Verizon Wireless N router - worth the $s??

[three_jeeps]

Been dealing with very slow wired up/dnld speeds with my actiontec gen2 modem....Called cust support.....The universal answer: reset ONT, reset router....send out gen 3 router to replace my existing one....'the gen 3 built to be faster'....

Then he proceeds to tell me that gen 3 is NOT wireless-N.....for that, I can buy the latest verizon N router for $99...

So, I am wondering if the wireless N is worth me spending the $s???

Some negatives: it is only single band, simplex communication, and if it dies, I am on the hook to replace it.

Some pros: it is a verizon supported config (no finger pointing).

Am interested in hearing from ppl who actually have the router and what their experience is.

Alternatives with mainstream router products, and DD-WRT???? comments welcome

-Thanks

John

[Anti-Phish1]

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@three_jeeps wrote:

send out gen 3 router to replace my existing one....

Then he proceeds to tell me that gen 3 is NOT wireless-N.....for that, I can buy the latest verizon N router for $99... 

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The GEN3 router they sent you is exactly the one they sell for $99.  The Actiontec MI424-WR rev. I.

The CSR was trying to rip you off by selling you the same router.

As you discovered, the rev. I is 2.4 Ghz only. A 2.4 Ghz router is limited to about 20/20.  If you're interested in faster speeds, I would go with a dual band router or Wireless Access Point (WAP).  A 5 Ghz capable router/WAP will give you better speeds. Generally at least double a 2.4 Ghz router, but your devices have to be 5 Ghz capable to also take advantage of that.

[eljefe2]

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@Anti-Phish wrote:

 A 2.4 Ghz router is limited to about 20/20. 

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I have to disagree with that part of your comment.  For whatever it's worth, this is a speedtest I just ran with a MacBook Pro connected via wifi to my Actiontec Rev l router:

[walt178]

I have the MI424-WR rev. I router and my wireless speed is typically around 80Mbps when my notebook is in the same room as the router.  In the living room, with 2 walls between, wireless speed is typically around 50-55Mbps.   (75/35 plan)

Keep in mind that when moving away from the router, your computer's wireless card is also a big factor in WIFI performance.  Stats above are for a new WIN8 high performance notebook.  I have an older notebook that only gets 40-45 Mbps.

[Anti-Phish1]

Sorry.  I was not clear.  I meant to say a router operating in 802.11g mode.  I was not refering to 802.11n mode.

[three_jeeps]

Well it turns out they sent the Actiontec MI424-WR rev. I.  So that is a plus.

Now my question is:

If I save the Gen 2 router settings in a file, will the MI424-WR rev. I be able to import and use those settings? 

The rep was not able to definitively answer this.....

I would hope, as my router configuration is extensively user configured.

If not, any suggestions on how to efficiently transfer the settings?

TY

-John

[walt178]

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@three_jeeps wrote:

Well it turns out they sent the Actiontec MI424-WR rev. I.  So that is a plus.

Now my question is:

If I save the Gen 2 router settings in a file, will the MI424-WR rev. I be able to import and use those settings? 

The rep was not able to definitively answer this.....

I would hope, as my router configuration is extensively user configured.

If not, any suggestions on how to efficiently transfer the settings?

TY

-John

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In the MI424WR Rev I,  you can save save your configuration file and also load a saved configuration file.   I don't know it the configuration file of your current router is compatible with the Rev I.   But it won't hurt to try it.  If things don't work, you can always do a reset, and then configure it manually.   Just be sure to note where the file is saved so you won't have to hunt for it.

[three_jeeps]

Thanks, I planned on doing exactly what you said....but am trying to avoid spending the time to do the config manually especially since the config menus are really awakward to use - IMHO....

I'll post a followup on the config file compatability.

Thanks

J

[Anti-Phish1 · Accepted solution]

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@three_jeeps wrote:

If I save the Gen 2 router settings in a file, will the MI424-WR rev. I be able to import and use those settings? 

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Answered in your other thread.  No, it is not possible.

[three_jeeps]

I verified that a saved config file from a rev F cannot be imported by a rev I modem.  Tried it and the rev I modem complained that it can't read the file.