Are RBK14 Satelites compatible with older RBR50 Routers?

9 Replies

CrimpOn
Guru - Experienced User
Apr 08, 2020
RebelDad wrote:
Are RBK14 Satelites compatible with older RBR50 Routers?
That is a GREAT question. On Amazon, one RBS10 retails for $80US, and the next least expensive retail for $150 or $180. The 5G radio on this unit appears to be shared between users and "backhaul", so it is not going to have the same maximum theoretical throughput as the more expensive units. And, it has no ethernet ports, either for backhaul or user devices. Honestly, my first thought is, "why not?"

$80 is over my threshold for buying things "just to have fun with", so I eagerly await a report from anyone who has tried to connect one to an existing Orbi router.
- FURRYe38
  Guru - Experienced User
  Apr 08, 2020
  The 1 series is only a two radio system, 866 on 5Ghz and 400Mpbs on 2.4Ghz. While the 5 series is a 3 radio system. 2 radios for user front haul traffic and 1 non user 5Ghz radio for backhaul traffic.
  
  If the backhaul on the 1 series is a shared channel on 5Ghz, this may cause some performance issues seen on the 50 series systems 5Ghz user fronthaul. The 1 series probably won't be connected to the dedicated 5Ghz backhaul on the 50 series...Just thinking here.
- RebelDad
  Star
  Apr 08, 2020
  Actually I tried it but couldn't get it to work. I should have stated that originally.
  
  I came scross a great deal at a large national electronics retailer and got the entire 4 piece system (RBK14-100NAS) for $100
  
  I figured since it was an Orbi, I could use the 3 satelites with my existing system but I couldn't get it to pair.
  - FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User
    Apr 08, 2020
    Thanks for letting us know it doesn't work. Now we know.

Forum Discussion

Are RBK14 Satelites compatible with older RBR50 Routers?