new router better than the WRT54GL?

[bombatwist]

hello,

my place was broken into the other day and one of the things that was stolen was my wrt54gl router along with various other stuff :/.

but anyways i'm looking to buy a new router and was wondering if there are better routers out there. i previously had dd-wrt installed on my WRT54GL. I don't know too much about custom firmware besides the fact that i was told it was better, but not exactly sure why it was.

i was actually pretty happy with my wrt54gl but i figure that since the wrt54gl is pretty old now, there may be better ones out and was wondering if anyone could recommend me any. i'm looking for it to at least handle 3 laptops, 1 tablet, 3 cell phones, 1 desktop, 1 ps3 and 1 ooma VoiP device, all connected at the same time if that gives any help at all.

thanks!

 

[VirtualLarry]

Get a wireless N router, refurb, from Newegg. There have been some threads in the Hot Deals forum for routers.

Linksys E3000, Netgear 3500L, Netgear WNR2000. From most expensive to least expensive.

I'm using some WNR2000v2 units with DD-WRT right now.

 

[MobiusPizza]

I am using Asus RT-N16 router for about a year with Tomato custom firmware. It's the first time I used custom firmware and to be honest I am very impressed with the stability and features such as QoS.

 

[rsutoratosu]

i had the wrt54g and it was pretty good, i tried a bunch of misc brands dlink netgearand they all suck, like random disconnect, lock ups, reboot, etc. I landed a e4200 and it had none of those problems.. There are 2 revisions for the e4200 so I can't guarantee that you wont have problems but so far lots of people likes the e4200, the e3000 is good also

 

[JackMDS]

Many Routers were and are better than the WRT54G.

Which one is for you?

I do not know since you did not provided any data that can help to help you.

Otherwise, if you do not mind refurb. buy this - http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Ro...-router_stcVVproductId133604734VVviewprod.htm

If you want new buy this - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320062

 

[bombatwist]

what kinda data is needed to help narrow down the selection? i like to game alot if that helps.

edit: i would like to spend no more than $80

 

[Compman55]

Go for wireless N and just spend the tad extra.

 

[jhansman]

When my WRT54G finally gave it up, I opted for the Linksys WNDR3700 N600, and am really happy with it. Ran me about $100, but I wanted dual band, and the native firmware has enough features that I haven't felt the need to replace with Tomato or some such.

 

[wirednuts]

i had a wndr3700 and it was totally kick ass, but i didnt like the $100 price i paid (im cheap when it comes to computer gear).

i returned it, and bought an e3000 refurb for $50. put ddwrt on it, overclocked it and never looked back. fantastic bang for $50

 

[JackMDS]

$80?

Either this for $69 - http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Ro...-Router_stcVVproductId138177739VVviewprod.htm

or this for $89 - http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Ro...-router_stcVVproductId133604734VVviewprod.htm

The $20 extra give you a USB Port that can use as a NAS, and a slightly better Wireless.

If you keep a Wireless Router more than two years it make sense to invest the extra $20.

 

[midwestfisherman]

I have one of these and it works great!

AirPort Extreme Base Station
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD...Q&s=topSellers

 

[JackMDS]

I have one of these and it works great!

AirPort Extreme Base Station
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD...Q&s=topSellers

Check out the real technical specs of the Wireless Router and you will see that it is not different from most sub $100 Wireless Router.

There is No magic in technology, there is only FIVE OEM manufacturers that provides Wireless Chipset/Radios, and Apple (as well as all the other Wireless routers makers) uses the same as every one else (in Apple case most of the time Broadcom). There is difference in the way various manufacturer implement firmware.

However most of us learned that in many cases substituting the OEM firmware with some of the free 3rd party firmware yield more flexible stable deices.

I am not saying that the Airport is "bad", but for its price it is "Highway Robbery".

 

[alkemyst]

Get a wireless N router, refurb, from Newegg. There have been some threads in the Hot Deals forum for routers.

Linksys E3000, Netgear 3500L, Netgear WNR2000. From most expensive to least expensive.

I'm using some WNR2000v2 units with DD-WRT right now.

My E4200 is lightyears better than my E3000. You can get refurb directly from linksys/cisco.

The new V2 version is not as good as the original IMHO.

 

[bombatwist]

so i kind of narrowed it down to the Linksys E4200 and the ASUS RT-N16. i did a little research and i know that the RT-N16 doesnt have 5GHz but do i really need it? i mean i'm probably gonna have around 10 devices total max on wifi if anything. Also, my cable speed is only 10mbps. Also, i have read that the E4200 tends to run very hot (according to some users on other sites that i've read).

I also forgot to mention, I'm open to installing DD-WRT but i would prefer to have Tomato as i have had bad experiences with DD-WRT. but who knows? maybe it might be better this time.

any reason i should still go for the E4200 refurb? i guess i'm a little afraid that if something goes wrong with it, i won't be able to return it since warranty is only 90 days. With the RT-N16, i would buy it off amazon new for around the same price as the E4200 and get a 2 year warranty. So i want to know if taking the risk is worth it. heh.

 

[alkemyst]

Heat is relative. Some devices run hot, some don't...some have more insulation so you don't notice.

The thing about dual radios and dual band is if you have legacy wireless G gear and want to run N at the same time. You put one on 2.4GHz (your G gear) and the rest on 5GHz (the N). 5 GHz has it's limitations with distance and physical barriers, but this is usually better than dumbing down your whole network.

If you don't need it, then it's moot.

 

[JackMDS]

i'm probably gonna have around 10 devices total max on wifi if anything..

10 Wireless devices is a good enough reason to do dual in order to be able to use the higher spectrum.

I also forgot to mention, I'm open to installing DD-WRT but i would prefer to have Tomato as i have had bad experiences with DD-WRT..

Hundred of thousands use DD-WRT in their devices with No problem. It is probably the specific device that to had at the time that had trouble with it Not you.

People buy iPads for $500 will have to through it away after few years since the Batteries are Not replaceable. Ergo lengthy self torturing about $10-$20 difference in a sub $100 devices is sort of None productive.