Wirless Router replacement

[Guest db99wj]

I have a Linksys WRTG 45 something or other and it is going in and out of service. It is several years old, and from what I understand, this is a sign of them going bad.

I want to replace with something inexpensive. I will have my main computer wired directly to the cable modem, then the wireless off of that so that I can run my work lap top on occasion, my iPhone, a Palm Pilot and 2 iTouch's. That is it, just need a good speed, reliable and stable connection. I'm not doing anything major like gaming, or super high speed oriented stuff.

I found a WRT54G2, refurbuished on Amazon, for $16. I haven't really looked to much into it yet, and am not only wanting a Linksys, I don't care what or who makes it, cheap and it works and is stable. Oh easy to use.

Oh, my computer at home is about to die, and will be buying a new refurbished model in a few months, looking at going with a lap top on refurbdepot.com, maybe an Acer. I see that they have wirless cards built in, not sure if that should be considered or not. I don't know the in's and outs, I just figure out how to get what I have to work.

Edited July 7, 2010 by db99wj

[Guest Arko]

You're not going to find anything cheaper than $16!

I just went through the same thing, and the cheapest I saw any was in the $30 range. A little more for a little more speed, then up to a hundred for bells and whistles.

[Guest db99wj]

You're not going to find anything cheaper than $16!

I just went through the same thing, and the cheapest I saw any was in the $30 range. A little more for a little more speed, then up to a hundred for bells and whistles.

that $16 ends up being almost $25 with "shipping".

[Guest Glock23ForMe]

I have a Belkin and have had it for about 3 years now. It is awesome. I think I spent 50-60 on it, but for 3 years, I don't think that's too bad.

And, I have pretty much the same setup. I have my cable modem and XBox 360 Wired to it, with wireless serving the rest of the household, MacBook and BB, for the times I don't use the 360.

[vontar]

Amazon gives free shipping if you order 25 dollars so you might as well run the bill up to 25.

If you have picked the router you want, pad the bill some with something else. since you are spending 25 anyways.

I will say this, nothing seems to beat a Linksys Router though.

I am bit crazy don't ask why but I have 4 Wireless routers in my small home.

2 of them are WRT54G, 2 of them are WRT54G-TM.

I have my reasons why I have so many, they are all hooked up.

At least one of these routers is over 7 years old and sitll works like the day it was brought.

[LagerHead]

Most of the consumer wireless routers are pretty comparable, especially if you're just looking for a signal. The only things you need to really be wary of is that it meets the specification that your wireless card uses, i.e. 802.11B, or G, or N. Then everything should work fine.

[Guest Glock23ForMe]

At least one of these routers is over 7 years old and still works like the day it was brought.

It's gonna break tomorrow... And there will be a thread on where to find another one.

[vontar]

It's gonna break tomorrow... And there will be a thread on where to find another one.

I know where to shop for my computer needs.

I have been working on computers for years, both hobby and getting a paid check.

When your PC is broken or your internet is not working, I am the guy you want in your living room, but I don't make house calls.

[Guest db99wj]

Wireless G, Wireless N...I'm guessing I should stay with the G since my stuff is older.

[vontar]

Most N routers are backwards compatible with G and even B.

The real secret is,

the letter is mainly the speed of of data transfer.

B is like 11Mbps

G is like 54Mbps

N is like 108Mbps

however the best your home internet is maybe 8mit or so,

the speed of the letters is mainly PC to PC data transfers. in short, any of the letters are likely to be faster then your home internet provider.

everything in my home that is wireless is running on G. I would have to change allot of Stuff to upgrade to N, when sometime dies I will probably replace one item at a time with an N, using backwards compatiblity G until I get a couple N's in place.

Edited July 7, 2010 by vontar

[MacGyver]

N has a little better distance profile than B or G as well. Shouldn't be a problem unless you are in a big house, but for some it makes a difference.

[vontar]

Plus Most anything New you buy will be N, backwards Compatible G and B anways. I don't know about a 16 dollar router though. I might be a bit scared of that.

[Guest db99wj]

I have my eye on a WRT54G2 for around $25. It is refurbished.Or the Belkin Wirelss-G Router DSL/Cable Gateway, it's 34.99. A little more but..

[Guest Glock23ForMe]

I have a Belkin Mimo.... AWESOME

[Guest strelcevina]

i have linksys G running DD-wrt for many years now.

it is stable as you can get.

[vontar]

i have linksys G running DD-wrt for many years now.

it is stable as you can get.

I know exactly what DD-WRT is, all 4 of mine are running it. (3rd party firmware) we broke away from linksys software. In short upgraded our routers.

[Capbyrd]

The WRT54G is hands down the best residential router ever made in my opinion. You can't beat it.

[Raoul]

The WRT54G is hands down the best residential router ever made in my opinion. You can't beat it.

Meh

For chuckles you might check this site out:

Wireless Networking, 802.11g, 802.11n, Bluetooth, USB Adapter, PCI Adapter, Hotspot Detector, Etc - Meritline.com

[vontar]

The WRT54G is hands down the best residential router ever made in my opinion. You can't beat it.

Well as much as I like that one, I like the WRT54G-TM a bit more., why, well it is the one that T-mobile had linksys build for them with a little more memory and a faster processor. It is a little better for those of us that like to put 3rd party firm ware on them.

It is the model that T-mobile used with one of their cell phones that had the option to use one's home wifi for voice over IP calls to save minutes when at home.

[willis68]

We upgraded to a Airport Extreme 2 months ago, this is by far the best router I have ever used. Our internet is blazing fast so the price I paid for this was worth it to me.

[Guest GimpyLeg]

db99wj - I had an issue with my WRT54Gx a few months ago. Wouldn't boot. Bought a new Linksys-N "clamshell" from Wally World to get running. Flashed the old WRT54Gx with dd-wrt (www.dd-wrt.com | Unleash Your Router) and it booted and is working just fine. I use it for a wireless bridge over to my entertainment center (wireless router-to-router, so I don't have to run CAT5) and it has been rock solid for 4 months now. Might be an option if you think yours is going or gone.

[Guest TargetShooter84]

What's wrong with Apple Airport Extreme? I hear great things about it...

[Guest ArmyVeteran37214]

I have owned several Linksys and Belkin routers over the years. I have had horrible luck with both those brands. If you can find a way to spare a few extra coin, go with a D-Link. Doesn't matter which one, they all are great routers. I have a DGL-4300 (Been Discontinued) and it has worked flawlessly for me since I bought it in late 2006. Current generations of the Gamer Lounge Routers are the DGL-4100 and DGL-4500. The DGL-4500 replaces the DGL-4300.

[willis68]

What's wrong with Apple Airport Extreme? I hear great things about it...

Absolutely nothing, I have owned damn near every Linksys router made the Airport Extreme blows them out of the water,

[Guest Lester Weevils]

I've had a couple of linksys routers, and still have a couple of linksys switches. The switches still work fine and the wireless router worked fine for many years before giving up the goat. The latest linksys wireless access point was still working when I took it out of service.

May have been luck of the draw, but tried a DLink wireless router when the first linksys wireless router died a few years ago, and spent a couple of days trying to get that DLink to talk to the AT&T ADSL modem with no luck. Returned the DLink, and the replacement linksys talked to the modem no problemo immediately after hooking it up.

Guess I should put in another wireless access point sometime, but I got worried about security. Years ago my home wireless was the only one my computers could see, but as wireless got stronger, started to notice I could see NUMEROUS WAPs from my living room, including one from the Taco Bell over a block down the street. I figgered if I could see all those points, then those folks can see me too, and wireless is far from un-hackable.