Cirond PocketWinC

By , posted Friday, Jun. 3rd, 2005
Reader Comments: 18

Turn your iPAQ into a portable WiFi scanner & hotspotter!

INTRODUCTION:

After installing this program, most users will realize just how powerful their wirelessly equipped iPAQs are; well above the standard established by Microsoft’s “Zero Configuration Networking”, the iPAQ will become a portable WiFi Scanner and hotspot detector (Hotspotter). Additionally, the program makes a great troubleshooting utility for WiFi related problems. By my calculations, Microsoft’s ZC Networking only sees about 4 out of 10 WLANs (or 40% of the actual networks available) in a test area here in my hometown. After having loaded PocketWinC, I was able to see all 10 WLANs. This was confirmed by double-checking with another Laptops with scanner software loaded.

As suggested earlier, I find the program to be a great help in sectionalizing and isolating connectivity problems on WiFi networks. Accordingly, you will see me tout this product repeatedly in the “Wireless WiFi Problems” Forum here at Dave’s iPAQ.

OVERVIEW:

PocketWinc (currently on Version 2.0, build 986), like many other PocketPC software packages, is designed to be downloaded for a limited “Trial” basis. The FREE trial period is limited to 30 days. During this trial period, the program is not limited or crippled in any way. I highly recommend that everyone who is even remotely interested in spotting their local hotspots or need a utility to assist them in diagnosing WiFi problems should download PocketWinc and try it for themselves. You pretty much have to see for yourself in order to see just how incredible this program truly is. And, if you like the PocketPC version, you can rejoice that they also offer a regular PC version- great for laptop users who want to find hotspots. PocketWinc integrates with their Flagship application “AirPatrol Enterprise” for designing and managing your corporate Wireless LAN, although the AirPatrol series is meant for larger corporations and is priced accordingly.

The program's installer package size is only 3124K and the download speed across broadband was substantially less than a minute. Once installed on the PC, the program will install on the iPAQ via the next ActiveSync session. The initial load time is about three seconds, and installs an icon (the standardized “Wireless” icon) on the top taskbar (the snapshot above shows a balloon dialog pointing to it). On all subsequent uses (between resets), the load time is instantaneous, although it is done in two-steps. As shown on the screenshot to the right, when the user clicks on the Radio icon on the top taskbar, the first step produces a small window with some basic information about the current connection, and offers two choices: proceed to the Full Screen via the PocketWinc link, or Hide this balloon dialog box.

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You can still DOWNLOAD THE 30 DAY TRIAL HERE:

http://www.download.com/PocketWinc/3000-2178_4-10383474.html

Posted by doberman, Sunday, Aug. 7th, 2005

I may be wrong but it looks like the trial version is accessible via CNET.

http://cnet.search.com/search?chkpt=astg.cnet.fd.search.cnet&q=PocketWinC&tag=srch

Posted by rrusa, Sunday, Jun. 5th, 2005

Sorry GeekNJ, but you're not blind. They have apparently removed the free-trial version of the software. In a conversation with the one of the executives, it turns out a lot of people were hacking the trial-version, so my guess is that they got rid of it entirely, but to make the leap more bearable, they also dropped the price by MORE than half...

Posted by , Sunday, Jun. 5th, 2005

Maybe I'm blind (definitely possible) but I don't see where you can download the program to try for 30 days. Can someone reference the URL to download it or the page that has the download link on it. Thanks!!

Posted by GeekNJ, Saturday, Jun. 4th, 2005

Thanks for the Update Bulldog! We have updated the review to include this new pricing information!

Folks, if you haven't purchased a copy yet because you thought the original price too high, now there is NO reason not to buy!

If you run through the entire trial period and find yourself agreeing that this is a great program, you should really buy a copy!

NOTE: If you are in need of a utility that supports WPA-PSK/TKIP, you might want to hold off and read an upcoming review I am working on for another product.

Posted by , Saturday, Jun. 4th, 2005

Went to PocketWinC web site and they have it for sale at $9.95 right now, bought mine for that!

Posted by Bulldog, Saturday, Jun. 4th, 2005

Hey - this is such great info - I keep seeing people refer to this product. It's SO great to see it reviewed like this . THANKS !!!!

Posted by Laura, Saturday, Jun. 4th, 2005

I'll be doing a review of another product that does support WPA-PSK/TKIP shortly. I think everyone will be really impressed with their GUI.

Posted by , Saturday, Jun. 4th, 2005

Nice review. Look like a good program. I use WiFiFoFum, though not as extensive of a program as this but it's free and get my job done.

http://www.aspecto-software.com/WiFiFoFum/

Posted by lvlolvlo, Saturday, Mar. 12th, 2005

Sadly, my router is not WPA capable, so I was unable to test that aspect. However, you are correct that it should have been posted as an item under the CON category.

For what it is worth, I am having some problems with WEP of late, and in working with the VP of Marketing on this topic, they admitted to the lack of WPA coverage. However, he indicated that they are working hard at implementing WPA for their next release...

Posted by , Thursday, Mar. 10th, 2005

I have tested the software but was quite disappointed, that it does not support WPA key, which is already standard for WLAN. That's a clear 'con'! R!

Posted by Ricardo777, Tuesday, Mar. 8th, 2005

Elrendhel, your input and time is much appreciated. Thanks to people like you whose advice and comments make understanding these gadgets a little easier.

Posted by Gleaner, Monday, Feb. 21st, 2005

Well, there are some differences that appear during a comparison:
1.) The Canary is instant-on, whereas PocketWinc loads on your PPC (takes as long to load as your PPC takes to wake-up).
2.) The Canary is a separate unit & requires batteries, PocketWinc is loaded on your existing PPC and doesn't require more battery power than you are already using for WiFi.
3.) The Canary has a monochrome non-backlit LCD, PocketWinc uses your PPC screen in multiple colors (and backlit if your PPC has backlighting capabilities).
4.) Both offer Network ID, Signal Strength (although PocketWinc can measured in dBm or in a percentage format), Encryption Status, and Channel.
5.) PocketWinc will also REMEMBER all of the WEP keys for various Routers/APs that you program it with.
6.) Lastly, PocketWinc also provides the following data when connected to a Router/AP:
a.) Adapter name,
b.) MAC Address (of the PPC and Router),
c.) Address Type (DHCP/Dynamic or Manual/Static)
d.) IP Address,
e.) Subnet Mask,
f.) Default Gateway,
g.) DHCP Server,
h.) Lease (obtained-date and Expiration date).
i.) WINS Servers,
j.) DNS Servers,
k.) Host Name (if any)
l.) Domain Name (if any).

Additionally, PocketWinc can detect Internet Access capabilities of the Router/AP (about 50% accurate), and connection mode (Infrastructure or Ad-hoc).

Posted by , Monday, Feb. 21st, 2005

Thanks for the review. Any thoughts on the Canary Wireless product compared to this one? Thanks

Posted by Gleaner, Monday, Feb. 21st, 2005

Thank you all! It was a real joy writing the review, as I really believe in this product.

BLACKSPOT - If you simply download the most recent version available on their website and install it on your Host PC, the next time you synchronize with your PC it will download and install the necessary files on your PocketPC.

Posted by , Monday, Feb. 21st, 2005

Great review. I have been using this for a long time. It's excellent.
How can you upgrade though? My build is 980.

Posted by blackspot, Saturday, Feb. 19th, 2005

Thanks Elrendhel...This was a huge amount of work and was very informative!

Posted by Jack Cook, Saturday, Feb. 19th, 2005

Great review elrendhel!

Posted by David Ciccone, Saturday, Feb. 19th, 2005

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