Recommendations For New Router / Wireless Setup

[Ultra]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a new router / wireless setup for my home network...

I'm open to a router + WAP setup as well as a straight wireless router setup...

Currently on my list...

> Ubiquiti ERL + WAP (I understand the ERL is harder to setup)
> Asus RT-AC66U (lots of reports of hw and sw issues)

routing throughput is very important, on the SNB tests, the Asus appears to be slightly better than the ERL in up/dn... the ERL takes it in total simultaneous connections...

with the Asus it appears, you need to be lucky to get a working unit and hope they improve the product with future fw upgrades...

Any additional important advice on these 2 models. that could change my opinion ?

Suggestions on any other models I should look into ?

Thanks for your help and guidance !

- M

 

[remixedcat]

I currently have the Amped Wireless R20000G router and I really like it.

I have really good wireless coverage and it was really easy to get setup and it's been pretty much set-it-and-forget-it. This site has the R10000G on the tests here and it did awesome.

I was able to stream HD videos 150 ft away and SD 200 some feet away and this was when 4 other APs were on the same channel and also through 5 walls and this is outside down the road from the AP where I did the tests. I was able to get even further range with the laptop's adapter!

 

[thiggins]

What are you looking to improve over your current router (what is it?)

How fast is your internet connection?

 

[Ultra]

What are you looking to improve over your current router (what is it?)
How fast is your internet connection?

current router is a Belkin Pre-N Router F5D8230-4 v2 (100 Mbps) that has been performing well for 7.5 years...

need a Gigabit router, as I'm doing lots of file transfers (between hardwired devices) and want fast throughput... wireless speed improvement is another priority but second to LAN throughput...

internet (in my area) is only 24 Mbps down so that is of no concern...

Thanks !

- M

 

[stevech]

by using a low cost gigabit switch, you can get max speeds among wired devices on your home LAN, and the WiFi router isn't involved with the data flow and need not be gigabit.

 

[Ultra]

yeah, and what I need on top of fast routing is QoS which my current router does not offer...

the ERL and the AC66U offer that...

internet speed will go up in the future although it'll be a little bit until we exceed 100 Mbit... ;-)

 

[thiggins]

Unless you are looking for a science project, skip the ERL.

QoS features differ and generally aren't that great. So if that is a priority,
use the Router Finder to find some candidates that support the type of QoS
you're looking for.

 

[Ultra]

So Tim,

from your personal experience, what is a (reliable) wireless gigabit router you would recommend ?

Thanks.

 

[thiggins]

So Tim, from your personal experience, what is a (reliable) wireless gigabit router you would recommend ?

I don't require much from my routers. Have only 10/1 DSL service and don't try to stream Blu-ray rips. My Ethernet is handled via outboard Gigabit switches.

Every one I have ever used has been fine. Currently using a Linksys E4200. Before that, a NETGEAR WNDR3700 until the power supply died.

 

[remixedcat]

have you personally had an Amped wireless one??

 

[thiggins]

have you personally had an Amped wireless one??

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews/31699-amped-wireless-r10000g-reviewed

 

[dikkiedirk]

Do the Amped routers offer substantiantly better coverage than an ASUS RT-N66U? What are its advantages/disadvantages compared to the RT-N66U?

 

[thiggins]

You can't make a general statement about coverage. The one product tested (R10000G) failed to even run our low-signal location test.

Only way to know in your situation is to try the router(s) you are thinking of.

 

[remixedcat]

Well my Amped R20000G has been awesome so far and the range is AWESOME!!!

 

[stevech]

remember that WiFi is a two-way medium. A megawatt amplfied router cannot offset a peanut-whistle powered client device.
Often, people judge coverage by walking around looking at the received signal strength displayed by a client device (handheld/laptop). That's just half the story.

The WiFi data speeds are governed by the weakest-link. (though high end 11n multi-stream differs in this regard, but few or no clients support this).

Consider the Rock Band Concert analogy: Giant P.A. system.

 

[remixedcat]

I know but it was so much better then my netgear one was on the same devices.

 

[stevech]

Yeah, some/many Netgear products are all marketing. IMO, they and some other mass-market WiFi is just gotten from the spot market in Asian garage shops.