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Don’t buy Orbi Pro…Buy something else. Anything else…
Don’t buy Orbi Pro…Buy something else. Anything else… I own Orbi Pro with two Pro Satellites. I also own the Orbi Outdoor RBS5OY. Here are my problems and reasons to avoid anything product Netgear manufactures. If your intension is for business. I updated to the recent GA firmware 2.2.2.210. It did not cause any obvious problems on day-1, beyond the normal Orbi known issues (drops, reboots, etc). However, I did notice my ability to transfer large files across my WIFI dropped speed considerably. I have no illusion that WIFI speeds don’t range and fluctuate randomly. I also know interference and other variables can cause problems. But I have historically been able to get 300-500 Mbps tested and validated using INTERNAL LAN TEST NETWORK PERFORMANCE TOOLS, not internet speed checks which are less reliable... I am a 20 year tech worker with extensive knowledge and experience with enterprise network devices, including WIFI and RF products. I know how to tweak and tune my Orbi to insure the most optimal performance. So, why did my speeds drop to 100-200 after applying the recent firmware. I did role back to 2.2.1.210. Factory resets, reboots, full re-configure. Hours wasted… Same result. Slow speeds. I considered rolling back to previous firmware, but you must be using at least 2.2.1.210 to avoid Netgear Orbi automatic updates. And typical Netgear. Silent! Repetitive! Script Kiddy responses. You may think you are interacting with a BOT with template answers. You are ON YOUR OWN! After they get your money. Netgear opened a thread MONTHS ago. Asking Orbi Pro users what features they would like to see. Most Orbi Pro users quickly understood that “PRO” was nothing more than a spin-off of Orbi Consumer version with nearly 90 percent parity. But, we can forgive Netgear. After-all, they are interacting and working with the end-user (that’s you) to build Orbi Pro into something truly business-like, custom built with the user’s input as the driving force. Current Day…Months later….NOTHING WE SUGGESTED has been implemented. They “tried” to use clever tricks such as “VLAN SUPPORT” has been added. But we all quickly learned. It was for ISP and router mode only. As of today, there is little, nearly ZERO difference between Orbi Consumer and Pro versions. Yet, Pro users paid far more to have the “PRO” logo on their product. Netgear advertised another VERY COOL product called Orbi Outdoor RBS5OY. I do have a very large outdoor space. And often I like to stream music and control my smart devices via my smartphone, and maybe do some work outside. So Orbi Outdoor was a GIFT from Netgear, as now my entire outdoor space is covered with great WIFI!!! Thanks Netgear! A true gift! Or…is it a gift with a nasty secret that Netgear has yet to respond. The RBS5OY is based on the Orbi consumer version. Not Pro. Yet, Netgear very openly and loudly claims this RBS5OY is compatible and fully works with Orbi Pro. But is that TRUE???? I have asked Orbi why the firmware for RBS5OY is not aligned with Orbi Pro. The obvious answer is the RBS5OY firmware code is based on Orbi consumer firmware. So, as Orbi Pro receives new updates, promised features, BUG FIXES….as Netgear has released 2 new updates for Orbi Pro….Does anyone notice Orbi Outdoor is not getting those same updates? How does Netgear intend to unify the new features and BUG FIXES and stability and other advertised “Pro” stuff…when you have this third-wheel product they charged you $500 for….that is not running the same firmware? Imagine your car manufacture selling you a performance part for your car. Only they updated your car with fixes and other changes, only to learn your performance part was not updated to work those changes. Does this mean the manufacture is going to fully refund you for an add-on that will not work properly with your updated vehicle? Still, no reply from Netgear about this? But they got your money. Orbi support is widely known to be a joke. You are better and more wise to use Reddit or other methods to solve your problems. Any idea of a business using Orbi Pro and expecting business style support. GOOD LUCK! Considered yourself warned. I am not saying Netgear is the horrible company. I believe Netgear does many great things. Perhaps Orbi Pro was and is more than Netgear can handle. This is not Netgear’s first attempt to get inside the business tech market. But common sense people. How many Netgear products do you see within ANY tech company? For the many users that often complain to this forum. I say this with respect and understanding. STOP!!!!!!! Netgear has already given us the answer. They don’t care! They are not going to follow through with promises. They are not going to improve support! Orbi Pro is NEVER going to be what you want it to be. Go buy something else. Netgear has been responding to all of us since the day Orbi was released. What has changed? They fix one thing…They break another….They promise 5 features….You are lucky if you get one of those features usually a year or longer later…Netgear has a scripted and default response to any problem you have. It “may” be possible they only have 3-4 support people working for them and they heavily rely on a copy/paste response to all questions and problems. I own Orbi Pro. I drank the kooliade. But I also protected myself via a third-party warranty that will allow Orbi to be replaced. I thought I would wait until early 2019 and see what Netgear does. Give them a chance! Be patent, as my parents taught me. But they also taught me to NOT BE A FOOL…. So…Don’t buy Orbi Pro…Buy something else. Anything else… I will live with Orbi for a few more weeks. But I am positive I will need to use that warranty and have Orbi replaced. Perhaps dig a little deeper in my pocket for something TRULLY made for business. Of course, I am open to any response from Netgear. I am a civilize and open-minded person. I believe in fairness and respect and honesty. I am willing to work with Netgear concerning Beta firmware that specifically addresses promised business PRO features. But not allowing myself to be your lab rat….while you continue your course of using consumers as your testing ground for baseline support and stability that SHOULD have already need delivered. As of now…I have a 2-3 year old Gen-1 802.11AC ASUS RT3000 that is faster than this $2000 Orbi Pro…Solved17KViews6likes11CommentsWill there be WAN Ports on Satallites for Orbi Pro System?
Currently, the Orbi system does not offer the ability to connect WAN directly to the satallites, instead only giving the router the ability to connect to the WAN. Will this feature be on the Orbi Pro system to allow for higher throughout in larger implementations?SolvedOrbi-Pro in older house - Ideal placement?
We have a house with very old walls that almost act like a faraday cage. As such, this is why Orbi is so appealing to us. Would it make sense to place the Orbi sattelite on the 2nd floor or the first, as far away from the main Orbi base station as possible? What materials can block the signal and what makes Orbi unique in overcoming this issue?Solved
