Socket CF Wireless Price

01-14-03, 12:48 AM

Okay, so why is the Socket Wireless CF card so expensive in comparison to the others? Is it so much better? Is the software better? Is the distance improved?

1. Why so expensive?
2. How does it compare to the lower priced models like the Linksys?
3. Does it have any storage capibility? I thought I saw a review that said it did???

I hope somone has the answers..... :blink:

Racer X · 01-14-03, 04:32 AM

I just replaced my Linksys WCF11 card with the Socket card. The Linksys card was working great but was blocking my headphone jack. The Socket is a lot smaller so it allows me to use headphones. I will be evaluating over the next few days and plan on posting my impressions. I bought it based on the sterling reputation Socket enjoys for mobile connection products.

One feature I'm keen to try out is Socket's low power settings which allegedly extend battery life. My Linksys sucked my batteries dry, especially when i was streaming audio files off the net or off my desktop PC.

I'll keep you all posted.

01-21-03, 02:16 AM

I agree with the last post. Socket has an excellent reputation so I went that route too. I was disappointed in the current release of the software but there is a new release due later this month that is supposed to be a lot better. It will include support for 802.1x encryption and allow for multiple profiles. Socket had a news release in December describing all the new goodies. I am really anxious for this release! The low power version of the Socket card is the one to get. It is much lower than any of the current competition when operating in standby mode. I found that even when I ran a continous audio stream (music radio via AXIM) over Windows Media player I was able to run for about 2.5 hours on the standard battery pack. I have the high capacity battery now and can't wait to see how long an audio stream will last. While this is not a perfect test it will give me an idea of how long I might be able to use this in a real life scenario when standby will be more the norm. While it is more expensive, the Socket Card does work and works well!

tidal · 01-21-03, 12:10 PM

this is a brand right? anyone got a link?

otaku30 · 01-21-03, 01:46 PM

Here is the product link:

[url=http://www.socketcom.com/product/WL6000-320.asp]http://www.socketcom.com/product/WL6000-320.asp[/url]

02-17-03, 10:49 AM

Well I sent my Linksys WC12 back and purchased the Socket Wireless CF Card. There wasn't anything wrong with the Linksys, I just wasn't satisfied. My range with the Socket Card is greater and I am very impressed with the software included.

If you have a few extra dollars, get the Socket Wireless Card.

DimitriDL · 02-20-03, 09:10 PM

Socket cards just work.
Other cards are a pain the ass and much of the time do not even work (depends on the access points).

Over the last several months I've had a chance to buy and return two Ambicom 802.11b CF cards, one SMC Networks card, and one D-Link card. I have tried using all of these at the office where we have Linksys access points. Ambicom's DHCP didn't work at all (worked only once, and I can't explain why). Neither did D-Link's. SMC worked, but gave me trouble.

Then out of desperation I bought a Socket card. It worked flawlesly the minute I put it in. DHCP and everything. It JUST WORKED.

That's why it costs so much.

03-11-03, 07:18 PM

You can get a socket card from Office Depot for $149.86 but there is a $30 rebate coupon that comes with it. It is only valid through 4/1/03 and you have to go to the store (no web purchase) to purchase the card. You can also purchase it for 129.00 at [URL=http://buy.com]buy.com[/URL] which is a slightly better deal if you do not leave in California and have to pay state tax on the purchase via the web.

Of Cs · 03-11-03, 07:23 PM

If you buy it at officedepot, you might want to use this coupon to save ya an extra 25 dollars:

[url]http://www.officedepot.com/offers/rcvalid.asp?SID=JXSA2EKC8ARX8PVWV371T59HFDCL7XX5&PP=0[/url]

Hope it works out!

catskillian85 · 04-06-03, 12:56 PM

The best price I found on the Socket card today is at [URL=http://www.cacomputer.com/Shop/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CaliforniaComputer&category%5Fname=&product%5Fid=WL6000%2D320]California Computer Center[/URL] -- $119, plus $6 S&H. Good deal, especially if you live outside of CA and won't pay sales tax.

I started out with a Dell TrueMobile card, which I'm going to return -- poor range. Then I thought I'd go with an AmbiCom card, based on some of the comments here -- but, mistakenly, apparently I ordered AmbiCom's first-generation version, the WL1100B-CF (vs. the current WL1100C-CF), and it turns out that the "B" version has a huge antenna on top that looks like it will block the headphone jack. Haven't received it yet, but it's going back as soon as it arrives.

I've already spent so much $$$ dressing up my wonderful new Axim that I figure I might as well get the best WiFi card available -- and according to numerous posts here, the Socket card seems to be it.

Heading off to order it now... :blush: