Advice from my IT peeps here

[73sbVert]

Hi guys,

So I've been running a Cisco router that I bought last year in my house for all my wireless stuff, but the power is really down now. I have a feeling one (or more) of the RF power amps is shot.

I tried no less than 3 different Netgear products (2 extenders and another whole router), and all of them failed me. I've lost faith in all these now.

So, what good, pretty powerful (has to reach the opposite end of 2,000 sf house) router would you recommend? I'd like to stay in the $80-$100 range if possible, and would like it to last more than a couple of years. I'm running my Amazon Fire TV and Stick with this, plus laptop/tablet, and next I plan to add several Echo Dots, Phillips Hue lights, and wifi thermostat too.

Thanks!
Paul

[simpleman68]

Not sure about amps being toast although I suspect that happens with a lot of these routers.
I replace them every 2-3 years it seems.

I'm using this one from Asus (below) now for about 6 months and it's been rock solid, fast and reliable.
We're 3 floors of a 5000 sq ft home with 165 Mbps connection and it gets it done.
Scott

https://www.amazon.com/RT-AC68U-Wireless-AC1900-Dual-Band-AiProtection-Complete/dp/B00FB45SI4

[JRD77VET]

I got a Linksys EA6900 that's been working great for me ( refurb w/warranty off ebay for $45 shipped )

https://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/o...er-router.html

[Stevedore]

Originally Posted by simpleman68

Not sure about amps being toast although I suspect that happens with a lot of these routers.
I replace them every 2-3 years it seems.

I'm using this one from Asus (below) now for about 6 months and it's been rock solid, fast and reliable.
We're 3 floors of a 5000 sq ft home with 165 Mbps connection and it gets it done.
Scott

I've had that same router for a bit over 2 years, in a house less than half the size of yours (and only 2 levels), and it doesn't give me very good coverage. I've added some powerline adapter/extenders, which fixed my problem spots, but it seems that the router should do a better job. The houses on our street are only about 35' apart, so I may be getting interference from neighbors' wifi. More likely, I just don't have it set up optimally.

[mrvette]

Once in maybe 2 months or so I have to reboot the Comcast router, which is about 12' across the room from my thumb drive setting on top of the monitor and facing the router.....MY issue is, that stupid drive seems to want to be unplugged every night and then replugged in the AM....seems silly, but you know, the computer seems much more stable for that action.....

second off, if a click on the little signal strength icon on lower right task bar, it comes up with like 8-10 strong signals of various routers....makes me wonder how in HELL the signals keep straight what with them being all on the same essential freq.....computer or not....

I post about another problem......in another thread....

[Rob]

I bought this

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BUSDVBQ/
and then rooted it to install DDWRT on there so I have more control over wireless devices. I have separated the security cameras to a single network and streaming devices to their own, a single network for my work computer and my phone, and then a separate network for everything else.

It works great and I can even use my own network from any neighbor houses up to two houses away.

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by simpleman68

Not sure about amps being toast although I suspect that happens with a lot of these routers.
I replace them every 2-3 years it seems.

I'm using this one from Asus (below) now for about 6 months and it's been rock solid, fast and reliable.
We're 3 floors of a 5000 sq ft home with 165 Mbps connection and it gets it done.
Scott

Amazon.com: ASUS (RT-AC68U) Wireless-AC1900 Dual-Band Gigabit Router, AiProtection with Trend Micro for Complete Network Security: Computers & Accessories

I've got the same one, works great. If you need to extend it, just get a couple of extenders to reach the other end of the house.