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XR500 glamour has worn off an now I am just angry
OK I started on this forum a week ago all wide-eyed and happy, but now really I am just angry at wasting my money on the XR500.
It was sold to me as a gaming router but seriously it's no different ...
A fix for disconnects has already been released in 2.3.2.32. I believe another fix via Qualcomm will be in the next update as well for other disconnect issues. Also Netgear decides on release schedule for the XR500, not Netduma! I have been using my XR500 since release without major issue, so reading 2 month old threads isnt helpful, read the current ones and you will see most peoples disconnect issues which as I said was a Qualcomm issue has been solved. The current Vlan Tag issue for 'some' users (im not one of those because of my setup is different) is fixed in the next update.
No disrespect here, Killhippie, but becuase one user does not have an issue does not in some way mean that there is no issue. There have been a number of posts about disconnects. It's easy to say oh that post is old, but often there is very little information concerning the exact current status of a product. Manufacturers are obviously reluctant to give out that information, so customers have little choice but to base decisions on what information they CAN find even if it is out of date. I have had no disconnects either, I have actually found the router to be very stable, but I am not everyone. Certainly some people have found issues. I have no idea whether these have been fixed becuase like I say there is no statement from the manufacturer on just exactly what the current status is.
Anway, this was not even a problem I mentioned, but I have to say that the ones I have mentioned have undermined my confidence in the product. Not only does manual prioritisation not work, but now it seems that maybe there is a problem with the UPnP table since it's always blank. I mean these are basic things. Oh yes and the latest one is VPN only works for one provider. It is very difficult with a brand new product to maintain confidnce when you discover these problems and there is no information forthecoming from the manufacturer. People have a limited time they can return stuff so it's hardly surprising they get noisy and pushy, but fundamentally there is a lack of information. If someone would say, that doesnt work, that does, that doesnt, and when fixes will happen and so on then people would back off. I mean I for one have nine days to decide whether to keep this router. Nine days in which I am going to keep on hassling for answers, because after that it's too late.
Possible that your ISP modem could be a cause as well.
Something to look into.
I for one have not see this issue with my XR450. Same HW accept for the 2.4Ghz wifi HW differs. I use cable and a NG CM modem. I think users need to look into possible causes with there ISP modems as well. Not just pointing at the router.
I would also try another XR router as well. Possible that the XR is just plain faulty and nothing that FW will correct.
There is no problem with the modem.
Unfortunately I can't try another XR500. I am currently deciding whether to return it or not and that will be the end of it.
I mean, I do like the OS interface, it's highly informative, but the bugs mean that it is useless for the purpose I bought it for.
It's actually slower than my old router and I can't even prioritise games becuase of the bug in manual prioritisation. The faults with the XR500 also prompted me to investigate my network and frankly the issues the XR500 is solving arent problems I have. My problems tend to be related to the gaming PC itself causing lag dues to spurious applications and crosstalk between devices which arent't actually accessing the net, which are issues the XR500 doesn't tackle. So really the only thing the XR500 offers me is a nice user interface. How often do you actually use that interface you are paying so much for? The answer is "never". I mean the last time I accessed my previous router was years ago. So is it really worth all this money for something I will never access?
The XR500 is expensive becuase of it's gamer tag, but it actually fails to deliver any gaming advantage ( except for consoles where it still remains a good buy thanks to Geo Location ). But the pressure is on. I have a limited time to get solutions to problems before my return window expires. Believe it or not I like the interface so much I am still tempted to keep it, but the very least I need is a fix for the manual prioritisation. I need a date. And of course there isn't one.
Only good way to see if the problem really is the router would be to try another one. Not all XR routers are having problems with there internet connections.
No router Mfr gives dates on when new FW is coming out. I would recommend you return the unit and find something else or come back to the XR routers at a future date.
Good Luck.
- I've been told there will be a firmware update in November, assuming everything goes to plan. I think your issues would largely be addressed in that version.
None taken, and yes I know just because I have no issues does not take away the fact you are. The XR500 is a great router, and updates are coming with fixes, the November update should as Fraser has said sort most of your issues out. I know its a pain but bugs happen with all tech and one fix may break something else. The manual prioritisation will be fixed, hopefully Hybrid VPN comes to the XR500 as it has in the XR700. As to UPnP tables this is a issue with many Netgear routers but its been well documented and should also be fixed. The router is fast and has great features, juts give it a little patience, its a complicated sandwich of Netgear and Netduma software/firmware and its worth the wait in my opnion. In the end only you can decide what is best. Good luck with whatever you decide.
I concur with^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
