The DCF-660W D-LinkAir CompactFlash card is a wireless LAN card that brings true mobility to your pocket and handheld PCs. With interoperability, reliable speed and affordable price, this wireless LAN CompactFlash card offers all the benefits of a traditional wired Ethernet network, plus the advantage of being wireless. This card lets you stay connected while you're moving around with your PDA to work, send/view e-mail and access server data, all without the need to hook up to any network wires. Complying with IEEE 802.11b industry standard, the DCF-660W operates at the 2.4GHz frequency range and interoperates with all IEEE 802.11b equipment. Ethernet-based network access from your PDA is also possible through IEEE 802.11b Access Points. Designed as a Type I CompactFlash, the DCF-660W plugs into any pocket or handheld PC equipped with a Type I slim expansion slot, or a Type II expansion slot. Security is an issue when data is transmitted without the wires. In the air, transmitted data can be easily intercepted if not well protected by a security scheme. The DCF-660W provides the necessary security, using the industry-standard 64/128-bit WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption protocol. Data privacy mechanism is based on a shared key algorithm, as described in the wireless LAN standards.The DCF-660W has been tested to operate with Compaq iPAQ 36xx/37xx/38xx series (CPU: Strong ARM), Casio E125, E200, BE300, BE500 (MIPS R4000), HP Jornada 535, 540, 548 (CPU: SH3), 565 (Strong ARM SA1110), Sharp Telios (MIPS R3000), HP Jornada 720 (Strong ARM).
The D-Link DCF-660W is a wireless 802.11b-compliant CompactFlash card, providing a solution for connecting PDAs and handheld computers to an existing 802.11b wireless network. It operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency range and uses Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS). The DCF-660W is for users of PDAs and handhelds who want the convenience of roaming and connecting to an existing wireless network without being tethered to wires and cables.
The DCF-660W will operate in either ad-hoc mode (networked without an access point) or in infrastructure mode (networked using an access point). It transmits data at 11, 5.5, 2, or 1 Mbps. The DCF-660W also provides an auto fall-back feature to automatically adjust the speed of the adapter, depending on the distance from the access point. In an open environment, the DCF-660W with its built-in antenna has a range of up to 460 feet at 11 Mbps and up to 1,311 feet at 1 Mbps.
The DCF-660W requires a CompactFlash Type I or Type II interface (available in most PDAs and handhelds). To ensure long battery life, the DCF-660W has minimal power consumption of 80mA in power-save mode and less than 350mA in transmission mode. The DCF-660W is compatible with Windows CE 3.0 and works with Windows PC 2002. It comes with a one-year limited warranty.
1 Good card with a stable, long range connection
I have an Hewlett-Packard iPAQ 2215 and I was looking for a wireless card to connect to my campus's wireless network. This is a pretty good card, like most D-Link products are. It can establish and maintain a connection very well, both indoors and outdoors. The software comes on a CD, which is active-synched to your PDA. It is a fairly simple and routine procedure to setup the card to access the network.
So far the only complaint I have is that you sometime have to push the card in hard in order for the PDA to pick it up. I occationally have to pull the card out and reinsert it before it starts working.
If you don't have a PDA already, I would recomend getting one with integrated wireless since you won't have the reciever end sticking out of the PDA. However, if you are just looking for a wireless card, then I would recomend this one.
2 Fails within 3 months
I bought the card for My iPaq 2215 so I could surf wirelessly while watching football, it lasted about the length of football season (I bought mid-season for $75).
The site says it doesn't support Mobile 2003 for PPC but then claims to work on the device (it did). But now that it stopped working tech (ha ha) support claims they don't support that configuration (it's too new??) Give me a break, the product is obviously defective. But they just bail on the customer. Last time I buy D-Junk.
UPDATE - I continue to request an RMA from D-link and the response via e-mail simply is to call, you call, you get the "it's not supported" line. You e-mail, you get the "it could be defective and you should call" - All I really want is an RMA or my $75 back.
3 Great product at a great price
I was up and running in just a couple of minutes out of the package with an iPaq 2215. Downloaded the latest drivers from the D-Link website, plugged it in and was asked which of the two connections available I wanted to connect to. (I don't have a wireless access point, but apparently two people in my apartment building do!) Worked even better when I was actually near an access point.
4 great product - TX User
I was up and running with this little device in less than 10 minutes using my iPAQ. The ability to access my home server via Terminal Server from my favorite coffee shop hangout is priceless. Highly recommended!
5 Decent little card
Good card, easy setup (Dell Axim 5). The card works fine... but only if Pocket PC worked better.
6 Doesn't Work with Netgear Wireless Router
I purchased this CF Wi-Fi card for my Dell Axim X5 400Mhz and was unable to get it to connect to my Netgear router. I tried the drivers that came with the disk and could not get it to work. I then downloaded the updated drivers from D-Link and still could not get it to connect. Spoke with Level 3 support from D-Link and they said to try exchanging the Compact Flash card for a new one. Amazon did this for me without hesitation and had a new D-Link CF card to me within 2 days. Unfortunately, the new card would still not connect. I then purchased the Ambicom CF Wireless Card. It installed and worked perfectly immediately. Unless you have a D-Link Wi-Fi router, you should consider purchasing with caution.
7 Works good!
The CF card is running on a DELL AXIM, no problems. It has a little better range than the DELL 1180 CF but not by much.
The software utility on the supplied CD disk was horrible, it works but tells you nothing about the wireless sights. DOWNLOAD the latest drivers from the D-link web sight. I was about to send the D-link card back before I loaded the new software. It took two attempts to load the new utility but what a difference good software makes. Now there is all kinds of useful information available.
8 Worked great with many apps
Worked flawlessly out of the box with my Zaurus SL-5600, and haven't had a problem with the card not fitting correctly and securely in the CF slot. I tried every mode (AdHoc, Infastructure) and had no problems connecting with either one. Its quite sensitive and I was able to connect to my AP from anywhere in my house through several walls, and even from a good distance outside. Its a good buy in my book; haven't had any problems, and don't forsee any in the future.
9 Works well
I have this CF card running on a 56XX series IPAQ with the upgraded PocketPC 2002 OS. HUGE TIP- unless the disk they are sending has updated drivers, download the drivers from Dlink. It isn't that the older drivers on the CD don't work (they do), but the new drivers on the website add tons of funcionality such as an Orinoco like icon on the bottom of the today screen that monitors signal strength. It also adds the ability to browse AP's within the DCF-660W's reach (hotspot searches). These (as well as the old ones) installed flawlessly and after a soft reset to load the drives worked well once the proper IP, SSID, and WEP settings were set.
I find the range from my router, a Dlink 614+, decent for such a small device, but definitely shorter that my old lucent chipped Orinoco and Avaya PCMCIA WiFi cards. A great product overall, time will tell how well it holds up.
10 Works great with Zaurus 5600
We had this working an hour after UPS delivered the unit to our door. We're using 128 Wep encryption, connected to a D-Link DI-614 wireless hub. The card fits snugly, works great.
I'm loading Apache web server on the Zaurus now.
Why use my PDA as a Web server you ask? Because I can!
11 Zaurus Owners PLEASE READ!
Do NOT buy this card if you own a Zaurus. There are a number of documented issues...the most important being that inserting the card will *NOT* cause the Z to recognize the NIC. There's a seating problem in the CF slot with this card and you actually have to wedge something (I'm using paper) in between the back of the card and the Z to get it recognized. A real pain, which overtime will definitely wear out your slot. Go with something else!
12 Flaky
Bought this with a Dlink AP and a the 650+ PCMCIA card. The 650+ works great. The 660W only works when the 650+ is active. Otherwise, it will get a connection to the AP, but will not get an IP (or if I assign a static one, it will not ping even the AP). Not happy with it.
13 Works wonders
I have recently bought one of these as well and I must say I am impressed. I didn't think I'd get this kind of range, but I do. I can be almost on the other side of the house and still get good signal. Plus the installation was a breeze.
I recommend this for anyone who wants to take their handheld wireless via their compact flash slot.
14 Good (dead) Card
This works great with my HP Jornada 568. I can sync with my computer or browse the internet, while sitting on the toilet in the bathroom!!!(...) That is just awesome. I wish it had a case of some sort, more options like site survey, and better connection diagnostics. For the price, this bad boy rocks.
edit: I am returning this product. I had some problems when I first got it, and now(1 week later) it won't even initialize. DLink tech-support was very nice and said this is quite uncommon. (...)
15 D-link DCF-660W and the Dell Axim
This product works great with a Dell Axim. It took all of 10min. to set up and get connected to my university's wireless 802.11b network. Just perfect!!!
16 Wrong
It might of worked well if I was sent the correct item. I was sent the wireless adaptor for a PC MA311 not the CompactFlash wireless 660W Wireless Pocket PC(for cassio E-200) I would be nice if your stock people would look at the item and make sure its the correct item.
17 Nice little gadget
I bought this for my Sharp Zaurus. Works great; doesn't need a driver installed; doesn't block the stylus or the headphone jack; gives pretty decent performance. Only real problem is a bug in the standard, not the device: WEP is about as effective as hanging a "please do not steal" sign on the Hope Diamond before leaving it on a bench in Central Park. If you're going to set up any kind of wireless LAN, get yourself a VPN--I'm running PPP over SSH, and I'm fairly confident nobody's going to break into my LAN or hijack my external link.
18 Great little card
I got this card for my Dell Axim, and it's pretty good. I'm very pleased with ease of installation, quality of signal, and battery life lasts a couple of hours on my Axim. I recommend it against any other card out there(except Symbol and Socket, which are excellent cards but cost almost twice as much). D
19 good for handheld pc only at this time
I love this unit, good quality and better reception than the dcf-650w. The unit works in my compaq ipaq with the 650 drivers so you can get signal strength by downloading these. The only problem and the reason why I returned it and stayed with the 650 with the dcf-654 cf-pc adapter is there are no drivers for my windows 2000 laptop.
20 A Welcome Surprise!
I was in the market for a CF Wi-Fi card for my iPaq H3955. Had intended to purchase either the Socket or Symbol cards, but then I found this card at Best Buy. Smaller than the previous D-Link card (DCF-650W), but not quite as small as the Symbol or Socket. Price was right though. ... Power consumption seems fine- using with the CF-Plus Expansion Back, get at least a couple hours before the first low CF battery warning. Extends above the CF sleeve about a half-inch. Software installation was smooth and painless. The card itself has an LED to indicate operation. Bringing up the card settings does offer a complete set of options, including infrastrucure or ad-hoc operation, and the documentation explains how to set up the card to work with any public hotspot. WEP works fine with my Linksys WAP. Detractor: does not have any kind of indicator on the Today screen as to signal strength. Also, no carrying case for the card.
