Wi-Spy Accessories
Your Wi-Spy is a great little piece of hardware, but there are a few things that make it even better. Here's a growing list of add-ons and accessories.
Device Finder Directional Antenna
Specifically designed by MetaGeek to work with both the Wi-Spy 2.4x and Wi-Spy DBx products in the 2.4GHz range, this directional antenna securely attaches to the back of the screen on most laptops and netbooks to take it mobile as you track down interference sources.
Wi-Spy Benefits
As the wireless space becomes more popular and congested, interference from non-Wifi devices can seriously degrade network performance. Other Wi-Fi tools, such as NetStumbler and Kismet only provide information about other Wi-Fi devices, but do not show interference from cordless phones, microwaves, Bluetooth devices, Zigbee, etc. Wi-Spy shows you the radio signals from all devices transmitting in that frequency - regardless of what type of device.
How can a Wi-Spy help me?
Here are some concrete examples of how Wi-Spy equipment can help you minimize the time you spend installing and troubleshooting wireless networks.
·If you install, maintain, or troubleshoot 802.11a/b/g/n networks, find the cleanest channel and minimize interference.
·If you work with consumers, avoid a revisit by using a Wi-Spy to determine what devices are likely to interfere with their network.
·If you experience Wi-Fi interference on a regular basis, discover competing access points AND other devices.
·Conduct pre-installation site surveys using Wi-Spy.
·If you're responsible for any type of 900MHz, 2.4GHz or 5GHz network, use a Wi-Spy to help eliminate problems.
Which Wi-Spy is Right for me?
There are four Wi-Spy models. In a nutshell here are the differences. For a detailed comparison see the Wi-Spy Comparison.
|
Model |
Frequency |
Antenna |
Chanalyzer Software |
|
Wi-Spy 2.4i |
2.4GHz |
Internal |
Lite |
|
Wi-Spy 2.4x |
2.4GHz |
External |
3, 4, Lab, Pro & Lite |
|
Wi-Spy DBx |
2.4 & 5GHz |
External |
3, 4, Lab, Pro & Lite |
|
Wi-Spy 900x |
900MHz |
External |
3, Lab & Lite |
The Wi-Spy 2.4i is intended as a low-cost alternative to the professional external models. It does a fantastic job for it's price range, however it lacks the ability to save data for later review and the ability to connect an external directional antenna.
Specifications
The following table illustrates the specifications of all Wi-Spy hardware to date.
|
Wi-Spy Versions |
|||||
|
|
v1 |
2.4i |
2.4x* |
DBx* |
900x* |
|
Antenna |
Internal PCB Trace |
Internal PCB Trace |
External, RP-SMA |
External, RP-SMA |
External, RP-SMA |
|
Bandwidth |
2400 - 2482 |
2400 - 2492 |
2400 - 2495 |
2.4GHz: 2.400 - 2.495 |
862-928 |
|
Frequency Resolution |
1000 |
375 |
27 - 421 |
2.4GHz: 26 - 3000 |
24-375 |
|
Bandwidth Resolution |
60 - 675 |
2.4GHz: 58 - 650 |
54-750 |
||
|
Amplitude |
-97 to -50.5 |
-102 to -6.5 |
-110 to -6.5 |
-100 to -6.5 |
-105 to -6.5 |
|
Amplitude Resolution |
1.5 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
*Most values for the Wi-Spy 2.4x, Wi-Spy DBx and Wi-Spy 900x can be adjusted in hardware configuration using the latest Chanalyzer.