Weapons-grade home WiFi suggestions
Discussion
Anyone after WiFi mesh kit? Tenda Nova MW3 3 pack on sale at Amazon, lowest I've seen it at £39.99 for a 3 pack.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07D9CC637
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07D9CC637
S6PNJ said:
Anyone after WiFi mesh kit? Tenda Nova MW3 3 pack on sale at Amazon, lowest I've seen it at £39.99 for a 3 pack.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07D9CC637
Hmm, I was about to buy the TP-Link Deco system after my queries further up the page but this appears to do the same job for 1/3 of the price?https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07D9CC637
Just to add to that, I was just browsing the 1 star reviews on Amazon of the Tenda system and found this:
Amazon Reviewer/Tenda user said:
I recently added an ad-blocking solution to my home network (PiHole) and discovered that the Nova is sending repeated queries (several per minute) out to several Chinese websites - baidu.com, taobao.com and qq.com among others. Blocking these queries causes the mesh to indicate a fault (red led), and implies that they are intrinsic to the functioning of the device.
As such, if you have any concern for your personal data privacy on your home network, I would recommend that you look at other manufacturers.
I know almost all electronics are made in China these days, but As such, if you have any concern for your personal data privacy on your home network, I would recommend that you look at other manufacturers.
CAPP0 said:
Just to add to that, I was just browsing the 1 star reviews on Amazon of the Tenda system and found this:
Hmmm Amazon Reviewer/Tenda user said:
I recently added an ad-blocking solution to my home network (PiHole) and discovered that the Nova is sending repeated queries (several per minute) out to several Chinese websites - baidu.com, taobao.com and qq.com among others. Blocking these queries causes the mesh to indicate a fault (red led), and implies that they are intrinsic to the functioning of the device.
As such, if you have any concern for your personal data privacy on your home network, I would recommend that you look at other manufacturers.
I know almost all electronics are made in China these days, but As such, if you have any concern for your personal data privacy on your home network, I would recommend that you look at other manufacturers.
I wasn't aware of that, but a quick Google later suggests it might just be a way to determine if the 'Internet is up' . This thread mentions zero payload to the requests sent out, so it's probably the equivalent of a ping at a guess (I'm no expert...)https://superuser.com/questions/1409745/tenda-mw6-...
RizzoTheRat said:
I *think* the the S4 is just the newer version of the M4, specs look the same but a slightly smaller case.
Just to confirm, I did a live chat with TP-Link and their agent confirmed the case size, and the only other difference was:"Also, main differences between the TP-Link Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi Systems is that the newer Deco S4 is more compact in size in addition to adding support CE transmit power. Otherwise, the S4 and M4 are identical in specs and features.
My guess is it means meeting CE requirements for limiting WiFi transmission power (which AIUI is why Unifi has higher transmit power in the US than RoW spec, something like 20 vs 22 dBm ?), although I'd have thought they have been unable to get a CE mark and sell equipment that didn't meet that requirement up until now.
Hermes b
ds have had my Eero 6 pro delivery from Amazon since Friday night, and it still shows stuck at their premises since Saturday due to "delay" - I'm ordering another set now and refusing delivery of the first, if it even turns up. Normally they are fine (last mile folk here are all local and friendly), but when it goes wrong, it always seems to go very wrong.
In the interim I've also bought a 4th Eero in case I need it - I can also send it back if I can adequately blanket the house using 3
ds have had my Eero 6 pro delivery from Amazon since Friday night, and it still shows stuck at their premises since Saturday due to "delay" - I'm ordering another set now and refusing delivery of the first, if it even turns up. Normally they are fine (last mile folk here are all local and friendly), but when it goes wrong, it always seems to go very wrong.In the interim I've also bought a 4th Eero in case I need it - I can also send it back if I can adequately blanket the house using 3
And - I'm back. Wifi disabled on the ISP router and we're running off three Decos now.
It doesn't just feel faster - it is. Much. Before I disabled, I ran a BT Wholesale speed test on the new Deco network, the ISP 2.4GHz and the ISP 5.0 GHz. I know a wireless test isn't that accurate, but on the ISP router I got between 45 & 70 Mbps, and from the same device (MBA) in the same part of the house I got 146 Mbps on the Deco net.
Haven't tried it yet on the most remote repeater from the router but I'm expecting it to be pretty good.
Thanks again for the recommendation, so far I'm very impressed.
It doesn't just feel faster - it is. Much. Before I disabled, I ran a BT Wholesale speed test on the new Deco network, the ISP 2.4GHz and the ISP 5.0 GHz. I know a wireless test isn't that accurate, but on the ISP router I got between 45 & 70 Mbps, and from the same device (MBA) in the same part of the house I got 146 Mbps on the Deco net.
Haven't tried it yet on the most remote repeater from the router but I'm expecting it to be pretty good.
Thanks again for the recommendation, so far I'm very impressed.
S6PNJ said:
Anyone after WiFi mesh kit? Tenda Nova MW3 3 pack on sale at Amazon, lowest I've seen it at £39.99 for a 3 pack.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07D9CC637
or buy 2 X 2 packs for £19.99 eachhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07D9CC637
Eero Pro 6 up and running. Foolproof install.
Sadly only got 1Gb ports, so not seeing full 1.1Gb Virgin providing, but solid 950Mb down, which is more than ample, so I don't care about the lost element. Currently got Virgin's Hub4 which doesn't have a 2.5Gb port anyway. I expect them to change that to a Hub5 next year.
First impressions? It's ok, but not blowing me away. Still finding modern devices (like iPhone 12Pro) not connecting to strongest node sometimes etc, but otherwise I'm getting decent speed (>50) everywhere that matters.
Three nodes not enough to blanket the house, so i'm going to plug the 4th in as well before making a decision on whether to keep it or not.
Main thing missing for me is something that can help you place the nodes. I might look at knocking together a wifi signal detector so I can survey the house properly - downstairs is the hard bit. Big 30s semi, downstairs wall penetration is the problem and lots of shapes - mid-floor is fine as the signal goes up through floors easily enough.
One thing I will say, that is important, is that the Eero devices are nigh-on Apple levels of design and build quality. They look ok sitting out, unlike the Asus kit, which looks cheap AF IMO, given it's going to be in your living areas on display.
I'll also look at the sales tomorrow and possibly buy something else to try in parallel.
Sadly only got 1Gb ports, so not seeing full 1.1Gb Virgin providing, but solid 950Mb down, which is more than ample, so I don't care about the lost element. Currently got Virgin's Hub4 which doesn't have a 2.5Gb port anyway. I expect them to change that to a Hub5 next year.
First impressions? It's ok, but not blowing me away. Still finding modern devices (like iPhone 12Pro) not connecting to strongest node sometimes etc, but otherwise I'm getting decent speed (>50) everywhere that matters.
Three nodes not enough to blanket the house, so i'm going to plug the 4th in as well before making a decision on whether to keep it or not.
Main thing missing for me is something that can help you place the nodes. I might look at knocking together a wifi signal detector so I can survey the house properly - downstairs is the hard bit. Big 30s semi, downstairs wall penetration is the problem and lots of shapes - mid-floor is fine as the signal goes up through floors easily enough.
One thing I will say, that is important, is that the Eero devices are nigh-on Apple levels of design and build quality. They look ok sitting out, unlike the Asus kit, which looks cheap AF IMO, given it's going to be in your living areas on display.
I'll also look at the sales tomorrow and possibly buy something else to try in parallel.
nebpor said:
Main thing missing for me is something that can help you place the nodes. I might look at knocking together a wifi signal detector so I can survey the house properly - downstairs is the hard bit. Big 30s semi, downstairs wall penetration is the problem and lots of shapes - mid-floor is fine as the signal goes up through floors easily enough.
.
Wifiman app from Ubiquiti. Very helpful in finding practical signal issues..
randlemarcus said:
nebpor said:
Main thing missing for me is something that can help you place the nodes. I might look at knocking together a wifi signal detector so I can survey the house properly - downstairs is the hard bit. Big 30s semi, downstairs wall penetration is the problem and lots of shapes - mid-floor is fine as the signal goes up through floors easily enough.
.
Wifiman app from Ubiquiti. Very helpful in finding practical signal issues..
I haven't tried the Ubiquiti app so I might have to give that a go now....
S6PNJ said:
I haven't tried the Ubiquiti app so I might have to give that a go now....
Nice thing about the Ubiquiti app is if you've got a Unifi controller on the network it will give you real time bandwidth measurements to it as you walk about, which makes looking for performance black spots rather easier.Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff