ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

[#1]

DJGM1974  , so i presume that there is nothing worse or as bad as the thompson,s  
Going by the posts here ,,,,, it suggests not

[#2]

@DJGM1974
As has been said before in this thread, the 582n is NOT that bad a (modem/)router, for a basic low cost device it is actually quite good and does the job well for a great majority of users. For those with more demanding requirements it has quite a lot of powerful commands available through the CLI Interface for those that have the ability and wish to have a very customised setup. There is plenty of help and guidance in threads around this forum for those that may want it.
The 2704n is simply supposed to be a basic replacement for the 582n - whether it's as customisable remains to be seen - initial comments suggest not quite, there is no reason why it shouldn't turn out to be reliable, but time will tell, as with any device!
You need to remember there is a big difference between a basic low cost device designed to be reliable and suit the great majority and something which is a sophisticated device that is capable of complex network arrangements. If you want the latter, I suggest you go and buy something that is going to suit your personal requirements.

[#3]

I believe the change in router was due to it being cheaper to source a router that had a ADSL modem inside and a capability for fibre (via WAN)
It also indicated that PN would offer value fibre so more customers would want to join - which did prove to happen.
I couldn't see why PN wouldn't be able to get a bulk order of the Hub 5 very cheaply and brand it as Plusnet (they could then offer this as the advanced router option)
The Netgear WNR1000 (which was supplied in 2012) seemed to be more superior than the TG582n and 2704n as Netgear  offered more options such as extending WiFi range, applying static IP addresses, blocking websites and set up time allowed for a specific device.  So it was more user controllable.  My WNR1000 updated to Netgear GENIE 1 or 2 years ago and proved to have a much better interface,
NE

[#4]

Quote from: Anotherone

@DJGM1974 As has been said before in this thread, the 582n is NOT that bad a (modem/)router, for a basic low cost device  it is actually quite good and does the job well for a great majority of users.

Rubbish! If it's so good, then why does it randomly reboot itself several times a week, forcing me to stare at "Server not found" errors for several minutes
while it restarts? Why is the Wi-Fi on it so flaky, that it's virtually unusable for streaming HD video content, even between devices on the LAN, let alone
over the internet? That is one feature many average users would actually be using, with the wide availability of connected smart TV's, STB's, and even
something as simplistic as Google's Chromecast, that allows streaming of video content from other devices on the LAN. The Wi-Fi on the Thomson
router is fine for streaming basic SD videos up 480p, but anything from 720p and above is rendered pretty much unwatchable.
In my experience, routers made by Thomson are absolute low rent junk that aren't even good enough for average users, let alone advanced users.
According to the Plusnet CS rep I spoke to on the phone today, the new router is much better than the Thomson, and does have advanced options.
Exactly how advanced those options are remains to be seen, but there's always the expert_user.html config page mentioned by "supernova1".

[#5]

I've found my wireless experience with the TG very awful and slow.
Very good modem but wifi and ethernet are appalling!
Almost every ISP (BT, TalkTalk, Virgin Media, EE, KC and soon Sky) offer routers that have gigabit ethernet ports, 5GHz WiFi and some even AC WiFi.  In this day and age this should be standard with all ISP's.  Today's technology has rapidly changed since 2010 or 2012, and now PN have launched a new router that is still incredibly behind in technology.
If PN wants to compete - it will have to invest in better equipment and not old looking plastic from 2010.
PN are using this as a cost cutting exercise and it limits their brilliant service - better equipment will maximize the service and make it more enjoyable.
NE

[#6]

Other than for file transfers (and the very limited number of people on FTTP), I don't see the value in AC or Gigabit ethernet at the moment.

[#7]

Quote from: NorthEasterner

Almost every ISP (BT, TalkTalk, Virgin Media, EE, KC and soon Sky) offer routers that have gigabit ethernet ports, 5GHz WiFi and some even AC WiFi.  In this day and age this should be standard with all ISP's.  Today's technology has rapidly changed since 2010 or 2012, and now PN have launched a new router that is still incredibly behind in technology.

Nope. what should be standard is the ability to chose and use whatever router you want. PN provide this, they also provide a basic router for those that chose it.
All the other providers tie you into their device.

[#8]

I found the 582n ok for a ISP supplied router, yes the wifi range isn't great but as a device to get someone online easily it did the job.
Im sure the new router will be just as good at providing a basic plug & play service that a lot of non technical customer want - people who just want to get online with the minimum of fuss.
If people want a more advanced device, then put your hand in your own pocket & go buy the device that fits your needs.

FWIW: My previous ISP ( O2 ) also used the 582n, had one die on me but was replaced FOC by another & that worked fine till I left O2.

[#9]

Quote from: AndyH

Other than for file transfers (and the very limited number of people on FTTP), I don't see the value in AC or Gigabit ethernet at the moment.

AC defenitly has value, remember wireless never performs as its rated speed.
N can if lucky perform fast enough for a 80/20 line, whilst AC will very likely handle it fine. So AC should give better consistent performance over lower wifi stuff.
I was surprised when I learned my new amazon fire tv box can use both 5ghz and AC, usually mass market domestic products use obselete technology.

[#10]

Quote from: DJGM1974

Rubbish! If it's so good, then why does it randomly reboot itself several times a week, forcing me to stare at "Server not found" errors for several minutes while it restarts?

Really? There are a quite a few regular posters on this forum, a considerable number of them highly experienced and from engineering or IT backgrounds who certainly don't have that problem with their TG582n, mine for example has currently been up for 101 days without issue and the only reason that isn't longer is because I turned it off when I was away. There's another user's TG582n that was up for well in excess of 100 days and if he didn't switch it off when he was away recently, I'm sure he'll post how long it's been up.

Quote from: DJGM1974

Why is the Wi-Fi on it so flaky, that it's virtually unusable for streaming HD video content, even between devices on the LAN, let alone over the internet? That is one feature many average users would actually be using, with the wide availability of connected smart TV's, STB's, and even something as simplistic as Google's Chromecast, that allows streaming of video content from other devices on the LAN. The Wi-Fi on the Thomson router is fine for streaming basic SD videos up 480p, but anything from 720p and above is rendered pretty much unwatchable.

Well of course there can be a multitude or reasons for poor wireless performance and this thread is not the place to discuss your issue.
You clearly have a fault, oh yes definitely, now whether it's your connection or some other issue remains to be seen. It could even be the TG582n faulty - they do go faulty as do even the best and most expensive pieces of technology from time to time.

Quote from: DJGM1974

In my experience, routers made by Thomson are absolute low rent junk that aren't even good enough for average users, let alone advanced users.

It's funny that, not only did O2 and several other ISPs supply the TG582n to their users, but amongst those there is AAISP, one of the very reputable ISPs for the more discerning customer (business or private), so I think there will be many that will disagree with you.

Quote from: DJGM1974

According to the Plusnet CS rep I spoke to on the phone today, the new router is much better than the Thomson, and does have advanced options. Exactly how advanced those options are remains to be seen, but there's always the expert_user.html config page mentioned by "supernova1

Oh, that's nice to know, well the proof of the pudding will be in the eating, so we shall see as we get feedback from other users.
In the meantime I suggest you start your own thread, I guess you may be on an ADSL connection, but whichever, on the relevant board, and post some basic data as mentioned here (don't reboot the modem/router before the BTw speedtest though & it doesn't matter if your issue isn't directly speed related) and we can see if we can help you solve whatever your fault is.

[#11]

well I found that a router capable of 40meg throughput wasn't up to the task, it had problems with handeling more than a dozen connected devices(using a mixture of 4 wired and the remainder wireless) and all sorts of other none demanding issues like that, the wifi on the 582 was decent enough but everything else made it unsuitable for a family to use never mind the problems caused by it running out of ram when trying to save a custom setup....... certainly for someone with a small number of devices and less requirements it could be fantastic and for ADSL it was overspec'd but on fttc/p its woefully underrated hopefully the new router is a lot better, but I suspect it will also suffer the same low device limit that BT seem to insist on putting into all there consumer routers ........
I've been using billion so/ho routers for a while since they truly support connection shareing across a greater number of devices and of course they throughput values over 100 meg which means they can make full use of that fibre connection

[#12]

Quote from: chrcoluk

AC defenitly has value, remember wireless never performs as its rated speed. N can if lucky perform fast enough for a 80/20 line, whilst AC will very likely handle it fine. So AC should give better consistent performance over lower wifi stuff.

The issue is the wireless signal strength though no?
I use an N router on a 100/15 line with no issues whatsoever. I'm able to get full line speed over wireless.

[#13]

Here N I can exceed line speed if its dual mimo like my laptop.  Single mimo I cannot.  Single mimo on AC easily exceeds line speed.

[#14]

Quote from: DJGM1974

I doubt anyone could find a current or recent router that's in anyway inferior to any made by Thomson / Technicolor. They are total junk. FWIW ... I've ordered one of the new Sagemcom 2704n routers from Plusnet customer services earlier today, so I'll soon find out how much of an improvement it is over the current Thomson / Technicolor 582n router I've got. It can't possibly be any worse! [Moderator's note by Jim (Oldjim):  Full quote of preceding post removed as per the Forum Rule]

I received the new 2704n router on Saturday, and I'm already seeing that it's a massively superior router to that Thomson made load of junk.
It does indeed have the features I require for my LAN, but my only issue is that it's cobbled together with two separate GUI's. There is the
bog standard Plusnet GUI I expected to see, plus the other Sagemcom GUI when I go to the expert_user.html config page.
Performance wise, this router really is a HUGE improvement over any god awful POS router made by Thomson / Technicolor.
Thomson, or Technicolor, or whatever the hell they call themselves these days seriously need to give up making broadband routers.
They haven't got a clue how to make a broadband router that is any good. All of their routers are total and utter absolute ****!

Quote from: rongtw

i must have been lucky in 2012    as i received the netgear, which is superior to the thompson i tried

Like I've said before ... ANY router is better than whatever Thomson / Technicolor router is available. The undeniable fact is, they are total ****.

[#15]

can't beat a totally unbiased comparison!!!