Belkin Wireless Play Max Router (F7D4301)

I also had read all the negative reviews, about the problem plagued installs, troublesome complicated setup issues, extremely slow speeds and poor performance all around so I was prepared for a challenge but also curious to see how what sounded on paper like a terrific product in print could be so consistently bad.We have only ever had Belkin Wireless Routers this being our 3rd, now needing an upgrade from our previous 150N Basic to a Dual Band 300N+ for HD Video Streaming and other demanding Apps now available.I was sure to read through the instructions completely and most importantly Download the "Newest Installation Program" from the Belkin Play MAX website to use instead of the included CD with the older installation software.The setup was fast, perfect and trouble-free, although it did have a few more steps than our basic 150N.The only problem I had was when it came time to enter the Router Number and Pass-code which is printed on the bottom of the Router, it is printed in incredibly small type with the letters & numbers densely packed together and I missed a very important "Dot/Period" that was in the middle of the sequence the first time through and although it still completed setup without a hitch, it wasn't until I went to access the Routers Online Fine Tuning and Settings page that it wouldn't let me have access saying the Password/Code was wrong.I checked the numbers again this time with a flashlight and magnifying glass I found the "Dot" I had left out of the Pass-Code sequence, so then simply went back and "uninstalled" the Router and Software in the Remove Programs on Windows 7 and reinstalled using the correct Pass-Code and it was up and running in minutes and was online and downloaded the newest Firmware upgrade all by itself and has been working perfectly without a problem.Ive had it for a week now and it has been fantastic!whether we take our Laptop outside or anywhere in the house we get a super fast 300mbps connection consistently and dependably.The WiFi connection to our Samsung Ht-C6500 Blu-Ray Home Theater is amazingly fast as well with downloading updates and Samsung Internet Apps or streaming regular and HD movies from Netfix and Blockbuster online.So overall we where pleasantly surprised by and very pleased with this New Belkin Play MAX Router and am still not sure how so many buyers could have such bad experiences,We have Windows 7 running on our PC's and Pro DSL with AT&T.It might also be that we used the Newest downloaded Istallation SoftWare from the Belkin site and not the installation CD that came with the Router, maybe other buyers misread the super tiny Pass-Code on the bottom of Router as well, missing an important "Dot" within the sequence of numbers as we did, but we cannot say enough about what a fantastic Router this turned out to be.

I will be 100% honest. This router BLOWS with stock firmware. You'll have to restart it at least once every other day due to the wireless slowing dropping to nothing. BUT after flashing to DD-WRT firmware, this router is the best I've ever owned. Speed improved and I haven't had to restart the router yet since the upgrade. The new firmware does everything the stock firmware does and then some. You can even make a small HTTP server out of the router if you'd like. I got lucky and got this one used from Amazon for $47 shipped, and you could TELL whoever had it used it maybe a day or two and just put it right back in the box. I've never regretted purchasing this router since updating the firmware. It should also support Tomato and OpenWRT if you don't like DD-WRT. Another FYI for people who don't know, the N600HD Belkin is EXACTLY the same router as the Playmax, just a different name. I compared the firmwares and they are the same minus the name of the router.

These comments apply to using the Belkin Play Max Router with the Belkin Play Wireless dual band USB Adapter (F7D4101). After wasting 7-8 hours messing around with this router it still had absolutely no range on either 2.4 or 5Ghz bands. Both bands start dropping off at 20' even in an open room. Going into the next room or up a short open staircase and I was quickly out of range or this router. Way less range then my old Linksys WRT54GX router. The Belkin did connect at 300mbps on 2.4Ghz and 216mbps on the 5Ghz band at close range but internet speed tests on either band with the Belkin router connected to a Comcast cable modem with a 7' Cat 5e cable were no better than the Linksys g router connected at 54mps. Both gave wireless speeds of about 14,000Kbs down and 2500Kbs up, probably limited by the Comcast connection. For reference, connecting to the Comcast cable modem with a Cat 6 cable directly to my Lenovo T60 tested about 20,000Kbs down and 2500Kbs up. Had to return the Belkin Play Max and am currently back to my Linksys g router because it has triple the range or more than the Belkin n.Update: Belkin customer service had contacted me regarding my review and sent me a couple of new routers to try that they had tested first to see if I had received defective units. There was no improvement in functionality at the time but using one as an access point did extend my range so I left them set up. I was just about to throw in the towel and buy a new router when Belkin updated their firmware on 8/30/2010. I downloaded and installed this update several days ago and so far it seems to have significantly improved speed and stability of my two Play Max routers (one being used as an access point). I highly recommend everyone update their firmware on these units asap if you have not already done so. When you address the router in your browser (originally by default as 192.168.2.1 for a router, and 192.168.2.254 if you by any chance set one up as a default access point), there is a firmware update tab on the menu on the left 3rd from the bottom.I am not sure yet how many stars I would give it now but 3 for sure and maybe 4. Have to use it longer to be sure.

Reading the box it was very exciting to see some of the great features. Putting them in action though it didn't really take well to DDWRT and extending ranges or capabilities of exising networks. Its now turned into a utility router and a backup router, but went with a more expensive AMPED wireless device to get the full effect of what was desired. I wouldn't waste your money on this if you are looking for a performance device to plugin into existing wirelessly bridged networks. As a stand alone router I'm sure this would work fine for most people.