TRENDnet TEW429UB Wireless G USB Adapter
TRENDnet TEW-429UB - 54Mbps 802.11g Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter w/ HotSpot Detector

I bought the same product a few years ago. It has worked and never bring me any trouble. It's easy use and performance is also good. The new one has more beautiful design. I highly recommend this product. I remember I also experienced some rebate problem.
 
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I bought this in 2006 and it's still beautifully doing its job. Dependable, simple, accurate. Wanted it for it's wifi-finding, but ended up using it's other feature in order to use wireless internet on several desktops in various circumstances. Very handy, works wonderfully and easily. I've had no problems from it whatsoever, using both XP and Vista Toshiba laptops, and random desktops as well.
 
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It is a good wireless adapter but it doesn't work as a Hotspot Detector. I can not turn it on. The battery is fully charged (this is what I see on the screen). I am trying to turn it on by switching the Power to the ON position but the device stays off. I can not return it so it is "forever mine" and not working. I am sorry...
 
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After moving to a house with fiber optic high-speed internet service, I was unable to use my PCI network adapter for my desktop, and needed a wireless solution. I thought I'd give the TRENDnet TEW-429UB a try, even though it was on the expensive side. I am very disappointed with this product's ability to capture a strong signal. A laptop right next to it with a built-in wireless ethernet adapter picked up the router's signal with four green bars, yet this product could barely grab two bars. I've tried to reposition the chassis, change the USB port, but it's hopeless. I'll be sending this one back to buy.com shortly.
 
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Took less than 5 minutes to install and works perfectly. I used it on a Vista computer even though it is not listed on the box.
 
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I must be really hard on my USB Wi-fi cards. This is the third one I've tried. Installed easily, but found the range limited with its orientation in the back of my older notebook. So, I broke out the Netgear usb extension cable with stand from my previous wi-fi card, and with the Trendnet card installed vertically, the reception is a lot better, and adjustable (wish trendnet had included such a thing in the box). Hotspot indicator works, but only for broadcasting SSID's. Overall, a slick little device.
 
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Overall, for the price with the rebate, it would be a good deal for me. But search Trendet rebate and scam, and you will find a lot of people with rebate problems. I bought this product, sent in the rebate, and they said I did not send in the correct UPC. Lol, I stapled it on, and it was right next to the picture showing the same product and they said it was not the correct UPC. Always photocopy the rebate form. This company rebate program is beyond a scam and should be illegal. It happens too often for it not to be suspicious.
 
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This is a very good wireless adapter and HotSpots finder. It is very easy to install and use it. Working as a wireless adapter it is fast enough - up to 54 Mbps. Working as a Wi-Fi finder its display reports access point channel, SSID, signal strength, type (B/G) and security. The only problem I had with the device is I have ordered a blue one but they send me one that's white with soccer balls on it. I don't like it (too childish) but I don't want to spend more money sending it back.
 
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It has never failed. Great product.
 
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I needed a WiFi finder, so I bought the TEW-429UB just for that. It will find all WiFi signals in the area, even the hidden ones. Displays SSID, signal strength, security protocol, channel, and band. You can select all 802.11 signals to be displayed, or just the unencrypted (open) signals by touching one button. Lock it on a signal, and it displays a constantly updated signal strength for that WiFi signal as you walk around, allowing you to find the best spot. Even if I never use the TEW-429UB as a wireless adapter (which I probably won't), this gizmo is easily worth having just to find WiFi and map signal strength. Much, much easier than walking around with an open laptop. Great product!
 
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I am still in the test phase of this item, but in my opinion the sensitivity is much less than expected. I get a solid router-signal on my Dell laptop two floors up, but this USB wireless adapter gets SIGNIFICANTLY less signal strength on my desktop when placed directly alongside... I may be expecting too much so take this for what it is worth. My other complaint is that it is so big that it makes it impossible to use the adjacent USB slots.
 
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This small wireless detector gets the job done. It detects 802.11b and 802.11g wireless networks that are within range and displays information about the network such the SSID broadcast name, channel number, encryption status, and signal strength. A backlight would be nice and the LCD is rather small but it works ok. It only has a few buttons. You can use the "next" button to scroll through multiple pages if it detects more than one network within range. It's 50% larger than a typical wireless USB adapter and it can be used as one if needed. It also operates off it's built-in-rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery for use while traveling or walking around the block to see what signals are in the area. It can function as a wireless detector on it's own without a computer. It charges the built-in battery quickly over USB and appears to hold a charge for quite a while. Mine has held a charge for 2 weeks so far with quite a bit of use. The auto shutoff kicks in after a minute if you don't press any buttons. I bought 2 of this model and one is much better than the other. Both work ok but one detects 4 networks in the area, while the other says there is only 2 networks. The detector has 3 modes of operation, which is not obvious from looking at it. For example, one of the alternate modes displays only unencrypted networks in the area and another mode sorts them by signal strength. The user manual is very short but explains just enough so you know what the modes are. Overall this is a useful item to check the signal strength and availability of a wireless signal. I wouldn't pay $50 retail for it but with half off after rebate it's a good deal.
 
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I have had good luck with the TrendNet line of products. All installed easily and work OK. I have several weeks on this USB wireless and I am pleased with its operation. With the rebate it is a best buy.
 
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Buy.com did its jog: the product was delivered in good shape and on time. The price was good. This is the one of the better WiFi locators that I have seen. Like other Trendnet items, it has the touch and feel of a similar Cisco product: including the supplied software. The display is thorough but cryptic. It takes a while to get used to the little symbols. You do have to remember to turn it off and keep the battery charged. As a USB adaptor, it does not perform well. It constantly drops and reacquires the WiFi signal. This is at least aggravating. As a local consultant, I experience many adapters. On the local system, I have seen no other adapter with this behavior.
 
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The TRENDnet TEW-429UB functions well as a Wi-Fi finder. When I first turned it on, it would only go into a diagnostic mode, but this was only because the built-in battery neeeded charging. I left it plugged into a live USB port (it uses USB port power to recharge) overnight and it was ready to go the next morning. Upon turning it on, the device immediately started scanning for access points and within a few seconds found one. The display reports access point channel, SSID, signal strength, type (B/G) and security (WPA, WEP or open). The display is small and not backlit. Some people might find it a bit hard to read, but it is legible enough for me. I have not used it as a wireless USB adapter, so I cannot speak to its performance in that area, but as a Wi-Fi finder it works fine.
 
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