Modem for VDSL

Scottland · 29 May 2018 at 12:19

Hi,

I'm moving onto a mesh system and at the moment only have a BT Smart Hub since the lightning wiped out my old TP link router. The Smart Hub doesn't work in bridge mode, so I'm wondering if it would be worth picking up a dedicated VDSL modem - or can I just turn off the wifi on the bt hub?

ChrisD. · 29 May 2018 at 12:19

Either turn off the wifi or get a HG612 for about £15-£20 on eBay.

Scottland · 29 May 2018 at 13:11

Thanks, I had a Huawei modem years ago so familiar with the setup etc. I assume then there's no benefit in something like the Netgear or Draytek modem only offerings?

ChrisD. · 29 May 2018 at 13:19

No not really. I went with a Draytek 130 as I'm on an ECI cab and you can't see stats using the ECI modem unless you physically mod it. That said I doubt it makes much of a difference.

Steveocee · 29 May 2018 at 17:00

Another vote for the HG612 here but you need to be careful that when you order a "3B" variant you get that. I ordered one quite cheaply and it's arrived as a V1 so have had to open a returns case.
The 3B's overcame the overheating issues.

ChrisD. · 29 May 2018 at 19:01

Steveocee said:
Another vote for the HG612 here but you need to be careful that when you order a "3B" variant you get that. I ordered one quite cheaply and it's arrived as a V1 so have had to open a returns case.
The 3B's overcame the overheating issues.

Thanks, I knew there were some revisions but I wasn't sure what exactly.

Silicon Si · 29 May 2018 at 19:44

Steveocee said:
Another vote for the HG612 here but you need to be careful that when you order a "3B" variant you get that. I ordered one quite cheaply and it's arrived as a V1 so have had to open a returns case.
The 3B's overcame the overheating issues.

Just to add, they still need to be mounted on a wall etc to allow airflow because they still get hot. But they are good modems I use one.

Steveocee · 30 May 2018 at 09:49

ChrisD. said:
Thanks, I knew there were some revisions but I wasn't sure what exactly.

From what I've found there were 3 revisions. The first which is untitled, 2B and 3B.
The latter is renowned as being the "best" as it stands up to the heat better and supposedly has less hardware failures (I imagine bought on by heat). I've also found that the earlier models use a lesser power supply (0.7A) as opposed to the 3B which uses a 1A unit.

They all unlock the same though.

ChrisD. · 30 May 2018 at 09:51

I've got two spare ECI modems. It's a shame that they're so much more difficult to unlock.

Scottland · 30 May 2018 at 10:26

Steveocee said:
From what I've found there were 3 revisions. The first which is untitled, 2B and 3B.
The latter is renowned as being the "best" as it stands up to the heat better and supposedly has less hardware failures (I imagine bought on by heat). I've also found that the earlier models use a lesser power supply (0.7A) as opposed to the 3B which uses a 1A unit.

They all unlock the same though.

Am I right in saying the need to be unlocked with a line using G.INP?

bremen1874 · 30 May 2018 at 11:58

AFAIK No.

Steveocee · 30 May 2018 at 14:28

Scottland said:
Am I right in saying the need to be unlocked with a line using G.INP?

I know the last FW version allowed G.INP which was 30SP08. I thin i fyou don't unlock and leave them on "BT" latest firmware then G.INP will work. You look for Bearer1 in the DSL stats, if it's there even with no traffic then G.INP is enabled.