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+--- Thread: Best wireless AC router? (/showthread.php?tid=160843)
Best wireless AC router? - M A V I C - 11-25-2013
DD-WRT hasn't released an update for my router in years, and my neighborhood is getting more and more 2.4GHz noise. I had the router set to pick the channel automatically, but it picks it based on its location (I think) which isn't where we are most of the time. And on other floors there's channel conflicts. I used an app on my phone to check out different locations and picked a new channel based on that. But then a few weeks later, a new AP showed up and it's as strong as mine.
So I'm thinking of getting a new router. Although I've been a DD-WRT fan for years, I just don't have time to tinker anymore. I do use it for port forwarding and prioritizing traffic (ie WAN traffic from my server [offsite backup loading] gets the lowest priority, and VoIP gets the highest.) But beyond that, I don't need much.
I googled for routers and found the Asus ones are highly rated, but then I read the reviews on Newegg... not sure what to make of that.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think my options to solve this issue are:
1. Go to 5GHz where I can - so make sure to get a dual-band router so older devices can still do G (our phones are AC).
2. Get a router that's powerful with big antennas so I can overpower the other networks in the area
Is going to a european channel an option? Any other suggestions?
I'm used to spending ~$50 on a router then putting DD-WRT on it. Spending $200 for a router seems like a big jump, but if it will solve the issues I'm having, then I guess I would plunk down that much.
Moving the router isn't an option, and I already have one of those foil things setup to direct the signal.
Re: Best wireless AC router? - Tofer - 11-25-2013
I went ahead and got an AC router (D-Link 1200AC), and while it works fine, the AC component has a flaw in that performance drops significantly without line-of-sight access (e.g., through walls). If I sit in my living room with the router, I get great performance, but if I am on the other side of the wall in the bedroom (actually closer to the router), I get poor performance.
YMMV, but keep in mind there are some issues.
-Tofer
Re: Best wireless AC router? - silvarios - 11-25-2013
Won't solve your interference issue, but you should see if Gargoyle has any recent builds for your router. Or check straight OpenWRT if you like a more technical interface.
Re: Best wireless AC router? - kj4btkljv - 11-26-2013
These are considered the best AC routers right now:
NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 Dual Band Wireless Gigabit Router
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=33-122-581
ASUS RT-AC66U Dual-Band Wireless-AC1750 Gigabit Router
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320115
And then this one, not AC speed, but I don't know if there's a DD-WRT build for it:
ASUS Dark Knight RT-N66U Dual-Band Wireless-N900 Gigabit Router
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320091
Jeff
Re: Best wireless AC router? - mattkime - 11-26-2013
which router do you currently have? would help us figure out how much improvement you'll see with a new router.
Re: Best wireless AC router? - Catzilla - 11-26-2013
What is the advantage of DD-WRT?
Re: Best wireless AC router? - jdc - 11-26-2013
Catzilla wrote:
What is the advantage of DD-WRT?
bragging rights to all your geek friends? :comp:
Re: Best wireless AC router? - Article Accelerator - 11-26-2013
M A V I C wrote: I'm thinking of getting a new router. Although I've been a DD-WRT fan for years, I just don't have time to tinker anymore.…
…Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think my options to solve this issue are:
1. Go to 5GHz where I can - so make sure to get a dual-band router so older devices can still do G (our phones are AC).
2. Get a router that's powerful with big antennas so I can overpower the other networks in the area
Sounds like a good plan. Take a look at the new Airport Extreme.
http://www.tekrevue.com/2013/07/16/802-11ac-routers-compared-apple-belkin-netgear-linksys/
http://reviews.cnet.com/wireless-access-points/apple-airport-extreme-base/4505-3265_7-35781432.html
http://www.apple.com/airport-extreme/
I already have one of those foil things setup to direct the signal.
That's not necessary (and probably not a good idea) if you get a beam-forming capable 802.11ac router.
Re: Best wireless AC router? - Chakravartin - 11-26-2013
Waiting for that ASUS RT-AC68 to hit $179.
Compared to the AC66, it adds 30% faster 802.11n speeds, can be set to bridge and has USB 3.0 for the SAN.
Re: Best wireless AC router? - Filliam H. Muffman - 11-26-2013
802.11ac is an incomplete standard relating to hardware. Manufacturers are coming out with a second generation of draft hardware that adds dual-MIMO.
The current hardware can give up to 2x speeds in an uncrowded spectrum, or slightly better distance performance (provided you upgrade the hardware on both sides of the connection, eg.: Router and Laptop/computer).
MAVIC, you might do better to put an AP in the basement/attic with a corner/parabolic reflector to cover just the footprint of the house.