[OT] -- Wireless Access Points with Signal Strength Indication?

In article <F007j.3440$Vq.2987@nlpi061.nbdc.sbc.com>, 
antispam_bogus@hotmail.com says...
> 
> 
> Tim Wescott wrote:
> 
> > I recently replaced my wireless router with another of the same make and 
> > model (Linksys WRT54G).  In spite of the fact that it's 'the same', it 
> > seems to put out less power than the last one.
> > 
> > The current one works fine in the house, but I run my business out of a 
> > detached garage, and the access point out there can't quite see the 
> > router.  I've solved this problem before with clever antenna placement, 
> > and for a while by using an external antenna.
> > 
> > But the access point I have (a Linksys WET11), aside from being 802.11b, 
> > also doesn't sport a signal strength indicator, which I need to really 
> > assess what's going on with the antenna setup.
> > 
> > Does anyone have any suggestions for an access point that has a signal 
> > strength indicator?  It doesn't have to be external -- if the thing has a 
> > means of getting to it via Ethernet to query the signal strength that 
> > would be fine.  I just need a way of checking to see what good any 
> > antenna shenanigans I'm playing may be doing.
> > 
> > Your suggestions are welcome, thanks.
> 
> 
> I made the basic indicator of the field strength (diode + peak detector 
> + meter) and discovered that the actual transmit power is very different 
> for the different WiFi devices. No wonder that the devices with the 
> higher power are working better.
> 
> In short: dLink sucks, 2Wire rules, Belkin and LinkSys mediocre.
> 
> 
> Vladimir Vassilevsky
> DSP and Mixed Signal Design Consultant
> http://www.abvolt.com

What do you think of Netgear wireless products? 

I've got a cheapy Belkin running right now. It works but it's not the 
best.