Wireless Router Recommendations
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,177
connoisseur
|
OP
connoisseur
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,177 |
Ok guys, I need your help as it's time for a new router. I did a forum search, and the latest discussion here was 5 years ago in 2010.
Background: Family of 5 / Each of us has 2 to 3 devices / Internet over cable with modem supplied by cable company / Average 25 to 30 Mb/s download, and 5 to 10 Mb/s upload speeds / Bandwidth usage averages ~400 Gig per month
Usage: General research and surfing / on-line streaming of movies, videos, and music / on-line gaming through x-Box / streaming of music from local devices and NAS, through router, to two Airport Express's and one Apple TV.
Thoughts on Brand & model would be appreciated. I haven't checked to see if our devices are running n or ac. (Or even lower) Do I need to spend upwards of $300? Am I overbuying if I go that route?
The goal is to eliminate lag, and prevent getting bumped off when the kids start streaming in the evenings.
Thanks, Shawn
Oh, apart from the various iPhones, iPads, and Apple based things in the house, all our computers are Windows based, except for one MacBook Pro.
Shawn
Epic 80/600 + M3's + M3 Algonquins + M2 Computer + EP125 I think I'm developing an addiction.
|
|
|
Re: Wireless Router Recommendations
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,281
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,281 |
Shawn , I messed with wireless for streaming etc and to be honest it just is not robust enough. I have not tried the latest flavor but if you don't have devices that use it then it is of no benefit. I use strictly hardwired , I ran it outside the house tucked up on the siding just like they do with your cablevision or telephone line. You could try adding some repeaters that plug in to the wall.
DOG is GOD spelled backwards. What others think of me is none of my business. M80 V3 MY GLOSS Cherry
|
|
|
Re: Wireless Router Recommendations
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
|
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
I'm not sure what your issue with wireless and streaming was (or getting bumped off?!). That simply shouldn't be happening with modern protocols, unless you live in a faraday cage. Even 802.11G is faster than your 30Mb/s cable company. You also shouldn't see any lag whatsoever being created by your wireless connection.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
|
|
|
Re: Wireless Router Recommendations
|
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,593 Likes: 1
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,593 Likes: 1 |
They do regular router torture tests at tomshardware.com
Great site for getting info on that stuff beyond manufacturers claims.
|
|
|
Re: Wireless Router Recommendations
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
|
shareholder in the making
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458 |
I live in a square Faraday cage.
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
|
|
|
Re: Wireless Router Recommendations
|
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,172 Likes: 6
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,172 Likes: 6 |
I'm not sure what your issue with wireless and streaming was (or getting bumped off?!). That simply shouldn't be happening with modern protocols, unless you live in a faraday cage. Even 802.11G is faster than your 30Mb/s cable company. You also shouldn't see any lag whatsoever being created by your wireless connection. In a perfect environment where you are the only one using a specific band of radio space that would be the case. I live in an upper scale suburb where there are quite a few families that have internet. From my house I can see 17 different networks that are all trying to use the same 12 bands. And now that everyone has G / N / AC all running to get the most bandwidth, it is a basic war for who has the most amount of gain on the signal. I gave up and just went with a wire for critical connections as wireless around me is just too iffy. I could have gotten a +30db antenna in a quest to over power everyone else, but I know it's just a matter of time before someone else does the same thing.
Anthem: AVM60, Fosi DAC-Q5 Axiom: ADA1500, LFR1100 Actiive, QS8, EP500, M3, M3comp, M5
|
|
|
Re: Wireless Router Recommendations
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16 |
Hu.....Not much info here..... And yes, the Axiom forums are where I go for electronic buying advise. LOL...
So I've had occasion to be very frustrated with wireless drop outs, no signal, random network problems that would magically go away if I carried the laptop closer to my router. I've just dealt with it. Yesterday I got fed up enough to start researching extenders/booster -- whatever they are calling the things. My research led me to one made by Netgear. It's the Nighthawk 1900, which by all reviews, seems to be the hot ticket. Well now I'm wondering if I shouldn't just buy a new router. Looks like they've made some improvements over the last couple years? I think I bought mine is 2012....
My house is a split level home. Five different levels in all. 56' X 42' footprint. Some areas of the house the WIFI is great, others, it sucks. No real rhyme or reason that I can discern either. Sometimes the signal from my neighbors is better than my own. I do have a hard wired LAN too, but hardly use it anymore with everything going wireless. I also have one of those power-line adapters for my music server that talks to my office PC where the music files are.
My router is a Cisco E3000. I have high speed cable for interweb.
What do you IT guys think? Should I get a new router (and uh, ya, which one), or get one of those extender thingies like the Netgear, or maybe both??
|
|
|
Re: Wireless Router Recommendations
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786
axiomite
|
axiomite
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786 |
Did you just get a new laptop? If so, does it support AC?
If you have a new laptop that supports AC and possibly has a multi antenna wireless card, get the new router. You will get much better bandwidth as well as better coverage.
Fred
------- Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!
|
|
|
Re: Wireless Router Recommendations
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
|
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
What Fred said.
Even though he has no honor.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
|
|
|
Re: Wireless Router Recommendations
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16 |
Yes. How do I find out if it supports AC?
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics24,945
Posts442,489
Members15,617
|
Most Online2,082 Jan 22nd, 2020
|
|
0 members (),
1,092
guests, and
2
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|