MetaGeek Wi-Spy 2.4 GHz Spectrum Analyzer - Articles / Reviews

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MetaGeek Wi-Spy 2.4 GHz Spectrum Analyzer

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Richard Poelling
Kurtis
MetaGeek
Jun. 19, 2006

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Conclusion

The 2.4 GHz spectrum is unlicensed. This means anyone can throw any type of signal they want into it. Anything from wireless AP's, to home automation products, to everyday appliances will throw out signals in this radio frequency. What all this means to the average person is this! interference. Either interference from other AP's, or a microwave, or a cordless phone. Either way, multiple devices vying for the same spectrum can never be good; it will affect your signal and degrade your throughput. The way to deal with this type of interference is to either ignore it, or try to go around it. Ignoring it might be acceptable for some, but finding ways around it is really a hit or miss proposition. It is hard to work around something you can't see. Sure, changing the channel on the router or physically moving the device might work, but in the end, you are just guessing. Now you no longer have to guess. With the introduction of the Wi-Spy, you can "see" the interference you are trying so hard to avoid. Before, you might have gotten the channel or the position right and enjoyed a cleaner signal, but I doubt that happened quickly. With the Wi-Spy, you should be able to figure out quickly and definitively just what your monkeying around might have eventually revealed. If anything, being able to rule out what won't work, you have won half the battle. With all the time you save, you can finally get out and do more important things like mow the lawn or clean the kitchen. (Ed: Oh goody!)

You just can't beat being able to "see" the spectrum you are using. Not having to take out a personal loan to buy the equipment is another plus. The software may have its quirks here and there, but no matter what, it still provides a good view of the spectrum you will be attempting to navigate. Software can be upgraded and fixed, and I believe that as time goes by, it will only get better. Considering its competition, the Wi-Spy is a steal at $100. If you do any type of wireless network setups, or you get drafted to set up everyone else's, the Wi-Spy should most definitely be in your laptop bag.

If you'd like to purchase the MetaGeek Wi-Spy, you can get it for about $100 directly through MetaGeek.net or you can buy it at ThinkGeek.com.

Pros

A spectrum Analyzer on the cheap
Portable
Easy to use
Did I mention it wasn't $3000+

Cons

Software could use some tweaking
Requires .NET 2.0 to run
Only works on 802.11b and g, not 802.11a

MetaGeek Wi-Spy 2.4GHz Spectrum Analyzer

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Page 4 of 4

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Page 1: Introduction & First Looks
Page 2: Installation & Software Overview
Page 3: Testing & Quality Check
Page 4: Conclusion

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4 User Comments

1 - Posted by Kurtis on June 20, 2006 - 12:04 am

DIGG it:
http://digg.com/technology/If_you_suffer_from_chro...

2 - Posted by PennyManDeux on June 20, 2006 - 12:58 am

Diggity dugg!

3 - Posted by Kurtis on June 21, 2006 - 3:27 pm

Cool, we got Slashdotted yesterday, thanks to PennyManDeux!
http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/06/...

4 - Posted by Rich on June 21, 2006 - 3:38 pm

Yes, those were some interesting comments on their site......

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