What to expect from the N66U?

[texas05]

I just purchased a N66U to replace a 2007 Airport Extreme (not sure if it's gen. 3 or 4). I tried a WNDR4500 and it did not outperform the Airport at extended ranges so I returned and got the N66U.

The N66U had significant slowdown and eventually would drop the connection. I played with the settings; power, channel, etc... upgraded the firmware to .246 and then it bricked and I could not recover it. Amazon is sending a new one.

What should I be expecting? I'm expecting that a 5+ year newer router will yield better throughput at greater ranges. I not expecting miracles just that it outperform an old Airport Extreme.

Feedback would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[jerry6]

A lot depends on the clients as well . I went from a netgear 2700 v1 to the Asus and transfer speed , range and signal strength all improved .
FW 246 was no good on my system , had lots of connection drops , 220 and the new 260 work well , if the newrouter comes with 246 I would change it .

 

[vvPULSEvv]

Load the new 260 firmware on the replacement. Check that GRO is disabled (LAN, Switch conrol tab). I believe it is by default, but check it to be sure.

I've been through quite a few N routers(all with the same client adapters) and never seen the speed and range that this thing is giving me.

 

[nubyOz]

Hi,

Suggest to load the latest RMerlin build. Is usually more polished. and little bugs fixed.
Hope he gets a 260 based build out soon. <<< HINT
I know still waiting for the source

 

[smlunatick]

I've been moving up thru the various 802.11n levels. I've had:

D-Link DIR-615 -- slow and "diconnected: often

Netgear WNDR3700 v1 -- good, reliable, stable -- but died

Looked for the next level of routers:

Belkin N600 Dual band -- p.o.s -- no port forwarding rules worked -- returned for credit

I read on the N66U. It was getting good reviews. Once I found it on sale, it came home. Several issues with firmware (now on 260)

It's just very powerful and mvery configurable.

 

[texas05]

So far the N66U does not have the range of the Airport Extreme. Should I turn up the power? Any suggestions? I just can't believe this is running rings around a 5 year old Airport Extreme.

 

[KevTech]

What firmware are you using?

I had issues with 246 and feel right now the best may be either 220 or 260.

Still testing 260 so not sure yet if better or worse than 220.

 

[texas05]

using .220

 

[jerry6]

So far the N66U does not have the range of the Airport Extreme. Should I turn up the power? Any suggestions? I just can't believe this is running rings around a 5 year old Airport Extreme.

Strange the n66 has much better range and transfer speed than my old 3700 v1 , linksys 600 and Dlink 855 . Are you using apple products as clients ? maybe that's why your not getting the same results I am , your products were optimized for an apple environment .
My arheros and intel clients get along well with the 66

 

[texas05]

Strange the n66 has much better range and transfer speed than my old 3700 v1 , linksys 600 and Dlink 855 . Are you using apple products as clients ? maybe that's why your not getting the same results I am , your products were optimized for an apple environment .
My arheros and intel clients get along well with the 66

Clients are HTC One X and Samsung Tab

I'm thinking I need to change the channel bandwidth on 2.4 to 20 MHz only, right now it is on auto 20/40 and I have all kind of competing neighbors networks.

 

[jerry6]

That is probably it , I have no competing neighbors , all clear here