topic Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation in My Router

3rd party higher end router recommendation

Star-Light100 — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 19:28:21 GMT

Hi, at some point in the future I’d like to replace my hub 2 with a fuller featured higher end router. Does anyone have any suggestions of 3rd party router replacements that work well on Plus Net full fibre please? Thanks

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

bmc — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 20:29:09 GMT

@Star-Light100

Any router that works on FTTP can be used. PN have always been happy for customers to use their own equipment and provider the settings required in their Help pages.

Can't offer any specific advice but in general I believe FritzBox routers come well recommeded. Zen Internet use them and they have a good reputation overall.

Brian

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

jab1 — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 05:59:18 GMT

But, @bmc , AIUI, they are (a) a little expensive and (b) hard to come by with UK software.

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

Batfrog — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 07:13:24 GMT

@bmc, @jab1, Depending on ability and inclination Fritzbox routers can be FULLY factory reset with Fritz original firmware in English. You can also use other firmware e.g. openWRT.

They (7530) are available second hand from the likes of eBay although in my case I bought from CEX which was cheaper and in theory has a 24 month warranty? I paid £35 but they are currently £30 from CEX !

All the ones you see for sale second hand (inc CEX) are ex ZEN and have TR069 auto set-set but this is not a problem. You can put your own (e.g. Plusnet) settings in or follow the link below to FULLY factory reset removing TR069

Other advantages include seperate 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz wifi and a built in ATA so overall a very cost effective project.

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=85&topicid=148507

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

jab1 — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 08:03:44 GMT

Cheers, @Batfrog . As a Zen customer, I have one, and am very happy with it. As a point of interest, mine, on the current (7.59) f/w, does not have separate bands, but that doesn't cause any issue.

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

Batfrog — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 08:47:57 GMT

@jab1, Curious, with mine also 7.59 you can have separate SSIDs for 2.4 and 5Ghz. You can also set the wifi channel for each manually or automatically. I leave them on auto but then again there are very few wifi networks near me.

I wonder if the ZEN firmware has other differences apart from TR069 ?

You might find this link informative.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Fritz!Box_devices

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

jab1 — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 08:58:55 GMT

@Batfrog As supplied/configured when received, the Zen version has both networks on the same SSID. Doing a bit of checking, it is possible to split them, but I am one of those who take the attitude 'if it works, why introduce complications?'

I'll save that wiki-link for later, thanks.

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

jab1 — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:10:47 GMT

For info, my Wi-Fi Network page:

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

RobPN — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:07:38 GMT

You might want to remove that QR code @jab1

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

jab1 — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:11:42 GMT

Cheers @RobPN - done! 😉

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

Batfrog — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:19:40 GMT

@jab1 Ah Ah, I have the ‘Different Names for WiFi box ticked’. I must confess I thought it odd that ZEN would supply a good router and then restrict it’s options other than adding TR069.

Fritz presumably supply direct to ZEN since the label on the base says’ Zen Edition’.

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

jab1 — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:30:30 GMT

@Batfrog I could do that - see the 'Additional settings' option, but as I said, I don't change defaults unless I need to - if it causes issues later, you may have forgotten what you did.

Yes, it is a 'customised' version for Zen - I remember seeing a 'UK version' on the open market long ago, but the price was, even then, £100+, IIRC.

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

Batfrog — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:50:18 GMT

@jab1 If I had to criticise the Fritzbox it would be the signal strength on the 5Ghz band, in my property at least.

I’m not sure if and where you could source external antennas but they do exist and the PCB has connectors for them. They would probably cost more than I paid for the router !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae5GSURRSh0

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

jab1 — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:55:53 GMT

@Batfrog Maybe, but in my home - admittedly a small two-up, two-down place - I have no issues using any kit on 5Ghz in the upstairs room furthest from the routers location, not that I do it often.

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

archerry — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 12:05:51 GMT

@Star-Light100

The GL.iNet GL-MT6000 (Flint 2) looks like a nifty piece of kit.

https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-mt6000/

It has:
dual-band 4×4 WiFi 6
two 2.5Gbit WAN
four 1Gbit LAN
1GB DDR4 RAM
8GB eMMC storage
and one USB 3.1.

The manufacturer has built it with their own version of OpenWrt, but it is a trivial option to upgrade it to the current stable release of OpenWrt.

https://openwrt.org/toh/gl.inet/gl-mt6000

I think we are future-proofed here for a good while, with it set up and waiting to take over when required.

Regards,

Alistair

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

Star-Light100 — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 17:04:48 GMT

Thank you all for your recommendations. I will look into all of these.

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

Empire — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 13:00:31 GMT

Late to the party i just looked on Ebay Uk at fritzbox 7530 prices all over anyway tthere seems to be different 7530 versions some with Wifi 6 and higher Wifi Lan speeds etc. are these way more powerfull than a BT Smart Business hub 6? or do you think ther BT 6 is still okish? with a bit more life left?

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

bmc — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 13:39:27 GMT

@Empire

If you go for a FritzBox make sure you get a UK version. They tend to have an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter) built into them.

If you're current router still covers your needs I would wailt until times change and you need to upgrade.

Brian

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

Batfrog — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 13:57:01 GMT

@Empire Have a look at link 4 in this chain and this link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Fritz!Box_devices

If you buy from CEX you will in theory geta 24 month guarantee (of sorts) whereas with ebay its more buyer beware.

Other than brand new most Fritzbox are ex ZEN units and will work fine in the UK on both internet and VOIP.

Re: 3rd party higher end router recommendation

mystreet1 — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 14:57:46 GMT

Have a look at post #4. stated £30 on CEX.

Just refreshed and @Batfrog has already posted that.