Huawei HG659b - any downsides?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Huawei HG659b - any downsides?

geekIT

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#231853 16-Mar-2018 12:48

Seems I can get one of these free to replace my aging Thompson TG582n.

Some Whirlpool forum posts appear to indicate that the Huawei HG659b isn't that great.

Note: We don't have fibre in this small SI town and may not for some time to come.

But I could use the gigabit speed of the HG659b.

Comments?

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rscole86

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#1978615 16-Mar-2018 13:23

For most users it is recommended, the only down side is the device limit of around 32? device's. Which is really only a problem if you have any rules set as it drops the rules when you hit that limit.

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=66&topicid=197871

DjShadow

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#1978623 16-Mar-2018 13:33

I got given one as part of our Fibre install from Spark however the Wifi on it isn't that great. As I loaded devices on it got very slow (5ghz band too) so I swapped it out for a Linksys WRT1900ACS

kobiak

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#1978640 16-Mar-2018 13:56

my runs with no issues on fiber for the last 4 yrs

helping others at evgenyk.nz

geekIT

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#1978658 16-Mar-2018 14:19

Thanks, guys.

rscole86: For most users it is recommended, the only down side is the device limit of around 32? device's. Which is really only a problem if you have any rules set as it drops the rules when you hit that limit. https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=66&topicid=197871

32 devices? You mean other desktops, wifi laptops, tablets, media players etc? If they're what you're referring to, I'd have 10 of these at most.

I got given one as part of our Fibre install from Spark however the Wifi on it isn't that great. As I loaded devices on it got very slow (5ghz band too) so I swapped it out for a Linksys WRT1900ACS

I guess the HG659b would be at least as good as my old TG582n? LOL. In which case, no probs. WiFi for us is mostly only a couple of laptops (or Android tablets) that are one room away from the modem. Walls are conventional wood and gib.

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#1978659 16-Mar-2018 14:19

It will be miles better than what you have got

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rscole86

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#1978723 16-Mar-2018 15:12

geekIT:

Thanks, guys.

rscole86: For most users it is recommended, the only down side is the device limit of around 32? device's. Which is really only a problem if you have any rules set as it drops the rules when you hit that limit. https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=66&topicid=197871

32 devices? You mean other desktops, wifi laptops, tablets, media players etc? If they're what you're referring to, I'd have 10 of these at most.

Yeah you should be fine. There are plenty on other threads about the device limits here is one.

I have been using one for years on VDSL and Fibre without any complaints, and have been very happy with the wifi until I moved into a larger home with brick walls.

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jonathan18

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#1978739 16-Mar-2018 15:38

My own recent experience of this router hasn’t been great, but it’s been fairly reliable up until then.

First off, I can’t seem to get any changes to the DNS to stick. I was trying to change the current DNS settings to determine whether it was the usual Getflix DNS servers that were the cause of stopping one of the kids’ games from running and no matter what, whether I have it set to auto or stick in another service such as Google’s, those damn Getflix DNS remain functioning.

More recently, we’ve been experiencing really frequent connection dropouts on all our mobile devices - not the WiFi signal itself, but the connection to the internet. Doesn’t seem to be present on Ethernet, as had no issue on wired devices like Amazon and Fire TVs at the same time we’ve experienced the issue on wireless devices.

rscole86

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#1978752 16-Mar-2018 16:06

Recently I did have an issue with my device with wifi as well. It only effected my android mobile device, not the wifes (identical phone/version etc) and the laptop was unaffected. To the best of my research and testing it was due to play services, force stopping the service restored the wifi. When my phone was updated I no longer saw the issue (no longer using the HG659b).

steve2222

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#1978942 17-Mar-2018 08:28

jonathan18:

More recently, we’ve been experiencing really frequent connection dropouts on all our mobile devices - not the WiFi signal itself, but the connection to the internet. Doesn’t seem to be present on Ethernet, as had no issue on wired devices like Amazon and Fire TVs at the same time we’ve experienced the issue on wireless devices.

We suffer from this problem as well except in effects both Android and Apple devices and occasionally laptops on wifi. Ethernet is fine.

One thing - it seems to be only on 2.4Ghz. 5Ghz seems to be fine. I have tried fixed and auto channel selection on 2.4GhZ, and have gone back to Auto, but not sure yet if that is a solution.

SATTV

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#1978959 17-Mar-2018 09:57

Personally I dont rate the HG659 for anything, they are too light for a sinker.

I have had that many issues with them I only use them if I absolutely have to ( typically there is a phone involved plugged in the back )

I have to admit the Spark firmware is more stable than the Vodafone firmware but they still give trouble.

As you have about 10 devices I would not use it, stick with what you have, if wifi is the issue buy a unifi and use the @Michaelmurfy GZ community controller. If gigabit is your issue buy a cheap gigabit switch.

I like Drayteks personally but they too have their issues once they get a little age on them, I have a Fritzbox at home and that is OK.

I know enough to be dangerous

geekIT

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#1978961 17-Mar-2018 10:23

Personally I dont rate the HG659 for anything, they are too light for a sinker.

Thanks SATTV, I was beginning to come to the same conclusion.

I've ordered a switch from PBT, it should tidy things up until we actually get fibre here (probably 'Year 2525').

We really don't have too many issues with the TG582n.

The only hassle I've had lately has been trying to configure a backup TG582n that I got from a mate (who switched to an HG659b), in case my own machine unexpectedly packed a sad.

The positive side of my attempts is that I now know one heckuva lot more about the TG582n configuration than I did before. (Anyone wants a doc about this, PM me)

But the downside is that I'm absolutely unable to get the replacement machine to properly recognize my network.

Reset to defaults, it gets online OK, and sees my various desktops and laptops, but refuses to communicate with them.

This is spite of the configs being identical. I'm pretty sure of this because I've compared all the config screens of both TG582n's side by side. Damned if I can see any differences.

Anyway, thanks for the tip about the HG.

Cheers :-)

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