Great performance...form factor more disappointing than expected

[brentkeadle]

The range and speed of this product is amazing. I've got more testing to do in terms of placement (distance between satellites) but so far I don't think I could ask for more. For example, I can get a 60+% signal all the way to the far side of my sport court near my back property line...that is from an indoor satellite transmitting through a very thick, old stone exterior wall with very dense mortar in an old farm house over 180ft away.

The size and form factor is what I'm more than a little disappointed with. The devices are HUGE. I knew the dimensions before I purchased, but until I pulled one out of the box I really just didn't comprehend how big it is...in a time when pretty much every other "mesh" manufacturer is going smaller and less conspicuous. I'm okay with the router being that size but Netgear needs to make a wired (with ethernet backhaul) satellite that is smaller.
The other real disappointment is the shape and size of the power brick. It sticks out about 3 inches when plugged into an outlet (brick actually 2.75 in, plus thickness of the outlet), which doesn't seem like a lot, but when the furniture it sits on has to be 3 inches from the wall it makes a big difference.

RECOMMENDATION for Netgear (would love feedback from them)... Smaller satellite options with 1 or 2 Ethernet ports and PoE install option that can be implemented in wall or ceiling...and a smaller/flatter brick for better placement options. This system is marketed to homes of 5000 square feet. Customers with 5000+ square foot homes can afford a PoE switch or injector and we look for solutions that can be clean (ie. in wall/ceiling with hidden wires). Eero makes a poE adapter for their mesh system that is only available to custom integrators. C'mon Netgear step up for the DIY techies like me and one-up Eero with a PoE solution on a smaller Satellite for the consumer

[tagteam]

You should post your suggestions on the Idea Exchange (link below) since it will get more play in the section.

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Idea-Exchange-For-Home/idb-p/idea-exchange-for-home

[AmitR]

Orbi Product Manager here.  

Good feedback -- we've actually been thinking about this a little bit.  have you considered this kit: http://netgear.com/orbi/rbk23w.aspx.  Smaller Router, with 2 Wall Plug Satellites.  Still 5K sq ft coverage.    

We did look at a PoE injector, but it didn't meet the neeeds of the RBK50.  We can however, revist the power adapter to see if we can reshape / resize it.  

[brentkeadle]

I did look at the plug in Sat's. However I like the ethernet backhaul feature, which those lack. And I like the ability to get the Sat up higher (above furniture, and preferably above bodies). Ceiling or wall install is ideal, I think, for any house 5000sf and larger, especially if they have the option to pull hidden ethernet cables to the ceiling or up a wall. I realize that ceiling is tough, but a lot of newer homes have ethernet pulled to multiple rooms and fishing a few drops up a wall is not a big deal. And if it is a remodel or new home planning for a ceiling install is easy. I'm a fan of Negear products, and I love the performance of this one, but I will likely be going with a different product that offers more of a custom install (unobrtusive wall or ceiling mount) and PoE.