Is the RBK850 Wifi 6 router backwards compatible with older Orbi satellites?

I went on Orbi's site today and chatted with their support.  I asked if Orbi RBK 850 (wifi 6) is comapatible with an older Orbi Rbs50.  "Oh yes they said".  I was excited!!

Could not make it work.  Sad.

Called Orbi Support, "oh no, it is not compatible".  Sadder, given wasted time.

Support said it will be an upcoming firmware update which will make it backwards compatible.  They said within a couple of weeks.

Do I believe it?  Nah....

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CrimpOn wrote:

Compatability is one of the questions people are raising.  My Google searches have not turned up any information from Netgear about the new product besides the product "Data Sheet" https://www.netgear.com/images/datasheet/orbi/RBK852.pdf 

 

Because the major selling point is WiFi6 ("AX"), I doubt very much if the existing satellites will integrate as satellites with the new router.  We do know for a fact that (1) an existing Orbi system can be put into AP mode and attached to any router, so there reason to suspect that an existing Orbi system can be attached to the AX system that way.  Who knows what happens when an AX device roams far from the AX capable Orbi units?  (2) The outdoor RBS50Y can be attached as an access point on any router, so of course it can be attached as an access point to the AX series, but will not support any AX functionality.  Once again, the RBS50Y radios cannot do WiFi6 (AX), so not much chance of true "integration".

 

Would be helpful if Netgear provided more information.  I, for one, have zero WiFi6 devices and am happy to let some "early adopters" tel us all about the new system before I spend any money.

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