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Looking for an awesome wireless router

T

Thetech

Senior member
Hi all,
I'm looking for a new wi-fi router to replace my Netgear WGR614v6 router.
I saw the D-Link DGL-4300 Wireless gaming router and the Linksys WRT330N Wireless gaming router, I was wondering if they were any good, I'll have to see if they have detachable antennaes, I know someone recommended a router to me that had linux on it and the firmware could be switched and what not.

My problem is the Old Netgear router I have has poor performance and awful coverage.
I don't care about Draft-N I use G dawg 😛

I have a 16Mbps down 2Mbps up internet connection and my old router can't make much use of that, it's sort of the weak link in the chain.


-Thanks
 
There are two schools of thought on this issue:

1. All the latest stuff is going to be draft-n. Forget about the ancient stuff and get where the marketing's at.

2. Draft-n is just a draft, and not proven or reliable. Stay away from it until it's a standard, and use "tried & true" in the meanwhile.

(2) Would often take you to Linksys WRT54GL class of devices including some Buffalo ones if you can still find them, and often into third-party firmware such as DD-WRT for expanding the feature set.

The WRT54GL would probably have enough horsepower to host a 16/2 connection, and DD-WRT has a pretty nice feature set.

(1) Could take you in a number of different directions, but following the reported success of the D-Link DGL-4300, there's a short list of updated models, starting with the DIR-655.

IMO it doesn't make sense to get the DGL-4300 when you can get the updated DIR-655 for around the same and sometimes even for less. Even if you don't need draft-n, you can use it as standard-g for the time being. If you get lucky, it'll be firmware-upgradeable to the final standard. If not, you didn't lose much by going with that instead of a DGL-4300.

The DGL-4500 is the next step up. It gets you the gaming marketing, some bling, and 5.x GHz capable wireless, all at an additional cost of course. 5.x GHz is of limited utility at this time though, as the majority of consumer equipment is 2.4 GHz and the DGL-4500 can't do simultaneous dual-band.
 
DGL-4500=DIR655 minus some bells and whistles. They use the same network processor. linky

If you are going to wait for n to go standard you will have to wait till middle of 2009.

DIR-855 will be the creme de la creme when it comes out later this month or Jan 2008
 
I've been using the DIR655 for about 10 months now. Easily, hands down, the best consumer wireless router I have used. I highly recommend, though that 855 is looking mighty attractive too.
 
I have a DGL-4300 since owning a couple Linksys routers. I've had it about a year now. I highly recommend it. I never have problems at all.
 
Brand names does Not matter per-se.

Brand name usually means an organization that decided to go big and put a lot of money in Marketing.

It does not necessarily mean good or better technology.

The link posted by me above is Not a recommendation for Zyxell, or any other Brand per-se.

This specific Model linked to is very Good.

 
FWIW, FYI, there's a pattern here: The WRT330N, DGL-4300, DIR-655, and ZyXEL-550 all have Ubicom chipsets, and probably share most of the same firmware from the OEM.

In other words, to some degree, these are all more similar than dissimilar. It's interesting IMO that many different people identify routers with these chipset as ones they like.

There are differences in the wireless parts. And you determine your own wireless needs.

The ZyXEL has a reputation for failures related to its PSU. Luckily, this is an easily remedied problem.

IMO, SmallNetBuilder's producing some good information these days, including some detailed wireless router reviews. Unfortunately, they're mostly reviewing draft-n because that's where the marketing's at. However, you can use any draft-n router in standard-g mode.

For standard-g, I'll concede the point to Jack's experience. Digging up Buffalo HP unit or a ZyXel or some other unit with a good reputation for standard-g performance might be the best solution for you.

FWIW/FYI, D-Link also has a MIMO-g unit with a Ubicom chipset -- the DI-624M, but it's apparently discontinued in the US.

For additional opinions on consumer routers, you could look here:

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1226866
 
Most of the senior knowledgeable people in a forum like this do not make their living from advertising, or being Click related go between to merchandise Pushers. Unfortunately many the reviewers (including those mentioned above), while in person are very knowledgeable people have to make a living, and do it via their web sites.

Almost all reviewer review what they get (or solicit) from the manufacturers.
As much as some are trying to be neutral, at a certain point a manufacturer that get too many negative review comments stop sending devices.

While many reviews are good read, one have to be very careful to use them as a recommendation tool to End-Users (most Network Pros know how to read between the lines when it comes to Network devices).

BTW. The issue at hand by the way more of a problem concerning Network aspect there are many enthusiasts that are extremely knowledgeable about Mobo CPUs Video etc. So it is Not so easy to sell through reviews.

However the number of enthusiasts that are knowledgeable about Networking is very small.

 
Originally posted by: Madwand1
For additional opinions on consumer routers, you could look here:

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1226866
Click to expand...

OK looking at the Hard recommendations.

From the HardForum link.

BUFFALO WHR-HP-G54 g MIMO Router - Retail - $59
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162134

+ Retail Appeal: It's usually available at retail stores like Best Buy, CompUSA, etc.

Jack: A comment Not really relevant to the value of the device and Not even true.

Circuit City is actually a big retailer of Buffalo. Staples, and Office Depot do not sell it. so What?

+ Good performance when used with third-party firmware such as DD-WRT.

Jack: Performance per-se is not enhanced by the DD-WRT, in case of this device it only adds features.


- Out-Of-Box firmware could use some work. It's fine for most homes but an enthusiast will probably want to flash it.

Jack: Hmm I do not even understand this oxymoronic statement that also negates what is in the following.


**The WHR-HP-G64 router has hotly debated in the past due to the box advertising "MIMO Performance" while not actually being a MIMO design. It facilitates this claim by incorporating a signal amplifier (jack: Do you know any Sub $300 Wireless that is Not single radio) into its single antenna design (jack: Draft-N is in part based on Antenna technology, it does not matter in case of 802.11g In matter of fact almost all the Antenna on entry level Wireless devices are rated 2dbi the Buffalo is close to 5dbi). It should also be mentioned that this router is very similar to the WRT54G series router by Linksys however its platform has yet to be neutered. It makes a good AP or router for most homes when flashed with DD-WRT or another third-party firmware (jack: The remark about the Linksys does not differentiate between the WRT54GL model and the rest. In addition it sounds strange that a site like HOCP and is existence it largely due to the capacity to find ways to enhance the computing experience suddenly call a flash of Firmware to enhance a device Neutered).

The above is not a solicitation for Buffalo, it is an example to why recommendations has to be taken with a Huge Grain of salt.

Flashing irmware is neutering.

So I guess the HOCP (Hard Over Clocking) is actually Hard Neutering.:shocked:

May be they should consider changing the name.😉
 
Originally posted by: JackMDS
It should also be mentioned that this router is very similar to the WRT54G series router by Linksys however its platform has yet to be neutered. It makes a good AP or router for most homes when flashed with DD-WRT or another third-party firmware (jack: The remark about the Linksys does not differentiate between the WRT54GL model and the rest. In addition it sounds strange that a site like HOCP and is existence it largely due to the capacity to find ways to enhance the computing experience suddenly call a flash of Firmware to enhance a device Neutered).
Click to expand...

I think you misunderstood them. The WRT54G series was neutered at the hardware level by Linksys after version 4.0. If you recommend a WRT54GL, odds are that 1/2 the readers will go to a store, not find the WRT54GL, or think it too expensive, and buy a WRT54G model thinking it's close enough, and in doing so get a device with 1/2 the flash RAM, and 1/2 the RAM.

Buffalo has also indicated that they think that the G54 line is dated by updating their own hardware in the G125 line. Legal issues have prevented further release of the G125 line, as only old-stock Buffalo may be currently sold in the US.

Third-party firmware such as DD-WRT has a rich and long history, including original work from Linksys or whoever, and it's true that enthusiasts are likely to end up flashing compatible devices with third-party firmware. And sometimes there are good reasons for doing so, and sometimes, as with any open source, you take unnecessary risks with updating to new versions for features and issues which are of no importance to you.

While it's common to imagine some sort of war between the OEM firmware and third-party firmware, and that you're winning some sort of prize by going third party, the truth is more complicated -- that the products and firmware benefit from each other. Buffalo's been apparently up-front about this recently by publicly partnering with DD-WRT. In the past, third-party firmware authors have claimed (but not complained) that Buffalo has copied their work and incorporated it into their firmware. I think that's cool, and how things are supposed to work, and as a result, it's going to be pretty hard to make simple claims about one firmware being outright better than the other for the core feature set.
 
Originally posted by: JackMDS
Originally posted by: Madwand1
For additional opinions on consumer routers, you could look here:

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1226866
Click to expand...

OK looking at the Hard recommendations.

From the HardForum link.

BUFFALO WHR-HP-G54 g MIMO Router - Retail - $59
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162134

+ Retail Appeal: It's usually available at retail stores like Best Buy, CompUSA, etc.

Jack: A comment Not really relevant to the value of the device and Not even true.

Circuit City is actually a big retailer of Buffalo. Staples, and Office Depot do not sell it. so What?

+ Good performance when used with third-party firmware such as DD-WRT.

Jack: Performance per-se is not enhanced by the DD-WRT, in case of this device it only adds features.


- Out-Of-Box firmware could use some work. It's fine for most homes but an enthusiast will probably want to flash it.

Jack: Hmm I do not even understand this oxymoronic statement that also negates what is in the following.


**The WHR-HP-G64 router has hotly debated in the past due to the box advertising "MIMO Performance" while not actually being a MIMO design. It facilitates this claim by incorporating a signal amplifier (jack: Do you know any Sub $300 Wireless that is Not single radio) into its single antenna design (jack: Draft-N is in part based on Antenna technology, it does not matter in case of 802.11g In matter of fact almost all the Antenna on entry level Wireless devices are rated 2dbi the Buffalo is close to 5dbi). It should also be mentioned that this router is very similar to the WRT54G series router by Linksys however its platform has yet to be neutered. It makes a good AP or router for most homes when flashed with DD-WRT or another third-party firmware (jack: The remark about the Linksys does not differentiate between the WRT54GL model and the rest. In addition it sounds strange that a site like HOCP and is existence it largely due to the capacity to find ways to enhance the computing experience suddenly call a flash of Firmware to enhance a device Neutered).

The above is not a solicitation for Buffalo, it is an example to why recommendations has to be taken with a Huge Grain of salt.

Flashing irmware is neutering.

So I guess the HOCP (Hard Over Clocking) is actually Hard Neutering.:shocked:

May be they should consider changing the name.😉
Click to expand...

Looks good, the reason I mentioned brand names, is just the fact of who keeps their firmware up to date, I am by no means an expert on wireless routers, so I could be totally wrong.

Is the antennae detachble on this router? It seems that way but I'm not sure yet.
It's all about whatever router can keep up, with my current one prior to the firmware update I put on it it would jam up when video was streaming and someone was playing a game online. It also hates Half Life 2😀eathmatch. The price is great, I don't mind spending a little more but as I said the price on this one is great.

Another Question, Is it possible to use my old wi-fi router as an extender, just to have to repeat the signal and send it to the new one?

EDIT: I bought a trendnet wireless usb adapter for my desktop computer I didn't make a bad choice there did I? And I'm not sure if my hardware can do WPA2 should I be concerned with this router not having it?
 
Third-party firmware such as DD-WRT has a rich and long history, including original work from Linksys or whoever, and it's true that enthusiasts are likely to end up flashing compatible devices with third-party firmware.
Click to expand...

Yep. And I've only bricked one......so far. :laugh:
 
Yeah, I've only bricked one myself, which was due to a PSU issue. Come to think of it, if the lights blink enough it could be used for a Christmas decoration! Those WRT's are so useful!
 
All the top Routers at the top of the http://www.smallnetbuilder.com are pre-N or Draft-N

To try to benefit from any of them (and do not be hopeful that you would get as High as they report), you have to buy Expansive Router and Expensive Wireless cards (your current cards would not yield Pre-N traffic with this Routers).

The Router would cost more than $100 and each card about $100. So One Router and few computer would spin you into hundreds of $$$.

That is No so bad by itself if one can effort it.

However the devices are pre-N/Draft-N and it is possible that whatever you buy would end Up Not compatible with the Standard when it comes out. So basically might end up by next year with an expensive pile of Junk.

My personal preference at the moment is to get a High Power 802.11g for $60 (like the Buffalo that I mentioned above). It would work well with any regular Wireless that I have right now, and I would make the big move few months after the 802.11n standard comes out and the dust settles.

Of course I can also play macho with your money and send you to buy Proxim and Cisco, but I do not do things like this in order to look Mr. Big. 😉

 
Originally posted by: JackMDS
All the top Routers at the top of the http://www.smallnetbuilder.com are pre-N or Draft-N

To try to benefit from any of them (and do not be hopeful that you would get as High as they report), you have to buy Expansive Router and Expensive Wireless cards (your current cards would not yield Pre-N traffic with this Routers).

The Router would cost more than $100 and each card about $100. So One Router and few computer would spin you into hundreds of $$$.

That is No so bad by itself if one can effort it.

However the devices are pre-N/Draft-N and it is possible that whatever you buy would end Up Not compatible with the Standard when it comes out. So basically might end up by next year with an expensive pile of Junk.

My personal preference at the moment is to get a High Power 802.11g for $60 (like the Buffalo that I mentioned above). It would work well with any regular Wireless that I have right now, and I would make the big move few months after the 802.11n standard comes out and the dust settles.

Of course I can also play macho with your money and send you to buy Proxim and Cisco, but I do not do things like this in order to look Mr. Big. 😉
Click to expand...


Thanks Jack, thank you everyone. My problem now is I can't find the Buffalo router you suggested 🙁 DAMMIT! 🙂
 
You can thank the lovely US legal system for this. Forget the consumer, let's litigate just to see how much trouble we can stir up and in the end all that it helps are the lawyers. Well, I hope my buffalo router stays up and going because I no longer have any spares (they didn't die but everyone I knew ended up wanting one, so I'm all out)
 
Originally posted by: JackMDS
All the top Routers at the top of the http://www.smallnetbuilder.com are pre-N or Draft-N

To try to benefit from any of them (and do not be hopeful that you would get as High as they report), you have to buy Expansive Router and Expensive Wireless cards (your current cards would not yield Pre-N traffic with this Routers).

The Router would cost more than $100 and each card about $100. So One Router and few computer would spin you into hundreds of $$$.

That is No so bad by itself if one can effort it.

However the devices are pre-N/Draft-N and it is possible that whatever you buy would end Up Not compatible with the Standard when it comes out. So basically might end up by next year with an expensive pile of Junk.

My personal preference at the moment is to get a High Power 802.11g for $60 (like the Buffalo that I mentioned above). It would work well with any regular Wireless that I have right now, and I would make the big move few months after the 802.11n standard comes out and the dust settles.

Of course I can also play macho with your money and send you to buy Proxim and Cisco, but I do not do things like this in order to look Mr. Big. 😉
Click to expand...

Alas, I couldn't find the mystic Buffalo, what works just as well and has similar features that you would recommend?
Also I need something that supports AOSS (If that's the only/best way to use a Nintendo DS and possibly a Wii with a wireless router)
 
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