Two From Belkin: Go Studio Recorder for iPods and N+ Wireless Router
Belkin offers a wide range of products, but some of their best are their line of wireless solutions, and the various iPod/iPhone devices. We decided to test one of each, and were largely pleased with both. Each one offers a pretty great set of features, but both end up feeling like another design cycle could have made them a bit better.
Starting with the more unique item- Belkin’s Go Studio, a device that aims to turn your iPod into a high-quality mini recording studio. Simply slide your iPod into the cradle, and you can use the built-in microphones or plug in your own, and record straight to your MP3 player. Choose between stereo/mono, two quality modes, and a decent low cut filter… even level and gain controls. The built-in mics are also decent, though the built-in speaker is not really up to par.
Compatible with the 2nd and 3rd generation iPod nano, iPod classic, and iPod 5th generation, the device won’t work with the iPhone unfortunately. We liked the fairly simple design, but the unit ends up feeling a bit cheap- the knobs definitely are audible when using them, resulting in squeaks in recorded files. It also does require batteries, 2 AAAs, thankfully included- but the biggest issue that we had was that it ran through batteries. The Go Studio is good for beginners, and those looking for a portable solution for their iPod- just make sure that it is compatible with your model, and that you bring lots of extra batteries! $100, available online and in stores.
The Belkin N+ Wireless Router faces an opposite set of issues in many ways. We’d heard good things about the range and signal strength of Belkin’s routers, and can confirm that, when setup properly, the device puts out a mean wireless signal. But it does require vertical setup, making it taller than almost any other router we’ve seen. It also lacks dual-band support, a bit odd considering how many wireless-N draft 2.0 routers have this feature. Gigabit ethernet ports are fairly standard, and the usual 4 are included here.
Not that you’ll probably notice, or need it- we tried several laptops, and wireless-N devices reviewed previously, as well as devices running on G and even B, with no major issues. There is even an included USB port so you can attach, say, an external hard drive and make it a quick network-accessible storage device. But it definitely is a bit of an afterthought. Not all USB storage devices will work, software setup to connect to the device is a bit awkward, and the speed is slower than most NAS devices (and much slower than being directly connected). Also, it’s a bit odd to include the USB port but not support printing, as many routers offer network printing capabilities.
Overall, it’s a pretty good deal- around $90- for a blazingly fast router. As usual, some advanced setup (including updating to the latest firmware) can make a big difference, and proper placement is key. Those who want something more advanced may want a router that can support DD-WRT and offer dual-band capability, but for most users the Belkin N+ is a great choice.
