Ping fluctuating issues, can't figure it out. Hotshot ISP

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Ping fluctuating issues, can't figure it out. Hotshot ISP

deathLynX

34 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#324657 8-May-2026 21:35

I can't figure out what is going on, it seems to be worse like this at peak times but can also happen randomly whenever, I'll be playing CS2 and it'll fluctuate from 38 all the way to 80-90 and the game just feels like a laggy mess. I was going back and forth with Hotshot support about it and they seemed to think everything was normal on their end. Is Hotshot really just that bad? Even just browsing the internet and loading webpages can feel slow sometimes. I have gigabit plan with them. I have TPLINK AX1500 Router which I have done some research on after having this issue and it seems like it's not the best router but would it be bad enough to cause this? I am on Ethernet as well and have tried different cables and a different computer, I also tried a direct connection to the ONT and it was still fluctuating. Could it be the ONT? Sometimes it's reasonably stable and other times it's just all over the place. I have no idea. Sorry for the bit of a ramble but hopefully someone can help! Edit: I am also based in Christchurch if that helps with anything lol.

1 | 2

12393 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8699

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3488978 8-May-2026 22:53

What is hotshot support or do you mean Slingshot?

lNomNoml

1912 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 523

ID Verified

#3488982 8-May-2026 23:21

Linux:

What is hotshot support or do you mean Slingshot?

There is an ISP called hotshot, I've never heard of them, not that I hear of everything but this is the first time.

It's probably your provider but it could be other things, but it does sound like you have tried everything. I'd recommend 2degrees.

michaelmurfy

meow
13669 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 11083

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3489032 9-May-2026 00:30

This appears to be a classic case of internet providers not being the same. Internet is not a commodity like electricity companies are and Hotshot claim to be "the cheapest" considering you're using Ethernet and appear to be doing everything else right.

When you connect to an ISP you're paying for a connection to your ISP of choice and from there you're dependent on their network, their connectivity etc.

There was another recent example here: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=49&topicid=324607&page_no=3#3488481

But, in my own personal opinion, Hotshot may be fine for just browsing the net but if you're doing anything more then there are many other better providers to pick from. There is just no way at their price point seeing broadband margins are razor thin they can invest in their network and appear to be cutting corners.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by subscribing.
Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

muppet

2686 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1751

Trusted

#3489104 9-May-2026 10:28

Ahhh the classic "Ask a question on Geekzone" and 3 replies in no one has answered it and instead you've only been told what you're doing is wrong.

When the fault happens, record a few traceroutes towards the destination IP of the server if you know it (hopefully you can look it up)

If you're able, also test by being tethered via a mobile phone for 10-15 minutes, grab a traceroute or two from that as well.

Once you've done that, post them here (pleaes don't screenshot them, text paste is much easier) and I'm sure we can continue you tell you how wrong you're doing it!

deathLynX

34 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#3489978 11-May-2026 19:46

Hey again so it happened again tonight just before while I was playing CS2 and the game was actually unplayable, the packet loss was insane and I was just rubber banding around. Here are some traceroutes to a server I know usually has good ping, I don't know what those middle ones are that have higher ping in the 60-70's

Tracing route to 45.121.211.5 over a maximum of 30 hops

1 <1 ms <1 ms <1 ms 192.168.0.1
2 15 ms 15 ms 30 ms 192.168.200.1
3 17 ms 18 ms 18 ms 10.170.20.5
4 16 ms 15 ms 15 ms as137409.akl.ix.nz [43.243.21.82]
5 28 ms 24 ms 24 ms po1.akl-spkmdr-cr2.globalsecurelayer.com [206.148.24.245]
6 40 ms 40 ms 44 ms e23.syd-eqxsy5-bb13.globalsecurelayer.com [206.148.24.235]
7 71 ms 61 ms 61 ms po6.syd-eqxsy5-cr6.globalsecurelayer.com [206.148.24.139]
8 63 ms 54 ms 58 ms vl2.syd-eqxsy5-colo301a.globalsecurelayer.com [206.148.27.206]
9 40 ms 39 ms 40 ms 45.121.211.5

Tracing route to 45.121.211.5 over a maximum of 30 hops

1 <1 ms <1 ms <1 ms 192.168.0.1
2 16 ms 15 ms 15 ms 192.168.200.1
3 18 ms 18 ms 17 ms 10.170.20.5
4 17 ms 17 ms 15 ms as137409.akl.ix.nz [43.243.21.82]
5 17 ms 18 ms 17 ms po1.akl-spkmdr-cr2.globalsecurelayer.com [206.148.24.245]
6 70 ms 76 ms 76 ms e23.syd-eqxsy5-bb13.globalsecurelayer.com [206.148.24.235]
7 67 ms 74 ms 75 ms po6.syd-eqxsy5-cr6.globalsecurelayer.com [206.148.24.139]
8 56 ms 56 ms 66 ms vl2.syd-eqxsy5-colo301a.globalsecurelayer.com [206.148.27.206]
9 38 ms 39 ms 39 ms 45.121.211.5

Linux

12393 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8699

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3489979 11-May-2026 19:49

@deathLynX Pick another ISP

Geekzone support

Support Geekzone with one-off or recurring donations Donate via PressPatron.

yitz

2286 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 610

#3489982 11-May-2026 20:01

Find out what your Internet IP address is and enter it at the site below, change Standard to Advanced and click Go. Then under Test Results expand "Show Trace" all the ISPs under AU,Sydney

https://lg.gsl.tools/

It will show the return path.

deathLynX

34 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#3489987 11-May-2026 20:16

Jesus why did it format like that

yitz

2286 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 610

#3489988 11-May-2026 20:17

Do you play with anyone using 2degrees in NZ on the same server? Ask them whether they have any issues.

If not, then it's probably your ISP lack of bandwidth at peak times as the return path comes back via their transit connection.

By the way you are looking under AU,Sydney not NZ,Christchurch as the server you are playing on is in Sydney.

deathLynX

34 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#3489989 11-May-2026 20:19

deathLynX

34 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#3489990 11-May-2026 20:20

yitz:

Do you play with anyone using 2degrees in NZ on the same server? Ask them whether they have any issues.

If not, then it's probably your ISP lack of bandwidth at peak times as the return path comes back via their transit connection.

By the way you are looking under AU,Sydney not NZ,Christchurch as the server you are playing on is in Sydney.

I've got a friend who is on slingshot and he's usually got more consistent ping than mine

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

quickymart

15156 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 14457

ID Verified

#3489995 11-May-2026 20:35

deathLynX:

I've got a friend who is on slingshot and he's usually got more consistent ping than mine

Might be time to start shopping around then.

deathLynX

34 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#3489997 11-May-2026 21:04

quickymart:

deathLynX:

I've got a friend who is on slingshot and he's usually got more consistent ping than mine

Might be time to start shopping around then.

Do you have any recommendations? Is Quic actually good?

quickymart

15156 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 14457

ID Verified

#3489998 11-May-2026 21:20

Quic are rated quite highly, but note that they don't have a helpdesk to call; however if you're happy setting it all up yourself you should be fine.

@michaelmurfy has a referral code in his signature for free setup with them.

deathLynX

34 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#3489999 11-May-2026 21:30

quickymart:

Quic are rated quite highly, but note that they don't have a helpdesk to call; however if you're happy setting it all up yourself you should be fine.

@michaelmurfy has a referral code in his signature for free setup with them.

Awesome thank you, I think I will probably switch at the end of my next billing cycle

1 | 2