WIFI Router options that work well on Spark UFB

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › WIFI Router options that work well on Spark UFB

kotuku4

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#201445 18-Aug-2016 20:07

I have the HG659G that work fine on connected PC speed test, but the WIFI seems patchy compared to my old Linksys WRT1900AC.

I also had some more features, such as media prioritisation and android app with the Linksys. However, good Wifi is the most important feaure.

Are there other alternative Wifi routers that work well on Spark UFB? (100/20 naked, unlimited plan)

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#1613944 18-Aug-2016 20:07

Hello... Our robot found some keywords in your post, so here is an automated reply with some important things to note regarding broadband speeds.

If you are posting regarding DSL speeds please check that

you have reset your modem and router
your PC (or other PCs in your LAN) is not downloading large files when you are testing - you are not being throttled by your ISP due to going over the monthly cap
your tests are always done on an ethernet connection to the router - do not use wireless for testing
you read this topic and follow the instructions there.

Make sure you provide information for other users to help you. If you have not already done it, please EDIT your post and add this now:

Your ISP and plan
Type of connection (ADSL, ADSL2, VDSL)
Your modem DSL stats (do not worry about posting Speedtest, we need sync rate, attenuation and noise margin)
Your general location (or street)
If you are rural or urban
If you know your connection is to an exchange, cabinet or conklin
If your connection is to a ULL or wholesale service
If you have done an isolation test as per the link above

Most of the problems with speed are likely to be related to internal wiring issues. Read this discussion to find out more about this. Your ISP is not intentionally slowing you down today (unless you are on a managed plan). Also if this is the school holidays it's likely you will notice slower than usual speed due to more users online.

A master splitter is required for VDSL2 and in most cases will improve speeds on DSL connections. Regular disconnections can be a monitored alarm or a set top box trying to connect. If there's an alarm connected to your line even if you don't have an alarm contract it may still try to connect so it's worth checking.

I recommend you read these two blog posts:

I am the Geekzone Robot and I am here to help. I am from the Internet. I do not interact. Do not expect other replies from me.

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DarkShadow

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#1613956 18-Aug-2016 20:14

Do you still have the WRT1900AC? Why not use it?

By the way the VLAN is set like this for Spark UFB

quickymart

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#1613960 18-Aug-2016 20:25

I have a Netcomm NF4V which has worked fine for the last 18 months over UFB.

kotuku4

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#1614065 19-Aug-2016 08:28

The Linksys WRT1900AC seems to have a problem, download speed tests are low, about 50% of available (15 months old).

Compared with previous speed test results and the current HG659G, 53mbps verse 105.

We lots of devices connecting by Wifi, and would like good dual band+ Wifi. The HG659G seems overloaded on 5Ghz, and connections, speed and range seem a bit flaky.

Looking for options in the $400-600 price range, not the so called flagship gaming routers.

maoriboy

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#1614092 19-Aug-2016 09:31

I agree with the Spark supplied routers having rubbish wifi! After a lot of (more than likely user related) issues, I managed to get my Netgear D7000 up and running and it works brilliantly. Consistent speeds across the 6 or so wireless devices in our household and the Netgear Genie app is great for restricting the kids when they are being naughty :-D. Would recommend the Netgears for sure.

michaelmurfy

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#1614139 19-Aug-2016 10:05

@kotuku4 if you're looking for something in that price range you've got a bit to play around with.

I had the NETGEAR NightHawk R7000 (which I sold to @mdf - I believe he still uses his) which has excellent WiFi, really good specs etc for the price. And the price that I sold it for (looking back) was an absolute bargain given the current price. Stock firmware on it is quite good but you've also got the advantage of loading it with Advanced Tomato which is very good third party firmware. Was using this on UFB on a 200/200Mbit connection no worries.

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mdf

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#1614181 19-Aug-2016 10:31

michaelmurfy:
@kotuku4 if you're looking for something in that price range you've got a bit to play around with.

I had the NETGEAR NightHawk R7000 (which I sold to @mdf - I believe he still uses his) which has excellent WiFi, really good specs etc for the price. And the price that I sold it for (looking back) was an absolute bargain given the current price. Stock firmware on it is quite good but you've also got the advantage of loading it with Advanced Tomato which is very good third party firmware. Was using this on UFB on a 200/200Mbit connection no worries.

Yep, still use it and double yep, it was a super bargain. WiFi performance is excellent, even with custom firmware goodness. Other routers I've had rely on proprietary (?) hardware acceleration for the WiFi and even if they support custom firmware, it can come with a tradeoff. But the Advanced Tomato on the Nighthawk (a NightTomato perhaps?) works really well all around.

My only suggestion is at that price point you might get something even better out of a non-wifi router (e.g. an edgerouter or mikrotik) paired with something like a Cambium or Xclaim wireless access point. This would depend on whether you had the inclination to run a bit of cable and the layout of your house though.

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#1614241 19-Aug-2016 11:08

mdf:

<snip> My only suggestion is at that price point you might get something even better out of a non-wifi router (e.g. an edgerouter or mikrotik) paired with something like a Cambium or Xclaim wireless access point. This would depend on whether you had the inclination to run a bit of cable and the layout of your house though.

If you do decide to go with a router plus wireless access point, consider this Ubiquiti option:

I am currently using an EdgeRouter X (5 ports) with one UniFi AC lite WAP.
This has the advantage of relative simplicity - the 24V power injector provided for the UniFi also powers the ER-X.
Wireless ac performance is excellent.
The router is tiny, cheap, and inconspicuous, but quite powerful.
The user interface is now more user-friendly, with set-up wizards.

The ER-X would not cope with gigabit UFB, but copes very well with a 100MB connection.

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kotuku4

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#1615033 21-Aug-2016 11:35

I have very limited options for cabling in my house, hence looking for great Wifi.

I could go Edgerouter x and Unfi AC lite or Unfi AC pro or UAP-Pro, and play around with the location of the WAP.

Considering the heavy demand of multiple users, would the more expensive UAP pro model be worthwhile? "Ubiquiti UAP Pro is the fastest UniFi model with speeds of up to 300 Mbps in the 5 GHz radio band and up to 450 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz radio band.The Unifi Pro offers simultaneous dual-band operation with 2x2 and 3x3 MIMO technology."

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#1615066 21-Aug-2016 12:53

kotuku4:

<snip> Considering the heavy demand of multiple users, would the more expensive UAP pro model be worthwhile? <snip>

In my opinion, no.

I have tried both in the same house and location, with no detectable difference in performance. (3 users on a 100Mbps connection)

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sbiddle

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#1615139 21-Aug-2016 16:15

kotuku4:

I have very limited options for cabling in my house, hence looking for great Wifi.

I could go Edgerouter x and Unfi AC lite or Unfi AC pro or UAP-Pro, and play around with the location of the WAP.

Considering the heavy demand of multiple users, would the more expensive UAP pro model be worthwhile? "Ubiquiti UAP Pro is the fastest UniFi model with speeds of up to 300 Mbps in the 5 GHz radio band and up to 450 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz radio band.The Unifi Pro offers simultaneous dual-band operation with 2x2 and 3x3 MIMO technology."

Why would you look at the UAP Pro over an AC Pro? The AC LR and Pro are both far superior options. The AC Pro is now an old product (1st Gen)

For the average user there are no benefits in the AC Pro over the AC LR - the only real differences are 3x3 MIMO on 5Ghz, 802.3af vs passive POE, and it's a bigger form factor as it's designed to fit the same mounts as the 1st Gen UAP range.

kotuku4

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#1615199 21-Aug-2016 18:10

I am new to WAP devices, so asking what options are likely to perform? Up to six users at home, so need a good device. Easy to setup and manage.

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#1615204 21-Aug-2016 18:17

kotuku4: I am new to WAP devices, so asking what options are likely to perform? Up to six users at home, so need a good device. Easy to setup and manage.

Ubiquiti devices are designed for up to 200 users.

They were once notoriously difficult to set up, but with the latest software, wizards make this much easier.

The limiting factor will be your internet connection, not your WAP.

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kotuku4

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#1615240 21-Aug-2016 19:52

Thank you for your advice, I have ordered what you recommended.

sbiddle

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#1615248 21-Aug-2016 20:07

Sideface:

kotuku4: I am new to WAP devices, so asking what options are likely to perform? Up to six users at home, so need a good device. Easy to setup and manage.

Ubiquiti devices are designed for up to 200 users.

More like 50 users - load them up much past this and the performance will be pretty poor. Like any AP loading varies a lot on signal strength - it only takes a handful of poor clients to kill the throughput on any AP. I have never recommended (and never would recommend) UniFi hardware for a home due to the ongoing performance issues and constant software updates that are required.

IMHO the best solution right now for standalone AP's is Xclaim by Ruckus - you get Ruckus performance (best WiFi hardware manufacturer there is) at a bargain price with cloud management.

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