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Author Topic: Shopping for an updated router  (Read 851 times)

Richardk

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Shopping for an updated router
« on: January 04, 2019, 05:48:58 pm »
What's hot and what's not?

I'm thinking it's time to upgrade and looking for something new. I like how configurable my old one is, a D-Link DIR-655. I still use the Ethernet ports but more and more is now Wi-Fi. Any suggestions?
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G0ddard B0lt

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Re: Shopping for an updated router
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2019, 07:08:58 pm »
I had exactly the same router, bought around 2009 at Costco. I upgraded ours last fall to this model:

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/tp-link-archer-c7-router,review-3289.html

The Tp-Link Archer c7 has settings that seem to echo those in the dir655. The D-Llink gives you nice labeling of port forwarding rules, etc which the Archer lacks but otherwise I was able to set up forwarding rules for our VoIP adapter and a TV device which works perfectly, as before. The wifi signal seems a bit stronger.

The TP-Link supports 5ghz which is highly overrated. Its signal is much weaker than the standard band wi-fi.

The newer router supports ipv6 which the older D-Link doesn't. That was one of the reasons I upgraded. And the D-Link DIR655 is just getting to be a really old product.

I paid $80ish locally at micro center.
« Last Edit: January 04, 2019, 08:52:59 pm by The Gorn »
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Richardk

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Re: Shopping for an updated router
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2019, 11:23:24 am »
Thanks for the review. I wish I knew what equipment a small motel 2 blocks from work had. Even at that distance, I could pick up their wi-fi signal with no problems. Even our Lowes has a good signal over 2 parking lots, 2 frontage roads and a divided 2 lane highway. That's one thing I want improved over the D-Link DIR655. Even at max output, the signal from the router to the front of the house is wimpy.
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G0ddard B0lt

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Re: Shopping for an updated router
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2019, 12:51:35 pm »
You're describing commercial grade equipment. What I see in hallways in hotels and in major chain restaurants mounted on the walls doesn't look anything like TP-link or D-link stuff that one sees at Best Buy.

Or look into access points.

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Access-Points-Business-Class/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A1194486%2Cp_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A3739909011

Or, look into extension antennas. Both of these routers, old and new, have coax connectors, and you can buy directional antennae. Run the coax right to where you need the signal presence.

(I'm not certain what effect signal phase will have on extension antennas, IE, the broadcasts canceling each other out.)

Either of these routers we own, new, sells for about $80 at the street level. Certainly they will have limited range compared to hotels.
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Richardk

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Re: Shopping for an updated router
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2019, 07:24:39 pm »
Wow, between $75 - $90 there are several on Amazon that look just as good or better. Some of them claim speeds of nearly twice the slowest one in the batch. For a little bit more money, some look better but I'm always skeptical of the ads. Also some have signal strengths listed in easy to find places while others don't and even then, they don't sound impressive.
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pxsant

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Re: Shopping for an updated router
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2019, 02:52:29 am »
If you need a WIFI extender take a look at this product.

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-AV1000Mbps-Powerline-WiFi-Extender/dp/B0725LPTZR/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1546779392&sr=8-4&keywords=TP-Link+AV1000

In my house, my router is upstairs in an end room.  So if I go downstairs, for example at the dining room or kitchen tables, I can't pick up enough signal with my laptop to maintain a connection.   With this device, I am good all over the downstairs.

It has two devices.  The first you plug into your router with a normal LAN cable.  The unit plugs into an electrical outlet also.   The second unit I have plugged into an electrical outlet at the top of the stairs with an open view of the downstairs. 

The data signal is passed from the main unit to the extension via the electrical lines, not via wireless.  So it effectively connects to the extension at max wired speed.  The extension then sends wireless signals to the area it covers.  You could also plug directly into the extension via a cable if you want.

The unit also has 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

This thing works great.  A bit expensive but it solved my problem.
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Richardk

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Re: Shopping for an updated router
« Reply #6 on: January 06, 2019, 05:26:56 am »
That's an interesting option but first things first and that's an updated router. I'll keep that in mind since my situation is similar. Thanks.
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