Customer Reviews
Awful Tech Support 
2006-05-04
When this thing works, it's fine. But if anything goes wrong, you're SOL.
I had to reset my router, which means it defaults to an unencrypted state. To re-set encryption, you have to go to a web address. The site no longer exists -- or at least it's been down for the past few days. The "24/7" tech support number is a joke -- I've been on hold now for two hours. (I'm on hold as I write this!) I've written e-mail, no response. Are these guys even still in business?
Buyer beware!
Setup is fraught with peril and "reset" may wedge your box. 2006-04-12
Setup either requires you to force your machine to the devices subnet - or to run their setup app. Their setup app tries to find the device and allow you to force whatever address you want (or DHCP).
Neither work well on a corporate network - and the direct connect method (direct cable) in their quick start guide is extremely unreliable.
Best is your home network. But their setup app likes to crash.
I only got to the "real" web dialog on the box *once*, set dhcp, and that was the last I talked to the box. I reset it a few times, managing to get the setup exe to "think" it set the IP, but all I ended up getting at this point was a login box that never accepted the login / password.
I believe that the "reset to factory" doesn't work well and may not reset all settings. The box now does show up under dhcp on my router - but with no name. And the login dialog shows "" for the name. So it appears to have lost it's marbles.
I think if you got lucky and set it up it might work - but it would appear if you have to ever reset it during it's convoluted setup procedure that you'd be at risk of getting it into the same
odd state mine is in.
I'm returning it and buying the Belkin F5D7330.
There is no WDS mode.... 
2005-12-28
If used as an access point, this is a 5 star product. Setup is very easy and coverage is good.
While this product advertises a WDS mode (even in the user's manual) it simply doesn't exist and it can't be used as a repeater. However, when used in conjunction with the HWUR54G range extender, the combo is simply awesome providing an excellent signal everywhere with WPA security.
The nice designs, simple setups, and overall performance of these products will keep me a Hawking Tech fan for some time. I did not use phone support but Tech Support replied to all e-mails to address my questions and/or concerns.
Ok, but could be better. 
2005-09-01
This item works ok, but doesn't seem to be any better than other brands. The technical support, and Hawking website are absolutely terrible. I received an email from their tech support which was just completely wrong. I figured the problem out myself and it worked, but they said it wouldn't.
Changing the settings from AccessPoint to Bridge REQUIRES software to update a firmware in the router. It's almost a gamble to change the configuration, because if you lose power during the change, your firmware is completely screwed up.
Their website is terrible as well. The online PDF manual was originally created in portrait, but the PDF format was set to landscape, so the text is missing from the top and the bottom of the manual. There is nothing in the website that is actually helpful. It's more of a "sales" website than a support site.
Although the equipment does work, if you ever need support, you're either on your own or at the mercy of whoever you may find on the Internet to help since the tech support is laughibly bad.
Buyer Beware.
Hawking Wireless G AP/Bridge 2008-06-11
For advanced configuration use the web interface instead of the installation program. Once it is up and running it works great until the power goes out during a storm. After a power outage it may take a power cycle or two to get the network back online but it is rock solid with no problems any other time.
Highly recommend for a wireless point-to-point bridge between two wired networks with one of these on each end!
Wish it had diagnostics available via the web interface.
If you don't understand how to configure wireless devices it can be difficult to configure properly.
Very Disappointed 2007-12-03
I purchased this item with a 14dbi antenna and my Linksys wireless g network card has better rang. For some reason it is picky on which networks it likes. eventually it got hot some how and melted the casing. If you ask me this item should be under review by Hawking.
Buyer beware 2007-10-25
As most others have said, tech support sucks.
I purchased the unit for bridge mode, and the firmware it came with bricks the unit when you switch it to bridge mode. Completely worthless. I had to send it back, which was an ordeal, and they charged me!
In bridge mode, it will only work for a few hours before freezing up. Power cycle it and it comes back. Don't put it where you can't get to it.
Vile customer "service" 2007-01-12
This company appears to be setting a new low in a field that has already sunk to a remarkable low ebb.
Attempting to get customer service from these people is about as productive as trying to get a drink out of a Vogon. "Tech support" phone numbers connect you to an office in India that obviously supports multiple brands and products. The support staff is painfully clueless about the products that they are supposed to be supporting. You can almost see their lips move as they are reading through web based troubleshooting guides. On the plus side they are not aggressively obnoxious.
For that you have to look up a corporate phone number for the company office in Irvine California (949-790-0800 by the way). The personnel at this location are actively hostile to customers. Almost everything that I have been told by these people has turned out to be incorrect.
I have been a network engineer for 15 years now and this is by far the worst technical support that I have ever encountered.
The configuration interface for this device is absolutely awful. The product comes with firmware revision that does not support the bridging function. The only way that I know to find this out is to call tech support. The result of attempting to set the unit as a bridge without upgrading the firmware is to make the unit go into a coma state from which it cannot be recovered.
This is a poorly conceived device with absolutely foul technical support. There is no reason to buy this product that will outweigh the remorse that you will feel once you own it.
This is one consumer hostile company! 2006-07-08
I have tried repeatedly to contact cust support since their cd software was written impproperly and cannot even be read on a screen---
Without the software you cannot setup this unit for proper operation and their tech support is absolutely clueless and tells you to go to cust support who then tells you to go to tech support
I have been waiting for the antenna, cd and cable that I was supposed to have received with this unit and the hsb1 access point for over 3 months now and call or email at least once every two weks to only be met with frustration and total lack of
civility or knowledge of their product OR the english language and ability to even communicate with rudimentary common english terms
DONT even consider wasting your money on any of this companys products as it is all money down the drain
