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Looking for Modem/wireless router

tvfreak

tvfreak

Senior member
Currently i'm using comcast xfinity modem/wireless router. I really don't know much about modem/wireless routers.
My pc is hard wire to the modem, but i use the wireless for my cell phone and streaming netflix and my roommate has his phone and tablets connected to it as well.
The wireless part is ok, but it doesn't have much range.

Instead of paying comcast to rent a modem i would like to buy my own.

But i'm also not looking to spend and arm and a leg for one.

Maybe something in the range $100 to maybe $150.

I would like it last for a while so that i can get my monies worth and hopefully it won't go crap on me in a YR. Easy to use and has the bells and whistles for it's price, dependable etc.

I'm looking to buy on amazon cause i have gift cards and i don't have to use my money 😉
 
First you should know that with your own modem if something happen that needs Comcast to come in, you would pay an "Arm and few Legs" for the visit.

Otherwise you have to start with Googling and find the list of approved Comcast's Modems for your geographical area.




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Good point. Didn't think of that one.

JackMDS said:
First you should know that with your own modem if something happen that needs Comcast to come in, you would pay an "Arm and few Legs" for the visit.

Otherwise you have to start with Googling and find the list of approved Comcast's Modems for your geographical area.




😎
Click to expand...
 
You do know that Comcast is turning customer's Comcast-provided Wifi modem / router ("gateway") devices into Xfinity hotspots, right?

It uses your bandwidth, and I read that it's not clear that guests get their own IP address, so if they do bad things, YOU could be liable.
 
Get a separate modem and router. Combo modem/routers almost always have limitations of some sort on the router side, so don't buy a crippled router. I would start here.
 
I read about it.
I know they r testing it already. Not sure if it has reach my area central norkali.
I assume u could have it turned off.


VirtualLarry said:
You do know that Comcast is turning customer's Comcast-provided Wifi modem / router ("gateway") devices into Xfinity hotspots, right?

It uses your bandwidth, and I read that it's not clear that guests get their own IP address, so if they do bad things, YOU could be liable.
Click to expand...
 
On another forum someone suggested that i get a separate modem/router. And it's a good idea if it's comcast approved.
But also, if something does go wrong with my modem/router and i call comcast for service, i might as well give them a happy ending and all my money.
Plus, i don't plan on keeping comcast very long. I prefer AT&T but they don't have service in my area.
Any thoughts?
How do you flash a modem/router?

AnonymouseUser said:
Of those, I would get the Netgear R6300 (v2 only!) or Buffalo WHR-600D since they both can be flashed with DD-WRT.
Click to expand...
 
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So, if it's a comcast approved modem, then i won't get charged an arm and leg and maybe a happy ending?

I know for service calls they charge $49.95 or more.

JackMDS said:
First you should know that with your own modem if something happen that needs Comcast to come in, you would pay an "Arm and few Legs" for the visit.

Otherwise you have to start with Googling and find the list of approved Comcast's Modems for your geographical area.




😎
Click to expand...
 
tvfreak said:
So, if it's a comcast approved modem, then i won't get charged an arm and leg and maybe a happy ending?

I know for service calls they charge $49.95 or more.
Click to expand...

If it is Not on the Approve list they would not do anything unless you get a New one.

If it approve but Not bought/rented from them they would not serve it and your installation for free.




😎
 
VirtualLarry said:
You do know that Comcast is turning customer's Comcast-provided Wifi modem / router ("gateway") devices into Xfinity hotspots, right?

It uses your bandwidth, and I read that it's not clear that guests get their own IP address, so if they do bad things, YOU could be liable.
Click to expand...
They've done it with mine. Sometimes my phone is connecting through the router and sometimes it is connecting through xfinity. Seems odd that it goes between the two like that. I switched my laptop over to the xfinity connection as a test of sorts and then lost access to my network so there is some level of security going on.

I would guess that the username and password is what is going to designate who is on what xfinity network from the perspective of obtaining an IP address.
 
Don't call them. The whole point of getting your own equipment is taking responsibility. The modem itself should be pretty foolproof, with the only issues being service outages. Router issues, setup, etc. are things you can figure out for yourself via internet forums and the like. You should prioritize stability though.

Also, U-Verse is apparently horrible. If you can get FIOS, that's the best option. But you can re-use the router no matter what... which is one of the main advantages of going separate.

Because you're apparently a novice, I'd get the most solid stock firmware device, which is Asus. You do pay a bit of premium though.

As an alternative, if the Comcast router lets you switch off its wireless (not sure how locked down those things are these days), you could keep that and just upgrade with an access point. These things are pretty great for stability and coverage:
http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-UniFi-Enterprise-System/dp/B004XXMUCQ/
 
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Try this. This might disable the modem of being a WiFi hotspot http://www.tomsguide.com/us/how-to-disable-xfinity-wifi,news-19036.html#xtor=EPR-8886

boomerang said:
They've done it with mine. Sometimes my phone is connecting through the router and sometimes it is connecting through xfinity. Seems odd that it goes between the two like that. I switched my laptop over to the xfinity connection as a test of sorts and then lost access to my network so there is some level of security going on.

I would guess that the username and password is what is going to designate who is on what xfinity network from the perspective of obtaining an IP address.
Click to expand...
 
I'm not sure if I can switch off the WiFi. Regardless I'll still pay for rental fee.
And it right I'm a newbie at this.
Is it better to get a separate modem and wireless router?

How much is Asus brand modems? I've seen some north of $160+ which kind of pricey.
Regardless what I get it would be nice to get something solid and dependable

s44 said:
Don't call them. The whole point of getting your own equipment is taking responsibility. The modem itself should be pretty foolproof, with the only issues being service outages. Router issues, setup, etc. are things you can figure out for yourself via internet forums and the like. You should prioritize stability though.

Also, U-Verse is apparently horrible. If you can get FIOS, that's the best option. But you can re-use the router no matter what... which is one of the main advantages of going separate.

Because you're apparently a novice, I'd get the most solid stock firmware device, which is Asus. You do pay a bit of premium though.

As an alternative, if the Comcast router lets you switch off its wireless (not sure how locked down those things are these days), you could keep that and just upgrade with an access point. These things are pretty great for stability and coverage:
http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Netwo...dp/B004XXMUCQ/
Click to expand...
 
tvfreak said:
Let us know if that works
Click to expand...
Tried it this AM and a box popped up that clocked for a long time and eventually I got a message that an unexpected error occurred, blah, blah, blah.

I will try tomorrow and report back.

There is no means for the end user to turn off the wireless on their combo unit. If you want to rent from them, you may want to get just a modem and supply your own router.

I realized one day that I was paying for a tier of service that my older Comcast supplied modem (Docsis 2 with VOIP) was not compatible with. I went to their nearest service center and they gave me a combo unit as a replacement. I did not even know they offered them and didn't realize until I got home that the wireless router was combined into it. I figured I could turn it off which proved out to be false. I would prefer my own modem (because we can now buy them with telephony built in, couldn't back then) and my own wireless router but there may be a move in our future and I'm not interested in buying a modem that I may not be able to use or that has an additional function I don't need.
 
tvfreak said:
Is it better to get a separate modem and wireless router?
Click to expand...

Pure technology wise - Yes.

However the world is No pure, in many cases there are other variables the determinant factors.

If you have in your location an ISP that provides straight clean DHCP High Band Internet without the "gimmicky" attempts to squeeze any penny possible from their customers, then switch to it and do what you deem is Technically best.

As long as you are a customer of Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, TWC, and some. You have to Dance to their "crooked" tune.

You can sa "But Jack I see in Forums people offers solution.

Yeah some solution are Good providing your needs are exactly like their needs and you do and use the Internet in same way and purpose that they do. Sadly in most cases people e do not provide the specific background info and make it appear as though their solutions are Universal in nature.

Some other solutions are at times simply misleading.




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