Recommend a wireless router for home use

[rivet]

Hello,

I am in the market of buying a new wireless router. I have used a Dlink DI-524 router before. It works fine for me for a long time except the range seems to be limited. However, after I reset the router it doesn't work anymore. So I am thinking to buy a better router. My use is pretty general home use, just need a stable connection with a better range. From a quick search, it seems that people perfer Linksys WRT54G, GL or GS. However, the cheapest I can find (even when they are on sale) is like 70-80 bucks. And I remmember futureshop has a Dlink rangebouster N DI-625 for about $70, it is not on sale now, but I guess it will on sale again sometime soon. Is the dlink a better buy or should I just stick with wireless G instead of n? And any other recommendations?

Thanks,
Yu

[KorruptioN]

Linksys WRT54GL

Don't go with N. It's not 100% final yet and the standard seems to be subject to change.

[vladislav]

DIR-655 is the best router I've ever owned. Bought it for 129$ and so far no problems like I had with every other router. 1Gigabit ports are fantastic for the network, it never freezes, the amount of functionality is insane. Wireless N is much better than G for me. I'd say go with N for sure, once it gets finalized you'll just update your firmware and that's it.

[tsehou]

DIR-655 is already Wireless N 2.0 certified, so we will see how forward compatible it is.

And yes I agree with vladislav, the Dir-655 is an amazing router. But it is overkill for the average user, whereas the WRT54G or GL is good enough for the average user. Get the GL if you want to mod it, if you don't then just get the G.

[rivet]

What's the difference between G, GL, and GS for practical usage(in terms of range, speed and function). I certainly don't want to modify anything.

[rivet]

Maybe I should watch if there are some deals for DI-655. $129 is a bit more expensive than I would like to pay for a new router. Anyway, thanks all for your opionions.

DIR-655 is already Wireless N 2.0 certified, so we will see how forward compatible it is.

And yes I agree with vladislav, the Dir-655 is an amazing router. But it is overkill for the average user, whereas the WRT54G or GL is good enough for the average user. Get the GL if you want to mod it, if you don't then just get the G.

[blexann]

$129 is way too much to be spending on a router.

Hands down the best router right now on the market for wireless home use is the Linksys WRT54GL.

[crazdefool]

What's the difference between G, GL, and GS for practical usage(in terms of range, speed and function). I certainly don't want to modify anything.

G has the lowest memory, GL has more memory and runs a linux based firmware, GS has speedboost and linux firmware

I have the WRT54G v6 i think and the lack of memory is its downfall. its a great router. I am running a micro build of dd-wrt but i am a heavy user with 4 systems, bit torrent, voip phone and more. For me to get it to work without rebooting i have to limit my number of active connections, and disable the firewall.

[pitz]

wrt54gl works great here. Cost me about $50, and I flashed it with dd-wrt.

Only major issue is that someone from China has been doing a dictionary attack against it for the past few weeks trying to hax0r it, so make sure you set a strong password when you get it all set up. Otherwise, it can be a very effective spam/hax0ring relay.

[ganiba]

Hi,

If i was in your place, i'll first try to reset my router a second time, there is no reason why a reset could fire it.

So, as you said, it is for general home use, so you have no need to flash something or upgrade it, and i think you also havent enough time to do it :).
With WRT54G or GL, without flashing it, you won't get more transmission power, it is the same or even worse than your actual router.

So, if you were happy with your router, why not bought the same and perhaps use a wireless USB received with your laptop, perhaps you will improve the signal quality.

So, buy this one and see, if it didn't improve, you return it or you keep it. I have the same touter as you for 3 years now, with Heavy Torrent up to 400KB/s and i'm three floors away from it. You could reaaly improve your signal if you point correctly the receiver antenna.

This week you can buy your same router plus a usb received for a good price:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10051717&catid=19994&logon=&langid=EN

Good luck.

[nofear_102]

I too am looking for a router....where can I find the WRT54GL? all I see is the WRT54G. Can the WRT54GL be used as an access point? I was hoping to connect my 2 xboxes to the internet via it an a netgear WGR614

[rivet]

Hi, thanks very much for your suggestions.

Actually I reset the router many times but I can't connect to the administration page at all. I want a router for better range because I want to share with my neighbours (just 3 walls and less than 10 meters away), my old routers doesn't deliver enough range though I am not sure if it is a router's problem. The $40 for the DI-524 combo is really attractuve though.

Back to the router. Which one do your guys think is a better deal:

CC has Linksys WRT54GS for 73+tax, WRT54G for $56+tax. NCIX has WRT54GL for $60+shipping to ON+6% tax. Bestbuy has Dlink RangeBooster N Router (DIR-625) for $85+tax. By the way, is the flashing thing difficult? I may try it if it is just a software update.

Thanks again.
Yu






Hi,

If i was in your place, i'll first try to reset my router a second time, there is no reason why a reset could fire it.

So, as you said, it is for general home use, so you have no need to flash something or upgrade it, and i think you also havent enough time to do it :).
With WRT54G or GL, without flashing it, you won't get more transmission power, it is the same or even worse than your actual router.

So, if you were happy with your router, why not bought the same and perhaps use a wireless USB received with your laptop, perhaps you will improve the signal quality.

So, buy this one and see, if it didn't improve, you return it or you keep it. I have the same touter as you for 3 years now, with Heavy Torrent up to 400KB/s and i'm three floors away from it. You could reaaly improve your signal if you point correctly the receiver antenna.

This week you can buy your same router plus a usb received for a good price:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10051717&catid=19994&logon=&langid=EN

Good luck.

[blackhawk]

that dlink 524 is on sale at FS for 39.95 with a usb wireless connector, I have one now for 6 months and got another for friends, cant beat the price and has worked fine for me

if yours quit why dont you call their tech support?

[rivet]

Mine is well over 1 years old. Probably around 2 years. I am not sure if there are still warranty left, so I didn't call them. I am trying to find my receipt from futureshop and then I find that the words on the receipts disappeared, the receipt now looks like a blank paper. I should have copied the receipt though. Calling the tech may be a good idea anyway. Thanks for the suggestions.

that dlink 524 is on sale at FS for 39.95 with a usb wireless connector, I have one now for 6 months and got another for friends, cant beat the price and has worked fine for me

if yours quit why dont you call their tech support?

[Mgz]

Linksys WRT54GL

Don't go with N. It's not 100% final yet and the standard seems to be subject to change.

what he said.

[Tekkan]

Canada computer's sells the GL for 69.99 I think and if you buy it before sept 31 you can use the 8.80 rebate.

[rivet]

Thanks very much. Just notice the rebate in CC.

Just wondering if there is any down side for chosing GS over GL? It seems that GS at canada computers has a $12.5 rebate, which put it at the same price as the GL. Also GL is not in stock in CC in kingston area (where I live).

I searched the forum again, it seems that there is sb. talking about old version/new versions, do I need to pay attention which version it is when I choose the GS? Thanks again.

Canada computer's sells the GL for 69.99 I think and if you buy it before sept 31 you can use the 8.80 rebate.

[rivet]

Where did you get the GL for about $50? Thx.

wrt54gl works great here. Cost me about $50, and I flashed it with dd-wrt.

Only major issue is that someone from China has been doing a dictionary attack against it for the past few weeks trying to hax0r it, so make sure you set a strong password when you get it all set up. Otherwise, it can be a very effective spam/hax0ring relay.

[Gee]

Someone should make an FAQ and sticky this.

This question gets asked EVERY WEEK.

Exact same question, and the exact same answer is given.

People are too stupid or too lazy to use the search feature.

[mcg]

For typical use, such as surfing and internet downloading, the GL will suffice. It can even be prepped with DD/OpenWRT.

As for BitTorrent downloading and mIRC transfers, if you ever do these simultaneously, the router crashes. That's what keeps me from recommending the router to others nowadays. I'm using the Asus WL-500W and it's the best that you can get.... sorta... since it has buggy firmware.

[sly_ry]

does anyone know a good router that is compatible with both PC and Mac?

[KorruptioN]

Thanks very much. Just notice the rebate in CC.

Just wondering if there is any down side for chosing GS over GL? It seems that GS at canada computers has a $12.5 rebate, which put it at the same price as the GL. Also GL is not in stock in CC in kingston area (where I live).

I searched the forum again, it seems that there is sb. talking about old version/new versions, do I need to pay attention which version it is when I choose the GS? Thanks again.

The GS adds "Speedbooster". Theoretically good if all your network hardware is Speedbooster-enabled. If not, it just functions at the default 54mbps theoretical cap. For most people it is a waste of money.

Get the GL.

[tubs]

For typical use, such as surfing and internet downloading, the GL will suffice. It can even be prepped with DD/OpenWRT.

As for BitTorrent downloading and mIRC transfers, if you ever do these simultaneously, the router crashes. That's what keeps me from recommending the router to others nowadays......

They should really sticky this part:

With the DD-WRT firmware, torrents can be a non issue if you make the following adjustments:

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Router_Slowdown

Those are the instructions in lowering the timeout limit and increasing max connections which improves the router's stability tremendously.

[tomtong]

Dell is selling WRT54GL at $59 free shipping. No MIR means less hassle.

http://accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=ca&l=en&s=dhs&cs=cadhs1&sku=A0589443