Netgear vs D-Link vs Linksys - best router?

[RajunCajun]

My old Seimens 802.11b router went out on me last week. It's served me fine for more than 2 years, but now must change to something else. I'm trying out a Netgear WGR614 v6 right now I bought at BestBuy last weekend for $30. Buy.com has Netgear and D-link combo for $35 & $30AR. Right now still using my Seimens pc card, which is doing great.

The Seimens seemed to frequently drop wireless connection right after firing up the notebook. This only lasted 5-10 mins, after which full connection came back and stayed connected the rest of the day. I have just a desktop wired to the router and my notebook on wireless. My usual range is about 40', through 3 wooden walls. This new Netgears takes several minutes to stabalize the wireless connection, which I guess is no big deal. But after running the router for 3 days, the desktop started CRAWLING while on the net! Had to reboot the router and now things are OK.

If you read some of the user reviews on the net, you get everything from "the best" to "the worst" and everything in between. On the hot deals forum most people have had good luck and like the D-link over the Netgear. Linksys is also available, but reviews haven't helped much. Maybe someone could point me to some good professional reviews of these products.

Thanks for any advice given.

 

[Devistater]

Linksys wrt54g or wrt54gs
wrt54g review:
http://www.tomsnetworking.com/Reviews-39-ProdID-WRT54G.php
The single con listed is that mixing B and G cards slows down performance of the pure G equipment. Many routers have problem. And they may have fixed it in recent firmware updates, I dunno.
wrt54gs review:
http://www.tomsnetworking.com/Reviews-142-ProdID-WRT54GS.php
All three of the cons listed can be fixed (see the info further down)

The BIGGEST reason to get this router is because linksys released the source code to the firmware for these models. There are a bunch of 3rd party firmware's for this router that add features normally not found except on $1000+ routers. The firmware also opens up things such as adjusting the wireless transmitter power from 35mw default (most other wireless routers are similar) all the way up to an insane 250mw. You also have access to the linux style iptables file so you can setup the firewall and port forwarding/filtering to be as customizable as you like. And it has QoS as well so you can make sure that webbrowsing always works even when you upload. Make sure games still play good while you are downloading, make sure no dropped packets from VOIP, and the list goes on. I belive there's a wireless survey feature too to see who is using your wireless make sure no one is leeching from you.

If you search for free sveasoft in the hot deals forum theres a big thread with links to sveasoft firmware (the one I use and like) and several other ones if you want several options.

Anyway thats my reccomendation, of course I reccomend that you research all the options. I usuallly google for reviews. Like google terms such as WRT54G review. Of course then you have filter though the ones that not not "professional" type reviews. I still haven't found a good way to do that filtering with google yet.

 

[trader869]

the man speaks the truth...WRT54GS is my pick. 3rd party firmware makes this a no-brainer. with current deals around now, you can pick them up fairly cheap.

 

[cmetz]

RajunCajun, I really like the WRT54G/GS due to the third party firmware - these devices will have a useful life long after Linksys stops making them. That said, their wireless range is only so-so. I have heard that the WRT54GX, the expensive pre-N MIMO model, has a lot better signal performance. If that's the kind of problem you're having, spending the extra $$ for that model might be worthwhile.

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: cmetz
RajunCajun, I really like the WRT54G/GS due to the third party firmware - these devices will have a useful life long after Linksys stops making them. That said, their wireless range is only so-so. I have heard that the WRT54GX, the expensive pre-N MIMO model, has a lot better signal performance. If that's the kind of problem you're having, spending the extra $$ for that model might be worthwhile.

I know of people who use the wrt54gs over a mile. For me it works throughout the house, I've never tried to see how far it goes outside. Anyway, the things you can do to increase range are use better antenna's and increase the transmission power from default of 35mw.

Also, a commonly overlooked thing is the wireless cards themselves. They often suck (the early generation of B linksys ones did for sure). They have to be quality to get a good range.

 

[Rottie]

buffalo>linksys>dlink>netgear in the right order

 

[shortylickens]

BUMP!
Read the dates!!

So, as of March 2010, what is the best quality? Netgear, or Linksys?
My opinion leans towards Netgear. The reason I bring this up is my Linksys WRT310N constantly drops signal, and when it is running it loses internet access several times each night. So I ordered a much cheaper Netgear router to replace it and expect it to work better.


Discuss?

 

[Sahakiel]

mmm....
brains....



and the situation hasn't improved.

 

[ultimatebob]

Amazing... they already had pre-n standard wireless access points back in 2005?

Wow... the standards boards really screwed up the implementation of that standard.

 

[jlazzaro]

why bump this old ass thread? read the other 30+ on the main pages about this same topic.

 

[michaelmast]

i think that... The m,ost important reason to get this router is because linksys released the source code to the firmware for these models. There are a bunch of 3rd party firmware's for this router that add features normally not found except on $1000+ routers. The firmware also opens up things such as adjusting the wireless transmitter power from 35mw default (most other wireless routers are similar) all the way up to an insane 250mw. You also have access to the linux style iptables file so you can setup the firewall and port forwarding/filtering to be as customizable as you like. And it has QoS as well so you can make sure that webbrowsing always works even when you upload. Make sure games still play good while you are downloading, make sure no dropped packets from VOIP, and the list goes on. I belive there's a wireless survey feature too to see who is using your wireless make sure no one is leeching from you.