ADSL modem/router with good wifi (for apartment)

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DarkShadow

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#171650 26-Apr-2015 18:32

Hi so I'm looking for an integrated ADSL modem/router. The catch is that it has to have good wifi, for use in an apartment (I know). Any suggestions?

Jase2985

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#1291823 26-Apr-2015 18:35

budget? are you likely to get VDLS/UFB any time soon?

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nakedmolerat

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#1291824 26-Apr-2015 18:39

Wifi in a huge apartment...

You'll struggle but your best bet is any Asus products and aim to use the 5ghz band.

sbiddle

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#1291868 26-Apr-2015 20:00

How big is your apartment? Assuming it's like most new apartments these days that are super small anything will do - the secret is to turn the power level right down and preferably go 5Ghz if your devices support it.

DarkShadow

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#1292865 28-Apr-2015 11:33

I'm putting together a resource for apartment renters, so the budget isn't high.

So if it could be done for under $150 that will be great, if not please suggest more expensive models.

It would be a bonus if it can do ethernet WAN for UFB (VLAN tagging not required.) Don't need VDSL support.

Item

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#1292879 28-Apr-2015 11:54

I will have an Asus DSL-N66U for sale in a week or so if you are interested?

lxsw20

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#1292885 28-Apr-2015 12:00

NetComm NF8AC? I've got one at home on VDSL and it ticks along fine. Does 5GHz Wifi ADSL/VDSL/UFB.

sbiddle

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#1292904 28-Apr-2015 12:37

DarkShadow: I'm putting together a resource for apartment renters, so the budget isn't high.

So if it could be done for under $150 that will be great, if not please suggest more expensive models.

It would be a bonus if it can do ethernet WAN for UFB (VLAN tagging not required.) Don't need VDSL support.

Size of the apartment and location are critical here. There isn't a once size fits all solution or answer to your question.

If it's a typical show boxes sized apartment anything will do, and you want to turn down the power to as low as possible. If you're in a dense RF environment buying something with 5Ghz support is pretty much essential for good WiFi.

xpd

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#1292909 28-Apr-2015 12:46

Or buy a budget ADSL/VDSL modem/router, and a 3rd party AP such as a Unifi. Runs PoE so can get an optimal coverage point with minimal fuss.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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lxsw20

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#1292934 28-Apr-2015 13:25

Yeah but you don't get 5GHz WiFi until you get to the Unifi Pro which is over $400 by it's self.

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#1293003 28-Apr-2015 15:10

But you wont need 5ghz if the Unifi is in a good location.

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darylblake

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#1293004 28-Apr-2015 15:16

You need to ask yourself. If you are wanting to copy stuff at more than about 10-20mbps and clog up the wifi then yes go for 5Ghz. If everyone is just wanting to use internet for general purposes. Then you can buy a Unifi AP (or the LR if you are so inclined) but I dont think the LR is really much better than the normal one, i have the standard one.

If you need to go 5 Ghz then you need to get a unit that will do mixed mode 2.4 and 5Ghz which tend to be a bit more expensive. I suspect not all devices will support 5Ghz.

My unifi is on the roof in the centre of my home, and i get 4/5 bars signal strength everywhere in the house.

DarkShadow

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#1293212 28-Apr-2015 23:21

Thanks for the suggestions, two box does sound like the better solution but the people who need this aren't very technical so it has to be one box.

sbiddle

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#1293236 29-Apr-2015 06:19

DarkShadow: Thanks for the suggestions, two box does sound like the better solution but the people who need this aren't very technical so it has to be one box.

Since you still haven't answered the important question re apartment size or locations, I can really only recommend one option that will fit all scenarios - a Netcomm NF8AC. Assuming this is your RF dense tropical shoebox sized apartment, you'll want to turn the power way down on the 2.4GHz band.