Best modem for wide Wifi range

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Best modem for wide Wifi range

ricmac

12 posts

Geek

#209175 16-Mar-2017 12:16

Hi all,

I'm on a Bigpipe Ultrafibre plan and I currently use the Spark HG659b modem. While its speed and reliability is generally good, it doesn't quite reach all parts of our house. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a modem that has a wider range for dual Wifi?

thanks

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3761 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1740228 16-Mar-2017 12:19

Wider range than what??

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

ricmac

12 posts

Geek

#1740231 16-Mar-2017 12:27

It's a 2-story house, 300 or so m2. So it's quite a large house.

DarkShadow

1647 posts

Uber Geek

#1740243 16-Mar-2017 12:40

You don't want another modem.

You want to add an access point (a thing that generates WiFi).

I got a second hand Ubiquite Unifi AP Pro off Trademe and it's awesome. These things are usually used in schools and similar locations where there are lots of devices connecting, so is slightly overkill for home use. Just one covers my whole house nicely.

mattyb

254 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1740250 16-Mar-2017 12:55

Take a look at this one I have for sale:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/networking-modems/wireless-networking/routers/auction-1278497052.htm

I had the Spark HG659b modem previously and the range didn't work in my house either (220m2). Got the Mikrotik and it was a massive difference, full signal everywhere - much better stability too.

ricmac

12 posts

Geek

#1740294 16-Mar-2017 13:48

Thanks for the tip. Keen to get other suggestions too.

sbiddle

30853 posts

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Biddle Corp

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#1740295 16-Mar-2017 13:49

The real world reality of WiFi is that you should not expect full coverage in a large house in today's heavily congested world. A "high power unit" to cover a house is the wrong way of thinking and won't deliver the results you want - the solution is a 2nd access point either cabled via Ethernet or Ethernet over Power adapters.

maxeon

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#1740338 16-Mar-2017 14:43

I had a very similar problem. 2 level house and 330m2 in total. Not all parts were reachable.

I tried using another Spark router as a repeater (Using Wired connection on other end of the house) by disabling the DHCP and used same SSID.

It was still not what I wanted, went and bought a Netgear Nighthawk X8 router for $525 from Noel Leeming and now it is all running on one router and works great.

The antennas on this router are active and the signal range itself is better. Where I used to get 2 bars of WiFi I now get full bars (just an example).

You can still use your Spark router with DHCP disabled and connected an extension with the same SSID.

PS - There is a new X10 router out now and it is 700 to buy. It really depends on your budget. You can also try X6 but that is not active antenna.

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tripper1000

1617 posts

Uber Geek

#1740350 16-Mar-2017 15:19

If don't want to spend $500-$700 but want professional results and you're handy with a drill and screw driver , you could install a 2nd Access Point on the ceiling mounted at the far end of the house:

https://www.gowifi.co.nz/wireless/rbcap2n.html

ricmac

12 posts

Geek

#1740388 16-Mar-2017 15:46

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. maxeon, I'm going to go with your solution. Sounds like I need that product.

maxeon

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#1740396 16-Mar-2017 16:03

I bought my X8 from Noel Leeming for $550 and later they advertised for $525 so try for that price mark.

If you are intending for X10 then it is $700. I suggest X8 as it is bloody good value for money.

ricmac:

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. maxeon, I'm going to go with your solution. Sounds like I need that product.

ricmac

12 posts

Geek

#1740402 16-Mar-2017 16:23

Looks like you got a great price, because cheapest it is anywhere in NZ right now is $700.

maxeon:

I bought my X8 from Noel Leeming for $550 and later they advertised for $525 so try for that price mark.

If you are intending for X10 then it is $700. I suggest X8 as it is bloody good value for money.

maxeon

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#1740407 16-Mar-2017 16:43

If you can PM me I can send you the sale person and store I bought from and you can give him a try. Or possibly forward you my receipt.

I have a mate who just showed my copy of receipt and got the same price as me recently.

ricmac:

Looks like you got a great price, because cheapest it is anywhere in NZ right now is $700.

maxeon:

I bought my X8 from Noel Leeming for $550 and later they advertised for $525 so try for that price mark.

If you are intending for X10 then it is $700. I suggest X8 as it is bloody good value for money.

Jase2985

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#1740417 16-Mar-2017 17:22

2 properly configured access points are better than a single router/wifi combo. you also dont end up saturating the wifi spectrum with high power signal

Batman

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#1740444 16-Mar-2017 18:59

I have an asus and a 340m2 house and 5GHz reaches everywhere but one room, 2.4GHz works even on the road outside

smalltrader

174 posts

Master Geek

#1744407 20-Mar-2017 12:15

ricmac:

Hi all,

I'm on a Bigpipe Ultrafibre plan and I currently use the Spark HG659b modem. While its speed and reliability is generally good, it doesn't quite reach all parts of our house. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a modem that has a wider range for dual Wifi?

thanks

As other have said, a multi units WiFi access point set up is the best solution. However, the installation and cabling may be an issue.

For some people, a single higher powered WiFi router could just work fine. I have gone from a TP-Link to a Netgear R8000 WiFi Router and the difference is very significant. The R8000 is able to cover my two story house with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz whereas the old TP-Link could not.

Please bear in mind with wireless, the construction materials, how many walls, concrete, steel frame ..etc will play a big part is how well the signal will travel through your house.

If you do want to go single unit, go for the more expensive high powered ones.

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