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RBK50 or MK63
I have an Orbi RBK50 and satellite setup that's worked pretty well for a year or so, although I've never been completely happy with the admin UI and particularly annoyed that the UI doesn't always show all the connected devices (apparently a common and never corrected problem).
It's pretty much successfully managed a dozen Wifi cameras and two dozen "smart house" IoT devices and a couple of Android tablets with few issues.
Today though, the unit refused to allow an admin login! Nothing changed, worked fine yesterday, today, nada. Even a reset attempt didn't actually reset it.
So down to the local electronics store and picked up an MK63 system for a really good price.
Returning home, I gave the Orbi one last chance and what do you know, it worked! Just leaving it alone for 4 hours "fixed" it.
Now I'm stumped. Do I open the MK63 and go to a fair bit of trouble configuring it (there's a LONG list of DHCP reservations)? Or do I return it for a full refund?
I'm happy to keep it .. the price was right .. but I hate to "downgrade" in terms of quality, if you know what I mean, and the Orbi _seems_ like a higher quality unit.
Any thoughts appreciated.
So now I'm stumped
You could start by working out why the Orbi fell over. Begin by telling people what modem/gateway/ONT sits between the router and the Internet.
If you can work out solve the original problem, and if you can fix it, you can decide whether to return the MK63 system.
Otherwise it is your call.
7 Replies
You could start by working out why the Orbi fell over. Begin by telling people what modem/gateway/ONT sits between the router and the Internet.
If you can work out solve the original problem, and if you can fix it, you can decide whether to return the MK63 system.
Otherwise it is your call.
Michael, thank you for the reply.
I didn't add the hardware between the Orbi and the internet because it wasn't relevant. The problem occurred with that hardware removed, with no cable in the WAN connector.
The issue was that I could not log in to the admin web console! From the WIRED machine I routinely log in from once every week or two.
Power cycling (with a long delay) several times didn't fix it.
And the unit wouldn't reset either. Pin in the hole "press", pin in the hole and hold, pin in the hole and power on, pin in the hole and hold hold hold hold .. no reset. The unit continued to not allow an admin login. But WiFi worked after all reset attempts, as did routing and DHCP. Most everything worked in fact, except the admin login.
However, the point is now moot. I've returned the MK63; I realized it was a great price on something that wasn't what I wanted. Instead, I'll look to spend a bit more and buy a 6E device, although almost certainly not one from Netgear.
Thanks again.
Agree completely that the Orbi router can be managed without an internet connection (and also that that many people are finding they now have devices which support WiFi6 - and sometimes 6E. Although, none of those existing cameras and IoT devices do.)
In case this question appears again, it would be useful to know:
- Which firmware release is on this Orbi system? (People are reluctant to investigate problems with older firmware.)
- Is the access by IP address of the router or using the goofy URL (http://orbilogin.net or similar)?
- Which web browser is used to access the router?
Thanks
