Cheapish ISP WiFi Router Replacement 5Ghz ($200)

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › Cheapish ISP WiFi Router Replacement 5Ghz ($200)

Edwood

218 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 21

#223279 22-Sep-2017 07:46

Hey folks,

I live in a city apartment with Slingshot fibre internet but the 2.4Ghz WiFi interference leaves me with bad DSL speeds.

I have read a bunch of threads and reviews and I'm very tempted to buy the Netcomm NF8AC.

Our ONT is installed in a highly visible place and I need to make it all look as pretty as possible. I would like an economical single box with 5Ghz and an internal antenna.

The options are:

- Netcomm NF8AC (Latest Firmware is May 2017) - $200

- Netcomm NF17ACV (latest Firmware is June 2017) - $260

I have no requirement for VOIP - is that the only real difference between these guys?

I also bookmarked other devices, but I would really like to have a sleek form factor, so external antennas are a showstopper (and the Fritz is too expensive).

I've read about a periodic DNS issue on the NF8AC, but it's very periodic, it will be fixed at some point, and I don't mind rebooting my router occasionally.

The WiFi strength is a bit average due to the internal antennas, but I'm in a one bedroom apartment, I can't imagine WiFi strength being an issue.

Is there any other reason not to buy the NF8AC? Its seems like it will do everything I want to me.

michaelmurfy

meow
13581 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10914

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1870625 22-Sep-2017 07:49

Can your budget stretch out just a bit further? You can pick up a very good system from Grandstream I have installed for a few folks around here that beats the living crap out of any consumer product.

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.

deadlyllama

1283 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 476

Trusted

#1870656 22-Sep-2017 08:24

You can get a second hand Fritz off trademe for half that!

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1870684 22-Sep-2017 08:46

It's also not uncommon to see HG659b's going for $20 - $30

stevenz

2802 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 125

#1870703 22-Sep-2017 08:59

Ubiquiti do some pretty snazzy looking gear around $200-ish.

@KnightNZ

Sounddude

I fix stuff!
1935 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 640

Trusted

2degrees

Lifetime subscriber

#1870725 22-Sep-2017 09:31

Keep your existing modem, turn off wifi on it and get a Ubiquity AC-Lite AP. $155 + GST from GoWifi.

Edwood

218 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 21

#1871296 23-Sep-2017 07:12

deadlyllama: You can get a second hand Fritz off trademe for half that!

That sir, is a brilliant suggestion. I didn't even look seriously at the Fritz because of the price, but now I will go and find out what makes it worth the moolah

sbiddle: It's also not uncommon to see HG659b's going for $20 - $30

...and the brilliant ideas just keep coming!

Either of those options will suit me perfectly and I'll look forward to doing some comparative research and bidding this weekend!

Thanks folks!

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

deadlyllama

1283 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 476

Trusted

#1872330 25-Sep-2017 10:49

Edwood:

deadlyllama: You can get a second hand Fritz off trademe for half that!

That sir, is a brilliant suggestion. I didn't even look seriously at the Fritz because of the price, but now I will go and find out what makes it worth the moolah

sbiddle: It's also not uncommon to see HG659b's going for $20 - $30

...and the brilliant ideas just keep coming!

Either of those options will suit me perfectly and I'll look forward to doing some comparative research and bidding this weekend!

Thanks folks!

I have a second hand HG659b but I wish I'd got a fritz. 2degrees is doing "first 3 months free on a 12 month contract" so you could always go with them for a year and get a free Fritz.