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Orbi: We really need separate SSID for 2.4 Ghz and 5Ghz or speed is limited to less than 200 Mbps
TLDR: With Orbi, my 5Ghz capable devices are "forced" to connect to 2.4 Ghz most of the time, slowing down speed. Tested against 3 different routers and my 5Ghz capable can connect to 5Ghz network all the time. I got the 3-pack Orbi from Costco and after numerous testing, ALL my devices are connecting to 2.4 Ghz MOST of the TIME rather than 5 Ghz. This slows down the transfer speed from 800 Mbps to a paltry 145 Mbps. Unfortunately, since the Orbi does not allow separate SSID for 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz, I cannot "force" my device to connect only to 5Ghz to get better speed. This means that I have a $499 router system that mostly allow only 2.4 Ghz. I previously have a Time Capsule and setup 2 separate SSID: - devices capable of 5Ghz will ONLY connect to 5Ghz SSID (MacBook, iPhone, etc.) - devices capable of ONLY 2.4 Ghz will connect to 2.4Ghz SSID (thermostate, etc.) There was no changes on the setup or placement of my devices when I replace the Time Capsule with the Orbi: 1). Orbi is in the middle of apartment, same location as my Time Capsule 2). Laptops are in the same area as before (desk, room 1, etc.) 3). Other devices are in the same area as before (printer, camera, thermostat, etc.). 4). No new devices that can interference with Wifi signal The ONLY changes is the Orbi Router and Satellite and now all my 5Ghz capable devices are connecting to 2.4 Ghz with Orbi. I powered down Orbi, put my Time Capsule back and BAM!! I got 5Ghz connection again. For a separate testing, I bought the following: - Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 - ASUS RTC3200 Setup both to have separate SSID and BAM! 5Ghz devices can connect to ONLY 5Ghz network. I hope Orbi will change this in the new upgrade. Otherwise, I have no need for a $499 router that "force" 5Ghz devices to connect to 2.4 Ghz network.Netgear C3700 on COMCAST - Please don't buy it !!
PROBLEM SOLVED ! As you may have seen ive been having alot of issues with this device. The solution is DONT BUY this device if you are with COMCAST !. Here is why: 1. Slow speeds on wifi were due to an out dated firware version on the device according to NETGEAR (Tier 3 agent at the HQ in California) 2. After a FCC complaint that I filed; someone from Corp office at COMCAST called me. HE checked with his senior engineers and said that COMCAST does not have the latest firmware for the netgear device. He accepted that the firmware is completely handled (updated) by COMCAST and not NETGEAR (for the first time) 3. So basically dont use this device on COMCAST and if you want to but your own device in the future please check the compatible device which have been tested and passed with a 3 star rating at COMCAST website. link : http://mydeviceinfo.comcast.net Make: Netgear Model: C3700-100NAS (Retail) Retail: Yes Device Type: Gateway DOCSIS Version: 3.0 End of Life? No Certification: certification should have 3 stars according to COMCAST for that device to have the latest firmware on it ! If you look carefully on this list Netgear device is not properly tested at COMCAST and they will not be doing anything in the near future. However Motorola / ARRIS devices are fuly supported by COMCAST (becasuse they own 10-15% of ARRIS :D ) Sadly ARRIS devices arent the best and their wifi signal strength is absurb compared to some other providers. --------- I bought a Airport express router for $85 on amazon and this has fixed all my wifi issues. (thank you Apple) Basically im using a $150 device as just a dumb modem :( Only if I knew about this corporate mumbo jumbo earlier. God Bless America !Netgear Orbi vs. IOgear Wireless HDMI
Here's a puzzler, where I may know the answer but it's not one I'm going to like... I've had WiFi challenges (new house) since we moved in March... cycled through the provided Optimum/Cablevision D-Link, an Almond+, and a TP-Link Archer C7 with no consistent performance... until this week, when I splurged on a Netgear Orbi base+2 satellite system. A couple of firmware upgrades later and everything is working more smoothly than ever before. There's only one big fly in the ointment: we have an IOgear Wireless HD Digital kit https://www.iogear.com/product/GW3DHDKIT/ to transmit set-top box signal from the 2nd floor, where the cable box (and router) are, to the living room & projector. Although previously the IOgear unit worked (mostly) fine, acquiring signal and keeping good picture quality, last night it failed to sync for minutes at a time, and when it did get a lock the signal was jittery and full of noise. I suspect -- and again, I am not happy to be headed down this road -- that the Orbi's 5GHz backhaul connection between the base and satellite units is stomping on the IOgear's wireless HDMI signal. A handful of Amazon reviews and forum posts indicate something similar. Does anyone have experience with this particular combo? Recommendations for isolating the two bands?