ADSL Wireless Router and Modem

[KungFuPanda]

I'm currently sick of the patchy wireless performance offered by the free unit which has been provided by AOL.

So having a quick scout round the internet and having remembered discussions on here, I garner that DrayTek, Buffalo and Billion are respected brands over and above the usual Belkin and Netgear. I want a unit which gives a decent and fast wireless signal. What do you guys suggest? Anything under £100 would be great.

[telford_mike]

You'll get lots of opinions on this one. Personally I bought a Billion Bipac 7800N just before Xmas. It's been perfect. Rock-solid even on my rubbish 1.5Mb countryside broadband line. Never needed a restart.

[joewilliams]

Draytek Vigor 2710N.

Costs around £100, is rock solid.

[RobCrezz]

joewilliams said:

Draytek Vigor 2710N.

Costs around £100, is rock solid.

+1

With more functions than you may ever need, but really good box.

[KungFuPanda]

Just checked out the Draytek. It looks good but seems to be a router only. Is that right? I would need a combined router and modem.

[MrTom]

Have they improved the ADSL modem on the new series of Drayteks? My 2800G always dropped connection after my line was upgraded to ADSLMax.

[Ydnaroo]

KungFuPanda said:

Just checked out the Draytek. It looks good but seems to be a router only.

No, the V2710N is definitely a router/modem. I've had one since they first came out and it's the best router I've ever had. Totally different to the V2800 series which has problems with ADSL2 (different chipset).

[KungFuPanda]

Ydnaroo said:

KungFuPanda said:

Just checked out the Draytek. It looks good but seems to be a router only.

No, the V2710N is definitely a router/modem. I've had one since they first came out and it's the best router I've ever had. Totally different to the V2800 series which has problems with ADSL2 (different chipset).

Not doubting you matey but the reviews and specs online don't explicitly confirm that it's a modem too... http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.as...

[The_Burg]

Bought a Netgear DGN3500, so far working very well and a massive improvement over the DG384.

£90 from Amazon, 1Gb LAN ports too and USB where you can share a USB drive.

[bogie]

usually if you are on ADSL, your ISP will have a supported list of modem/routers which have been tested for best interop against their network

seriously though, get something at least tested by your ISP so you dont have them wriggling out of support the minute you mention you have a "wingwangwong " router that no-one has heard of

[Road2Ruin]

KungFuPanda said:

Not doubting you matey but the reviews and specs online don't explicitly confirm that it's a modem too... http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.as...

You missed the bit where it says ADSL2 then. That's the bit that reffers to the modem type. Also if you look at the picture it has a hole for the phone cable!

[KungFuPanda]

Road2Ruin said:

KungFuPanda said:

Not doubting you matey but the reviews and specs online don't explicitly confirm that it's a modem too... http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.as...

You missed the bit where it says ADSL2 then. That's the bit that reffers to the modem type. Also if you look at the picture it has a hole for the phone cable!

Thanks for that. In my naivety, I just thought that it referred to the compatability of the unit. Looks like Draytek it is then. £120 is slightly over budget though. Even on Ebay, they aren't dipping under that.

[CobolMan]

I'll second telford_mike's recommendation for the Billion 7800N - has worked wonders on my line.

[BliarOut]

MrTom said:

Have they improved the ADSL modem on the new series of Drayteks? My 2800G always dropped connection after my line was upgraded to ADSLMax.

There is long line firmware available if you're having trouble with dropouts.

[MrTom]

BliarOut said:

There is long line firmware available if you're having trouble with dropouts.

It had the latest firmware before I sold it, it made no difference. I have a cheap Belkin currently which has been solid in terms of connection ( everything else is crap) due to it's broadcom chipset.

The Billion 7800N looks excellent value compared to the Draytek 2710 at roughly the same price.

[BliarOut]

MrTom said:

It had the latest firmware before I sold it, it made no difference. I have a cheap Belkin currently which has been solid in terms of connection ( everything else is crap) due to it's broadcom chipset.

The Billion 7800N looks excellent value compared to the Draytek 2710 at roughly the same price.

Are you *sure* you had the long line stuff? The *latest* Vigor firmware doesn't automatically run the long line, there's a variety you can choose from depending on your needs.


Modem code 211801 Annex A worked well for one of my customers in a similar situation.

[MrTom]

BliarOut said:

Are you *sure* you had the long line stuff? The *latest* Vigor firmware doesn't automatically run the long line, there's a variety you can choose from depending on your needs.


Modem code 211801 Annex A worked well for one of my customers in a similar situation.

I don't have it anymore, but I did try all the firmware available before I declared it crap and sold it on. I'm not on a long line, < 1.5Km from exchange.

[BliarOut]

Fair enough, I've just checked and since December the long line stuff has been moved to a secured area of the website.

[RobCrezz]

BliarOut said:

Are you *sure* you had the long line stuff? The *latest* Vigor firmware doesn't automatically run the long line, there's a variety you can choose from depending on your needs.


Modem code 211801 Annex A worked well for one of my customers in a similar situation.

Where can you get the longline firmwares?

[BliarOut]

Looks like you have to create an account to get it now

http://myvigor.draytek.com/reg/relogin.php?src=Dra...