The Bottom Line
- Small size
- Easy to use
- Gives all info you need on a hotspot
- Expensive
Description
- Easy to tell at a glance if detected networks are secure or open to public.
- Small size is easy to stash in a notebook bag or briefcase.
- The LCD gives tons of information about available wireless networks.
Guide Review - Canary Wireless Digital Hotspotter Review
The Canary Wireless Digital Hotspotter is a small device measuring only 3.19” L x 2.13” W x 0.65” H and weighing 2.5 ounces. The little gizmo is very easy to use and when you hold the power button down for a few seconds it automatically starts looking for hotspots. The Canary Wireless Digital Hotspotter will display up to 20 hotspots within range.
The gadget uses a true 802.11 engine so it won’t give false notification due to interference with other wireless devices like cordless phones. When you scroll through the available hotspots the small LCD screen gives you all sorts of available information on the hotspot. The information includes the SSID of the network, an easy to see lock icon if the network is secure and if secured it tells you what type of encryption is in use including WEP, WPA, and WPA2. The device will also tell you what channel the network is broadcasting on as well. The LCD is backlit for use in the dark.
In use the device works very well and discovered six networks near me when my notebook only notified me of three. The signal strength meter was handy but the best part of the Canary Wireless Digital Hotspotter is its ability to show at a glance if a network is secure or not so you don’t waste time and battery power trying to log onto secure networks.
