New wireless router

Cowboysfan · 02-23-2011, 10:37 AM

I'm in the process of trying to find an easy to set up and reliable home wireless router. My current router is a Netgear WPN824 Rangemax and it is starting to have issues. Primarily, its about 5+ years old and its starting to drop connections on a fairly regular basis. I am currently looking at the Cisco Valet Plus router. It appears to be an easy set up and user friendly for a basic computer user like me. I was checking to see if anyone has this product and your experience. I don't want to be swayed by the positive reviews if they differ from reality. The main computer this router will be attached to is currently running Windows Vista 64 bit. Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

25 Year Honda Owner · 02-23-2011, 10:54 AM

I am using one of the low end Netgears, WGR614. I have had no issues. Running Vista here also.

chiph · 02-23-2011, 12:49 PM

Just replaced an ancient WRT-54G with a Netgear WNDR3700. Huge difference in speed!

So far so good - it's been reliable with my Vonage VOIP box and heavy WoW gaming.

Chip H.

rollinhonda · 02-23-2011, 01:02 PM

I had the 'need for speed' N speed 2 years ago and have not looked back since..
Running a D-Link DIR-655 router. I have Phone Power for VOIP and have been very pleased with that also. One desktop on Windows XP and 2 notebooks with Win 7, only the desktop is hard line into the router. Everything else including Pandora, Netflix, etc. is wireless.

larryr · 02-23-2011, 01:25 PM

I have had good luck with all the Gigabyte D-link routers - expensive but worth it.

Avoid the D-link DIR-601 router that most office supply places sell on special for $29.95 - 2 of the 3 I have installed have random lockup on the wireless side - the wired side worked well but you have to unplug and plug back in the 601 about every 8 hours.

The cheap Belkin router that Walmart sells has had no problems on the 3 I have installed.

nchinetti · 02-23-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiph

Just replaced an ancient WRT-54G with a Netgear WNDR3700. Huge difference in speed!

So far so good - it's been reliable with my Vonage VOIP box and heavy WoW gaming.

Chip H.

+1 for the WNDR3700

I've been using one for close to a year for my home network and the performance has been excellent. I have been a hardcore Cisco guy in my professional life deploying tens of millions of $$$ worth worldwide, but I've always found their home products to be lacking compared to competitors such as Netgear. I've had bad luck with poor DLink product reliability and even poorer customer service in both professional and home implementations, so I won't go there no matter how good the spec sheets look.

An option worthy of considering is to get a Fon router and setup a Fon Spot. Once you become a Fon member (by operating a Fon Spot router), you will have free wifi access to all Fon Spots worldwide (including ones operated by partners such as BT). I just got a Fonera 2.0N and it looks like a well-designed and well-built unit. Join the movement and support open Internet access!

NoRegrets78 · 02-23-2011, 02:12 PM

Linksys WRT160n running DD-WRT firmware. By far the fastest and most stable router I have ever used. Takes a bit of config getting it running and if you don't feel comfortable I wouldn't do it yourself, but if you have a techie friend that knows how its worth it.

chiph · 02-23-2011, 02:16 PM

The nice thing about the WNDR3700 is that it runs DD-WRT for it's OS. So if I ever get tired of the Netgear customized version, I can install the latest from the open source site. I couldn't do that with the WRT-54G as it was a "C" revision and didn't have enough memory.

Chip H.

NoRegrets78 · 02-23-2011, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiph

The nice thing about the WNDR3700 is that it runs DD-WRT for it's OS. So if I ever get tired of the Netgear customized version, I can install the latest from the open source site. I couldn't do that with the WRT-54G as it was a "C" revision and didn't have enough memory.

Chip H.

Didn't know that! Good stuff! I've been a linksys user forever and just never switched since the ones I've had have worked without too much issue but the WRT160N used to drop wireless connectivity to our ipod touches constantly. Once I upgraded to a DD-WRT firmware it's been flawless.

Next router will be a gigabit and I'm probably going to pick up the Netgear. Thanks for that!

zroger73 · 02-23-2011, 03:07 PM

I love my Apple AirPort Extreme.

02-23-2011, 10:37 AM	#1
Cowboysfan ROC Rank: Sophomore 2011 RTS Polished Metal Metallic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 184	New wireless router I'm in the process of trying to find an easy to set up and reliable home wireless router. My current router is a Netgear WPN824 Rangemax and it is starting to have issues. Primarily, its about 5+ years old and its starting to drop connections on a fairly regular basis. I am currently looking at the Cisco Valet Plus router. It appears to be an easy set up and user friendly for a basic computer user like me. I was checking to see if anyone has this product and your experience. I don't want to be swayed by the positive reviews if they differ from reality. The main computer this router will be attached to is currently running Windows Vista 64 bit. Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

02-23-2011, 10:54 AM	#2
25 Year Honda Owner ROC Rank: 9k Comma Club 2013 RTL Dark Cherry Pearl Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Winchester,Tennessee Posts: 9,213	Re: New wireless router I am using one of the low end Netgears, WGR614. I have had no issues. Running Vista here also. __________________ 25 Year Honda Owner "The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are now outnumbered by those who vote for a living."

02-23-2011, 12:49 PM	#3
chiph ROC Rank: 2k Comma Club 2006 *Former Ridgeline Owner Steel Blue Metallic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,581	Re: New wireless router Just replaced an ancient WRT-54G with a Netgear WNDR3700. Huge difference in speed! So far so good - it's been reliable with my Vonage VOIP box and heavy WoW gaming. Chip H.

02-23-2011, 01:02 PM	#4
rollinhonda ROC Rank: 7k Comma Club 2010 RTL Dark Cherry Pearl Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Fresno-Clovis, CA Posts: 7,543	Re: New wireless router I had the 'need for speed' N speed 2 years ago and have not looked back since.. Running a D-Link DIR-655 router. I have Phone Power for VOIP and have been very pleased with that also. One desktop on Windows XP and 2 notebooks with Win 7, only the desktop is hard line into the router. Everything else including Pandora, Netflix, etc. is wireless. __________________ Home of the Free, because of the Brave!

02-23-2011, 01:25 PM	#5
larryr ROC Rank: 3k Comma Club 2009 RTL White / Beige Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bentonville, AR Posts: 3,077	Re: New wireless router I have had good luck with all the Gigabyte D-link routers - expensive but worth it. Avoid the D-link DIR-601 router that most office supply places sell on special for $29.95 - 2 of the 3 I have installed have random lockup on the wireless side - the wired side worked well but you have to unplug and plug back in the 601 about every 8 hours. The cheap Belkin router that Walmart sells has had no problems on the 3 I have installed. __________________ 2009 White RTL with Gray interior My second Ridgeline. My first was a 2006 RTL Steel Blue with Gray interior. Mud Flaps, AVS bug guard, AVS ventvisors, Sportwing Door Protectors, Donnelly Autodim Compass Mirror, Isimple Ipod attachment. And a full sized 18" spare tire.

02-23-2011, 02:12 PM	#7
NoRegrets78 ROC Rank: Sophomore 2006 *Former Ridgeline Owner Amazon Green / Olive Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 127	Re: New wireless router Linksys WRT160n running DD-WRT firmware. By far the fastest and most stable router I have ever used. Takes a bit of config getting it running and if you don't feel comfortable I wouldn't do it yourself, but if you have a techie friend that knows how its worth it. __________________ see you in infinity... 2012 Volkswagen GTI 4 Door DSG Candy White Sunroof/Nav

02-23-2011, 02:16 PM	#8
chiph ROC Rank: 2k Comma Club 2006 *Former Ridgeline Owner Steel Blue Metallic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,581	Re: New wireless router The nice thing about the WNDR3700 is that it runs DD-WRT for it's OS. So if I ever get tired of the Netgear customized version, I can install the latest from the open source site. I couldn't do that with the WRT-54G as it was a "C" revision and didn't have enough memory. Chip H.

02-23-2011, 03:07 PM	#10
zroger73 ROC Rank: 2k Comma Club 2010 RTL Crystal Black Pearl Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Clarksville City, Texas (near Longview) Posts: 2,440	Re: New wireless router I love my Apple AirPort Extreme. __________________ 2010 Crystal Black Pearl Honda Ridgeline RTL w/ Navigation Former daily drivers: 09 Civic, 08 G35, 07 Ridgeline, 06 Accord, 99 Regal, 98 Neon, 96 Ranger, 95 Probe, 94 Escort, 92 Grand Am, 91 Tempo, 86 Escort, 69 Skylark Former toys: 09 Silverado, 00 Cavalier, 99 B2500, 96 Cougar, 93 Cougar, 84 Fiero, 71 Ford Truck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPjwc_BQhYA

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