I need a new router. What's best at present?

mickledore

mickledore

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I've got the bog standard Technicolour router that my ISP supply. Trouble is it isn't reaching all round the house. Our walls are brick/stone and the signal only really works in the room where the router is and the one directly underneath it.

I've spoken to my ISP and they don't supply more powerful routers but tell me that there are plenty out there. They'll even help me set it up once I've bought it!

So what is there that is more powerful? I know diddly squat about these things and have no idea what all the numbers and specs mean. I just want a nice powerful router that will fill my house with wi-fi.

I've tried range extenders, but there's some glitch either with the extender or it's interplay with the present router because it keeps locking my mobile/laptop out of the internet and I have to disconnect the extender to get a connection. This may be because my present router is several years old so there may be a compatability problem.

The extender I'm using is this one

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produ...0|rnd:9690805720763774255|dvc:c|adp:1o1|bku:1

So, what is available. Anyone able to point a techno numpty in the right direction?
 
I have that extender and it works great, did you connect it to the router manually or via the button?

Try placing your wireless router higher up. Is your house long, high, small or large and is the router in the centre of the house?
 
Is it just a router or a modem router? I.e. does it plug into the telephone line master socket or a plugs into a separate box that your ISP/cable provider supplied?
 
admirable said:
I have that extender and it works great, did you connect it to the router manually or via the button?

Try placing your wireless router higher up. Is your house long, high, small or large and is the router in the centre of the house?
Click to expand...

The extender I set up using the WP button on the router and the button on the extender. When it works it works, but it keeps creating some conflict that is PIA!

The router is in an upstairs room (bedroom?) that I use as an office/workroom. Connection is fine in the lounge directly underneath the bedroom, but patchy at best in other rooms.

arad85 said:
Is it just a router or a modem router? I.e. does it plug into the telephone line master socket or a plugs into a separate box that your ISP/cable provider supplied?
Click to expand...

It's a stand alone router that connects to my PC by an ethernet cable and direct to the telephone line.
Originally supplied by my ISP provider.
I could use it by wi-fi but I was told by ISP that wired in was better, and as they sit next to one another that seemed sensible.
As far as I know I'm not on fibre.
 
Have you put the extender upstairs or downstairs?
 
Extender is downstairs. It only shows one or sometimes two lights on the signal strength indicator.
 
If you look at the available wireless networks on your WiFi devices, do you just see your network or do you see lots of other WiFi networks from your neighbours as well?
 
I only see my PC which is plugged in to the modem.
Ever since I've had this modem I've only been able to see my PC. I thought this was because it was wired in. When I had my last set up I was using the router wirelessly and I could see several other networks. Is that sensible?
 
I think the instructions say a minimum of three out of the five lights for good reception. Try it in the lounge downstairs, also make sure the router is clear of any clutter around it that might restrict transmission.

My mate has this extender in his gun room, it's clad in metal sheet and the reception is still good so they do work
 
Can you see other wireless networks on a laptop or PC?
 
Your mobile/laptop are only seeing the PC, they don't see your wireless network? They don't see any wireless networks at all?
 
There's an android app called "WiFi Analyser" (there'll be something similar for iOS). It will show you the relative signal strength of WiFi networks in your locality. I recommend installing it to get a picture of what's happening with your WiFi signal.

It will also show which channels are the most congested, but that's a later step.
 
Considered Powerline adapters? With one plugged into a spare power socket close to your router, (and connected to the router via an Ethernet cable), you can connect to the internet via other Powerline adapters plugged into power sockets around your property.

I've found them fine for internet access but a bit flaky for video streaming to TV's.

My research suggested that there are health and safety restrictions on the power output of wireless routers, but there are better ones out there. I've found this firm very helpful > http://www.broadbandbuyer.com/
 
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Alastair said:
There's an android app called "WiFi Analyser" (there'll be something similar for iOS). It will show you the relative signal strength of WiFi networks in your locality. I recommend installing it to get a picture of what's happening with your WiFi signal.

It will also show which channels are the most congested, but that's a later step.
Click to expand...

Thanks, done that. My main network is showing red between -40 an -30. When I first looked at it the was a very small blue curve in excess of -90, but that has now gone. All this is showing is the one wifi network.
 
JohnX said:
Considered Powerline adapters? With one plugged into a spare power socket close to your router, (and connected to the router via an Ethernet cable), you can connect to the internet via other Powerline adapters plugged into power sockets around your property.

I've found them fine for internet access but a bit flaky for video streaming to TV's.
Click to expand...

It's funny you should mention the TV. Our TV has a habit of dropping connection to iPlayer - usually on a Saturday night. Don't know if that's significant; we just thought it was volume of traffic! ( I told you we were thick!)
 
I find powerline units work very well. I have 5 of them at strategic points, all with the same name, and my iPad and iPhone transfer pretty seamlessly around the house and garge. Apart from the one attached to the router, they are all plugged into multi-way extension leads which you are not advised to do.
 
I put up with wireless for far too long, but a few months ago I gave up on it and had cabling done between rooms.
 
Alastair said:
There's an android app called "WiFi Analyser" (there'll be something similar for iOS). It will show you the relative signal strength of WiFi networks in your locality. I recommend installing it to get a picture of what's happening with your WiFi signal.

It will also show which channels are the most congested, but that's a later step.
Click to expand...

OK...edit to my previous reply...That reading was taken sat next to the router.

When I go downstairs the reading drops off dramatically, and when I get in the kichen I see several other wifi sytems all with about the same level as mine. But there isn't enough strength there for my android phone to connect.
 
mickledore said:
OK...edit to my previous reply...That reading was taken sat next to the router.

When I go downstairs the reading drops off dramatically, and when I get in the kichen I see several other wifi sytems all with about the same level as mine. But there isn't enough strength there for my android phone to connect.
Click to expand...
Ok, so it's unlikely to be interference or congested channels. When I run the same app anywhere in the house I have anything up to a dozen wifi networks and they're all sharing the same out-of-the-box default channels - except mine!

What I'd be tempted to try is moving the router to a phone socket in the living room and check whether that improves the coverage downstairs and in the kitchen. And see if that gives an acceptable reception upstairs in the workroom. If that works for downstairs, I'd then think about running one cable up the wall, through the ceiling/floor to hard wire the desktop upstairs into the router. That's the minimal cabling option.

There are some stone/brick types that will never allow much of a wifi signal through them. If you want a whole-house solution the powerline type units may be a way forward, but do research them carefully before purchase. They're not without their quirks.
 
How far is it from the router to the kitchen? Do you have the extender in the lounge? If the router has aerials are the pointing up and is there enough free airspace around the router?
 
admirable said:
How far is it from the router to the kitchen? Do you have the extender in the lounge? If the router has aerials are the pointing up and is there enough free airspace around the router?
Click to expand...

In a straight line not too far - maybe 25 feet, but there are at least three brick walls in a straight line between router and kitchen. Extender is in kitchen near the door - as close to router as I can get it.

Router does not have any aerials at all. There's what I would call enough air space round it, although what is "enough"?

Signal is reasonable in lounge with only the timber floor obstructing router signal.
Alastair said:
Ok, so it's unlikely to be interference or congested channels. When I run the same app anywhere in the house I have anything up to a dozen wifi networks and they're all sharing the same out-of-the-box default channels - except mine!

What I'd be tempted to try is moving the router to a phone socket in the living room and check whether that improves the coverage downstairs and in the kitchen. And see if that gives an acceptable reception upstairs in the workroom. If that works for downstairs, I'd then think about running one cable up the wall, through the ceiling/floor to hard wire the desktop upstairs into the router. That's the minimal cabling option.

There are some stone/brick types that will never allow much of a wifi signal through them. If you want a whole-house solution the powerline type units may be a way forward, but do research them carefully before purchase. They're not without their quirks.
Click to expand...

I'm wary about relocating the router to the lounge for the simple reason that I would loose the ethernet connection. That would be a long, long cable to run the only practicable route. Is it possible to get ethernet cables of 30 yards plus?
 
mickledore said:
I'm wary about relocating the router to the lounge for the simple reason that I would loose the ethernet connection. That would be a long, long cable to run the only practicable route. Is it possible to get ethernet cables of 30 yards plus?
Click to expand...

Of course, and they're not that expensive (Amazon link).
 
admirable said:
If the router has aerials are the pointing up and is there enough free airspace around the router?
Click to expand...

Thanks for everything.

Just going back to this comment...does the fact that my router has no aerials mean that it is likely to have a smaller range? It was given free to me, so my gut feling is that it won't be very high up in the evolutionary chain.
 
Not really, what type is it or is there a make and model number printed on it somewhere?
 
The one I supply most of at the moment is a Draytek Vigor 2860n+. The non voice model (no V in the model name) comes with 3 aerials and does dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) wi fi with good range. It doesn't do the newer Wireless AC spec though, only 54 or 108 meg throughput. Draytek also make range extenders specifically to work with their routers. about 200 quid depending on where you buy from. It has ADSL modem built in and also is PPPOE (Fibre based broadband) ready.

Hope that helps a bit.
http://www.dcdi.co.uk/product/10/ro...nZ3ChyVODvr6IhwWg8_G9-2_DB9Bx2zK-MhoC_QLw_wcB
 
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Wow, thanks. That looks impressive, but the spec is lost on me - sorry! I've no idea what any of that means:eek:
Voice on a router - that's a new one on me.
What does dual band mean?
I know absolutely nothing about the techy side of things, in fact I probably know the least of anyone on here when it comes to computers and digital stuff! Not very good am I?
 
Yeah, but I'll bet you're better with a camera than me ;)

Dual band wireless. 2 simultaneous wireless signals. Newer stuff tends to do both but 5GHz is handy for smartphones etc. Not essential but nice to have for future proofing.

Voice over IP has been around a while and this router can handle such services if you wanted it to. Think Skype kind of stuff with a regular handset.

The overall spec is very good. It has USB so you can plug in a 3G dongle incase the ADSL ever goes down, it can even load balance across the 2. easy to configure and very flexible. But I appreciate not everyone wants or needs a 200 quid router. If you're thinking about going to superfast broadband at any time soon though it would save buying a new router at changeover time.
 
mickledore said:
It's a Technicolour TG582n.

Just like this one.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Technicolour-TG582n-Port-Wireless-Router/dp/B005ELFTH4

Strangely this is priced at £35 but the guy at the help desk was telling me that I could get a replacement for £15-£20. that sounds odd to my uneducated mind.
Click to expand...


I wish I'd asked earlier..............this is the standard 'Plusnet' router and the wireless is known to be pants!

I'd think about changing routers. Dom seams on the 'advice' case now anyway :)
 
I'm not with Plusnet, officially, but I think my ISP piggy backs onto them. For all practical purposes I assume I'm with Plusnet.

Thanks for confirming my thoughts...the wireless is pants, definitely close to being culottes.

A new router was the original thought. I presume Dom knows his stuff, but as a second opinion is that router that he suggests a decent one?
 
I also have one of these pants routers from Plusnet that I suspect is starting to wear out at the crotch. There's obviously no point in swapping it for a new one of the same but £200 is a bit rich for my blood, are there any cheaper ones that do a good job?
 
I'm not sure I would spend £200 on a router either. I've been using Belkin routers for at least 10 years - I can get a signal anywhere in the house and even at the bottom of the garden (but you do mention stones walls and some stone is opaque to wifi signals). The current price seems to be around £50.
 
Yes, anything the ISP gives away free is usually worth exactly that amount of money to be frank. But, if you want to spend less than the Draytek, the D-Link is getting good reviews. Now I haven't tested this personally but peers and colleagues who do use it say it's very good and the wireless range (on 2.4GHz) is good too. 5GHz less good but physics comes into play as frequencies go up so that's to be expected. I put laptops on 2.4 and phones/tablets on 5. Doesn't matter if your phone drops out a bit but computers are a different matter.

This one.

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/products/16437-d-link-dsl-3580l/
 
Think Dom knows his stuff!
You don't live anywhere near me do you?
 
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dsolds said:
The one I supply most of at the moment is a Draytek Vigor 2860n+. The non voice model (no V in the model name) comes with 3 aerials and does dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) wi fi with good range. It doesn't do the newer Wireless AC spec though, only 54 or 108 meg throughput. Draytek also make range extenders specifically to work with their routers. about 200 quid depending on where you buy from. It has ADSL modem built in and also is PPPOE (Fibre based broadband) ready.

Hope that helps a bit.
http://www.dcdi.co.uk/product/10/ro...nZ3ChyVODvr6IhwWg8_G9-2_DB9Bx2zK-MhoC_QLw_wcB
Click to expand...

The 2860N was plagued with problems to begin with and the wireless was horrendous for dropouts, the "plus" variant seems to not suffer with this however. I've got around 5 cases open with Draytek regarding the 2860's that have been acknowledged by their technical team and is awaiting on beta firmware for the wireless and stale sessions within IPsec VPN Tunnels :( If only they'd just swap them out for the 2860N-Plus model's .
 
mickledore said:
It's a Technicolour TG582n.

Just like this one.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Technicolour-TG582n-Port-Wireless-Router/dp/B005ELFTH4

Strangely this is priced at £35 but the guy at the help desk was telling me that I could get a replacement for £15-£20. that sounds odd to my uneducated mind.
Click to expand...

This is the best router I have ever used and at the time (april 2014) was the only router that worked with ipv6 - I actually have 2 of them as my isp sent me a complimentary one after i had purchased one myself.
 
Neilc28 said:
The 2860N was plagued with problems to begin with and the wireless was horrendous for dropouts, the "plus" variant seems to not suffer with this however. I've got around 5 cases open with Draytek regarding the 2860's that have been acknowledged by their technical team and is awaiting on beta firmware for the wireless and stale sessions within IPsec VPN Tunnels :( If only they'd just swap them out for the 2860N-Plus model's .
Click to expand...


Yes, which is why I suggested the plus. It's physics really that firmware isn't going to solve. The standard model has only 2 aerials which was fine in single band wireless days but is not fine with dual band. Some others suffered the same issues, notably the 2-Wire things which several ISPs rebrand as their own.

It's also worth noting that the base model (no wireless at all) is fast becoming a standard for small business and replacing the much more expensive Cisco 800 series which was the norm for years.

@mickledore. Sorry, not sure where you are but yes, essentially you are correct. It's what I do for a living so if I were no good at it I'd be broke and thus unable to afford decent cameras. That would never do ! :)
 
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