With an estimated street price of $89.99, the Linksys WUSBF54G Wi-Fi Finder is the most expensive product reviewed here. While the device has a form factor very similar to the Zyxel and TrendNet products, the folks at Linksys modified the casing, providing it a shape with rounded edges and their own company color scheme.
As we expected, the Linksys Wi-Fi finder operated much the same way as the other products reviewed here, with one exception: The WUSBF54G only identified network security with either a locked or an unlocked icon. The others went a step further and indicated whether WEP or WPA was being used on the secured networks they identified.
When using the WUSBF54G as a wireless laptop adapter, its included USB extension cable with built-in stand allows you to position the device for the best signal reception. In our performance tests, the Linksys WUSBF54G posted the best performance with 17.9 Mbpsof throughput at 60 feet. This was almost 25 percent faster than its nearest competitor, the Trendnet product. It also had the best signal detection range, picking up our test router from a distance of 140 feet.
The WUSBF54G may be comparatively expensive, but you get the best performance, both as a locator and wireless adapter of any of the products we’ve yet reviewed in this category.
