Help with wireless router choice

[klinemj]

Yikes!

[KeithL]

Distance counts, but you also need to consider that WiFi is almost line-of-sight, and so is basically blocked by metal. It is also blocked to lesser but varying degrees by other dense materials (like cement or solid plaster walls)

This means that whether there is any metal in the walls between the router and your devices matters more than simple distance. A lot of wiring or metal plumbing in a wall, or metal beams, or even a screen door, will create a "signal shadow" that will almost entirely block the signal. (I once had a Logitech Squeezebox stop playing because a six inch brass bookend was between it and the router.) Because of this, sometimes moving your router or your computer a few feet (or even inches) will make a difference, and either locating your router higher up, or using a separate antenna (with wire) that you can locate a few feet above the router, will also help.

Also, some devices, especially things like microwave ovens, can create significant interference for a WiFi signal. So locating your computer away from such devices may help, and, again, moving it a few feet one way or the other may make a huge difference.

Also, since someone mentioned the length of their Cat5 cable, you should know that the length of a WIRED connection is mostly unimportant. (There are distance limits, based on the Ethernet connection speed, but anything under about 50 feet won't matter with any of them, and 100 mBit is good for several hundred feet through wire before it becomes an issue. WiFi connections absolutely DO slow down as the distance is increased, and, even if you have a high-end router with very good range, it's performance WILL decrease at extreme distances, so wire is always a better bet for really long distances.)

Nov 26, 2015 14:59:56 GMT -5 creimes said:

Geez I may have to sell my Carport Express and grab an Asus router, especially now that I am streaming Tidal to my Note 4 and then to my Oppo, has anyone gone from an Apple Airport Express to something like the Asus, I wonder if the coverage would be better, I have a small house but my detached garage is about 30ft from the house so would be nice to have some better coverage outside the house for streaming and such


$200 Canadian for the AC1750 at Bestbuy.ca

Chad

[knucklehead]

I've been using a TP-Link WR841N v5 wireless router for the past 3-4 years with thoughts of upgrading it lately. I have one neighbor who is connected to it via a TP-Link adapter - he pays me $20 per month to piggy-back on my internet connection - fiber optics @100mbps up/down and no cap. I've also got the tv - oppo 103 - bedroom AVR - cellphone - my HTPC - and one laser printer connected to it. Mark (next door & about 60' from router) gets 2 bars of signal he's happy since he only does email and online shopping. I've ran upload/download speeds on his computer with decent results - 15-20mbps up and down. I decided to save the $$'s and buy some new computer parts for a new HTPC build. My own speed test results vary depending on the time of day. I've had a high of 93mbps - pretty good for a 100mbps capped system.

For anyone looking for more coverage you can get a wireless repeater that works great. I set one up in my sister's home. Her wireless router was placed out in the garage since the fiber gear is on that wall. With a repeater placed halfway from the router she can get 4 bars of wireless signal on her tablet ~100' from the router. Setup was a matter of pushing buttons on the router and the repeater. Very easy. If you have a dual or three/four band router make sure to get a repeater that can transmit on all bands.

[creimes]

I do Internet, TV and Voice install and repair and wireless troubles are one of our major problems at the moment, mainly because we have to install out modem mainly in the area of the basement where the coax and or Cat5 wiring is and we use the Pace RG router which has very basic Wireless N and being in the basement and usually in the corner of the house doesn't always or very rarely work for wireless coverage and most households now have many wireless devices.

My Airport Express actually works well for what I need and it is located upstairs in the middle of my smaller home, I was wondering if something like the Asus routers would give me a bit better coverage just outside my house for sitting outside controlling my Oppo and XMC-1 for my outdoor patio speakers

Chad

Nov 27, 2015 11:13:19 GMT -5 KeithL said:

Distance counts, but you also need to consider that WiFi is almost line-of-sight, and so is basically blocked by metal. It is also blocked to lesser but varying degrees by other dense materials (like cement or solid plaster walls)

This means that whether there is any metal in the walls between the router and your devices matters more than simple distance. A lot of wiring or metal plumbing in a wall, or metal beams, or even a screen door, will create a "signal shadow" that will almost entirely block the signal. (I once had a Logitech Squeezebox stop playing because a six inch brass bookend was between it and the router.) Because of this, sometimes moving your router or your computer a few feet (or even inches) will make a difference, and either locating your router higher up, or using a separate antenna (with wire) that you can locate a few feet above the router, will also help.

Also, some devices, especially things like microwave ovens, can create significant interference for a WiFi signal. So locating your computer away from such devices may help, and, again, moving it a few feet one way or the other may make a huge difference.

Also, since someone mentioned the length of their Cat5 cable, you should know that the length of a WIRED connection is mostly unimportant. (There are distance limits, based on the Ethernet connection speed, but anything under about 50 feet won't matter with any of them, and 100 mBit is good for several hundred feet through wire before it becomes an issue. WiFi connections absolutely DO slow down as the distance is increased, and, even if you have a high-end router with very good range, it's performance WILL decrease at extreme distances, so wire is always a better bet for really long distances.)

Nov 26, 2015 14:59:56 GMT -5 creimes said:

Geez I may have to sell my Carport Express and grab an Asus router, especially now that I am streaming Tidal to my Note 4 and then to my Oppo, has anyone gone from an Apple Airport Express to something like the Asus, I wonder if the coverage would be better, I have a small house but my detached garage is about 30ft from the house so would be nice to have some better coverage outside the house for streaming and such


$200 Canadian for the AC1750 at Bestbuy.ca

Chad

[klinemj]

Router came in! But, I just got home and need to chill, and I am slammed with evening plans the next two nights. So, tonight, I will open up the package to check that everything looks intact and read over the startup guide info from ASUS to get ready for a Thursday install.

Mark

[klinemj]

Well, my install had to wait until today due to an unexpected business dinner and weekend guests.

But, wow...what a difference so far! My tablet has struggled in the past in remote locations in the house, but not now! Amazing speed everywhere!

I still need to try Tidal with my HT again and see if I am having dropouts any more, but so far I am thrilled.

Mark

[klinemj]

And, might I add - after updating the router, my Sonos system didn't display properly (didn't show most zones, and it initially only showed 1 zone). Digging into Sonos' on-line help very quickly found the tip I needed to reset the Sonos system after installing a new router. These Sonos guys really have their support working great...very well organized self-help system and also very responsive via e-mail or phone.

Mark

[teaman]

Thanks for your thoughts Mark. We are in the market for a router right now too so this is a help.

[klinemj]

Good luck. This ASUS is doing great. Great speed, great coverage, and reliable (so far!)

Mark