Linksys WRT1900AC First User Reports

[KGB7]

Thanks Tim!

If wireless range is not good (SNB's router ranker shows the WRT-1900AC as 4th in range in the AC1900 class), I may return both of my WRT-1900AC (unopened) and stick with the two AC66U units (#1 for wireless range in the AC1750 class).

Perhaps firmware updates will help the WRT-1900AC, but I may just return them for now while I am within the return period.

I am disappointed to see those results after the limited feedback from users seemed very positive (so far), but will wait for the write-up (review) details before passing full judgment...
It is interesting that others (admittedly based on limited user feedback at this time) seem to be having slightly better results than the higher ranked routers (R7000 e.g.)

Tweaktown review got better results on LAN and WLAN. Its a tie with R700 and tad better in other areas.


And you can open the routers and return them with in 15 days. It is a must for you to test the routers on your own, in your own environment with your own hardware.

 

[njweb]

Tweaktown review got better results on LAN and WLAN. Its a tie with R700 and tad better in other areas.


And you can open the routers and return them with in 15 days. It is a must for you to test the routers on your own, in your own environment with your own hardware.

Thanks for reminding me about the Tweaktown review. I had noticed it yesterday around midday, but did not get a chance to post a link here(busy at work).


Thanks for confirming the 15 day return policy on routers at Best Buy.
I assumme BB does not have a restocking fee then (or you would have probably mentioned it).


Right, I was going to mention (but ran out of time to post before having to take care of something) that YMMV somewhat (each person's environment will differ somewhat).
That being said, with Tim's controlled testing, I trust the best to come out on top in SNB' tests.
Nevertheless (notice the back and forth here ), I agree that testing a router in one's own environment is the only way to validate conclusively how router A will perform relative to router B.

 

[hewligun]

Tweaktown review got better results on LAN and WLAN. Its a tie with R700 and tad better in other areas.


And you can open the routers and return them with in 15 days. It is a must for you to test the routers on your own, in your own environment with your own hardware.

Yeah the tweaktown reviews showed very different results. People who have had the r7000 said they got better range out of the linksys so far. but sometimes people perceive things differently then reality.

 

[thiggins]

Review posted

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wire...900ac-ac1900-dual-band-wireless-router-review

 

[KGB7]

Thanks for reminding me about the Tweaktown review. I had noticed it yesterday around midday, but did not get a chance to post a link here(busy at work).


Thanks for confirming the 15 day return policy on routers at Best Buy.
I assumme BB does not have a restocking fee then (or you would have probably mentioned it).


Right, I was going to mention (but ran out of time to post before having to take care of something) that YMMV somewhat (each person's environment will differ somewhat).
That being said, with Tim's controlled testing, I trust the best to come out on top in SNB' tests.
Nevertheless (notice the back and forth here ), I agree that testing a router in one's own environment is the only way to validate conclusively how router A will perform relative to router B.

No restocking fee.

But best buy has a new policy on returns that no one else has; after 3 returns, you cant return anything for 90 days.

 

[lilstone87]

No restocking fee.

But best buy has a new policy on returns that no one else has; after 3 returns, you cant return anything for 90 days.

So did you exchange a router you had for this router at bestbuy? I just bought the R7000 like 2 months ago, and got there warranty. So I was thinking of maybe exchanging it for this router, and cost me like extra $70 or so with a warranty.

 

[njweb]

No restocking fee.

But best buy has a new policy on returns that no one else has; after 3 returns, you cant return anything for 90 days.

Thanks.
Interesting about the 3 item limit.
I wonder how they determine that (i.e. if I returned item 1 in 2011, item 2 in 2011, and then return item 3 in 2014, e.g., does that mean I then have to wait 90 days after item 3 is returned?
I.e. Does the clock reset after a certain amount of time with no returns?

They should also factor into the equation how many purchases one has made in the timeframe in question.
I.e. if I buy 15 items and return 3, it is a lot better than buying 6 items and returning 3.

Anyway, back on topic, since there is no restocking fee, I will try one, if not both, out tonight and post my findings for the community.

We are checking out a potential new home that would possibly need two routers for proper / optimal wifi coverage.
We may be able to get away with just one router so long as the main router can be centrally located given the home layout (don't want the router in the living room e.g.) and that there is a cable outlet near the center of the home.

 

[KGB7]

Thanks.
Interesting about the 3 item limit.
I wonder how they determine that (i.e. if I returned item 1 in 2011, item 2 in 2011, and then return item 3 in 2014, e.g., does that mean I then have to wait 90 days after item 3 is returned?
I.e. Does the clock reset after a certain amount of time with no returns?

They should also factor into the equation how many purchases one has made in the timeframe in question.
I.e. if I buy 15 items and return 3, it is a lot better than buying 6 items and returning 3.

Anyway, back on topic, since there is no restocking fee, I will try one, if not both, out tonight and post my findings for the community.

We are checking out a potential new home that would possibly need two routers for proper / optimal wifi coverage.
We may be able to get away with just one router so long as the main router can be centrally located given the home layout (don't want the router in the living room e.g.) and that there is a cable outlet near the center of the home.

Not 3 items, 3 different times with in 90 days. And they use your drivers license to keep track of you. So it doesn't matter how much you spend, the return policy applies to everyone. It even tells you on a receipt when YOU have your reached your return limit for the 90 days.


If you do an exchange, make sure they do a proper exchange then it wont count against you, and Not the return and then rebuy.

So did you exchange a router you had for this router at bestbuy? I just bought the R7000 like 2 months ago, and got there warranty. So I was thinking of maybe exchanging it for this router, and cost me like extra $70 or so with a warranty.

I bought both routers at best buy, without an exchange.


Next time buy it from Microcenter, they have better protection plan and cheaper.

 

[thiggins]

Next time buy it from Microcenter, they have better protection plan and cheaper.

Or in the U.S. Amazon or the Linksys Store. Amazon has 30 day no hassle return, Linksys Store, 90 days.

 

[lilstone87]

Not 3 items, 3 different times with in 90 days. And they use your drivers license to keep track of you. So it doesn't matter how much you spend, the return policy applies to everyone. It even tells you on a receipt when YOU have your reached your return limit for the 90 days.


If you do an exchange, make sure they do a proper exchange then it wont count against you, and Not the return and then rebuy.






I bought both routers at best buy, without an exchange.


Next time buy it from Microcenter, they have better protection plan and cheaper.

Well sometimes I am in the want it now mood, so spending a little more at bestbuy is worth it at the time. I paid $200 for the r7000 without tax, and like $30 on the protection plan. So I should be able to exchange it, and get $200+ towards this router. So just have to cover some of the extra $50 cost for this router, and new warranty.

 

[speedingcheetah]

No restocking fee.

But best buy has a new policy on returns that no one else has; after 3 returns, you cant return anything for 90 days.

WTF? Last I shopped at Best Buy...standard store return policy is 30 days. Never heard of such a 3 time policy.

Edit: Ok..I see on the BB website the 15 days, says nothing of this 3 return limit.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Help-Topics/Returning-Online-Purchases/pcmcat260800050014.c?id=pcmcat260800050014&pageType=REDIRECT&issolr=1&searchterm=return

 

[KGB7]

Or in the U.S. Amazon or the Linksys Store. Amazon has 30 day no hassle return, Linksys Store, 90 days.

I prefer Costco with their 90 day return policy, which used to be 1 year. Buy a laptop, use it for 360 days and then return it.
But people abused it and it was reduced to 90 days.

Plus buying at local stores, i dont have to wait or pay extra shipping to get it over night.


Microcenters return policy also has a limit on how often you can return things, but its based on a ratio of $ amount you spent without returns, and how much of $$ amount you have returned.
But a No Questions Asked extended warranty/replacement plan is awesome. You can throw 50" flat screen tv out of a moving vehicle, and they will give you a new one. Or you can simply exchange it for another model after 30 days.

 

[connorm]

are there estata results?

 

[thiggins]

are there estata results?

Now there are. http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wire...-band-wireless-router-review?showall=&start=3

 

[ehume]

Agreed.
My primary concern is wireless performance, now more than ever given that more and more devices around the house have wireless connectivity.

From personal experience, Linksys and Belkin have not had frequent firmware updates (I noted this a while ago in a prior post commending Asus on their frequent firmware updates).
It will be interesting to see how the new Belkin-owned Linksys does with respect to firmware updates.
I am optimistic, especially since this is their flagship consumer router right now.

At least the WRT-1900AC seems to work well out of the box based on initial user reports.


I plan to make some time to test, at least, one of my two WRT-1900AC routers tonight when I get home and post some test results here. Glad I picked them up before they sold out.

Please let us know how well it does with mobile devices -- the -n stuff and all. I dare not buy another 1900AC router if it cannot keep up with the older stuff.

 

[speedingcheetah]

Microcenters return policy also has a limit on how often you can return things, but its based on a ratio of $ amount you spent without returns, and how much of $$ amount you have returned.
But a No Questions Asked extended warranty/replacement plan is awesome. You can throw 50" flat screen tv out of a moving vehicle, and they will give you a new one. Or you can simply exchange it for another model after 30 days.

My Microcenter has no such limit. I shop there all the time and have returned/exchanged many items in the same day. A few sales clerks knows me by name now.

The warranty thing is fairly new....only with recent purchases have they asked me about it. I also wonder (keep forgetting to ask) if their warranty starts day of purchase or after the manufacture warranty expires(some of plans I an my folks have paid for are that way...guess it depends on the product)

 

[lexist2112]

Now there are. http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wire...-band-wireless-router-review?showall=&start=3

Tim,

Great review on WRT1900AC against the competition (Asus, Netgear).

 

[Poseidon]

Tim,

Great review on WRT1900AC against the competition (Asus, Netgear).

Great review but not the results that myself and I'm sure others were expecting. I was going to purchase this bad boy but this review might have talked me out of it.

Will future firmware updates improve the WRT1900AC's wireless performance?

I'm now undecided between the Linksys WRT1900AC or the Asus AC68U?????

Suggestions?

 

[thiggins]

Will future firmware updates improve the WRT1900AC's wireless performance?

I'm now undecided between the Linksys WRT1900AC or the Asus AC68U?????

There could be minor improvements. But the throughput vs. attenuation plots don't show wonky stuff seen in ASUS and other routers (example, initial throughput dip in mid-teen attenuation range).

Why are you buying a new router at all?

 

[Poseidon]

Why are you buying a new router at all?

Mainly for 5GHz wireless. I've tried a couple of the AC1750 class routers and 5GHz wifi was inconsistent. Same issue w/ the R7000 (overrated and over-hyped IMO). I'm hoping that the WRT1900AC solves this issue.

Also I'd be lying if I didn't mention how sexy the WRT1900AC looks.