Just thought, since the USA is restricted in most wireless, etc. I was thinking maybe a European version will add a little less restriction and be a better choice to buy?
Thoughts?
No real good reason to buy one from the EU if you're in North America...
Most might be FCC approved, but at the same time, grey market devices, you might not get the vendor support - warranty, tech support, etc... that a local market device would.
Worst case - FCC can take the device - they'll probably not beat down your door, shoot your dog, and put your wife/partner/kids into Cuffs and have them sitting on the curb... but Govt Functionaries these days, you never know...
Also, many vendor just might not allow shipment, as they don't want to compromise their relationships with BCIS (e.g. Customs)...
If there is good open source firmware support, then you may try that. For example, in dd-wrt there is a simple option in the advanced wireless selection, "Regulatory Domain: <Select Country>"
There are some good routers in Europe like some of the German AVM fritz boxes. Good feature set for hardware and software, eg integrated VoIP adapters with fax to email. Voicemail to email etc. signal wise not bad but I doubt any real difference. If you think about the ones available everywhere like the r7000 then the software settings will set the difference. I used an E2000 with tomato and then you just adjust to the country you are in. As long as the power can handle 110/220V.
With routers that conform to the most recent FCC specs, one is better off staying with a North America configuration... One will get decent channel selections, doesn't need to worry about interfering with radars, etc (or them interfering with you)...