Linksys wireless card

neo256mb · 07-15-03, 12:39 AM

I need to know if anyone knows Why te WCF11 cost $20 more than the WCF12 when the WCF12 is newer and works in BOTH type I and type II slots, whereas the WCF11 ONLY works in type II slots.

thanks

neo256mb

chog · 07-15-03, 12:46 AM

I do believe that the WCF11 is said to get a better range than the WCF12

Howard2k · 07-15-03, 12:50 AM

And it's older technology. As prices decrease newer stuff often has a lower retail.

neo256mb · 07-15-03, 12:51 AM

I had read the specs at the linksys website - but does anyone know why the WCF11 supposedly has more range.

I believe the WCF12 can go up to 196' whereas the WCF11 can go a max of 300'.

But they Charge $20 MORE for the WCF11 and it's an earlier release and ONLY works in type II

Are the newer PDA's mostly Type I or type II slots?

I am getting an Axim on July 18, and I just want the best wireless and am willing to pay the $20 more if it is worth something.

thanks
neo256mb

Howard2k · 07-15-03, 01:03 AM

There is a direct relationship between power, frequency and range. The WCF11 uses more power and I believe a slightly different antenna design. I haven't used one but I hear that it has more range and that could be why.

My perspective when purchasing was that if they only update drivers for one card it'll be the WCF12 since it's newer.

As it is they haven't built WM2003 drivers for either card yet.

chog · 07-15-03, 01:06 AM

I agree with Howard 2k. The WCF12 would probably be better.

ravager · 07-16-03, 01:56 AM

Has anyone done a comparison of power consuption of the various CF Wi-Fi cards on the market? My SMC EZ Connect sees to be pretty efficient, but als, no 2K3 drivers yet.

Rav

Howard2k · 07-16-03, 07:45 AM

Most will detail their power consumption in their specs. I know that the WCF12 was around 250ma and the WCF11 was around 300ma. I think I've seen one as high as 350, but with the exception of the socket I believe that they are mostly in this range.

jcondon · 07-16-03, 07:57 AM

I just purchased a Amicom card at bestbuy and its range is awesome and power consumption seem good. I highly recommend this card since I have a conection everywhere in my house and even outside.

I also have a PCMCIA adapter so I can use it in my laptop.

numsquat · 07-19-03, 06:51 PM

I use the WCF12 card in my Basic and I hardly see a dent in my power usage. Surfin downstairs last night for 3 hours straight off a full charge brought the battery down to 64%.

nemattoad · 07-19-03, 07:07 PM

The WCF11 really sucked up power, same with the D-Link DCF-650

The WCF12, the DCF-660W, and their SMC, ambicom, netgear, and socket equivalents pretty much use the same amout of power, give or take 15-30 minutes of batterly life at the most between the best and the worst.

WM2003 has some very nice WiFi features including powering off the wifi card when it is not in use, improved AP finding, and overall improved WiFi abilities.

The thing is, the linksys WCF12 and DCF-660 and the SMC 2642 have a higher profile then the socket and the dell truemobile (I have not actually seen an ambicom or netgear card). Of course, they still have a much lower profile then the WCF11 and the DCF-650.

Some cards will have a slightly higher range, some cards will have better drivers, some cards will have a lower profile, some cards will have a lower power usage, some cards may have more then one of these advantages compared to another but in the end, pretty much all cards are even. Except a few things

1) the socket card has the second lowest profile and arguably as good of a range as the d-link card. However it is the most expensive.
2) The dell card has the worst range, but the lowest profile
3) The d-link, SMC, and ambicom cards can be found the cheapest
4) the linksys has arguably the best range but the highest battery consumption
5) The d-link, SMC, ambicom, and netgear cards are very similar in range and power consumption
6) The socket, dell, and ambicom cards are the only cards to date with WM2003 drivers avaliable from the manufacturer, however the D-Link card's PPC2002 drivers work in WM2003, and there have been rumors that the SMC card's PPC2002 driver works in WM2003. Linksys will be releasing an official WM2003 driver in the next 3 weeks and other manufacturers are likely to follow.

- I think I got that all correct but I may have made a few errors, so feel free to correct me

mdphoenix · 07-19-03, 09:33 PM

I too, have an Ambicom. And after getting the Intersil reference drivers, I must say I'm quite pleased. It even seems to pickup shit when wardriving that my Orinoco can't in my laptop. I don't think that it's got a better range, but maybe it's more sensitive?

Howard2k · 07-20-03, 05:29 PM

Don't forget that not many of them have WM2003 drivers out yet.

numsquat · 08-15-03, 11:32 AM

There is a work around for the Linksys for WM2003 though, several 2215 users have been using it. More than good enough until the official drivers come out.

shwaguy · 08-23-03, 12:28 AM

If i go buy the ambicom card, can i use it with the new linksys 802.11g 2.4mz router

..and while I'm at it, what's the differemce between the "access point" and "router" from linksys??