Looking for new AP - Replace Netgear WDNR3700v1

[nikleb]

I have a Netgear WDNR 3700v1. After upgrading to the latest FW I have lots of issues with it. E.g. DHCP client doesn't work anymore.

I am looking to upgrade to a new Access Point. This time I want a device that is only a AP and not a router.

Requirements:
- AP
- Concurrent dual band (2.4GHz + 5Ghz)
- two ssid, one for each band
- a bit better range
- reliable
- good for video streaming on N (HTPC true HD streaming)


There are not that many pure AP's anymore. An initial list:

• Amped AP20000G
• EnGenius ECB600 or newer ECB-1750
• DLINK DAP-1665
• Netgear WAC120
• Zyxel NWA3000-N Series
• Zyxel WAP3205 v2
• Trendnet TEW-815DAP

I am looking for some help finding and picking one..

 

[stevech]

you will need a router of course.
The AP... I use this - mostly with the handhelds in this home: iPad, iPhone, HTC One phone, ...

It works well, never needs rebooting.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0168&cm_re=asus_rt-n12-_-33-320-168-_-Product

Has modes: AP, router, bridge

 

[Trip]

My go-to unmanaged N AP is without a doubt the EnGenius ECB-350. Atheros-based. up to 800mW power (4-8x as strong as the run-of-the-mill consumer stuff). I've installed countless numbers of them in soho and smb settings. All solid, and never need a reboot. Take note that most of the marginal reviews are of people who don't take the time to set them up properly and follow instructions (ie. clicking "Save/Reload" after changing settings for those settings to go live).

 

[nikleb]

I am looking to get the 5Ghz as well. I am in a crowded area. I am suing the 5GHz-N for the video (real HD) streaming.

After the experiences I made with the Netgear I would prefer an AP only device. I do have a dedicated router.

 

[nikleb]

My go-to unmanaged N AP is without a doubt the EnGenius ECB-350. Atheros-based. up to 800mW power (4-8x as strong as the run-of-the-mill consumer stuff). I've installed countless numbers of them in soho and smb settings. All solid, and never need a reboot. Take note that most of the marginal reviews are of people who don't take the time to set them up properly and follow instructions (ie. clicking "Save/Reload" after changing settings for those settings to go live).

Would I go with a EnGenius ECB600 if I want dualband?

 

[Trip]

Would I go with a EnGenius ECB600 if I want dualband?

Yep, the 600 would be the choice. Another option might be the new ECB-1750 if you want to step into AC wifi territory. It's about double the price, though; not sure if that warrants the moderately increased bandwidth. I'd say probably stick with the 600 for now in *most* cases.

 

[nikleb]

Thanks. I also updated the list of AP's I found in the first post.

BTW. Is there a performance difference between APs that have real vs. integrated antenna?

 

[L&LD]

Integrated antennae are real, but usually (not always though) the external antenna do offer more orientation options for the user to play with.

 

[stevech]

Thanks. I also updated the list of AP's I found in the first post.

BTW. Is there a performance difference between APs that have real vs. integrated antenna?

In normal uses, internal antennas are just as good. Esp. for dual-band with heavy MIMO.

 

[nikleb]

Does anyone how the Netgear WAC120 could stack up. Seems like a brand new model with no reviews yet.

 

[nikleb]

Looking at the wac120 manual it appears that there is only one ssid?
Is this common with newer ap/routers.
I used two ssid so far to segregate 5GHz use from 2.4GHz. i would like to keep doing this.

 

[sfx2000]

I have a Netgear WDNR 3700v1. After upgrading to the latest FW I have lots of issues with it. E.g. DHCP client doesn't work anymore.

Before you spend money - try a hard reset of the WDNR3700v1 - firmware updates can move things around inside of the parameters stored in NVRAM, or change the parameters in the same memory location - doing the hard reset and starting from scratch might solve your problem...

 

[nikleb]

Before you spend money - try a hard reset of the WDNR3700v1 - firmware updates can move things around inside of the parameters stored in NVRAM, or change the parameters in the same memory location - doing the hard reset and starting from scratch might solve your problem...

I tried more than once. Seems to help for a little while. But then the problems are back. I suppose I could also revert back to an older FW. But at this point I just want to cut my losses.

 

[htismaqe]

I tried more than once. Seems to help for a little while. But then the problems are back. I suppose I could also revert back to an older FW. But at this point I just want to cut my losses.

That's what happened with my 3700. A factory reset would help for a while but eventually it would crash again.

Just too many connections and it was overwhelmed.

 

[nikleb]

In normal uses, internal antennas are just as good. Esp. for dual-band with heavy MIMO.

I installed InSSider. I noticed that that the 2.4Ghz is heavily utilized. I am in a townhome community... Would it make sense at all to get one of the higher amplified AP or router? Upgrade external antenna?
Or will any newer AP/router have more punch than my 3700?

 

[L&LD]

When I upgraded from a NG 3700v1 to an RT-N66U, the difference was night and day.

Make sure to locate the router in an optimum location. For me, that is invariably at least 10' higher than the actual ground and in as central a location as possible with the (external) antennae in a W formation.