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Reliable Budget ADSL Modem Router - Advice Needed

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Marg7

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Posted October 10, 2012 at 8:49PM

I need to buy a replacement ADSL modem/router to replace an ageing and temperamental Netgear. Preferably something under £40. Can anyone recommend a reliable model.

I've searched online for prices and reviews and looked on Amazon, but am not sure what to get. I bought an ASUS DSL-N10, which I returned after 4 days as it kept briefly dropping the wireless connection on 2 computers (not a problem with this on the Netgear).

I wondered if the ASUS DSL-N12U http://tinyurl.com/99ub5c9 would be better as it has 2 antennae.

Any advice appreciated.

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Nontek

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Posted October 10, 2012 at 9:11PM

Who is your ISP?

ISPs usually provide routers free.

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Marg7

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Posted October 10, 2012 at 10:27PM

My ISP is Eclipse and I have been with them for many years. I think they originally provided a Speedtouch modem for free way back then.

I needed a wireless connection at some point so got my own wireless router. They give free wireless routers to new customers these days, but not to existing customers.

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Nontek

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Posted October 10, 2012 at 10:54PM

Have you asked Eclipse?

If you say you are having problems with yours and as a result are considering changing ISP ?? Who knows!

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iscanut2

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Posted October 11, 2012 at 11:49AM

I am with Eclipse and I think Nontek's suggestion is a good one. Worth a try as I have always found them very helpful.

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onthelimit1

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Posted October 11, 2012 at 3:11PM

Suggesting you'll leave if they don't help with a new router has worked for me on a number of occasions.

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Marg7

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Posted October 11, 2012 at 4:14PM

Thanks for the suggestion and I may consider it as an option. The free router to new Eclipse customers is a ZyXEL AMG1202-T10A http://www.eclipse.net.uk/hardware/AMG1202-T10A which they also sell for £35.

I would still be interested in recommendations for a reliable brand/model of budget ADSL router.

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Marg7

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Posted October 11, 2012 at 4:15PM

Thanks for the suggestion and I may consider it as an option. The free router to new Eclipse customers is a ZyXEL AMG1202-T10A http://www.eclipse.net.uk/hardware/AMG1202-T10A which they also sell for £35.

I would still be interested in recommendations for a reliable brand/model of budget ADSL router.

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Marg7

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Posted October 11, 2012 at 5:01PM

Sorry about the double post - got an error message so posted again.

I've had a look at the spec for the ZyXEL from Eclipse http://www.eclipse.net.uk/cms/files/dmfile/hardwareDatasheets/ZyXEL_AMG1202-T10A.pdf. . It has a single internal 3.5db antenna so I don't think the wireless connectivity would be up to the job.

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bjh

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Posted October 11, 2012 at 6:49PM

The TP-Link ADSL modem routers are always pretty reliable, and have good performance/range. TP-Link TD-W8961ND is newer than the TD-W8960ND, and uses the Ralink chipset, the older using Broadcom. Personally, I prefer the Ralink chipset (supports more WDS connections), but the Broadcom is meant to be better at connecting to weak line signals... so if you are a long way from the exchange, might be better. The links below to Ebuyer will give you one purchase option: try Amazon as well, maybe. The 8961 has had a facelift (not pretty), so the one you get may look more like a melted eggbox than the images on Ebuyer.

I use these, and Tenda versions (cheaper still, but same gizmo inside). Rock-solid in most cases. They'll give much better range than the Zyxel you can get through your ISP.

TP LINK 8960

TP LINK 8961

{Forum seems to have got stuck again... lost a neater version of this post in the ether!}

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ICF

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Posted October 11, 2012 at 7:20PM

I have just purchased the TP-LINK TD-W8961ND to replace a Netgear DGN2000 Easy to set up with no problem so far.

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