Trendnet TEW-673GRU Hands-on Video Reviews

[tipstir]

You using WDS ?

Not anymore!

 

[tipstir]

Well everyone looks like the reviews on Newegg on this wireless router not too pretty. Most of what they said is what I've seen. I was going to rig-up the HD Vcam on the LED/LCD panel and see if it really works, other than display info. I gong to see if I can get someone from Trendnet to fix the wireless signal issue. Other than that, the router is very fast on the gig side now that I know it's a Realtek Gig Controller and that uses 832KB for PB (packet buffer) The same Gig controller in ESR-9850, Belkin N+ and Dlink DIR-655 an etc. Now 64MB DDR RAM and the Atheros WNPU is 680MHz. These can be OC (overclocked to 800MHz) but some sort DD-WRT or OpenWRT would have to be use. Right now I only concerned with routing performance. Wireless well if firmware can correct that great otherwise I got ESR-9850 to take care AP part for now.

 

[FearlessG1]

So far I like this router, I have been using it for a couple weeks now with no major problems.

I had used a Linksys WRT-610N and while the web GUI was nicer looking, the trendnet gui is simple enough, makes sense, and is faster. My TEW-673GRU also has a better wireless range, possibly due to the antenna's being external rather than all internal.

One problem, though is that my LCD screen will get all garbled after about 10 minutes. I can turn off the router, power it back up and about 10 minutes later the LCD screen will be garbled again, pressing the buttons (which do not make sense at all, to navigate the menu) will make the screen change a little but its still completely garbled. The router continues to work perfectly fine in every way, aside from the screen being garbled. I even downloaded and reinstalled the latest firmware (that had a release date that doesn't make too much sense since my router came shipped with the same version) and in the firmware notes it says "Fixed LCD graphical display of 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless performance. " Though it does not appear to be fixed.

Are you having this problem with your LCD screen as well Tip?

 

[tipstir]

So far I like this router, I have been using it for a couple weeks now with no major problems.

I had used a Linksys WRT-610N and while the web GUI was nicer looking, the trendnet gui is simple enough, makes sense, and is faster. My TEW-673GRU also has a better wireless range, possibly due to the antenna's being external rather than all internal.

One problem, though is that my LCD screen will get all garbled after about 10 minutes. I can turn off the router, power it back up and about 10 minutes later the LCD screen will be garbled again, pressing the buttons (which do not make sense at all, to navigate the menu) will make the screen change a little but its still completely garbled. The router continues to work perfectly fine in every way, aside from the screen being garbled. I even downloaded and reinstalled the latest firmware (that had a release date that doesn't make too much sense since my router came shipped with the same version) and in the firmware notes it says "Fixed LCD graphical display of 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless performance. " Though it does not appear to be fixed.

Are you having this problem with your LCD screen as well Tip?

I finally got some one at Trendnet to talk about this with today. I'll be making the direct call to some sort of higher up? I really enjoy using the router. But the LCD screen I have the same issue as you. The wireless is working correctly I have to report that now. If they can send me a replacement, then I'll get another one for AP usage. Mine down now, because I going to run the Max S Connection test to see how it does compared to ESR-9850 19,000 MS Connections. I'll report back with link too the image I get from the results. There is also DNS Relay issue one web site though.

 

[tipstir]

Testing again (wireless AP mode)

I've tried a few times to test the Max connections came out with zero results. Oh well.

I am now using it as AP only to see how that goes, and wanted to see what type of distance it can put out before it goes lousy. Then figure out should I invest into another one?

Funny how the LED/LCD panel doesn't show any activity for wireless even in this mode. I'll give it a facebook test...

 

[tipstir]

I got inSSIDer running in the background. I am now on the main floor the TEW-673GRU in AP mix mode on channel 6 on the second floor where I use to have the Belkin N+ and ESR-9850 both in AP mixed mode. I am getting -47dBm for RSSI signal is still showing Excellent. I going to go where I usually get a weaker signal strength.

 

[tipstir]

Wireless Test Results

I had decided to cover the entire property and in going deep into the woods just to see how far I could still get a good signal before it got poor. At -87dBm was still showing fair some areas was really poor.

Basement Family room I got -71dBm showing good
Basement Garage I got -65dBm
Reset of the first floor was in the -40 to -53dBm range still showing excellent.
Outside Porch (patio deck) -61dBm showing excellent
I did also 360 degree radius around the property starts do drop to -67, -71, -83dBm along the property fence, then beyond into the woods would be -85dBm shows fair connection.

I also had facebook running and no lag in the wireless also.

 

[tipstir]

My final thoughts

Well I am on wireless netbook mode is 802.11n. I got facebook cafeworld (simulates 3D cafe with avatars walking in and out, siting down for a meal) Takes a lot of horse power to run that if it's uses complex graphics. Just to show you how well the TEW-673GRU AP is performing.

Well I am convince I going to buy another one and save this AP config profile for the second one. I still don't know why the LED/LCD panel doesn't show my wireless or wired activity. I can restart or reset back to factory defaults router settings without using the Web Admin or press that tiny pin hole in the rear.

 

[FearlessG1]

So far I am still loving mine, working LCD screen or not. My WRT-610N gave a fair to poor signal to my kitchen, but the TEW-673GRU gives me excellent to good. I have my router on the second floor, I have an HTPC setup on the first floor living room that is connected by a WET-610N bridge, which is connected to an 8-port dlink switch, which is feeding ethernet to an HTPC, xbox 360, blu-ray player, and sat box, getting about 270mb connection. The WET-610N scales back to 13.5mb by default when not in use (which had me scared until I read it scaled back). I have yet to try anything in the basement using the WET-610N.

I am tempted to throw ddwrt on my WRT610N and do something with it on my first floor but not too sure yet.

 

[tipstir]

I've put mine back up and it's has the highest throughput routing speed. My Outlook 2007 PST opens quicker than using the prior one. Funny how they all use the same Realtek Gig Controller 832KB Packet Buffer paired to either 32MB or 64MB of RAM For P2P pretty much the speed is about the same about the 3 I've tested Belkin N+ ESR-9850 and TEW-673GRU (little more with this one though 680MHz and the 64MB really shows). My HTPC (AMD 4c/4t running SageTV it's also SageTV Media Extender Server PCI-E Gig is on the main floor connected to Sharp 46" HDTV 1080p. All 3 routers I've just mention can help media network streaming okay since the speed is 100mbps to external media players.

For wireless all 3 routers can perform the wireless here okay, but again the mix mode. The Belkin N+ as true AP mode, where the other two don't you have to force it. The all show the same results so kind of user choice which one to have running.

I like the TEW-673GRU too it's keeper!

 

[tipstir]

DNS Relay Corrected

This router has extra feature under firewall, So the issue I had with DNS Relay on one of my other forums I visit. I just created a rule using their IP for the WAN and LAN * all systems on my network can access. Works perfect, actually quicker now to access that fourm. I going to buy another TEW-673GRU to use AP add the same rule to that one and then it will be right! Got this first mounted on the wall looks neat with the LED/LCD panel showing details of the connect.

 

[tipstir]

USB Ports

There are two USB ports they can be used with multi-function printers, flash cards, external HDD etc. Unlike the Belkin N+ where I can just connect anything to it's USB and type: \\192.168.x.x and up comes the UsB device. Can't do that under this router. You need to install the UsB manger software. On each PC the software would be installed. On the Web Admin there is nothing about the USB ports. On the LED/LCD panel there is. Belkin N+ tells you if something it connected on USB on Web Admin and on the unit a picture of the device will appear as blue amber.

 

[tipstir]

Model Layout 5

The heart of my network using TEW-673GRU and ESR-9850 for manage the wireless until I can get another TEW-673GRU to replace the ESR-9850.

Diagram shown below of the latest setup
http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showpost.php?p=20239&postcount=10

So far comparing between the 673GRU, 9850 and Belkin N+. My network is based on what you should find on corporate setup. So on domain all folders would link to one central location. This works great on wired side. But lately on the wireless it's been havoc. Between the Belkin N+ and 9850 they don't seem to be able see my shares or the folder is not available. If these two are setup as the main DHCP routing doesn't seem to follow through. Strange it works then it doesn't. Under 673GRU that problem is not issue. All DHCP clients and Static Clients are seen. Belkin N+ forgets what goes with what in IP table. Static IP table is okay. 9850 client table is by IP and mac it doesn't like it when you use 00: or 00- it has to be 0000. Still I like name associated with the node (network device).

 

[tipstir]

Update info

MSC or Max-S-Connections= Maximum Simultaneous Connections

This router is 4,000

 

[tipstir]

Not ready for prime-time!

Had nothing but issues with this router.(router was returned for full refund)

1. Overheating caused by Dis-functional LED/LCD Panel
2. Dis-functional LED/LCD Panel (lockup, distortion, etc.)
3. Certain Web sites won't load, even if you setup rules the site won't load in none of the browsers I use. (Note: If you ESR-9850 you don't have this ISSUE!
4. Range is weaker than ESR-9850 due to the dBm mW in 802.11n and mix is much lower

 

[tipstir]

Got another with fixed LCD panel so that is being tested as the secondary AP. See this review for AP mode only

Note: I also have TEW-664UB Adapter for Dual Band.