| Author | Message | ||
     Bluzm2 |
Well, it's time for a new router.. My old Lynksys WRT54G V8 is starting to be a bit flakey. This time around I'm going for a dual channel N spec router. What's everyone else using and why? I have Laptops, Ipads, Zooms, iPhones, Droids, etc in the house. So it's a mix of G and N capable devices. Since my son can be such a bandwidth hog sometimes I think I want something that can rate limit on a host basis. I can see a need for a flexible DMZ feature for a SIP gateway of some sort so that needs to be taken into consideration. I'm a network guy from way back, still am but I don't have time to keep up on all the latest consumer routers. Any thoughts? Brad | ||
| Blake |
I'm interested in the same issue. Looking for best range through walls and around the home, outside and the like for iPhone and iPad. Also, it seems encryption slows down my wireless performance. Is that true? What mode of secure comms is best for wireless internet connection/throughput speed? | ||
| Geforce |
We bought the Cisco/Linksys WRT610N Dual Band wireless router with USB network drive support. I purchased this shortly after they came out because I had some newer devices that were only N band. However, older devices still use G band. This router can establish dual networks that can be independently configured. So far, (18+ months of use) this router has outperformed all my older routers and it also gave me the BEST network for multiple XBOX platforms to operate over the internet simultaneously with an open NAT. Be advised... the range of N bands is not as good as G bands. The security and speed of N bands is greater but it has less ability to penetrate walls and floors. I'm sure since I purchased mine that N band signal strength has improved some. It works well enough for me to connect any device in the basement, main floor, upstairs or garage. | ||
| Krassh |
I currently have a Cisco Linksys E4200. Good range and speed even through walls. Also the Netgear WNDR3700 is a favorite for range and throughput. Also Trendnet makes some good routers. One thing about having mixed g and n is this will slow down your n devices if the g devices are active on the network. If the WRT54G is stable enough to run in g only mode I would keep it around and set it up as an access point and turn off router functions and make your new router run in n only. Encryption will slow down your wireless connection versus no encryption but you should not notice it. | ||
| Krassh |
Also looks like netgear finally has a good follow up to the 3700 with the 4500 http://www.maximumpc.com/article/reviews/netgear_w ndr4500_wi-fi_router_review http://www.maximumpc.com/article/reviews/trendnet_ tew-692gr_review http://www.maximumpc.com/article/reviews/linksys_e 4200_review | ||
| Brinnutz |
I'd say start here: http://reviews.cnet.com/routers/trendnet-tew-692gr -450/4505-3319_7-34686092.html I run a Cisco e3000 that I got for half the price of the above, but it runs hot. Other than that it's been awesome. Was my first dual band but full on MIMO is next for me. The E3000 doesn't seem to handle different things on different spectrums at the same time well... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124388 (Message edited by brinnutz on November 20, 2011) | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
I have a Cisco Linksys WRT 160N. After I upgraded my internet bandwidth, I thought I would get a newer router to extend my range and increase speed. I now have about 50mbs down and 8 mbs up. So I bought what was then the top Netgear Router, the N750. It didn't seem faster than my Linksys, nor did it provide more range, so I returned it. You can get WRT160N refurbs for about twenty five bucks, seems like a better deal to me than the newest ones for $180.  | ||
| J2blue |
I'll only add that if you have nearby neighbors be sure and check for frequency crowding. That alone can really suck the wind out of bandwidth. I use a free Android app that lets me see which channels are in use and how strong they are. The channel auto-negotiation on most routers isn't very effective. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
A dual band router is mandatory for exactly the reason Krassh mentioned above. Another "want" is the capability of external antennas. I have some directional hi gain G antennas I's like to use to improve coverage in my garage. The e3000 was one I was looking int but it has no provision for an external antenna. I like the idea of the USB drive. Makes music and picture access from other devices a bit easier. | ||
| Blake |
Please advise on the directional high gain G antenna. That may work for me. | ||
| Blake |
I thought the N-protocol (not a frequency band as someone suggested above) routers are supposed to be much better in range.
The 2.4 GHz will penetrate walls much better than 5 GHz. | ||
| Crackhead |
My Linksys WRT54G started flaking out a year ago as well. The problem i found with mine is the heat would eventual cause it to flake out. So as a temp fix, make sure it gets plenty of air flow. I replaced it with the E-4200, I haven't played with it that much to optimize the data rates, and i still need to apply the firmware update. But it is faster then Comcrap will ever be. |
