It has been a good experience using Netgear WGR614v7 54mbps Wireless Router for the past 7 months. In the line of some exceptional seasoned products from Netgear, WGR614v7 lives up to the legacy with outstanding features and terrific performance. I happened to have picked up this router as an alternative to other expensive wireless routers available in the market and have been smiling since day one.
Features
Netgear WGR614v7 is a splendid choice for home networking. Having dimensions of 28 x 175 x 118 mm (1.1 x 6.9 x 4.7 in), it weighs only 0.26 kg (0.57 lb). It is equipped with one 10/100 Mbps (auto-sensing) Ethernet, RJ-45 WAN port and four 10/100 Mbps (auto-sensing) Ethernet, RJ-45 LAN ports which are sufficient in number to facilitate network connection to all essential resources like printer/scanner, desktop, Skype phone.
Netgear WGR614v7 provides a simple and secure way to share your high-speed Internet connection with various encryptions like 40-bit (also called 64-bit), 128-bit, WEP encryption, WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK. It provided a double firewall protection from external hackers attacks (Stateful packet inspection (SPI) and DoS attack protection). WGR614v7 is compatible with any operating system running a TCP/IP network which includes Microsoft® Windows® Vista™, XP, 2000, NT, 98, Me, Apple Mac OS and Linux as well. It works with most Internet gaming and instant messaging applications. With all the great features, marvelous design and ease of use, Netgear
Setup
The router is easy to install with the setup wizard doing all the hard work. It takes a little more than ten minutes to configure the router for any existing broadband connection. The Smart Wizard® detects the type of internet connection, captures ISP's DNS settings and also simplifies setting up the wireless security. Configuring the router to specific settings like Opening ports, blocking sites and services is much easier than other wireless routers. Netgear's HTML resource manual and Knowledgebase includes plenty of information about initial router configuration and reduces any chance of getting lost in an unknown paradise.
Performance
Netgear WGR614v7 offers great performance and a very long operating range. It is equipped with a Second internal antenna which improves the range and helps it score over other wireless routers in its category. The biggest drawback of WGR614v7 is drops in wireless connections when a cordless phone of same frequency (2.4GHz) is used in the vicinity of the wireless hub (router or laptop). If the cordless phone usage is not much, then wireless connection drops is not a concern. Though there have been some complains comprising router overheating and dropping connections by other users, my experience for the last 7 months has been really good. Netgear WGR614v7 has shown good sustainability for long durations without causing any overheating and connection drops. On my level I have been turning it off for maximum of 3hrs in 2 days, which I guess rules out other people’s complaints.
Some people do have issues with Netgear services and support as it is mandatory to register in order to avail them. But I registered my product the first time I called for support and it hardly takes 2 minutes. From my personal experience I would confer that call support & e-mail support provided by Netgear for the product is great, with a very low time from trouble to resolution.
Product Ratings
Setup – 8.5 out of 10 – setting up WGR614v7 is a cakewalk with Netgear’s Smart Wizard®, HTML resource manual and extensive product knowledgebase.
Performance – 8.5 out of 10 – great performance, long operating range and excellent speed
Service and Technical Support – 9 out of 10 – Good call support and e-mail support, extensive product knowledgebase and web resources, regular patches and upgrades
My overall rating for Netgear WGR614v7 – 8.75 out of 10 – has proved to be an excellent product for the money that I paid for it. Personally have not been able to diagnose any major drawback in the product based on my usage but then there is always room for improvement. In my opinion, WGR614 wireless router is the best deal keeping home networking in mind. It’s a great performer for both testing and practical conditions. It’s certainly a thumb up for Netgear WGR614.
