Reliable Modem/Router

bmett on 16/08/2014 - 10:54

Hi everyone,
I'm looking for a new Modem/Router to replace the one that I got from TPG. The TPG one (NetComm Wireless, I think it's this one: http://www.netcommwireless.com/product/adsl/nb604n) seems to be very unreliable, especially the wifi. Regular drop outs which start to get frustrating.
I'm looking for a reliable replacement. I was hoping to get a gigabit one too. I'm streaming a lot of videos to the kids and living room. The videos come from a NAS.
Price is the main concern. I don't want to spend $300+ on it. Not sure if that's achieveable.

Cheers,
bmett

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 16/08/2014 - 11:41
    +2

    I've done a fair bit of research lately on modem/routers and you can't beat the Billion 7800 NXL for the price.
    http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&c…

    I had internet connection issues before I got my copper line replaced and I had 3 times less dropouts with the Billion (compared to TP-Link TD-W8970, which apparently uses a Lantiq chipset mostly used in Europe i.e. small distance from exchange, high pop density). I purposefully got it because apparently the Broadcom DSL chipset owns at reliability. You might get 20% less speed but there is configuration within the admin webpage that lets you adjust speed/reliability. I can't speak for the wireless but the amount of features it has puts it above DD-wrt in my book, and that's without all the hassle of flashing firmware.

    Of course it doesn't hurt to get a D-Link DIR-600 or DIR-632 if you plan on flashing it to play around. They come up pretty cheap every now and then.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/93999
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/98896

    I'd say your best bet could be getting a Ethernet over Power adapter like the Netcomm ones at Officeworks. They cost around $100 but give you plenty of speed. I had one working between mine and a neighbours apartment 3 doors down.
    In regards to wireless, I don't see much difference between any of them but I have heard that Atheros WLAN is the best chipset. It's hard to find this information on modems/routers though, you're more likely to find marketing terms like Xtreme WLAN…

    I have tried getting 16dbi antennas off ebay although they didn't enhance my signal. Maybe someone else here has had better luck.

    • Davo1111 on 16/08/2014 - 13:53

      can't beat the Billion 7800 NXL for the price.

      +1 - i have this one and it works fine. Although i think the wifi needs a firmware upgrade (have used another bridge)

      Just becarful of product names. Everyone will talk up the 7800N which was AMAZING, but can't be confused with the 7800NL which is a POS and a completly different chipset.

  • bmett on 17/08/2014 - 10:55

    Thanks guys, especially voolish, for the detailed response.
    I'm a bit confused though. 7800N, NL, NXL …
    So the NL is not good? NXL is the one to got for?

    Cheers,
    Bjorn

    • Davo1111 on 17/08/2014 - 12:35
      +1

      yes - 7800NXL
      yes (discontinued) - 7800N

      NO! - 7800NL

      There are other models but redundant if you're not needing a VOIP or VPN router.

      • bmett on 17/08/2014 - 13:02

        Thanks for that Davo1111, the chart explains it all. Cheers!

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join