New Wireless ADSL Router

[LEK-89]

Ever since moving over to BT a few weeks ago and not really too keen on the BT HomeHub3 (and to finally retire my DG834G), I've been looking into getting a new Wireless ADSL2+ router.

Everywhere I have read on so far highly recommends the Billion 7800N. However, it is slightly out of my price range (£60 max) but the router would be a solid candidate if my funds could go higher. Another one I've been reading up / hearing about is these new TP-Link routers (TD-W8960 & TD-W8961ND to be precise), could anyone give an honest opinion on them as they are supposed to be really solid and good value for how cheap they can be had for, and not only that they run on the Broadcom chipset which is probably my main buying point.

Besides the router running on the Broadcom chipset for my BT 21CN needs, how well does the Wireless-N coverage perform?

Another good router that has been recommended to me is the Netgear DGND3700 (N600) but again, I want to hear some other opinions on this router too.

Thanks all - Liam

 

[InQ]

Hi,

I have a DG834GT and a Billion 7800N but i'm not overly impressed with the 7800N wireless performance. Although the DG834GT (with latest DGTeam firmware) is great it only had wireless G and so i've ordered a TD-W8960, just waiting for it to turn up, i'll let you know how i get on with it.

The TD-W8960 uses the same Broadcom chip as the 7800N so you can tweak the SNR Margin and it should be solid ADSL connection wise (the 7800N was as is my DG834GT which uses Broadcom but an older chipset).
I believe the TD-W8961ND DOESNT use a Broadcom chipset, infact i think its a Trendchip chipset so avoid that.

 

[LEK-89]

Hi,

I have a DG834GT and a Billion 7800N but i'm not overly impressed with the 7800N wireless performance. Although the DG834GT (with latest DGTeam firmware) is great it only had wireless G and so i've ordered a TD-W8960, just waiting for it to turn up, i'll let you know how i get on with it.

The TD-W8960 uses the same Broadcom chip as the 7800N so you can tweak the SNR Margin and it should be solid ADSL connection wise (the 7800N was as is my DG834GT which uses Broadcom but an older chipset).
I believe the TD-W8961ND DOESNT use a Broadcom chipset, infact i think its a Trendchip chipset so avoid that.

Thanks for your info regarding the TD-W8961, I did not realise that it did not infact feature the Broadcom ADSL chipset so I will stay clear of it (the router itself in general also has it's fair share of bad reviews too from what I have discovered).

Thanks for your output on the TD-W8960 too, I will keep a close eye on this router and please give your opinion on the router after you have used it for a bit

Liam

 

[chaparral]

it is slightly out of my price range (£60 max)

Another good router that has been recommended to me is the Netgear DGND3700 (N600) but again, I want to hear some other opinions on this router too.

Thanks all - Liam

Your not going get a DGND3700 (N600) for £60

I only bought one last week and it cost me over £100

 

[InQ]

OK had the W8960N out to have a play and i'm not that impressed, its ok and decent value for £35 though.
Seemed to struggle ie read couldnt get connected at 20MHz N speeds (144mbit) on the latest firmware (with 2 different laptops) so went to a slightly older one and it seemed better.

Think i'm going to return it and stick with my DG834GT with DGteam firmware, wireless seems stronger on that at G speeds than the W8960N at N speeds (i use ethernet for any large file transfers)!

DG834GT's are £10 on the auction place, great value for money!

 

[LEK-89]

Thanks for getting back to be about the W8960N & I'm sorry to hear that it was a dissappointment. I was very nearly going to pull the trigger on ordering it the other day but the one thing that stopped me was the cheap price tag and the same thing you have just confirmed - that it doesn't really live up to the job.

Looks like TP-Link is out of the window for me, I've also came to the conclusion that I need to expand my limit to the £80-£100 mark for reliability and a router that is up for the job. So now this is between the Netgear DGND3700 (N600) and the Billion 7800N.

I have considered the Netgear DG834GT many times before but to be honest, it's a good old router that is sadly getting on a bit now and I feel that I want something that is more up to date.

Liam

 

[InQ]

I've got a 7800N as well!
Think i'm going to sell it as the DG834GT does everything i need.