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Broadband Modem and Router Reviews

Mark.J

Administrator
Staff member
ISPreview Team
I'm just wondering what readers think about the idea of expanding our 'Reader Reviews' system to include a connection hardware category, specifically for USB Modems and Routers.

It occured to me the other day while hunting for a new router that sources of such information were a little thin. Likewise I've had three routers in the past and was wondering where to stick some opinions about them, right before remembering that I ran ISPreview.co.uk *cough* :) .

Since we all have these things it might be quite good to share our thoughts on what we've owned, so what do you think?
 
Great idea Mark, hope it will include all since ehternet are the best less strain on cpu no need for drivers.
 
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By the way, what routers do you all own (inc. model number)?

I have a Linksys WAG300N, Netgear DG834N and an old K-Corp KLS-5810.
 
Only ADSL router I have ever owned is the one I use now, Draytek vigor2800vg
 
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I have an O2 Wireless Box and until December used the Be router. Both are rebranded Thomson SpeedTouch models.

Aside from the truly awful web interface (for example you can't change DNS servers via the web page) and the Be model getting so hot it could just about heat a small room they are both pretty reliable and fast.
 
Any idea what the original model number for the re-branded Thomson is akbray? No doubt a google search will help me answer that one but I'm a bit lazy today :) .
 
I've got Netgear DG834G version 3, Netgear DG834N, Netgear DG834GT (sky firmware version) and Safecom SAMR-4114.

Couldn't recommend any of them though.
 
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-snipped-
It occured to me the other day while hunting for a new router that sources of such information were a little thin.

Great Idea Mark in fact I've been looking at routers for myself at home beyond the Thomson range that we use at work and which I think are fantastic value for money to be honest.

I have had three SpeedTouch devices 585 v6, 585 v7 and most recently 784 with beta firmware on it, Now back with my 585, One Buffallo 54G, ADSL nation Modem (Fantastic this was and used with the Buffallo router and the old alcatel frog which worked perfectly for me despite being USB on standard out of the box firmware and the updated versions. I never ever had a fault with that at all on any of my PC's. I also had a Linksys and some other cheapo brand whose models I cant recall to be honest.

I have been looking at some of the new N series kit recently but think I'll wait until theres soemthing a bit more ratified and consistent before spending over £70.

I've used a few different Wireless USB dongles too the best so far being the Linksys, The netgears get very hot and had to be restarted quite a lot especially under win XP. The Speedtouch ones are okay too.

Theres not a lot of good user information (real world usage) out there when you research what works well and not so well especialy if comparing ISP's as well. WE work very cloesly with THomson and their kit works brilliantly on Zen connections so perhaps some of our techies may be interested in contributing in some way to any reviews.

I'd say go for it.

Regards
Gary
 
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I think the only problem will be keeping up with all the different models since there are tons out there. Now I just need to settle on the rating criteria. I could play it safe and just use the Value, Performance, Services stuff we have for ISPs so as to keep the database simple or do a separate set of rating criteria's.

Cost
Features
Performance
Security

Something like that..
 
Any idea what the original model number for the re-branded Thomson is akbray? No doubt a google search will help me answer that one but I'm a bit lazy today :) .

The Be router is a Thompson Speedtouch 780wl (the black one with the rounded corners)

The O2 Wireless box II is the Speedtouch 585v7

http://www.adsl2forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=9934

Functionally, I didn't notice any difference between them - I think O2 have neutered the web UI to stop ppl playing with the settings too much but you can change what you want using the CLI (assuming you've done a google for the O2 SuperUser password).

I don't know what the O2 Wireless box III is (this is the one you get on their premium service and includes Wireless-N) but it looks like another Thompson model.
 
I have a Zoom X6 that I have used without problem for over 2 years; wireless (B&G), 4x Ethernet and all the usual goodies like QOS, NATS etc. It has a very useful "Auto-set-up" option and a wide range of protocols, ADSL2+ and webpage accessed menus with "help" functions; so gets 5* for features, 5* for reliability and 5* for value, it was under £50 when all the other wireless routers were £70 or over!!
(This may be the ONLY time I ever mention something from Pissy Weirld as being "Good Value")
 
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Flowless, you mean it does NOTHING!!??
 
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