Home > Consumer Reviews > Linksys WRT150N-RM Refurb Wireless-N Home Router

Bought a pair of these to replace a pair of Linksys WRT54GL routers.

First, the downside . . .
I'd give it 5 stars if the antennas were RPTNC like the older WRT54G (through V4) and the WRT54GL WiFi routers. They could be removed and replaced with other antennas. The antennas on these are integral to the case (no connectors), which prevents replacing them easily with higher gain antennas (which I have from the WRT54G/GL routers I had been using). Apparently Linksys has been gradually phasing out antennas with connectors that allows them to be removed and replaced with different antennas . . . and even newer units (like the WRT160N) have internal antennas.

Other than the integral antennas, these are great routers at a great price (it's gone up a tad since I bought mine). Stock menu system is typical Linksys with some added features/options specific to draft-n. Tested them with Linksys firmware and then flashed them with Sveasoft Talisman Basic. Set them up for draft-n, but otherwise configured them for the same Wireless Distributed System (WDS) the pair of WRT54GL had been used for. Synced together immediately and all the client devices connected. I've got the same system that was running at "g" speed with about 25 Mbps end-user data throughput upgraded to "draft-n" at about 75-100 Mbps end-user data throughput (depends on distance of client to closest router) -- all with WPA2-AES security. Quite noticeably faster than the 802.11g system it replaced, and extremely reliable.

Note that actual end-user data throughput is always about half of the "signaling" rate . . . regardless of router or firmware (e.g. 54 Mbps is the maximum signaling rate for 802.11g -- max actual end-user data throughput is about half that).

While I can cite the stability and reliability of the hardware, I won't remark on the stability of the stock Linksys firmware . . . because I didn't use these long enough with Linksys firmware before flashing them with custom firmware.

I will ultimately modify these -- after the warranty runs out -- by removing the integral antennas and replacing them with RPTNC connectors to allow reusing the high-gain antennas I had been using on the routers they replaced.

The regular retail price for the WRT150 is about $85. Amazon has the WRT150 here as a refurb for $45 (delivered). Wow! Heck of a deal! This thing was so easy and simple to setup. I was up and running in about 30 minutes.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to place the router up high, in an "open" area. Do not set it on top of your PC tower, near the floor. Your connection will suffer! I relocated mine up on top of my computer desk hutch, about 6' high, and my connection is solid, all over the house and yard.

I bought this to use as a wireless repeater/bridge and network hub. I cannot comment about the stock firmware because I flashed it with DD-WRT, a free firmware replacement, immediately after powering up the unit.

The range of this is better than the wireless-G unit that I was previously using (not a DD-WRT capable device) and the unit is much more stable. The added bandwidth provided by the wireless-N is very noticeable.

In the two months it has been running, I had to forcefully reboot this unit, by unplugging it, three times. Two of them were for changing settings to avoid interference with other wireless devices that popped up in the area. The third reboot was a lack of response from the unit which appears to have been caused by overheating. I have since repositioned it for better ventilation and have had no further problems.

At the refurb price this unit is hard to beat. You don't need to spend big bucks on units with the fancy network settings when you can add those to this one with a simple flash and reset. Add a second flashing if you want to upgrade to the "std" DD-WRT (with even more features) instead of the default "mini" installation.

The only downside to this unit would be the non-removable antennas. These are common to most Linksys devices and most people would not need to replace them.

If you are new to WIRELESS networks, ignore the CD INSTALL WIZARD.

It is entirely in ERROR. It will not work.

If you are new, e-mail the support # and CHAT and get the instructions on how to install. There are several versions and all have some errors but are workable.

If you are experienced you can figure out this using the included config software.

This is low priced system and has limited speed and range. If you want to bust speed and range barriers to get on your cable broadband connection, you may be disappointed.

Don't sweat the "refurbished", it will likely be OK, and you can always return it (but get the right install instructions before you give up on it).

This router apparently has a history of intermittent drops and failures. My own unit certainly does. When I call Cisco/Linksys explaining dropped wireless, poor signal reach, etc... they want to change settings, then promise all will be well. I told them my guess was design flaw where unit overheats and fails when left on. Representative denied this. After years of crappy service with this router, I was ready to junk it/replace it. Instead, I grabbed my heat knife, and cut that blue (tiny air hole) cover off top and bottom, leaving blue corner "feet" on bottom to elevate the unit for better air flow. There is a 2nd layer of black plastic air holes (design?) under the blue plastic. Instantly, my router cooled, and now I have "STRONG SIGNAL" in my house where before it was "VERY LOW" or "CANNOT FIND WIRELESS." Almost a week now, and no dropped wireless yet, even 50' away in bedroom. In my opinion, Linksys designed poor air flow here. (The 2nd black layer of holes renders perhaps 1/2 of the TINY blue holes completely blocked!! AND when set flat on its feet, there is almost NO room for air to flow underneath unit!!) If yours gets warm/hot on bottom (I expect it does), this may solve your problems. Hopefully this will save you frustration and headache.