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Forum Discussion
dathomas
Dec 27, 2021Guide
Nighthawk Mesh vs Orbi mesh
I am looking to move from a router/extender to a mesh system. I was looking at the Nighthawk MK83 mesh system and the Orbi RBK653 and RBK853. The MK83 and 653 appear to be comparable with the 853 hig...
plemans
Dec 27, 2021Guru - Experienced User
If you're using a wired backhaul (not wireless backhaul), I'd skip the triband systems and go with a dual band. For the tribands, the 3rd band is exclusive to the wireless backhaul and if you're using a wired backhaul, its a bit pointless. I've got a SXK30 that is more stable and the same speed as my RBS750 system. And its half the price.
So just to confirm, you're planning on the wired backhaul? If it is correct, I'd look at the SXK30 system or the MK63 system.
I like the SXK because its business class. It tends to have a few more configuration options as well as tends to be more stable as there's more testing on the business class side.
- dathomasDec 27, 2021Guide
Thank you for your reply. My initial thought is to use a wired backhaul because it seems to me it would provide faster and more stable wireless connections everywhere as opposed to using a wireless backhaul. I am open to either but wired just seemed to be a better option. So you would not have any concerns with the lower speeds 1.8Gb vs 3 vs 6 with the number of devices, etc. on the network. I know that 75 isn't that large a number but since the documentation on most of these mentions 30 or 40 or 50 devices I wasn't sure what effect it would have to be a maybe twice the number they state. I am trying to get a stable and fast connection everywhere in the house which I have never had with the router/extenders that I have used over the years. I am chalking it up to the size of the house being as spread out as it is, the number of devices, and the insulation on the interior walls interfering with the signal as well.
- CrimpOnDec 27, 2021Guru - Experienced User
Those throughput numbers are marketing hype, created by adding together the maximum theoretical speeds of each radio, along with a footnot in tiny type that says, "you will NOT get this. EVER."
Insulation in interior walls is mostly for sound and 99% air. Should not present much additional obstacle to WiFi signals. Exterior insulation typically has foil vapor barrier, which will interfere with WiFi signals.
- dathomasDec 27, 2021Guide
Thank you. Marketing hype is what i suspected. I just wanted to make sure I was being realistic and not trying to overload the system with too many devices. I don't want to get horribly expensive but I don't want to overload a smaller sytem either.
- plemansDec 27, 2021Guru - Experienced User
If you look at the actual specs, it isn't until you get to the 8 or 9 series that the fronthaul is more than the 1800mbps.
spec wise:
SXK30: 1200mbps-5ghz and the 2.4ghz is 600mbps.
The RBK750 series front haul is: 1200mbps 5ghz and 600mbps 2.4ghz. Its backhaul is the 2400mbps. The backhaul is the dedicated wireless connection between the router/satellites.
So if you're wanting faster fronthaul, you'd need to go to the 8 series (RBK850) or the 9 series with the 6E connection
But you're getting pretty expensive when you jump up to those series.
- dathomasDec 27, 2021Guide
Thank you very much for your help. I think I will probably go with the SXK30. If the number of devices won't cause me an issue. It looks like a good system and with your real world recommendation of stability, I think that is probably the best choice.