Micro Filter for Broadband ADSL Router/Modem

What are the top brands for these filters these days. i have been using The BT/thomsons z-350uk ones for years but I'm thinking with technology moving at the pace it does their maybe something better out their for me to try ?
thanks

Any of the usual ones should be fine, most people where possible opt for a faceplate.

The days of dodgy micro filters are pretty much gone, sellers found the false economy through returns

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Any of the usual ones should be fine, most people where possible opt for a faceplate.

The days of dodgy micro filters are pretty much gone, sellers found the false economy through returns

Thanks Andrew

Edited by NICK_ADSL_UK (Mon 19-Mar-12 23:57:47)

Does anyone know of a good outlet to get hold of a 8-Way Mains Conditioner with RFI Filter

thanks

I used Amazon for my "Tacima 6 Way Mains Conditioner and Radio Frequency Interference Filter" - doesn't look like they do an 8 Way though...

This site has them. I've never used them so no knowledge as to how good/bad they are.


http://www.electronicsspecialist.co.uk/danew/8-way-m...

Edit : Sorry it looks like they have no stock

Edited by deleted (Wed 21-Mar-12 10:08:00)

Am I the only person who still likes plugin microfilters? Given that they can pack up occasionally - patricularly if there have been storms IME - I find it much simpler to ask a remote user to replace a plug in device rather than remove and refit a faceplate.

In reply to a post by NICK_ADSL_UK:

Does anyone know of a good outlet to get hold of a 8-Way Mains Conditioner with RFI Filter

thanks

Maplin have a 10-way vertical socket with surge & spike protection. Special offer at the moment for £9.99. Part Number N62GC.

Not sure if it has an RFI filter as spec doesn't say. Spike though is not really RFI.

More...

Amazon do a proper 8-way RFI filter, but close to £50!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ex-Pro-protection-electronic...

In reply to a post by NICK_ADSL_UK:

Does anyone know of a good outlet to get hold of a 8-Way Mains Conditioner with RFI Filter

Can't find an 8-way but Maplin do this 6-way version. I've used one for about 3 years with no problems.

they're fine if the router is at the master and there are no wired extensions, otherwise faceplates are the way to go.

In reply to a post by yarwell:

they're fine if the router is at the master and there are no wired extensions, otherwise faceplate's are the way to go.

Thanks guys
Phil do you have website where i could have a look at these face plates
thanks

I'm happy with my adslnation faceplate: www.adslnation.com/products/xte2005.php

My own preference is for the passive filters rather than active ones like the Austin-Taylor or the ADSL Nation one. This really limits you to the standard Pressac ones supplied by BT which are also available from Clarity or, (I think) Solwise.

You may be interested in this which compares the performance of various faceplates.

Thanks i will be taking a look at this filter to see if it's any better to the standard ADSL v1 that the BT engineer installed ?

In reply to a post by Tacitus:

My own preference is for the passive filters rather than active ones like the Austin-Taylor or the ADSL Nation one. This really limits you to the standard Pressac ones supplied by BT which are also available from Clarity or, (I think) Solwise.

You may be interested in this which compares the performance of various faceplates.

many thanks for the link most interesting

Any idea how old that article you've linked to is ? There's no date on it although the files are dated 22 October 2010. The site doesn't seem to be complete either.

I wonder is the parts and design of any of the filters the person tested have changed since October 2010 ?

see if it's any better to the standard ADSL v1 that the BT engineer installed

unlikely, but I wouldn't rule it out.

In reply to a post by yarwell:

they're fine if the router is at the master and there are no wired extensions, otherwise faceplates are the way to go.

Agree 100%

BTW Pressac with A-B connections seem to perform just fine for me

I bought an XTE-2005 faceplate a few years ago and it (consistently) gave a few hundres kbps lower sync than the Excelsus dangly I was using at the time, and of my accumulated danglies from several routers only one pair gave lower than the XTE.

It was also more affected by using the telephone.

It is in its packaging in a drawer, along with the high-quality ADSL cable obtained with it, which made no difference at all to anything.

In reply to a post by yarwell:

see if it's any better to the standard ADSL v1 that the BT engineer installed

unlikely, but I wouldn't rule it out.

Thanks phil
I've been having a few problems of late and will be looking into what new hardware is out there to see if things can be improved in any way not just for myself but for the whole estate

In reply to a post by fredfox:

Any idea how old that article you've linked to is ? There's no date on it although the files are dated 22 October 2010. The site doesn't seem to be complete either.

Unfortunately no. It's one I came across a while ago. From memory I think it would have been late 2010 - I think it was someone over on iDNetters who did the tests. Couldn't say for sure.

In reply to a post by fredfox:

I wonder if the parts and design of any of the filters the person tested have changed since October 2010 ?

They may well have done although tbh I doubt there's been any significant change. Phil Yarwell might have some more up to date info.

My preference for the passive filters came about after I had two of the XTE-2005 faceplates fail - one mine and one I bought for a neighbour. They were replaced without question and that said, many people on here have had no trouble with them so maybe they were from a bad batch. YMMV of course.

Edited by Tacitus (Fri 23-Mar-12 19:20:32)

if you compare the faceplate filtered performance with the router only connected to the test socket then you have a measure of the potential improvement (if any).

Even the best filter can't beat a disconnected telephone / wiring setup.

I did once get a useful benefit from a twisted pair RJ11 cable, but only once. There were several power supplies close by and the line was about 65 dB when the sun set the sync dropped but the RJ11 allowed it to stay in sync. (Fixed speed 512k).

In reply to a post by yarwell:

if you compare the faceplate filtered performance with the router only connected to the test socket then you have a measure of the potential improvement (if any).

Even the best filter can't beat a disconnected telephone / wiring setup.

Agreed Phil
I'm just upgrading all my equipment house sockets mains blocks etc as there around 20 years old now my RFI master plug mains blocks have done very well over the years but they don't make them any more just those that have spike protection no RFI so will have to source out the other brand like Express Pro or i may go for this which i do know first hand on is excellent but expensive

http://www.russandrews.com/product.asp?lookup=1&regi...

I have known Russ for around 30 years his gear is no doubt is the very best in the world and is very Japanese orientated to a level only ever seen by Japan but at every conference it's always magical to see him bring to life something very simple like a radio but by just using one of his mains leads it completely transforms it like magic

Edited by NICK_ADSL_UK (Fri 23-Mar-12 21:57:27)