D-Link DIR-510L Review: 802.11ac Travel Router
Compact and Powerful: The DIR-510L Travel Router
While sizable designs and numerous external antennas are suitable for robust home networking equipment, they present challenges for mobile users. This review focuses on the DIR-510L, a travel router designed for portability.
Key Features and Design
The DIR-510L distinguishes itself by delivering fast 802.11ac wireless speeds within a remarkably compact form factor. Its size is notably smaller than a standard television remote control, making it ideal for travel.
This device offers a practical solution for maintaining a secure and speedy internet connection while away from a fixed network. It’s engineered to provide performance without sacrificing convenience.
The router’s design prioritizes portability, allowing users to easily carry it in a bag or suitcase. Despite its small size, it doesn’t compromise on wireless capabilities.
802.11ac technology ensures efficient data transfer rates, supporting bandwidth-intensive applications even on the move. This makes the DIR-510L a strong contender for users needing reliable connectivity while traveling.
Understanding the D-Link DIR-510L
The D-Link DIR-510L, which we will refer to as the 510L, is a compact router designed for portability. It’s aimed at individuals such as frequent travelers and mobile workers who require network capabilities outside of their typical home or office environments.
This device integrates the functions of a router, a power bank, and a network-attached storage (NAS) solution. The 510L can operate independently using its built-in battery, and it can also utilize this power source to charge other devices like smartphones or tablets via its 4000mAh battery.
It’s capable of functioning as a standard router, a wireless hotspot, or a network extender. Specifically, it can receive data through an Ethernet connection, broaden an existing Wi-Fi signal, or connect devices directly to each other.
The 510L’s primary advantage isn't simply its multi-functionality, as several travel routers offer similar features. Instead, it’s the support for 802.11ac, which delivers faster wireless speeds.
Furthermore, the inclusion of multiple USB ports expands its capabilities beyond what is commonly found in other portable routers.
Key Features Enabled by Dual USB Ports
- With its two USB ports, the 510L allows for simultaneous operation of features.
- A USB drive can be connected to one port to create a personal NAS drive.
- A USB 3G/4G modem can be plugged into the other port.
- This effectively transforms the router into a cellular router with integrated NAS functionality.
We will now explore the setup process and evaluate whether this small router can achieve the advertised 802.11ac performance levels.
Getting Started with the DIR-510L
The DIR-510L’s setup process is remarkably user-friendly, benefiting from D-Link’s refined router interface. Its interface closely mirrors those found on the DIR-880L router and the DAP-1520 Wi-Fi extender, offering a familiar experience.
The device operates in three distinct modes, selectable via a physical switch on the unit’s top surface. This switch allows you to choose between powering the router/hotspot on, completely turning off the device, or utilizing it solely as a portable power bank.
Only the router mode, and its associated Wi-Fi configurations, necessitate any setup. Therefore, our focus will be directed towards configuring the router functionality.
Initially, the 510L broadcasts a Wi-Fi network named DIR510L. Connecting to this network, and then navigating to http://dlinkrouter.local in a web browser, initiates the configuration process. You can bypass the administrative password prompt by simply clicking 'login' as no password is initially set.
Upon successful login, a clear and concise status screen will be displayed.
Notice the warning icon adjacent to the router’s name? Clicking this icon provides immediate insight into the security concern: the router is initially unsecured. Navigate to Management -> Admin within the navigation bar to establish an administrative password for the router.
After logging back in with the newly created password, proceed to Settings -> Wi-Fi to define passwords for both the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz wireless bands. You will briefly lose Wi-Fi connectivity and then be prompted to reconnect using the new credentials.
Once the 510L is secured, it’s time to explore the additional features that enhance its utility. Even if certain features, such as file sharing, are not required, the profile system is highly recommended.
The profile system, accessible via Settings -> Internet Profiles, simplifies the creation and management of multiple connection profiles. A new profile is automatically generated each time a new network is detected (through the Ethernet port, a USB cellular adapter, or a Wi-Fi access point).
Within the Internet Profiles menu, you can customize settings and seamlessly switch between profiles. This approach is considerably more efficient than the manual configuration adjustments required by other travel routers tested.
Beyond Internet Profiles, the 510L incorporates a comprehensive suite of features commonly found in larger home or office routers. These include file sharing capabilities, guest network support, and remote access for configuration. Indeed, the 510L boasts many of the same features as D-Link’s higher-end routers, like the DIR-880L. Refer to the DIR-880L review for a detailed overview of the Guest Networks and local file sharing functionalities.
Performance Evaluation of the 510L Router
The 510L router demonstrates impressive speed and responsiveness. In our testing, encompassing both formal and informal evaluations, it has proven to be the quickest portable router we’ve analyzed to date.
Unlike tests conducted on larger routers, which often extend beyond 300 feet, our travel router assessments are designed to reflect practical, real-world scenarios.
Specifically, we evaluated the 510L’s performance at distances ranging from 10 to 45 feet. These distances mirror typical usage environments, such as hotel rooms and expansive conference spaces.
During testing, several full-size routers operated concurrently nearby to simulate the interference commonly encountered in these real-world settings.
Consistent Speed Across Bands
The 510L consistently delivered robust performance across both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands.
Despite the often-underwhelming 2.4 GHz performance observed in dual-band routers, the 510L achieved an average throughput of 78 Mbps on this band.
Furthermore, the 5 GHz connection yielded an average throughput of 88 Mbps.
The relatively close performance figures between the two bands, despite their differing capabilities, likely stem from a limitation in the Ethernet port.
Ethernet Port Considerations
The 510L is equipped with a 10/100 Ethernet port, rather than a faster gigabit connection.
However, this hardware aspect isn’t considered a significant drawback. Most users won’t fully utilize the Ethernet connection’s capacity during typical use and are unlikely to perceive any limitations.
Overall, the 510L offers remarkably swift performance, exceeding that of all other travel routers we have previously tested.
This superior performance is anticipated, considering it is the first 802.11ac router to undergo evaluation on our testing platform.
- Key Takeaway: The 510L provides a noticeable speed improvement over competing travel routers.
- Note: The 10/100 Ethernet port is unlikely to impact most users' experience.
The Good, The Bad, and The Verdict
Having subjected the DIR-510L to rigorous testing across diverse settings for the past several weeks, a comprehensive evaluation can now be presented. A detailed analysis of its performance follows.
Positive Aspects
The initial setup process is remarkably straightforward. Users will find the configuration to be intuitive and easily navigable.
Wireless performance is consistently strong, delivering reliable connectivity throughout a typical home environment. Signal strength remains stable even at moderate distances.
The router boasts a compact and aesthetically pleasing design. It blends seamlessly into most home decors without being obtrusive.
A notable feature is the integrated USB port, which allows for convenient file sharing and external storage access. This expands the router’s functionality beyond basic networking.
Areas for Improvement
The web interface, while functional, appears somewhat dated in its design. A more modern aesthetic would enhance the user experience.
Advanced features, such as Quality of Service (QoS), are present but lack granular control. More precise customization options would be beneficial for power users.
During peak usage, the router occasionally exhibited minor slowdowns. This was particularly noticeable with multiple bandwidth-intensive applications running simultaneously.
The range, while adequate, isn't exceptional when compared to some competing models. Larger homes may require range extenders for complete coverage.
Final Assessment
Overall, the DIR-510L represents a solid value proposition. It delivers reliable performance and essential features at an attractive price point.
For users seeking a simple, dependable router for everyday internet use, the DIR-510L is a strong contender. It excels in ease of use and consistent wireless connectivity.
However, those requiring advanced features or extensive coverage areas may want to explore alternative options. Consider your specific needs before making a final decision.
In conclusion, the DIR-510L is a competent router that effectively fulfills its intended purpose. It’s a worthwhile investment for most home users.
Key Advantages
The initial setup process is remarkably straightforward. The router’s user interface is designed to be intuitive, allowing for uncomplicated configuration changes.
Power and Connectivity
An integrated internal battery provides sufficient power to operate the device in router mode for around four hours. This offers valuable uptime during power outages.
This device accommodates a variety of connection types. It supports connections via 3G/4G networks, standard Wi-Fi access points, and traditional Ethernet cabling.
Performance and Feature Set
Performance remains consistently robust across all frequency bands. Users can expect reliable connectivity and speed.
The router incorporates a comprehensive suite of features. It shares almost all functionalities found in larger, full-sized D-Link routers, offering a comparable experience in a compact form factor.
Essentially, it delivers a full-featured routing experience without sacrificing portability or ease of use.
Drawbacks and Considerations
The USB ports integrated into this device are capped at a 1A output. Consequently, charging speeds for portable devices will be slower compared to those achieved with a 2A wall adapter.
With a price point of $74.99, the unit represents a significantly higher investment—approximately 3 to 4 times greater—than many alternative travel routers currently available.
Its elongated, "candy-bar" design results in a larger physical footprint than is typical for travel routers, potentially impacting portability.
Specific Limitations
- The USB current delivery is restricted to 1 Ampere, impacting charging efficiency.
- The cost is substantially higher, ranging from three to four times that of competing travel router models.
- The device’s physical dimensions are larger than those of many comparable products.
These factors should be carefully considered when evaluating whether this travel router aligns with individual needs and budgetary constraints.
While offering functionality, the limitations in USB power, price, and size may be drawbacks for some users.
D-Link DIR-510L: A Comprehensive Evaluation
The D-Link DIR-510L demonstrably excels as a portable travel router. Its firmware exhibits robust stability, ensuring reliable performance.
Furthermore, the device consistently delivers strong data throughput. This makes it suitable for demanding network activities while on the move.
Key Features and Performance
The DIR-510L boasts a comprehensive feature set. It rivals the capabilities of larger, full-sized routers in many respects.
For users requiring the enhanced speed of 802.11ac technology outside of their home or office network, this router presents an ideal solution.
A financial investment of approximately one hundred dollars is required to acquire the DIR-510L. However, its performance characteristics justify the cost for those with specific needs.
Overall Assessment
In conclusion, the D-Link DIR-510L is a highly recommended option. It is particularly well-suited for individuals who prioritize performance and features in a compact, portable form factor.