Page 5: Use, Video Review, Conclusion
Use
This kit was a breeze to setup and install. We plugged both pieces of hardware into outlets on different floors of the house. The PWR500 was directly plugged into the router to feed the newly created HomePlug network with internet and LAN access. Once the WPB3000 booted up, it created the default wireless network and both ethernet ports worked flawlessly right out of the box. No additional setup was needed.
Then, we ran into a problem. After some time, the PWR500 completely shut down. The unit becomes very hot and probably overheated. We contacted Actiontec which sent a replacement unit. We understand that there may be faults in the production line from time to time and the new unit works fine.
Like other networking kits, this acts as a transparent bridge for each physical network. That means that once you plug in your router to the PWR500, the HomePlug network will now be granted access to that LAN. The WPB3000 is the second bridge that takes a HomePlug network and changes the signaling to ethernet and wireless. This is all seamless and the kit works across all kinds of networks. We've got MoCA bridges and multiple wireless networks running on the same subnet and all work just fine.
The benefits to this kit are great for when you just don't have any wiring to a room that you want to put network access. Not only do you get an ethernet bridge over normal house circuitry, the included benefit of having another WiFi network makes wireless logistics a breeze when dealing with multiple floor or a large house.
The transfer speeds were fine for the most part. You aren't getting gigabit speeds through this since the ethernet ports are limited to 100 mbps. You're also limited by the circuitry in the house. In testing, having both devices on different circuits lowers the throughput. That makes sense, but you still have enough bandwidth to do what you need. In normal cases, expect bandwidths of 25mbps to 75mbps, unless you're in ideal conditions.
Video Review
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Conclusion
The Actiontec WiFi Dead Spot Eliminator Kit retails for about $90 (Amazon Link) at the time of writing. It's a compelling product for when you simply don't have a wired run to a location that you need network access. If you have a large or a multiple floor house that doesn't have the wiring for network access, you can just plug this kit into an outlet and you're good to go where ever you need network access.
The ability to segregate guest networks and isolate them makes giving guests wireless passwords a bit more easy to do when you don't have to grant them access to your main network. The wireless network footprint of the WPB3000 was good for a self contained unit. You aren't going to get the same coverage as you would with a bigger unit, but it blanketed my entire house from the second floor to the basement. This kit is great for those people that want to have a stable connection (gamers, we're looking at you) or need additional wireless coverage in an far area of a house. For those use cases, the Actiontec WiFi Dead Spot Eliminator Kit is well worth it.
ASE Publishing would like to thank Actiontec for making this review possible.
This kit was a breeze to setup and install. We plugged both pieces of hardware into outlets on different floors of the house. The PWR500 was directly plugged into the router to feed the newly created HomePlug network with internet and LAN access. Once the WPB3000 booted up, it created the default wireless network and both ethernet ports worked flawlessly right out of the box. No additional setup was needed.
Then, we ran into a problem. After some time, the PWR500 completely shut down. The unit becomes very hot and probably overheated. We contacted Actiontec which sent a replacement unit. We understand that there may be faults in the production line from time to time and the new unit works fine.
Like other networking kits, this acts as a transparent bridge for each physical network. That means that once you plug in your router to the PWR500, the HomePlug network will now be granted access to that LAN. The WPB3000 is the second bridge that takes a HomePlug network and changes the signaling to ethernet and wireless. This is all seamless and the kit works across all kinds of networks. We've got MoCA bridges and multiple wireless networks running on the same subnet and all work just fine.
The benefits to this kit are great for when you just don't have any wiring to a room that you want to put network access. Not only do you get an ethernet bridge over normal house circuitry, the included benefit of having another WiFi network makes wireless logistics a breeze when dealing with multiple floor or a large house.
The transfer speeds were fine for the most part. You aren't getting gigabit speeds through this since the ethernet ports are limited to 100 mbps. You're also limited by the circuitry in the house. In testing, having both devices on different circuits lowers the throughput. That makes sense, but you still have enough bandwidth to do what you need. In normal cases, expect bandwidths of 25mbps to 75mbps, unless you're in ideal conditions.
Video Review
Subscribe to our new Youtube channel! And leave us some feedback.
Conclusion
The Actiontec WiFi Dead Spot Eliminator Kit retails for about $90 (Amazon Link) at the time of writing. It's a compelling product for when you simply don't have a wired run to a location that you need network access. If you have a large or a multiple floor house that doesn't have the wiring for network access, you can just plug this kit into an outlet and you're good to go where ever you need network access.
The ability to segregate guest networks and isolate them makes giving guests wireless passwords a bit more easy to do when you don't have to grant them access to your main network. The wireless network footprint of the WPB3000 was good for a self contained unit. You aren't going to get the same coverage as you would with a bigger unit, but it blanketed my entire house from the second floor to the basement. This kit is great for those people that want to have a stable connection (gamers, we're looking at you) or need additional wireless coverage in an far area of a house. For those use cases, the Actiontec WiFi Dead Spot Eliminator Kit is well worth it.
ASE Publishing would like to thank Actiontec for making this review possible.