Replacement for aging WRT54G

[Fardringle]

My trusty old Linksys WRT54G v2.2 is finally giving up after almost a decade of reliable service and needs to be replaced. I know that there are some excellent higher end routers on the market (such as the Asus RT-N66U), and while I might get something in that price range later on, I need something to replace the Linksys tonight or tomorrow morning since I was hoping to work from home tomorrow. I don't know anything at all about the bottom end of the wireless router market so I need some help.

The biggest problem is that since I need it by tomorrow morning, I'm looking for something I can get locally (Walmart, Shopko, Staples, Target, BestBuy, etc) that is either really nice and will just be the permanent replacement, or something that is very cheap and is reliable enough to work for a month or two until the pain of Christmas bills fades enough to make $150 or so for an Asus more palatable. The WRT54G really is fast enough and powerful enough for my needs at home which is why I haven't ever bothered replacing it, so speed is not nearly as important as reliability, wireless strength, and as cheap as possible.

Any suggestions?

edit: By "cheap" I mean less than $50. Less than $30 would be even better if it's just a temporary fix until I order an Asus.

 

[Blamblooga]

Have you tried flashing DD-WRT or Tomato onto it?

 

[s44]

Probably this is decent enough, though you can't run Tomato off of it. Should be stable enough.

 

[Fardringle]

The old Linksys has been running Tomato for a few years and DD-WRT for a long time before that. It's just tired after being overworked for a very long time. Download speeds are now/suddenly capping out at about 10mpbs and uploads won't go above 15kpbs . Resetting, and even re-flashing firmware does nothing. Connecting direct to the modem gets my full speed of 30mpbs down and 6mpbs up again so it's definitely the router.

 

[Fardringle]

Buffalo does make some decent stuff, and a quick web search says that the WZR-300HP can run DD-WRT so that might be a good option, s44, although $50 is more than I was hoping to spend for a temporary so I'll need to check reviews on that one to see if it looks like one I could keep for a while.

edit: Unfortunately, it's not kept in stock at any stores within 100 miles of me so sadly it won't work since ship-to-store wouldn't get it until January 2nd and I need something tomorrow.

 

[s44]

It's probably fine as a router, and does have gigabit. For improved wireless I'd suggest getting a separate AP -- I and others here have been using UniFi stuff with great success.

I think a N53 or a 3500L would be better for the long haul but the former seems to be reasonably priced only at Fry's and the latter isn't carried by many B&M stores these days...

 

[VirtualLarry]

http://www.staples.com/NETGEAR-N300-...mArea=CIRCULAR

If you need an N300 router ASAP at a B&M, the Netgear WNR2000 is decent. Rev 2 and 3 can take DD-WRT. Don't know if there's a rev 4 out there yet.

$44.99 in Staples circular, carried in B&M, and there's a 20% off shopping bag coupon on the site, under "Deals", "coupons". Print it out and bring it in.

This router is also carried in Walmart and Radio Shack B&M. It wouldn't surprise me if BestBuy carried it as well.

 

[VirtualLarry]

although $50 is more than I was hoping to spend for a temporary

Good luck finding any decent routers at a B&M big-box store for less than $50. Maybe if you had a Microcenter or Fry's nearby.

I think that Staples router deal I just posted is going to be your best bet for availability and B&M price.

Unless you can find a clearance WD MyNet router at Staples, or a cheapo Belkin N150 router at WM.

 

[Fardringle]

That 20% shopping bag coupon says, "Discount applies to products that fit within the customer’s Staples EcoEasy bag only." so that one wouldn't work for me since I don't have and don't want one of those bags.

However, there is also a $10 off $40 technology accessory purchase coupon that definitely would work so I appreciate the coupon suggestion.

I have installed several Netgear WNDR3700 routers in small client offices in the past and liked them a lot. I don't know anything about the WNR2000 but if the quality is similar that would definitely be a reasonable option.

 

[LinuxL0ver]

Probably this is decent enough, though you can't run Tomato off of it. Should be stable enough.

That is what I settled on for a client:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162069

Looked at the specs on DDWRT and it looks pretty good for $50.

 

[VirtualLarry]

That 20% shopping bag coupon says, "Discount applies to products that fit within the customer’s Staples EcoEasy bag only." so that one wouldn't work for me since I don't have and don't want one of those bags.

However, there is also a $10 off $40 technology accessory purchase coupon that definitely would work so I appreciate the coupon suggestion.

I have installed several Netgear WNDR3700 routers in small client offices in the past and liked them a lot. I don't know anything about the WNR2000 but if the quality is similar that would definitely be a reasonable option.

No, no, no. You GET the shopping bag for FREE when you present the coupon when you walk in.
You present the coupon, along with your bag'o'goodies when you check out, and get 20% off.

And, a router counts as "technology", not a "technology accessory". That mean things like phone cases and tablet styluses.

 

[Fardringle]

No, no, no. You GET the shopping bag for FREE when you present the coupon when you walk in.
You present the coupon, along with your bag'o'goodies when you check out, and get 20% off.

You may be right about the technology accessories coupon, but this is definitely not what the 20% coupon says.

It specifically gives instructions for the cashier to scan the bag that the customer is purchasing, then scan the items inside the bag, then scan the coupon to apply the discount to the contents. Or if the customer already has an EcoEasy bag, then they can take it in and fill it up without having to purchase a new bag.

Regardless, the Netgear is probably the best option I'm going to find locally, so I appreciate the suggestion. And I'll try the accessories coupon anyway just to see if they will take it.

 

[VirtualLarry]

You may be right about the technology accessories coupon, but this is definitely not what the 20% coupon says.

It specifically gives instructions for the cashier to scan the bag that the customer is purchasing, then scan the items inside the bag, then scan the coupon to apply the discount to the contents. Or if the customer already has an EcoEasy bag, then they can take it in and fill it up without having to purchase a new bag.

Sigh. You act like I've never done their bag discount coupon before. This ain't my first Staples rodeo. Believe what you want to believe, I was just trying to save you a few bucks.

Get 20% off: 22109
Get your bag: 40245

Discount on Staples® EcoEasysm bag will be taken at register at time of purchase, item no. 708691.

That discount is "free". Why do you think they have two coupon codes instead of one? One is for the free bag, and one is for the 20% off.

Does that make it any more clear?

 

[Fardringle]

I appreciate the effort and the suggestion. I'm just going by what the coupon actually says...

 

[Gronnie]

If you are looking for something cheap and temporary, why not buy something used on CraigsList? Could probably even find another WRT54G for < $20.

 

[JackMDS]

cheap - http://www.amazon.com/BUFFALO-AirSta...pd_sim_sbs_e_6

Middle of the way - http://www.amazon.com/BUFFALO-AirSta...pd_sim_sbs_e_3

Sub $50 Giga switch and under many environment just as Good as the over $100 Units.

http://www.amazon.com/BUFFALO-AirSta...pd_sim_sbs_e_2

 

[Fardringle]

I ended up just getting a super cheap junk router. That Netgear at Staples was tempting, but spending $50 would have to make it a not temporary and I decided I'll spoil myself with the Asus RT-N66U and just use this junky little $15 TPLink router until then. Thanks again for the suggestions.