Calling all Netgear MR814 users and Linksys BEFW11S4 users...Need your insight...

[heffe734]

Hey everyone,


I've basically posted this on the general hardware forums but just in case for all you anandtechers that browse the "networking" forums...i wanted to post it here again. I apologize for this...

I've decided to go wireless at my home and narrowed down my choices between the Netgear MR814 802.11b Wireless 4-Port Cable/DSL Router
and the linksys BEFW11S4. After reading up a little on the forums and elsewhere, i've decided to go with the netgear for now...unless i'm missing out heavily by not going with linksys. But before i make the purchase, can all you netgear users (i'm assuming there's many of you due to the slew of hot deals regarding this product) give me some more information about this wireless router? The same goes for all you linksys BEFW11S4 users...thanks ahead to all those who reply.

BTW: Setup is simple...dell 8500 laptop, one toshiba laptop, and one PC...some file sharing but mostly for internet sharing...i live in a 2bdrm condo.


1) Does it cause a lot of havoc w/ your 2.4ghz cordless phones? Does a firmware patch or anything solve this?

2) I've been reading comments from many users experiencing frequent or random loss of connection to the internet...is this true / can it be fixed?

3) Any other things i should watch out for if i buy either one of these routers?


Please also state what version you are using...and what nic...

From what i've read...i heard version 1 was better...but i'll be ordering from amazon or buy.com most likely...so i don't think i have much of a choice. I'm also planning on getting the netgear MA401 pc card...unless any of you out there could recommend something better.

 

[kehi]

I would definately recommend getting the Netgear Version 2 of the router. Many have complained of a high pitch noise coming from the Version 1 router. You can get it at your local Staples for a great deal right now (refer to hot deals forum). On the other hand I have had terrible experiences with the Linksys BEFW11S4 router. The version of the router I have is the Version 2 (I have been plaqued by constant disconnects) using PPPOE. Also, the newer version 3 and 4 are total pieces of junk IMHO and have more problems than the Version 2 does. All in all I would get the Netgear MR814 Version 2. Just my .02 and hope it helps some

 

[heffe734]

thanks for the prompt reply...keep'em coming folks...

 

[BimmerGuy330]

On a whim, I went out to best buy an picked up the MR814 v2. It took me MUCH longer to get everything out of the box then it did to set this thing up! It was great, I just went to a web site, typed in all my settings, and it works fine now. I definetly recommend it!

 

[skyking]

you've got it the other way around, sometimes the 2.4 gig phones wreak havok on your network........ 900mhz phones do not have this problem, and have better range performance also. The 900's are just not suited for high fidelity, like you need that in a phone anyway
I remotely administer an mr814 v1, and I really like all the features, a really fine product, IMO.