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cdmiller's avatar
cdmiller
Aspirant
Sep 19, 2022

Question about RAX500E vs Orbi 960

I am thinking about upgrading my network.  I currently have two R7000s.  One is the primary router, the other is an AP (set up in AP mode).  I've been thinking about getting the RAX500E to replace my main R7000 (and continuing to use the other R7000 as an AP).  However, I've reading a lot about the fact that the Orbi supports 802.11r, k and v to improve the smooth hand-off from one AP to another.  That is a problem I have with my current set up.  Once a device connects to the main router or AP, it may not "let go" and connect to the other device when it should.  So, here are my questions I was hoping someone could help me with;

1.  Does the RAX500E support 802.11r, k and v like the Orbi does?

2.  If the RAX500E does support 802.11r, k and v, then what AP would I need to get to replace the R7000 I'm using today.  I know the R7000 does not support 802.11r, k and v.  Since all APs must support those protocols, I know the R7000 won't necessarily be a good fit.

3.  Given the price of the Orbi 960, it would seem much cheaper to go with the RAX500E and a new AP.  It seems like the specs indicate I would be getting the exact same capabilities.  Is this correct, is is there something more to the Orbi that I'm missing (other than a unified interface)?  I would have a wired backhaul from the AP to the main router in all circumstances.

4.  Can anyone say that the 802.11r, k and v are really helping their transitions from AP to AP?  Am I really going to see that much of a difference over what I have now?

 

One of the reasons I'm considering an upgrade is my main R7000 seems to flake out every now and then and start up with factory settings.  Fortunately, I have a backup and just restore it.   But, it's a hassle when it happens.  I realize I could get another R7000 and go with that, but it has been about 5 years now and I'm probably due for a change.  I do have a log of connected devices (mainly wired)

Thanks.

1 Reply

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  • plemans's avatar
    plemans
    Guru
    Sep 19, 2022

    So I have the RBKE963 system and a RAXE500 + EAX80 system running currently. 

    My EAX80 isn't hardwired in because when its hardwired in, the smart roaming features get disabled in AP mode. I do prefer hardwired backhauls that the orbi system supports but I'm testing/playing with the RAXE+EAX system to see how well it works. And I like roaming so it has to run with a wireless connection. 

     

    For most of what I do, either system functions about the same. Reason is, most services don't use that much bandwidth overall. For example, 4k streaming can work fine with 25-40mbps. Its only when you get to moving massive amounts of data that its needing higher bandwidth. Like downloading games, downloading large database files, etc. So the average person, doesn't actually need that much bandwidth while walking around/roaming. My high bandwidth devices (media server and main PC) are both hardwired in so the wifi situation isn't that big of deal

     

    On either setup, I can pull 300-600mbps speed anywhere in my home with them. So for my whole home, do I need either setup? No. My older RBK53 setup managed it all fine. I've even got a RBK752 system that functions about the same.

     

    So its more what you want to do. Are you planning on having 6ghz devices or do you have some? If not, I'd probably skip the RAXE and RBKE systems. Right now 6ghz routers are so new and unavailable that they can charge quite a premium for them. You could snag a RBK750 series setup and run it with wired backhaul and get pretty solid performance and the roaming you're looking at. And its cheap enough (there's renewed versions on amazon for super cheap) that you could probably have the RBK752 and if you upgraded to 6ghz devices in a year or 2, still get a 6ghz mesh system for cheap than buying one now (with prices having dropped by then). 

    Or you could go with a flagship router like the RAXE500/300 and pick up a cheap mesh system like the MK nighthawk or orbi dual band. they're pretty cheap because they're dual band. But they do support wired backhaul which puts them on similar performance when wired in as the triband systems. You could use the RAXE500 for those devices close to it or those that don't roam and us the mk/orbi system for the roaming devices. I've done that as well and it works fine.