Recommend my friend a router

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TalynOne

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#171262 11-Apr-2015 12:44

I'm from the US and help support a friend with tech issues who lives in Auckland, NZ with Vodafone DSL.

Her modem is currently dead and I wanted to look into setting her up with a similar setup as mine. A DSL modem in bridged mode and a router running DD-WRT for all her routing an Wifi needs. Her previous two DSL devices were modem/router combinations and the WiFi / router features were not very good (issues saving settings, WiFi incompatible with her S5 phone, browser admin interface not working with Windows 8.1, weird one I know, everything but the router admin interface worked, etc.).

From the research I've done the best choice for a modem is the DrayTek Vigor 120 setup in PPOA/PPOE bridged mode and a good DD-WRT compatible router in her price range.

I personally use an Asus RT-N16 with DD-WRT for my needs, and have half year+ long uptimes with extremely heavy use. Unfortunately the Asus RT-N16 is hard to find as it's been replaced with the RT-AC66U, priced at $280-$350 NZ dollars, which is out of her price range.

I'm looking for a DD-WRT compatible router in the $150 price range, thanks in advance for any recommendations anyone can provide.

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#1281084 11-Apr-2015 13:53

I can't think of anything below NZD $150 that isn't rubbish.

Suggest: ASUS RT-N56U 11N Dual Band Gigabit router 2x3 300Mbps CC DB 300K Session Gigabit USBx2 2.4G/5GHz - widely available at about $160 plus and listed for DD-WRT.

The RT-N66U is better, but much more expensive

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coffeebaron

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#1281108 11-Apr-2015 15:18

Check if she is on ADSL or VDSL. If VDSL, then will need the Draytek 130.

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Xeon

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#1281109 11-Apr-2015 15:19

I would just get a Asus DSL-N55U, unless you really have a good use case for DD-WRT. Can pick up a used one for ~$150 and you don't have to bother with the bridge setup. Otherwise as above the non-DSL version of it: RT-N56U.

Jase2985

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#1281110 11-Apr-2015 15:22

so if your only buying 1 device whats the budget?

Xeon

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#1281114 11-Apr-2015 15:29

Jase2985: so if your only buying 1 device whats the budget?

Well Vigor 120 is $80 shipped, so I presume total budget is $230.

Actually now that I think about it, if the house is in a fibre zone separate modem/router is probably better so later you can still use the router with fibre.

TalynOne

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#1281137 11-Apr-2015 15:54

She's on DSL, not VDSL.

The RT-N56U has no DD-WRT or Tomato support... and usually stock firmware on these routers are garbage.

Fibre isn't going into her neighborhood for at least 3 years from what she looked up, she's just out of the zone.

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#1281150 11-Apr-2015 16:40

TalynOne:... The RT-N56U has no DD-WRT or Tomato support...

I stand corrected.

I use an ASUS RT-N66U with DD-WRT, although the stock firmware is pretty good.
With hindsight I can't think of anything that meets the OP's requirements anywhere near the $150 price bracket.

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TalynOne

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#1281152 11-Apr-2015 16:45

Sideface:
TalynOne:... The RT-N56U has no DD-WRT or Tomato support...

I stand corrected.

I use an ASUS RT-N66U with DD-WRT, although the stock firmware is pretty good.
With hindsight I can't think of anything that meets the OP's requirements anywhere near the $150 price bracket.

Yeah, she might bite the cost and get the RT-N66U. It's a crime how much more computer parts cost in NZ, in the US i can get that model for $125 (with free 2 day shipping via my Amazon prime account):

http://www.amazon.com/RT-N66U-Dual-Band-Wireless-N900-Gigabit-Router/dp/B006QB1RPY

Jase2985

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#1281167 11-Apr-2015 17:47

why do you think your friend needs DD-WRT? they dont sound very technically minded so wouldn't a simple off the shelf, single device solution be better for them?

what functions will DD-WRT unleash for tham that other routers dont already support?

or are you just going down that line of thinking because its what you would do in your own house? which isnt always the best solution in someone elses.

Xeon

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#1281220 11-Apr-2015 20:43

TalynOne: Yeah, she might bite the cost and get the RT-N66U. It's a crime how much more computer parts cost in NZ, in the US i can get that model for $125 (with free 2 day shipping via my Amazon prime account):

http://www.amazon.com/RT-N66U-Dual-Band-Wireless-N900-Gigabit-Router/dp/B006QB1RPY

You can always order it off Amazon, $123 + $18 Shipping to NZ (will take a couple of weeks to get here though, and depending on the router might need a power adapter).

Jase2985: why do you think your friend needs DD-WRT? they dont sound very technically minded so wouldn't a simple off the shelf, single device solution be better for them?

what functions will DD-WRT unleash for tham that other routers dont already support?

or are you just going down that line of thinking because its what you would do in your own house? which isnt always the best solution in someone elses.

This was what I was thinking.. Personally I have DSL-N55U at my parents (and a friends) and there's not a lot really I could think you want to add to the router. Very stable, has decent QOS, in built torrent client, printer sharing, hard drive sharing, 6 guest networks etc.

At home I use Vigor 130 with a RT-AC87U and it's not a user friendly setup, I wouldn't recommend a bridge setup unless you are a 'power' user.

Most ISPs will give you a decent enough router for signing/resigning contract...

quickymart

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#1281227 11-Apr-2015 21:00

Better just to buy it locally, that way if there's a problem she can take it back to a local shop to get assistance.

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Xeon

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#1281260 11-Apr-2015 22:30

quickymart: Better just to buy it locally, that way if there's a problem she can take it back to a local shop to get assistance.

My support from Amazon has been better then local shops

quickymart

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#1281267 11-Apr-2015 22:44

I mean, if it fails completely, you have to send it back, which is all well and good as long as you have a device to fall-back on. If you don't, well...?

quickymart

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#1281268 11-Apr-2015 22:45

In the example above, paying for a step-down transformer may negate any savings made by buying it overseas as well.

richms

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#1281270 11-Apr-2015 22:58

Shouldnt need a stepdown, just a plug adapter which most shops have for around $6 or so for a legit looking one. Might still have some china specials available in $2 shops that havnt had the visit yet...

Richard rich.ms

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