Router recommendations

[timvp]

My router at home is pretty old and needs to be reset a couple times per day. Any brands or models I should look at? I've always gone with Linksys but the reviews of their latest models don't seem to be too good . . .

[ChumpDumper]

I've had all kinds of bad luck with routers -- mainly with frequently dropped connections. Brand really doesn't really seem to matter outside of ease of configuration. The best I can say is shop somewhere with a good return policy. I think I'm going to go with an N-wireless/gigabit wired router next since I'm always shuffling around or streaming media files. I'll probably get a TrendNet at Fry's to see if it's any good.

[Behrooz24]

Check if you can install 3rd party firmware on your current router. http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv3/dd-wrt/hardware.html

that may fix some issues. Could be worth trying before buying a new one..

[Blue Jew]

http://www.consumersearch.com/wireless-routers/best-wireless-routers

http://news.cnet.com/i/bto/20080711/DSC_6575_270x405.JPG

[Man Sauce]

I reccomend d-link also. I have an old d-link wireless router and never had a problem with it.

[Borosai]

If you don't need/want an N router or gigabit connections, I can definitely recommend the ASUS WL-520GU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320023). It is inexpensive ($34.99 after rebate) and reliable. I have one running this mod (http://www.linksysinfo.org/forums/showthread.php?t=60185) (for USB support) of Tomato (http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato) firmware.

At the moment, I just have a USB flash drive attached to store my bandwidth monitoring history, but you could also use it to attach USB hard drives or printers (USB hubs supposedly work). It's a really nice setup for 35 bucks, and much better and smaller than my old Linksys WRT54G.

[Bender]

those reviews for those d-link routers say that they are more complicated to set-up than others.

[TDMVPDPOY]

http://www.consumersearch.com/wireless-routers/best-wireless-routers

http://news.cnet.com/i/bto/20080711/DSC_6575_270x405.JPG

3 antennas? isnt that fkn overkill?

currently usin a netgear modem/router...

[Blue Jew]

3 antennas? isnt that fkn overkill?




The D-Link DIR-855 Xtreme N Duo Media Routerhttp://www.consumersearch.com/sites/all/themes/zen/csnew/public/images/icons/i.gif (http://www.consumersearch.com/wireless-routers/d-link-dir-855) (*Est. $275) is one of D-Link's most expensive routers because it is a dual-band model. Most wireless routers output data over one radio band (2.4 GHz). A dual-band router like the DIR-855 simultaneously outputs data over a second radio band (5 GHz) to double -- at least in theory -- the data throughput. These types of routers are especially useful in setups where media, such as streaming video, has to compete with normal data traffic on a regular basis. Ideally, high-bandwidth traffic is broadcast on the 5 GHz band, while lower-priority transmissions use the 2.4 GHz band. Not all dual-band routers can transmit simultaneously; many simply alternate between the two frequencies.

[leemajors]

i had a dual band netgear, it was ok. it would drop wireless occasionally. then i got uverse. whatever hardware is in their home gateway is awesome.

[manustarting2gd]

My router at home is pretty old and needs to be reset a couple times per day. Any brands or models I should look at? I've always gone with Linksys but the reviews of their latest models don't seem to be too good . . .


Got wifi for a couple of new laptops and a wii and xbox 36o for Christmas...Not one problem with it, have all the above connected to it as well as a wireless printer. Pretty sick router. Won awards from all kinds of publications in 2007, so you'll save on the price now. :king

This DLink was only 119.00. You can probably find it at newegg or tigerdirect for 99.00 or so now.

http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=530


Awards & Accolades

Maximum PC
Best Wi-Fi Router of 2007

Computer Power User
Best Networking Device of 2007

PC Magazine
Editors' Choice Award

Futurelooks
Editors' Choice Award

HardwareGeeks
Editors' Choice Award

Computer Shopper
Editors' Choice Award

Club Overclocker
'Recommended' Award

Benchmark Reviews
Golden Tachometer Award

Techgage
Editor's Choice Award

Practically Networked
Recommended Award

Target PC
Editors' Choice Award

LAPTOP Magazine
Editors' Choice Award
LAPTOP Magazine,
March 2007.

[PM5K]

It seems like there is always someone that can say something bad about every brand of router there is.

So for example I gave my brother a router as a Christmas gift and he mentioned that D-Link routers are no good, I on the other hand had one that lasted so long (and survived a few drops) that I was glad when it finally broke because I was able to upgrade to something newer (it lasted so long it was obsolete in my eyes).

I would prefer something that's capable of running a third party firmware like DD-WRT, it sort of gives you an insurance policy against crappy original firmware.

This is the router I currently have and it works fine:

http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/support/WRT300N

Some people have use for routers with USB ports on them and I know some people like dual band routers that can handle G and N traffic seperately, one for high bandwidth applications and the other for low bandwidth applications.

I guess it depends on what you need exactly.

[PM5K]

So funny story: This thread caused me to change routers, at least in part.

I just bought a new laptop and decided to do a speed test since my new setup uses 802.11N and I've had an 802.11N router for a while (but no other N devices until now). So I did the test and got about 3mbps more than with my G setup and for whatever reason was looking at the connection speed and saw 130mbps which I assumed was good, typed that into Google and it turns out it's not so good.

I tried a ton of settings on the router but it always stayed between 130-150.

So I decided to try out another router I had sitting around from work, it's a Dual Band D-Link router that was missing the antennas. I did have one spare directional antenna but even without it my computers all sit close enough to get good signal.

So I set that one up and now it's at 300mbps.

If I had to recommend a specific brand I'd probably say D-Link.

[PM5K]

This (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8996937&type=product&id=1218007384009&DCMP=KNC-TLC&ref=25&loc=SHP&srccode=cii_13736960&cpncode=22-19400604-2) is the one I have.

[manufan10]

I use a wireless Lynksys. I've had it for 7 months now, and I haven't had any problems with it.

[ducks]

I had Lynksys but seemed the shop here had to buy a new one every year
one router a switch
shop has a belekin n and it is awesome
been over a year
also has 2 network connections
they let customers connect on one network
and the other network customers do not get the wfi key:bking

[ducks]

how far away do you want to connect it
1200 feet 1000 feet?

[ChumpDumper]

Newegg is discounting a couple of N routers from D-Link and Linksys.

http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/166630

http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/166610

[manustarting2gd]

What did u decide on?

[Happy Devil]

It seems like there is always someone that can say something bad about every brand of router there is.
.

Also people forget if they have an infection your surfing is going to suck it will lag,and people blame the router.

[Bender]

I also want a new router. I've browsed this thread, and have a few questions.

First the facts. This will be for my home network, in a large 2-story house (2500+ sq ft). The router will be upstairs in a large room, with 2 wired desktops in the same room, and a wireless laptop (802.11g) usually in the same room. Son has an xbox 360 upstairs down the hall and through a few walls. Two wireless laptops usually downstairs, but sometimes upstairs.

I currently have an old netgear wireless router, but have been having lots of connection problems (dropped connectivity, slow, etc). As per the other thread I started (who's using your internet connection?), my current router doesn't have WPA, and some other stuff. It only has one antennae, not sure if 2 or 3 are better like on the new routers.

here's my questions:

1. do I need (or want) dual-band? (I do p2p stuff, and my son plays online games and watches a lot of streaming video).

2. if I add an "N" wireless card to my XP desktop (my main machine) will I see an improvement in internet speed (it's currently slow as s..t).

3. my new laptop (bought used) is 802.11g I think. Can it be made N? It's a HP multimedia laptop (dv9727).

I've read some reviews on routers. Here's some I was considering - d-link DIR 655, Linksys dual-band wireless-N with storage link, and Linksys Wireless-N (only 2.4GHz, no storage link). Some people complain about the limited range of the d-link 655 though.

I think I want the usb drive availability on the router for network storage.

thanks for any advice. I don't know much about this stuff.

oh yeah, when I go to those "check your internet speed" sites, I usually get sucky scores. In the current "download/upload speed" thread, I think I have just about the slowest connection of anyone in the thread. I have Roadrunner.

PS: timvp, what did you end up getting?

[Bender]

I decided I will probably get one of these:

Linksys WRT610N Simultaneous Dual-N Band Wireless Router

Review (http://www.laptopmag.com/review/wireless/linksys-wrt610n.aspx)

[lefty]

I don't have a router.


Time to get one I guess :D

[Bender]

I can't decide between the linksys 610 and the d-link 825. both get good reviews by testing companies, but real world users have a lower opinion on both.

[lefty]

I can't decide between the linksys 610 and the d-link 825. both get good reviews by testing companines, but real world users have a lower opinion on both.
Get both !

[Bender]

thanks for the thread bumps lefty... but, uh.... :lol

[ChumpDumper]

I took a flyer on a refurbished Netgear WNR3500-100NAR at Newegg. It was $35 with a coupon code you can find at Techbargains that ends today (there will probably be a new code in a week or so).

It got decidedly mixed reviews and it's pretty big but it has worked perfectly and at full speed for me for a week; so far so good.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-TechBargains&cm_mmc=AFC-TechBargains-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16833122274