NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Orbi 3-pack question
So I bought the 3-pack from Costco for $499 (RBK53). My house is a single-level at 2100sq ft. Probably overkill but I thought it may be worth it for the 2nd extra satellite for only $100 more basically. My ONLY RJ45 connection is on one corner of the house in my office. This is where the modem is and where I placed the Orbi router. I placed 1 satellte in the middle of the house and the other all the way in the opposite corner of the house in our bedroom. Both satellites get the blue connection light but my speeds seem to be lacking both in the living room (middle house) and our bedroom (opposite corner of house from Orbi router). Since I cannot place the Orbi router in the middle of the house as shown in the setup drawings when dealing with multiple satellites, what alternatives do I have? Should I just return the 3-pack and buy a 2-pack since my home is only 2100sq ft, or is there a way to utilize both satellites for maximum speed/coverage?
11 Replies
I'm surprised your speeds are limited within your 2100 sq ft, between at least the middle satellite and the corner. Are you sure you measured the speeds on a device connected to the middle satellite and again with the same device connected to your router? We want to be sure the speed difference is due to the satellite backbone connection.
In the worse case, I'm sure you can sell your extra satellite since the retail price for an add-on is $250. Or just keep it for future use.
Dumb question, but how do I know what device I am connected to when running the speedtest? Also, the speed tests vary SIGNIFICANTLY depending on what test platform I use, ie. speedtest app from Ookla, speedtest through Google search, or speedof.me site. The speedtest app from Ookla is a consistent 35+mb DL (which is fine since I only get about 45mb wired). The speedof.me and Google tests range from 2mb to 20mb DL max. Very strange. In any case, let me know how I see what I am connected to when running the tests and I will get you more data. I appreciate the response!
Yoiu can login to each satellite and click on Attached Devices to see what devices are connected, Uses same usename and password as your Orbi. You can get the satellite IP Address from the Orbi Attached Devices lists. Also see the the following thread: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Orbi-satellite-and-genie-app/m-p/1203351#M2738
- So I powered off my bedroom unit, seemed to actually help. Speeds seem to be faster all-around. Will test for a couple days and report back. Thanks all for the replies!
- Yes sir, I did enable telnet at the link, I did some reading and it's prob a firewall issue with my router.
In any case, I did rename all of the devices so I know what is what now. After removing the 2nd satellite, I "think" its running better now. We'll see as time will tellHi,
I too bought the 3-pack from Costco (could not pass up the reasonable price). My home is only about 1500 ft2, and 1 level. I initially tried to use the router and both satellites. The main problem I found is that it is hard for the phone to lock onto the nearest unit for the best speed (I think in general it is already kinda a problem for for this, but worse when trying to use all 3 units). In the end I decided to have the router on one end of the home, and the satellte on the other. I will keep the 3rd unit for when I add another garage to the home, and will put it out there.
Could also try playing around with lowering the transmit power on one or both bands (2.4, 5) on the router to lower its coverage area to see it it works better with handoff with the satelitte(s).
