Canary Wireless Digital Hotspotter
This is the only Wi-Fi detector I know of that can tell you whether or not an in-range Wi-Fi access point is open or closed.
That means when I'm in a hotel lobby, airport, or other public place, I can keep my notebook computer in its case and use this little gadget to find out if there's any usable Wi-Fi wafting through the area.
It's also the only device that tells you how many wireless access points are in range and the names and signal strengths of each. It requires no set-up and has just one button. Truly, a useful tool. $54.99 at Amazon
Comments
I used to use the hotspotter you mentioned all the time, but the size was a little too much for me. Though I don't really find myself needing to sniff for networks anymore, a few companies offer usb keys that perform the same function, even when not connected to your laptop. For example, both Linksys
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1129067566905&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper
and TRENDnet
http://www.trendnet.com/products/TEW-429UB.htm
offer what looks to be the same device in different housings. They both include a wireless adapter for your laptop, in case you find yourself in Starbucks with an older PC.
Posted by: strunkl | March 31, 2006 6:05 AM
I use the Canary product and it is excellent!
I'm continually amazed at where you don't find hot spots (downtown San Francisco) as well as where you do find hotspots (Grass Valley, CA).
Posted by: Michael Drips | April 2, 2006 11:07 AM
ZyXEL has a product similar to the Linksys one. The ZyXEL goes a couple of steps further. It also detects and will connect to wireless "A" networks as well as to "B" and "G" networks. It can also serve as an access point.
http://us.zyxel.com/web/product_family_detail.php?PC1indexflag=20040520161256&CategoryGroupNo=93210051-773D-4ADC-95A4-725D7F73D1D4
Posted by: David Johnson | October 10, 2006 8:56 PM