Datel WiFi Max for DS

Some quick notes before we start:
1) The difference between this device and the one with “for PSP” on the box is just the box. The hardware, software and manuals inside the box are identical so any reviews for that are valid for this, and vice-versa.

2) Any analogies made in this review are overly simplified and slight wrong as analogies always are.

3) As a “tech” I am not really the target ...
...When the CD is inserted, you are given two options – PSP or DS. The basic difference is the name of the wireless network, and one (the PSP) adds some extra software for converting, and copying music and videos to your PSPs memory stick. I was installing it for my PSP, my DS as well as my mobile phone, so I selected the DS version. With only a 32M memory card in my PSP I could not fit movies onto the PSP. I did latter play with the PSP version ... more

Some quick notes before we start:
1) The difference between this device and the one with “for PSP” on the box is just the box. The hardware, software and manuals inside the box are identical so any reviews for that are valid for this, and vice-versa.

2) Any analogies made in this review are overly simplified and slight wrong as analogies always are.

3) As a “tech” I am not really the target market for this device.

Installation
When the CD is inserted, you are given two options – PSP or DS. The basic difference is the name of the wireless network, and one (the PSP) adds some extra software for converting, and copying music and videos to your PSPs memory stick. I was installing it for my PSP, my DS as well as my mobile phone, so I selected the DS version. With only a 32M memory card in my PSP I could not fit movies onto the PSP. I did latter play with the PSP version (and included a quick overview of the extra software below).
The install seamed to be going fine, and I was asked to insert the dongle, the computer whirled away for a few moments, and according to the instruction book I should have been presented with a dialog box. The computer stopped whirling, and started to idle - still no dialog box. I looked in the Start Menu for any new icons and found none.
After a few restarts, and a few more attempts at following the manual I gave up, found the installers to run on the CD and manually ran them.
I’ve asked my brother who also bought one of theses, and he had no problems with the install, so this might be an isolated incident.
The install all in all was quite easy, finding the applications on the CD was not too difficult to do, and when the installer works it is very simple.

The Defaults
I’ve checked these against my brother’s settings, so this is not down to my unorthodox install.
(Yeay analogy time) You have just bought a nice new front door. By default it remains open, and does not include a lock. It also has a sticker on it stating “if I’m open, please feel free to come in and eat some cookies”.
That is very much what this device defaults to. Wide open access for anyone passing. Some might say that securing your WiFi connection should not be needed, as any computer that uses your network is breaking the law. This is a legal sticky point, passing computers & PDAs/phones can (a fair few are) set to passively look for open, unsecured access and then make use of them, on the assumption that if you did not want to share, you would have at least put some form of token security on it. Personally I feel this is a fair assumption.
I am not impressed with the defaults of this, it should use at least apply a WEP key (this effectively removes the free cookies sign, and adds a very simple keypad lock to the front door). While this offers little security against a determined attacker, it shows to the passer by that your connection is not going for free.
Even better would have been to describe how to enable MAC filtering (a fingerprint lock), set up a WEP key, and even hide your SSID (cover your front door in brick-style wallpaper). While none of them other that much more than token security to the determined hacker, they do show that you are making the effort to keep the connection secure. Plus very few people are determined, especially as a few doors down will be an open network to abuse.

The WiFi configuration UI
While fine for an IT person such as my self, it would mean nothing to “Joe User”. None of the controls are explained in a language “Joe User” would understand.
Wizards and walk-throughs are needed here for this to be an end-user friendly application. All sadly lacking, the PSP user-content application includes a “reset settings” button, but as that resets to the default “wide open” I do not think it is of any use.

The PSP user-content application
After installing, and playing with the base applications which are installed as part of the DS install, I installed the extras that are added for PSP users. I’m not a big fan of the software, the custom interface “flashes” when you click anything and it refreshes the “on your memory stick” window frequently. However converting a movie, and copying it across is nice and simple.

Lost Settings
As you might have guessed with some of the above, I’m a little paranoid when it comes to WiFi. Now to let you all in on a secret, one that will give you very secure WiFi. When it is not in use unplug it. Now this might not be practical for everyone, but as I live in a small flat, and only want it for playing the odd game or making a Skype call on my mobile this is practical for me.
I’ve spent some time setting up this little dongle. Such as hiding the SSID, added each of my devices to the MAC filter and setting a nice long password, so when I decided to plug it back in after about of month of none-use I was very annoyed when it had lost all my settings, defaulted back to wide-open, and lost the network bridge settings (the bit inside it that connects the DS to the Internet).

WiFi-ing
Using the default setting, and my secured settings I’ve had no problems getting a connection and playing. However after it looses its settings it is a bit of a pain in the bum getting it configured again as it has had problems finding my internet connection.

Do I Recommend It?
If you only have a DS, and never intend on buying any other WiFi kit (as I did quite some time ago) I recommend the Nintendo WiFi USB Connector. It defaults to secure settings (requiring you to grant permission on your desktop before it will let any DS access the web) and the UI is nicely designed and user-friendly. However it is Nintendo DS only.
If you already own extra kit, or are thinking about a PSP in the future, this is a handy little bit of kit, and if you are either not fussed about security, or are willing to put the effort in to secure it yourself then I’d recommend this, but would recommend you check out any alternatives first, you might be able to find something with nice wizards to help secure it.  

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