Netgear vs TP-Link router?

Hi,
So I have a choice between two routers of equal price and they are my essentially my only options as they have a VDSL modem built in.
VDSL modem/router combos don't work with firmware like DD-WRT so the software experience is quite important.
Any ideas between the two?
http://uk.tp-link.com/products/details/cat-15_Archer...
http://www.netgear.com/home/products/networking/dsl-...

Thanks

I don't have personal experience of either of those but want to clarify your statement that they are your only options due to VDSL modem built in? Are there other criteria you are using to select as there are other products out there with VDSL (eg Billion do a few different models).

In reply to a post by ian72:

I don't have personal experience of either of those but want to clarify your statement that they are your only options due to VDSL modem built in? Are there other criteria you are using to select as there are other products out there with VDSL (eg Billion do a few different models).

Yes, I need a VDSL modem built in as I want to replace my ISP supplied router modem and combo. I wanted to spend about £100 and these are the only routers around that price point.

If you're connected to a Huawei FTTC cabinet (see here) then i would go for the Netgear D6400 as that has the same broadcom chipset and also it was one of the first VDSL2 modem routers to be released so should have stable firmware. However for 93 quid Amazon are the selling the superior TP Link VR900, albeit a nearly new model. This also uses a broadcom VDSL2 chipset but its wifi performance is significantly better than the 2 routers you mentioned.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B01132GCP0...

Or 105 quid from ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TP-LINK-Archer-VR900-AC190...

In reply to a post by baby_frogmella:

If you're connected to a Huawei FTTC cabinet (see here) then i would go for the Netgear D6400 as that has the same broadcom chipset and also it was one of the first VDSL2 modem routers to be released so should have stable firmware. However for 93 quid Amazon are the selling the superior TP Link VR900, albeit a nearly new model. This also uses a broadcom VDSL2 chipset but its wifi performance is significantly better than the 2 routers you mentioned.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B01132GCP0...

Or 105 quid from ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TP-LINK-Archer-VR900-AC190...

I'm pretty sure we're connected to a Huawei cabinet even though I can't actually find my cabinet The BT wholesale checker says I'm connected to Cabinet 18 with a minimum of 79.8Mbps and a maximum of 80Mbps so it must be pretty near by! I've attached some pictures of local cabinets from around my street and maybe you can help me identify them as they aren't numbered!
And out of interest, from the link you provided regarding the cabinet type, what does it mean when it says:
"The FTTC cabinet will usually be located no more than 50m from the green PCP cabinet as per recommended guide lines. In exceptional circumstances the absolute maximum is 100m"
What's the difference between a PCP cabinet and an FTTC cabinet?

So this cabinet is located about 10M from our house, just round the corner:
https://gyazo.com/60b671e75eaf2d968f156e52b89a45d8

Then about 50M away on a different road there is this cabinet:
https://gyazo.com/b314460d62171394ef1ad1cae518773a

At the end of our road, about 80M away, there is this group of run-down cabinets:
https://gyazo.com/417328544d19a9475eb7b3a8fb8d6324

And finally, about 100M away, over an a different road is this BT cabinet, with no number and no grills : https://gyazo.com/fcc9107635ae90c89cbfad373770c835

In reply to a post by AstroBenny123:

And finally, about 100M away, over an a different road is this BT cabinet, with no number and no grills : https://gyazo.com/fcc9107635ae90c89cbfad373770c835

That appears to be the PCP cabinet to which your copper phone line is connected to. Usually within 50m of this cabinet, there should be a FTTC cabinet...its normally green and has vents. It may not be appear on Google maps so you might need to go for a walk

A good explanation of how FTTC services work
http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/fttc.htm

Edited by deleted (Wed 08-Jun-16 11:15:14)

In reply to a post by baby_frogmella:

In reply to a post by AstroBenny123:

And finally, about 100M away, over an a different road is this BT cabinet, with no number and no grills : https://gyazo.com/fcc9107635ae90c89cbfad373770c835

That appears to be the PCP cabinet to which your copper phone line is connected to. Usually within 50m of this cabinet, there should be a FTTC cabinet...its normally green and has vents. It may not be appear on Google maps so you might need to go for a walk

A good explanation of how FTTC services work
http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/fttc.htm

I found this cabinet about 5M from the one you quoted:
https://gyazo.com/82b0458d43d29adae2f1e53d0217891c

Anyway, I looked up the type of cabinets in the area and they are all Huawei
https://gyazo.com/3af52654eeab0a07355d2ee75da3827e

Edited by deleted (Wed 08-Jun-16 12:12:36)

This? https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.457525,-0.1856457,...

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

This? https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.457525,-0.1856457,...

That's the one.

In that case the TP Link VR900 is an excellent choice provided you can get it for ~£100.

In reply to a post by baby_frogmella:

In that case the TP Link VR900 is an excellent choice provided you can get it for ~£100.

Maybe I'll just fork out the extra £20 to get it new

In reply to a post by AstroBenny123:

Yes, I need a VDSL modem built in as I want to replace my ISP supplied router modem and combo. I wanted to spend about £100 and these are the only routers around that price point.

There are a lot more modem/routers around this price point - I like Zyxel models personally. - which can be got on eBay for a lot less than £100.

Whatever you choose, I suggest you get something which has passed the Openreach Modem Comformance Test (MCT) to ensure you don't have compatibility problems in future

The wifi coverage on Zyxel routers is nothing special and not as good as routers from well established brands such as Netgear, Asus, Tp Link, Linksys, Draytek etc.

Our experiences may differ

I would still recommend getting a unit which has passed MCT

In reply to a post by baby_frogmella:

The wifi coverage on Zyxel routers is nothing special and not as good as routers from well established brands such as Netgear, Asus, Tp Link, Linksys, Draytek etc.

The reason I'm upgrading is to get away from my terrible ISP supplied (Zen internet) Zyxel router. Frequent signal drop outs and if you go to the top room of our house speeds drop to less than 5Mbps.

In reply to a post by AstroBenny123:

The reason I'm upgrading is to get away from my terrible ISP supplied (Zen internet) Zyxel router. Frequent signal drop outs and if you go to the top room of our house speeds drop to less than 5Mbps.

I'm on Zen with the Zyxel as well.

Whilst the Wifi signal is a bit flaky over a couple of floors, I have found that the FTTC connection is very stable and gives a good connection speed.

So if you are having Wifi signal dropouts / internal network speed issues, do what I have done and use an additional old modem / router in "access point" mode, connected through a couple of Homeplugs and placed on the top floor.

This has cured all the lack of Wifi signals thought our house - its a much cheaper / better solution

Richard

Edited by Towerman (Wed 08-Jun-16 14:43:47)

Or instead of faffing about with additional access points, power line plugs et al, perhaps the OP should just buy a router with decent wifi coverage? Of course that's assuming he doesn't live in a 20 bedroom mansion

See this Asus DSL-AC56U. There are other products on that web site.