Before I begin this review, let me note that the Senao card is one of my favorites. In past testing we have done, it has outperformed everything from storebought cards like Netgear, to enterprise cards like Orinoco and Cisco. Its dual antenna connectors make it a must have for wardriving, and I would still highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quality wireless card. The Senao card we tested is the 200mw NL-2511CD PLUS EXT2 model which can be bought by clicking here. The Zcomax card we tested is the XI-325HP+ model which can be bought by clicking here.
As much as I have liked the Senao card though, I was extremely impressed by the test results of this new 300mw card from Zcomax. Please note that FCC regulations restrict the use of WiFi equipment to 200mw output power or less. In our testing we followed FCC rules. In one test we used a 7 dBi gain external antenna with each card- the Senao card takes an MMCX antenna while the Zcomax takes an R-MMCX, but both antennae were identical in size, shape, cable length, and everything else except for the actual connector itself. The antennae were both placed in the same spot when completing the tests, and the tests were done back to back. We also did a second test using smaller antennae. The Zcomax card comes with a 1.5 dB gain detachable antenna as pictured on our item page for the product. The Senao card does not come with such antenna, however for the small antenna test we used a 1.5 dB mini antenna, which is rotatable. The fact that it was rotatable meant it could have performed slightly better than the Zcomax detachable antenna.
We did not do extensive range testing with the cards, meaning that we did not take each unit to various fixed locations as specific distances from a main access point to see how much further one card performed over the other. What we did was a basic access point detection test using Netstumbler. Netstumbler shows you the available access points a card can locate, and it also prints information such as the signal strength of each one. By looking at this data we can see which card performed better. So on to the results.
-Senao 200mw card with 7 dBi antenna-
In this first picture, we have the results of the Senao card, using the 7 dBi gain antenna with magnetic mount, as shown here. The Senao card performed relatively well, detecting a total of seven access points (the signal strength for each AP is depicted in the first column to the right of the WEP column). I should note that with the signal strength, the higher the number the better the signal, so since -34 is a higher number than -88, the signal from st46 is actually the strongest on the chart, not the weakest. Access point st46 is actually our test AP which was only about 30 feet from the antenna. Now let's take a look at the Zcomax card, which we also tested with a 7 dBi gain antenna with magnetic mount, as shown here.
-Zcomax 300mw card with 7 dBi antenna-
As you can see, the Zcomax card located eleven access point, and received a stronger signal strength to all of them. We also tested each card with a 1.5 dB gain mini antenna, but the antennas were not identical as noted above. The 1.5 dBi antenna used with the Zcomax card is a detachable that is included in the purchase of the card. The 1.5 dBi gain antenna used with the Senao card is not included with the card, but can be purchased by clicking here. The results:
-Senao 200mw card with 1.5 dBi antenna-
-Zcom 200mw card with its detachable 1.5 dBi gain antenna connected-
You can see that the Zcom card outperformed the Senao card again, which was to be expected after the first test. The 1.5 dB gain antennae are primarily to be used when travelling if you don't want to take the larger magnetic mount antenna with you. They can also be used in addition to the larger antenna, by connecting them to the secondary antenna connector. Both the Senao and Zcomax cards have two antenna ports, one being a primary and the other being a secondary. When using just one antenna, always connect it to the primary port. To determine the primary port on the Zcomax card, place it on a table top label side up so the antenna ports are on the right. Your primary port is at the top right, the secondary is at the bottom right. For the Senao card, place it retail label side up so the antenna connectors are to the left. Your primary is on the bottom left and the secondary is on the top left. Even if you forget this, you will be able to tell easily just by plugging the same antenna into one port, then the other. You will get much better range when its connected to the primary port.
So there you have it- a head to head test and the Zcomax card comes out on top. But it is a more expensive card, so if you want to save a little, the Senao is not a bad choice at all. Both cards have the Prism 2.5 chipset and are compatible with most versions of Linux out there.