D-Link DIR-450 3G Ev-do 4-Port Switch 802.11G 108MBPS Mobile Router

I'm one week into EVDO service and still learning new things every day in that regard. One thing I learned is that you need to choose equipment that is reliable, consistent and durable. Sadly, the D-Link DIR-450 is none of these things.

I looked into the D-Link model as they are the actual vendor for the Kyocera KR-1. The KR-1 is a highly regarded consumer grade model in what is admittedly a pretty small field. For most consumers it appears that the KR-1 is the default suggestion for those looking for a router solution for the EVDO service.

I should have been wary of the D-Link even before purchase as it did not support all of the same cards that its older sibling supported, but the most recent (and only) firmware upgrade added support for my card so I figured I was set.

Everything went well the evening I installed it and I went to bed with visions of salvation from satellite internet while stranded in rural American. Imagine my surprise...Read more

I purchased this as my notebook did not have a PCMCIA slot. I had to update the firmware, which was very simple, for it to recognize the 595. Once that was done and I configured the router on my main PC it was just a matter of plugging the card in, plugging in the router and waiting about 30 seconds for it to connect and I was up and running. It has never failed and is the perfect solution for wireless access for multiple computers on one EVDO card.

I purchased one of these routers after reading some good reviews and ignoring the bad reviews. The good reviews must have simply come from the lucky few who received working units.

I ordered a DIR-450 directly from a D-Link authorized distributor, Ingram Micro. (I own a small computer shop near Pittsburgh). The router I received was packaged in a DIR-450 box, the router itself was silkscreened with the DIR-450 model number on it's face and it's serial/product label also indicated that it was a DIR-450. When I tried to set up the unit, I found that it had DIR-451 firmware/hardware inside. I contacted D-link tech support. It's obvious that D-Link is a company that does not want you to speak to a real person. They make every attempt to divert you to their website or pay-support. The person I spoke to told me the router had the wrong firmware and that it was not possible for me to flash it to a DIR-450. He told me to send it in and they would repair it within 7-10 days. I...Read more