Hawking HWU54DM

Not so long ago we reviewed Hawking's HWU8DD wireless adapter.

Shaped like a miniature satellite dish it was able to improve our wireless range a great deal and was the subject of our Product of the Week podcast.

Now we have a slightly cheaper adapter from the same company that aims to deliver similar results.

The HWU54DM will plug directly into a USB socket or, using the supplied desktop stand, can be placed away from your PC. As with the HWU8DD, a series of LEDs provide a quick reference as to the signal strength.

Whereas the HWU8DD had an 8dbi antenna, the HWU54DM incorporates a slightly less powerful 5dbi model - this is still stronger than the average 2dbi employed by most wireless adapters.

Thanks to the hinge on the USB plug, the adapter can be twisted and turned so as to achieve the best possible wireless reception.

We tested it out in a variety of locations and experienced mixed results. In one scenario it managed to boost the wireless reception from low to very good and was also able to pickup a previously undetected network.

However, in two other locations, using two different notebooks, it didn't fair as well. Despite manoeuvring the HWU54DM in to all sorts of positions, we were never able to improve on the reception already achieved by the notebooks.

On a fourth test, using a desktop PC in a complete different location, we experienced marginal improvement.

Going by our test results, the performance HWU54DM varies a great deal. If you can afford the extra few pounds, we'd recommend opting for the far better performing and more consistent HWU8DD.