Looking for advice for a new WiFi router

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
02/22/2018 at 11:27 • Filed to: None

Looking at this one. We have 3 iphones and up to three computers plus TV on WiFi. I’m overwhelmed with the choices, Oppo advice welcome. The last one I bought was maybe 8 years ago and it was a Netgear. It’s been great but I think the dust has settled in and it is getting cranky. I’ve had to restart it about once every three days for the last month or so.

I’m going to miss my old WiFi password: cheerfulsocks870.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

DISCUSSION (26)

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/22/2018 at 11:36

I always throw my support behind Google Wi-Fi/Onhub. It is what I use and in terms of signal strenth and ease of use, this is #1 for me.

All controlled via an app, easy to prioritize devices, see real time usage and change network settings on the fly. The app will also tell you when you have issues.

I love mine. It is great if you have a lot of devices or a smart home. Not so great if you need a wired connection.

https://on.google.com/hub/

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/22/2018 at 11:37

I use the Asus RT-AC68U. Great router. My buddy also runs the RT-AC3100, which is even better.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
02/22/2018 at 11:38

I am not wanting anything too smart. Just a good solid broadcaster. The google device is listening to you conversations, I don’t like that, I draw the line at “hey siri”.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/22/2018 at 11:40

No the onhub does not listen to you. You are thinking of the Google home, which looks similar but isn’t the same.

It’s just a router. A nice one, but nothing more than that

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
02/22/2018 at 11:41

Seems spendy. The netgear is $80 with discounts.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
02/22/2018 at 11:41

I’m seeing chemtrails everywhere now days.

facw > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
02/22/2018 at 11:42

I have the ASUS as well, though I run it with the Merlin firmware: https://asuswrt.lostrealm.ca/

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/22/2018 at 11:44

They aren’t cheap for sure. But I used mine for gaming (a lot) a few years ago and it never missed a beat. If you not gaming or streaming a bunch at once a cheaper one will do fine

I also like the asus software side on their routers. Allows you to control almost everything. Set up priority traffic, VPN’s, the whole 9 yards.

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > facw
02/22/2018 at 11:45

Nice, what does Merlin add?

THShorn92 - Left his car in America > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/22/2018 at 11:46

What’s your budget. A really solid option on the market at the moment is from Ubiquiti. You have to get a few pieces of gear instead of an all-in-one but it is rock solid and easy to use. You also get pretty graphs!

Happy to expand some more on what exactly you would need.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/22/2018 at 11:47

What model Netgear? Look to see if it supports the DDWRT aftermarket firmware and install that yourself....it’s ROCK solid and works on a lot of makes and models. I’ve used it on various Cicso/Linksys and Airlink routers for years and I think the last time I restarted my current router (excluding from power outages) was like....10 months ago...?

Did you try resetting that router to factory defaults and then setting it up again to see if that helped, or maybe before you try my above suggestion, check to see if Netgear, themselves, have any factory firmware upgrades for it?

facw > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
02/22/2018 at 11:49

For me, performance and stability. Was having issues with the router dropping connections, but since upgrading to merlin, it’s been rock solid, and I get significantly higher bandwidth. If you aren’t having issues, it may not do much, as it tries to stay close to stock in most places.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
02/22/2018 at 11:51

I was looking at the R6700, I want plug and play. I really don’t care for custom settings etc...

I have reset the router but I think the problem is the board is shorting from too much dust etc...

random001 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/22/2018 at 11:54

I moved our house to the Amplifi HD mesh system, and it’s been freaking amazing. If you have coverage issues anywhere, I recommend it wholeheartedly.

lone_liberal > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/22/2018 at 12:01

We use a Netgear Nighthawk R7000 AC1900. I bought it in 2016 and it’s been rock solid. I can’t remember the last time I had to reboot it.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/22/2018 at 12:05

I got the router in your post as a black Friday deal. I updated the firmware when I set it up, and it has been great since.

Nibbles > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/22/2018 at 12:10

I have a Linksys WRT1200AC and it’s a rock solid performer. Stupid easy setup, auto-restart option, and you can turn off the panel lights - a boon for me.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/22/2018 at 12:13

I was just offering suggestions that might save you the money. Maybe get a cheap can of canned air and try blowing it well?

Textured Soy Protein > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/22/2018 at 12:20

I have a Netgear R6700 that I got for $60 on Cyber Monday.

It replaced a Linksys EA6400 that struggled to push a strong enough signal downstairs to my Roku and Chromecast in the living room. It was fine for regular streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu etc. but live streaming sports with either device was crappy. Chromecast screen mirroring from our computers wasn’t so great either.

The R6700 didn’t want to connect to the internet until I updated it to the latest firmware, but other than that it has been solid. Live sports streaming apps and Chromecast screen mirroring work much better now.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Textured Soy Protein
02/22/2018 at 12:22

This is what I wanted to here, thanks Mr. Tofu.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Nibbles
02/22/2018 at 12:22

Oh that would be nice, to many glowing lights as it is.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > THShorn92 - Left his car in America
02/22/2018 at 12:29

That’s what I’m running. Not cheap for a setup like I have, though (mostly in the wiring).

Mine is a Unifi setup with four APs, a PoE switch, and a Cloud Key (a tiny embedded server for orchestrating it all).

Textured Soy Protein > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/22/2018 at 12:31

Just in case, before you disconnect your old router, download the latest firmware for the R6700 so you can flash the update to the R6700 when you set it up. There was some kind of big security vulnerability that Netgear had a while back. They’ve patched it in the newer firmware updates but the old builds may still have it and may cause connection issues like I had.

Assuming you end up with the current R6700v2, it doesn’t support custom firmware like DD-WRT (yet). So far only the original R6700 does. But sounds like that’s not a concern for you. Same here. I’m fine with the stock firmware as long as the router functions as I need it to.

Roundbadge > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/22/2018 at 12:53

I’ve been using an Asus RT-AC66U that I got right around Black Friday for like $70. I don’t think I’ve restarted it yet. It’s been awesome so far.

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > facw
02/22/2018 at 14:47

Gotcha, I havent had an issues with mine, but I will keep that in mind if they crop up

THShorn92 - Left his car in America > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
02/23/2018 at 04:47

I should also point out, that while expensive for a consumer setup, you are getting a lot of bang for your buck. Nothing in the market comes close to Ubiquiti’s price point for what they are providing. You also can forgo the Cloud key and run the controller on...well really any computer.