|
| 64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK(TKIP)/WPA2-PSK(AES), WPA/WPA2-RADIUS MAC/Protocol/Domain filter |
|
| QoS | WMM, uplink speed control, IP prioritization |
| Output Power |
|
| Receiving Sensitivity |
|
| Channels | 2.4GHz: 1~11 (FCC), 1~13 (ETSI) 5GHz: Customer to select channels in compliance with respective local regulations |
 |
|
Testing:
I will be using the Levelone Wireless N Dongle we recently reviewed and the trendnet-TEW-673GRU, Trendnet tew-651BR, and the Levelone N_Max 300mbps Wireless N Router. I will be looking for Mbps and how many bars it has with the router in the BAsement and my pc being up one flight of stairs.
Bars Mbps
Trendnet 4 54.0
Level one 4 270.0
Trendnet LCD 2 216.0
Conclusion:
Even though the TRENDNET TEW-673GRU Dualband Wireless N Router did not perform quite as well as the new Levelone router, it did perform impressively overall couple this will all the features this router has that the Levelone does not makes it more than just a contender. I hate the thought of having to plug in the router run to my pc and configure it now that I have used the TRENDNET TEW-673GRU Dualban Wireless N Router. Being able to setup the router all in one spot them go to my PC and have it work right when I sit down is awesome!
Would I recommend this product? Yes, it is well made and a great piece of engineering genius. If you are sick of trouble shooting through web page interface then this router is for you.
Pros:
- Easy Setup
- LCD Screen
- No More web Interface if I so Choose
- Black (I like black)
- Dual Band with Dedicated Media Streaming Band
Cons:
- I Would Like to see High dBi Antennas
- Price Might be High for Some
