Best Wireless Router

[skideeppow]

Anyone give me some personal experience with what they think is the best wireless router out there right now?
Thanks

[SkiCop]

I have a $35 Belkin from Wal-Mart that works just fine. They do have the new wireless-N routers that are supposed to have more speed and range, but I haven't tried one yet due to the Belkin working just fine.

[skideeppow]

yeah i read the wireless n routers are the bomb

[Particle]

Interested in this as well since my old linksys works, but is finicky. It randomly logs computers off, loses its connection to the modem, won't connect when it shows the network is available, etc...

[L7]

I haven't read heard about this n yet. I assume to use it you would have to update your wireless card and all as well. I'm also interested especially with how cheap they're getting. Linksys always seemed to have the best rep. I'd also be curious about any wireless router with print server built in.

[fonixmunkee]

Get a Buffalo and flash it with DD-WRT. Best thing you can do for your internet connection, especially if you use multiple computers & systems on your wireless (like a Wii and a bunch of laptops). It also goes muy fast and is loaded with other little whizz-bang features to make your internet connection happy.

Free tech support also provided here!

[peterslovo]

I am by no means a computer hack, but I followed these steps to upgrade my cheap Linksys which had questionable performance to begin, with wonderful results:

http://lifehacker.com/software/route...ter-178132.php

Now whether or not this is the "best" router, I have no idea!

[Particle]

Sick thanks for the links, this could help a lot...

(yes multiple laptops, etc...in the house)

[fonixmunkee]

I am by no means a computer hack, but I followed these steps to upgrade my cheap Linksys which had questionable performance to begin, with wonderful results:

http://lifehacker.com/software/route...ter-178132.php

Now whether or not this is the "best" router, I have no idea!

This is similar to the links I posted above, except with a Linksys router (not a Buffalo, per my suggestion). My experience with Linksys and DD-WRT is that since most of the Linksys routers you buy only have 2MB or 4MB of memory, DD-WRT is stripped of many of it's features. I've also fielded numerous Linksys/DD-WRT-installed routers and have had them lock up (completely, like a brick) and have had to unplug and plugg them back in. Granted, it's only every few months or when there's a shit ton of traffic, but annoying just the same.

And as a note, Linksys routers locking up when there's lots of traffic is a "feature" that's not just unique to DD-WRT firmware, but the standard Linksys firmware as well

[Particle]

fonix, which Buffalo do you recommend? None of the models on that bestbuy link you posted are listed in the DD-WRT compatible router list.

p.s. good to know about linksys...mine is several years old, time for something new methinks.

[Flexon Phil]

I've been happy with my Airport. I have Verizon Fios w/ integrated wireless that did not want to play nice with my Mac's. I hooked up my airport and bypassed their wireless and not it works fantastic.

[Bozo T. Clown]

A caveat for the Belkin “Pre-N” routers is that if their Internet connection goes down, they tend to have to be reset. A plus is that “Pre-N” provides most of the speed vs. distance advantage of chipsets compliant with IEEE 802.11n. But if you're connecting to a router that's pretty close with a 1.5 Megabit per second Internet connection, a/b/g should be fine.

The significant improvement in 802.11n comes from using multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antennas and processing. The “Pre-N” uses a previous generation chipset from Airgo Networks (since acquired by Qualcomm), who pioneered MIMO technology. The 802.11n standard was held up for a long time by politics between companies who had expertise in MIMO (Airgo, Broadcom, Conexant, Motorola), and those who were dragging their feet (Atheros, Intel, Qualcomm, Sony.)

In any non-line of sight environment (e.g. inside a building), the radio waves from the transmitter bounce around, and take multiple paths to the transmitter. Instead of one clean received signal, the received signal consists of multiple copies of the transmitted signal. On TVs using an antenna you can see this as ghosting. MIMO (aka spatial diversity) is a way of using the signal strength from all of the ghost signals.

[fonixmunkee]

fonix, which Buffalo do you recommend? None of the models on that bestbuy link you posted are listed in the DD-WRT compatible router list.

I use the WHR-54GS: http://www.google.com/products?q=Buf...-revision&cd=1

p.s. good to know about linksys...mine is several years old, time for something new methinks.

Check this: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices and scroll down to the Linksys area.

I think older Linksys stuff is more reliable--and I'm pretty sure the older stuff has more memory (like 8MB in most older models due to the lack of streamlined/improved code on the AP). Grab your AP, check the model and version number (version number is VERY important) and compare it to that link above. You might want to try putting DD-WRT on your old Linksys first before making a $50-60 investment. Older WRT-54's that are sub-version 2.x usually have 8MB of memory...just scroll to the right on that chart linked above next to your model & version...

[Particle]

I use the WHR-54GS: http://www.google.com/products?q=Buf...-revision&cd=1



Check this: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices and scroll down to the Linksys area.

I think older Linksys stuff is more reliable--and I'm pretty sure the older stuff has more memory (like 8MB in most older models due to the lack of streamlined/improved code on the AP). Grab your AP, check the model and version number (version number is VERY important) and compare it to that link above. You might want to try putting DD-WRT on your old Linksys first before making a $50-60 investment. Older WRT-54's that are sub-version 2.x usually have 8MB of memory...just scroll to the right on that chart linked above next to your model & version...

Yeah mine is BEFW11S4...not even in the same category so I'm guess it's too old for an upgrade.

[fonixmunkee]

Wow, O-G 802.11b huh? Nice.

Yeah, drop $40 on a WHR-54S and a few minutes with DD-WRT and you won't be sad.

[Particle]

Wow, O-G 802.11b huh? Nice.

Yeah, drop $40 on a WHR-54S and a few minutes with DD-WRT and you won't be sad.

Thanks. I used to spend all my money on computers and techno gadgets. Now I spend it all on gear.

[anthill]

Fourthing finding something that'll run DD-WRT. Stock firmware is almost always buggy on consumer-grade stuff. A Linksys WRT-54GL will do the trick for ~$40 .

[RShea]

To clear up some comments made- first the standards for B and G are set, but N is in prerelease mode and has not been approved (it is on draft 2.0 now finally after starting the process in 2004.) N will eventually be approved (some think some time in 2008) but no guarantee that the final standard will be able to work with the prerelease N versions out there, nor any guarantee that the prerelease N routers can be updated to the approved N standards either. If you are just connecting a few computers to share the internet then the transfer speed between G and pre-release N will not make a bit of difference (since your internet connection is slower than even the B transmission standard and the broadband limitations.) Also if your router supports Pre-N and all your cards are the B or G then you will not gain any speed increase since the cards have to match or be higher in speed to the router (lowest speed device dictates the max speed.)

If you are going to transfer files and share stuff locally (like a business network) then that is when you see the difference between B, G, and pre-release N transmission speeds- not in loading of web pages or sending of email.


Lastly the issues with the 3rd party firmware- just so you understand-
there are a number of companies out there that have some models that can be flashed with 3rd party firmware- DD-WRT, Tomato, and others out there to add features, increase performance over the standard manufacturer's versions. This is based on a few factors- mostly the chip inside the router, and the amount of memory included in the unit. You have to look at the compaitbility lists to determine which model will work. Linksys, Buffalo Tech and a few others out there (Asus, Belkin, Motorola) use the chips common for supporting these- Broadcom, Atheros etc. But most of the time loading these voids any manufacturer's warranty on the product. If you flash the wrong version, or attempt to flash a version that will not work with your router model, or the flashing does not complete or is interupted then you may end up with a "brick" (as in it is worthless- you might as well toss it.)

Also remember that most ever single wireless router comes with the wireless security (either WEP or WPA if you are using Win XP) disabled and that leaves your network wide open to others to connect. YOu may think that you have no worries and do not need the security but there have been persons that have had others connect through their connection without their approval (with no security it can be done by an neighbor or someone driving down the street with a laptop in their car) and using it for things like downloading software, music, etc. illegally, obtaining illegal kiddie porn, or just trying to snoop and see what they can view or attempt to use your high speed connection or browse around (your files if the PC is not also secured and set up correctly including banking or other financial data.) So take the time to secure your connection to protect yourself.

Here is a recap and my take on the top companies out there in the wireless router market.

Linksys is probably the leader and owned by Cisco- more expensive than some others out there- offers a 2 year warranty, and has in my opinion pretty good tech support via a toll free number.) It has some models that can be flashed with 3rd party firmware- DD-WRT, Tomato, and others out there to add features, increase performance over the standard Linksys versions.

SMC not as well known but a very good company to work with in my opinion. They offer a "limited lifetime" warranty on their products (the product life cycle - not your lifetime) which tends to mostly be at least 2 years and many times more. (A call to them with a model and they tell you what the date of discontinuation for your model was- if it is no longer produced) and they will answer questions for the life of the product via a tool free number too (and sometimes past that- if it is not a defective product issue but software or settings related- in my experience with them.) They also tend to be slightly lower priced than Linksys (about the same as a few others if there are no deals or rebates going on.) Very limited in 3rd party firmware support.

Buffalo Technology they are again a model that can be used to flash 3rd party firmware. They offer a 2 year warranty and tech support is also via a toll free number. They have some features like a single button security enabler (if it is a standard configuration this may work.)

Netgear is another brand out there, slightly lower in price, offers a 3 year limited warranty- but also has a limited timeframe they will provide any tech support on the product (via toll free number.) If you have a question later than 90 days from the purchase they charge for the support call (sometimes as much as a new router will cost -depending on the deals and rebates out there.) Some of their models it is hard to get into the advanced- provide your own settings and not have the device try and figure out the type of connection you are using mode, which can be frustrating for those that understand what they need to do to make it work (static vs dynamic address, PPPoE, etc.) Limited 3rd party firmware support.

Belkin- offers one of the lowest price points out there, with only a 1 year warranty. They have at least a few models that can handle 3rd party firmware. I tend to not handle from them so I can't comment on their support etc.

Others include D-Link with also a 1 year warranty.

Motorola, Actiontech, Asus, Trendnet, etc. which are considered lesser players, but names some have heard of for wireless devices.

[birdboatboy]

currently there are three wireless routers stacked one on top of the other in my house. the linksys seems to provide the most reliable connection, followed by the d-link, and finally the netgear. that said, they have all been used at one point or the other, but when one decides not to work we just pull the plug and switch to the next one in the rotation. works great until the comcast side quits and then none of them work.

[InspectorGadget]

I can't say which is best, but I can tell you this -

My new Apple Airport Extreme (N) is sitting on the desk with the receipt pending a trip to the Apple store. In all fairness, it worked brilliantly with our new MacBook; but, there seemed to be no way in hell to make it work with our PC.

As soon as I purchased a Netgear (N) router - and got some much needed help from India - it all came good. Chances are, any router would done the job. Too bad really, I thought the Airport was fabulous.

[Bozo T. Clown]

To clear up some comments made- Also if your router supports Pre-N and all your cards are the B or G then you will not gain any speed increase since the cards have to match or be higher in speed to the router (lowest speed device dictates the max speed.)

No, it’s not that simple. Links don't always run at the maximum speed of the transmitter. MIMO isn’t symmetrical, it’s not just a matter of matching a product with the letter “n” to a product with the letter “n.” MIMO is a qualitatively different way of dealing with multipath in the receiver. Whether the transmitter is single output or multiple output, when the link has multipath, a multiple input receiver will give a higher downlink speed. So whether the transmitter is 802.11a/b/g or n, a “true MIMO”, “Pre-n”, or n receiver may receive faster. How much faster depends on the amount of multipath.

Back to the TV ghosting analogy. The radio waves from the TV transmitter, with a single output, bounce around and arrive at the receiver at different times. There’s multipath, so the receiver receives multiple copies of the transmitted signal. For TV receivers that’s called ghosting, in digital communications that’s called intersymbol interference (ISI.) Multiple output antennas give the same effect in a line of sight environment. The receiver has to deal with the multiple copies of the signal. The first method developed was to cancel out the ghosts or ISI. Throwing away any received signal, i.e. the copies, isn’t going to maximize speed. MIMO is a way of taking advantage of the copies. Also the Viterbi algorithm, and other maximum likelihood algorithms, are algorithms for processing any single signal or sequence with copies or smearing. And are used in GSM cell phones and disk drives.

[Eds]

I am by no means a computer hack, but I followed these steps to upgrade my cheap Linksys which had questionable performance to begin, with wonderful results:

http://lifehacker.com/software/route...ter-178132.php

Now whether or not this is the "best" router, I have no idea!

This is really interesting I'll have to try it.

[FREESKIER_FIVE-0]

Thats what I thought when I saw the thread title. Anyway, the airport extreme works facking amazing, and is easy for pc users to connect to when they visit. But, I might be lucky. They can be finicky, or so I hear from other windows users.