Canary Wireless LLC sent us their Digital Hotspotter HS10 gadget for review.

The Digital Hotspotter announced by Canary Wireless in November 2004 seems to be still the only Wi-fi detector with an LCD display on the market. The LCD display is great to have on a Wi-fi network detector as it directly tells you the strength and more important if its secure or open. Other information displayed are SSID and channel.

I tested the Canary Wireless Digital Hotspotter at home and outside. It picked up my network without problems. I just have to push a button and it scans for networks. If the first one displayed is not usable another push of the button brings the next one if available. Subjectively the range seems to be good. I did not do scientific tests on this. Canary Wireless says in their FAQs that the Hotspotter cannot detect some networks.
This Wi-fi Detector is powered by 2 AAA (comes with HS10). The HS10 is switching off automatically after 30 seconds. Battery life is about 2 month.
Compared to other Wi-fi detectors the Canary Wireless is not big (64x55x27mm). I find it though to big for what it is. Wi-fi Detectors need to go the Apple iPod nano path of slimming down.
The Canary Wireless Wi-Fi spotter can be attached to a lanyard. I would connect it to the notebook bag and not carry it in my pocket.
Other than the size, the Canary Wireless Digital Hotspotter is a very solid choice. The LCD display is really a very useful feature that I would not want to miss on a Wi-fi detector.

Compare Prices on the HS10 ($59.99).









Compare Prices on the HS10.