wifi routers: linksys vs netgear/dlink

[saimike]

i'm in the market for some wifi and could use some advice. probably 802.11g, perhaps even the super-g/speedboost. this is mainly for surfing, netmeeting etc. i'll probably use cat5 for any high badwidth file transfers within my home LAN.

so here's my dilemma:

- dlink/netgear constantly have deals going on: ~$55 for a router/pcmcia-card for instance. so price is a big push factor; for the price of a router/card, i can only get a linksys router if i'm lucky. and i will need a card. of course their super-g channel bonding fiasco is a bit of a shame.

- linksys has its name going for it, but is more pricey. the more technical folks would want it for the Sveasoft WRT54G Firmware -- the traffic shaping function sound cool.

- i can just break down and get a 802.11b router ... i have a 802.11b card for my work laptop already. but believe it or not, even though this is the cheapest option, buying outdated technology doesnt sound too appealing to me for now.

so there u have it ... what do u guys think?

 

[nageov3t]

I've always been a big fan of Netgear.

 

[Goosemaster]

get the hackable linksys already....

 

[jai6638]

hackable linksys??? huh??? what is it and how does it differ from the original LINKSYS??

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: jai6638
hackable linksys??? huh??? what is it and how does it differ from the original LINKSYS??

THe 54G routers are hackable in that using some tactics, people found out how to replace it's linux underbelly and tweak it to their delight. There are many threads on this..seaway is the name of the co. which makes a great firmware for it.


Basically it adds range, a myriad of features, OSPF and BGP routing for complex networks, QoS(quality of service for traffic management) , Vpn and much more....

 

[saimike]

hmm i was hoping to stir up more discussion than this ... at this point in time, i'm right on the fence.

basically, the user experience i'm trying to solicit is this: do u guys actually use the extra speed that 802.11g/super-g/speedbooster gives? do u use the extra functionality that sveasoft gives linksys? is 802.11b too slow?

i'm an avg joe who has a cable/dsl modem hooked up to a router and then several pcs talking to this router.

 

[0roo0roo]

i like the potential of the linksys firmwares. so i got it. plus, speedbooster is better then superg because it doesn't destroy your neighbors connection to do it.(article on tomsnetworking on it, super g hogs parts of other channels) i've only tried two though, the netgear b which i tried because it was damn cheap. i was sorry for doing that, it lost connection when was sitting beside the router, pathetic pos. the linksys has had no problems and the signal strength has been strong. i figure the annoyance of having to reboot a lousy router/loosing connects during surfing isn't worth saving a few bucks.

 

[Kristi2k]

Personally, I went with the 3Com OfficeConnect series. Awesome AP. Much better then the Linksys AP's I've setup in the past.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Kristi2k
Personally, I went with the 3Com OfficeConnect series. Awesome AP. Much better then the Linksys AP's I've setup in the past.

THeir new ones can do 100Mbps on one channel too