THE proliferation of wireless networks in major cities and even in many rural areas means that the business traveller with a laptop might never have to pay for internet access again.

If you'd prefer not to whip out your laptop, power it up and look like a performance artist as you waltz around streets and cafes trying to get a WiFi signal, then buying a WiFi detector could suit you.

WiFi detectors are simple devices built to let you know if a WiFi signal is present. They can tell you the strength and direction of the signal and other information which will allow you to log on to it.

With so many other devices now containing WiFi detectors, the standalone devices are now adding in additional features including use as Wireless Access Points themselves

SmartID Wi-Fi Detector Price: Euro30 from ThinkGeek. com This is a bare-bones, cheap-aschips device that does nothing more than look for wireless signals.

Review: (www. thegadgeteer. com/review/smart_id_wi"_detector_review) or short url (http: //url. ie/2x2) "The Smart ID WiFi Detector is fast and easy to use. It's much more convenient to use it to look for a nearby WiFi signal than to open your laptop or PDA. With this device, you press a button and receive instant feedback. No waiting.

About the only info that it doesn't give you, that would be helpful, is if the detected signal is open (unsecured), or closed. But as is, the Smart ID WiFi Detector makes a fun geek tool."

Kensington Wi-Fi Finder Plus Price: Euro30 from Expansys. com The Kensington Wi-Fi Finder, like the SmartID, is a simple WiFi finder but also acts as a Bluetooth finder, something probably not needed these days when most phones act as Bluetooth scanners.

Review: (http: //pocketnow. com/index. php? a=portal_detail&t=reviews&id=794&p=1) or short url (http: //url. ie/2x3) "The WiF Finder Plus is a very quick and easy way to detect the presence of WiFi and Bluetooth signals and traffic. You don't need to prepare or set up anything - one push of the button tells you all there is to know. The LEDs show you relative WiFi signal strength and a blue LED lights up to indicate Bluetooth activity. In addition, there's a small flashlight included on the back of the device. . . With a device this simple, you expect it to simply do what it does and do it fairly well. This device does what it does and does it so-so."

PCTEL Wi-Fi Seeker Price: Euro25 from CompUSA The Wi-Fi seeker is another simple device, doing exactly what it does on the tin and nothing more. If you want to detect a wireless signal and strength and nothing more then this device is worth considering.

Review: (www. smallnetbuilder. com/content/view/24673/96/1/1) or short url (http: //url. ie/2x4) "The Seeker is the best of the bunch, given its handy size and accurate detection.

Its main weakness, which is common to all the products in this group, is that it won't tell you whether you can actually connect to the APs that it finds. But if you're a mobile kinda person who wants a quick and easy way to see if there's wireless in the air, the Seeker will do the job."

Zyxel Wireless Hotspot Finder Price: Euro80 from Dabs. com With a hefty price tag, the Zyxel justifies itself with superior network scanning and also with the ability to be a portable wireless adaptor itself. The Lexus of the detectors, get it if you will use all the additional functions.

Review: (www. techworld. com/mobility/reviews/index. cfm? reviewid=443) or short url (http: //url. ie/2x5) "Zyxel takes a more sensible approach, adding functions that go well with Wi-Fi detection. It's a WiFi detector, but also a USB Wi-Fi adaptor, and also an access point, which can share a wired connection amongst local devices. . . As a scanner, the Zyxel is thorough. It checks for 802.11b and g, as well as for 802.11a on the 5GHz band. There's not many of these around, but we did find one while using the device."

CanaryWireless Digital Hotspotter Price: Euro40 from PriceGrabber. com At half the price of the Zyxel, the Digital Hotspotter has most of the same features, but is better value for money. If you want a little more than signal strength but don't care much for any flash features then this is the one to get.

Review: (www. gearlive. com/index. php/news/article/canarywireless-digitalhotspotter-review-11090411/) or short url (http: //url. ie/2x6) "Since the Hotspotter tells you the channel of any network you are near, you can use this to your advantage in your home. If you find a neighbour is on channel 1 and another is on channel 3, youknow to set yours up near 11 to reduce interference. This is one device we are recommending to anyone that uses WiFi. It's simple - but it's that good."