I need to start looking for a new router, my old dinosour Netgear keeps disconnecting me, even the PS3 that is hardwired to it. So, what sould I be looking for? Any recommendations? Also, should I also ask Charter for a new cable modem? that thing is just as old.
I like the La Fonera routers, mainly because they're dirt cheap and you can reflash them with open-wrt or gargoyle. If you want I can email you a invite/discount on one ($/€19.95 shipping charges not included).
WRT400N, from Linksys is apparently very good. I'm not sure I'd rate as 100% positive though. It seems to act... weirdly, some times.
Apple Airport Extreme. :)
WRT400N has good reviews, thanks. La Fonera seems to be british?
Is these the price ranges I can expect for a decent one? Bit more than I thought, but seems reasonable. Thank you for any recommendation, even the Mac crap :p, I'll keep looking too.
Unless you don't have any wireless G gadgets or plan on upgrading all your equipment to wireless N there is little more than better coverage to win by buying an N router. See, an N router will gear down to G speeds if any such devices are found within range, to keep it compatible with your G gadgets. Perhaps this has been "fixed" in the newer routers?
Fonera is Spanish, the router is made in Taiwan I think.
If you're getting a cheap G router it's best to make sure it's possible to flash it with opensource, as the firmware delivered with such routers are nerfed and/or very poorly done. The opensource alternatives, however, are usually better than even the better commercial firmwares.
Not everyone wants to flash third-party firmware on to their routers; I try to keep this in mind when advising people at work what to get. For most of them, a cheap reliable Wireless G router will do the trick.
I have no first-hand experience with Wireless N routers-- G works fine in my house for what I need.
FWIW, Verizon had a deal a few weeks ago for Wireless G routers they were trying to unload. I got one (should have loaded up) for $7 including overnight shipping to use as an emergency backup.
Quote from: derspiess on March 26, 2010, 08:16:35 PM
Not everyone wants to flash third-party firmware on to their routers; I try to keep this in mind when advising people at work what to get. For most of them, a cheap reliable Wireless G router will do the trick.
Perhaps. It's really no more difficult than installing your favourite office suite. 15 min of your time and it'll give you a router that's alot more flexible.
Quote from: Vricklund on March 26, 2010, 08:50:05 PM
Quote from: derspiess on March 26, 2010, 08:16:35 PM
Not everyone wants to flash third-party firmware on to their routers; I try to keep this in mind when advising people at work what to get. For most of them, a cheap reliable Wireless G router will do the trick.
Perhaps. It's really no more difficult than installing your favourite office suite. 15 min of your time and it'll give you a router that's alot more flexible.
Depends. For some routers, you have to flash a certain version or it's bricked. For others, you have to flash a certain version *then* another version. It's not that difficult if you do your research & make sure to follow the exact procedures, but it's not fool-proof. Last thing I want to happen is to recommend to someone that they buy a certain router so they can install this cool custom firmware on it, only to have them bork the installation & blame me for the advice.
Not that I think Lusti isn't capable of doing it; I just don't know if it's something he wants to do. Most people would have no use for the extra features you get from custom firmware-- they just want the thing to work.
Quote from: derspiess on March 26, 2010, 10:39:21 PM
Quote from: Vricklund on March 26, 2010, 08:50:05 PM
Quote from: derspiess on March 26, 2010, 08:16:35 PM
Not everyone wants to flash third-party firmware on to their routers; I try to keep this in mind when advising people at work what to get. For most of them, a cheap reliable Wireless G router will do the trick.
Perhaps. It's really no more difficult than installing your favourite office suite. 15 min of your time and it'll give you a router that's alot more flexible.
Depends. For some routers, you have to flash a certain version or it's bricked. For others, you have to flash a certain version *then* another version. It's not that difficult if you do your research & make sure to follow the exact procedures, but it's not fool-proof. Last thing I want to happen is to recommend to someone that they buy a certain router so they can install this cool custom firmware on it, only to have them bork the installation & blame me for the advice.
Not that I think Lusti isn't capable of doing it; I just don't know if it's something he wants to do. Most people would have no use for the extra features you get from custom firmware-- they just want the thing to work.
This, keep it simple and easy and made sure it works.
Oh, and thanks guys.
My router has been giving me a lot of grief over the past couple of months and it appears to be going out here shortly. So hoping to buy a new one tomorrow if I can get your guys' input on this.
Been looking at
D-Link 4-Port GamerLounge Broadband Gigabit Gaming Router
http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-4-Port-GamerLounge-Broadband-Gigabit/dp/B0006TIA0C/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t
or the one mentioned here,
WRT400N
http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Linksys-WRT400N-Dual-Band-Wireless-N-Router/dp/B001SEL36M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1269929524&sr=1-1
Same price, just wondering what you guys recommend.
I use it for 2 Pcs and a ps3. All wired so that really isn't too big of an issue for me either way. Just need something that doesn't cut my internet connection when I turn on my ps3 or decide the connection wants to quit until I reset the router.
Thanks
Quote from: Alcibiades on March 30, 2010, 01:12:57 AM
Been looking at
D-Link 4-Port GamerLounge Broadband Gigabit Gaming Router
http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-4-Port-GamerLounge-Broadband-Gigabit/dp/B0006TIA0C/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t
My parents' been using a wireless version (http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DGL-4300-Wireless-Gaming-Router/dp/B0006TIA02/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1269930744&sr=1-1) of that router for 5 years. Slightly muddled interface but it's been stable and has all the settings you might want.
I have the WRT400N, can't say it's bad, can't say I'm really impressed either. However, I've been disapointed with the past D-Link routers I got...
Imho, you should go for the wireless router, just in case you need it in a year or two.
Can someone explain the G vs N? A good G is like half the price, need to consider that.
Quote from: lustindarkness on April 02, 2010, 08:33:00 AM
Can someone explain the G vs N? A good G is like half the price, need to consider that.
802.11n has a maximum speed of over 10 times that of 802.11g, with observed speeds more like 4-5 times faster.
On the other hand, 802.11g can commonly get 10-20 mbits/sec speeds, which is likely more than enough to saturate your internet connection...
Quote from: ulmont on April 02, 2010, 08:44:34 AM
Quote from: lustindarkness on April 02, 2010, 08:33:00 AM
Can someone explain the G vs N? A good G is like half the price, need to consider that.
802.11n has a maximum speed of over 10 times that of 802.11g, with observed speeds more like 4-5 times faster.
On the other hand, 802.11g can commonly get 10-20 mbits/sec speeds, which is likely more than enough to saturate your internet connection...
Just to add, the size/layout of your house and the placement of the router have a lot to do with the quality of your signal. G may well be sufficient (it is for me). My parents' house is a different story. My dad has his router in the basement (in a corner, no less) and neither G nor N do too great of a job getting through the two floors to the opposite end of the house. We thought N would do the trick, but that house is hell for trying to get any consistent radio signal more than 1 room away.
Another thing to keep in mind, Lusti, is that if you have an N router but your laptop & other wifi devices are G, you won't see any benefit from N.
Since you can find G routers for as little as $20 these days, I say try one that seems to have decent consumer reviews, and see how it works out. And I would try to find one that has an external antenna (or even two). The ones with internal antennae may look purty, but in my experience, external is always preferable.
Well, so much for research. :lol:
I had told the wife what I was looking for and why N band instead of G and so on and so forth (to prepare her for the $) and here she comes from Walmart with a Linksys WRT160N for $59.97. Not the fastest connection for gaming I think, but seems it should work better than what I have now. I'll take a closer look at it later when I have the time. Thank you all for the input.