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Topic: Gigafy me! Wireless Router Recommendations (Read 339 times) previous topic - next topic
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Gigafy me! Wireless Router Recommendations
First of all, my apologies that this is not RV related, but I know we have some tech-savvy folks here on the forum.

We are finally getting Gigafied up here in the mountains with high speed fiber-optic internet service. It all part of the former administration's "broadband for all, including those rural country bumpkin folk" program. So, I'm looking for wireless router recommendations since my current router is several years old which will probably be a bottleneck and slow this fast service down.

I don't need anything too fancy; no online gaming, etc. Just want to be able to stream a movie or two in HD for a change, facetime, etc.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Gigafy me! Wireless Router Recommendations
Reply #1 –
I have a TP Link AC 1900 (C9). It's the best router I've had since the legendary but slow Linksys WRT54. I was hoping to find a router as stable as that model but in a modern package.

I"m very picky about dropped connections, half-baked firmware and buggy hardware. I use in an above average size house and it works great in every corner of my property.

TP Link has faster ones now but this will be my router for the forseeable future.
1996 Twin King
Re: Gigafy me! Wireless Router Recommendations
Reply #2 –
My I suggest Ubiquiti.   There will be  a small leaning curve but IMHO the best routers on the market.   They also sell a very powerful router called edge router x for $50.   

There is no handholding but the is nothing cheaper or better IMHO.

glen
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
Re: Gigafy me! Wireless Router Recommendations
Reply #3 –
So I found out that the router our new service will be using is the Calix 844G. Anyone have experience with this brand or model?

GigaCenters

Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Gigafy me! Wireless Router Recommendations
Reply #4 –
I use a Cradlepoint I got from the 3Gstore.
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Gigafy me! Wireless Router Recommendations
Reply #5 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
So I found out that the router our new service will be using is the Calix 844G. Anyone have experience with this brand or model?

GigaCenters

Just an update.  We finally got our fiber optic service installed yesterday.  What a difference!  We went from 3mbps upload/download to over 20 mbps upload/download and phone service for about half the price we were paying before.  I decided not to opt for the gigabyte service as I think it is overkill for my needs.  Initially, I ended up leasing Race Communications wireless router and will purchase my own within the next couple of months after doing some testing and more research on routers. I may just end up purchasing the Calix model that Race uses.  Nice to be in the 21st century! 

The results of a speed test I just did:

Los Angeles, CA 72.34.98.8 Ping/Latency 37 ms
Jul 6 2017, 6:05 AM
These results reflect speeds to the test server. You may experience different speeds when accessing particular internet content and applications.
Download 25.98 Mbps
Upload 25.99 Mbps

What does this really mean? You could download a 5GB HD movie in 26 mins.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Gigafy me! Wireless Router Recommendations
Reply #6 –
A few nosy questions, which you can decline to answer with no pushback from me... totally up to you.
1. Price? (Better yet, price without phone option.)
2. Do you upload a lot, to where upload speed was an issue?
3. Is it fiber all the way to your router in your house, or just to the pole outside, or to a pole down the block?

(Business (non-packaged/branded) fiber was just pulled across the back of my suburban lot, headed to a church 3 doors down...)
Chip
2000 Front Lounge
Re: Gigafy me! Wireless Router Recommendations
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Chip Chester  - 
A few nosy questions, which you can decline to answer with no pushback from me... totally up to you.
1. Price? (Better yet, price without phone option.)
2. Do you upload a lot, to where upload speed was an issue?
3. Is it fiber all the way to your router in your house, or just to the pole outside, or to a pole down the block?

(Business (non-packaged/branded) fiber was just pulled across the back of my suburban lot, headed to a church 3 doors down...)
Chip

I'd be happy to answer those questions, Chip!  And here is the link to the company which will provide a little more info:

Race Communications | Residential

1.  The basic broadband I ordered is $25/ month before Uncle Sam and everyone else gets their share. Unlimited nationwide phone is $10/ month if you have their internet service (before taxes, of course).  When I get my first bill I'll know the total damage but it will be less expensive than the $79.95 I was paying for very slow internet service only.

2.  I don't do a lot of uploading so it wasn't an issue, really.  I mostly wanted the faster service for movie and video streaming. And the price, of course!

3.  The fiber is all the way to the router, so no bottlenecks.  :)   The cable is run to the box on the side of the garage via an aerial drop from a pole.  From there, the company's standard practice is to run the cable from the box on the exterior of the home, then drill a hole into the room where the router is. I didn't want that so I had them drop off some cable so I could run it myself through the interior of the house.  I ran the cable through the garage and house attics and came out through the office ceiling in a closet.  I couldn't believe how small the cable is- very easy to run- just be careful not to kink it.  They did all the final hook-up.  By the way, blown in insulation sucks!

Note: this company only provides service to non-served or under-served rural areas such as country bumpkins like myself.  It's all part of the previous administrations " broadband internet for everybody" plan.

Hope this helps,
Greg



Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
 
Re: Gigafy me! Wireless Router Recommendations
Reply #8 –
A photo of the size difference between the existing cable and the fiber optic cable, which is flat vs. round.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264