Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 3:04 Post subject: Best Router for $140
So I recently purchased WNDR3700 only to find i cannot use WDS with my 2 old WNDR3300 do to different chipsets. So now i'm thinking of returning it and getting the Linksys E3200 which seems like is similar specs to WNDR3700 but has boardcom chips.
But before i go out and purchase yet another router and learn it's not WDS compatible with my old WNDR3300 I would like to ask the Guru's here, is my choice good or should i buy something else?
Router Requirements:
Compatible WDS (WPA2 AES) with 2 old WNDR3300 Routers
Gigabit Ports
Simultaneous 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz at N speeds (WNDR3300 is N 5GHz only)
USB port a plus
Cheap as possible
Am i correct in thinking any boardcom router should be to create a WDS network with my old WNDR 3300?
E4200 is way to expensive and i don't really need 450mbps.
Whats the difference between E3200 and E3000? As from my quick search it showed slim to none other then the radios.
Hmm the E3000 is on sale for 85 bucks which is not bad, how would you rate the router, worth the cash or buy something better?
The E3000 can do 5GHz/2.4GHZ at the same time at N speeds correct?
The E3000 can do the simultaneous dual-band, but take a look at the refurbished E4200 at http://homestore.cisco.com . I just ordered one for ~$101 delivered (they added tax). The E3000 is my current main router, but I figured I'd upgrade, reallocate the E3000, and round out all of my various client bridges to 5GHz N while there was the mild holiday discount.
Thanks but i'm in Canada so not to sure if they would deliver down here, plus are taxes and conversion would bump it up to 120 which is a 35 dollar difference.
Makes the E3000 a better buy in my opinion, put please explain why you are upgrading to the 4200?
I mainly want to upgrade to get gigbit and support for wireless N devices that run at 2.4GHz such as my SGS.
You can get refurb'd E3000 for $49, new for $69 (with coupon) in the US.. hard to beat at that price _________________
1 x E3000 - 15962 Big (K2.6) - wl0 NG-Mixed, wl1 N-Only (5GHz) - WDS 5GHz - WAN Gateway
1 x WRT610N v1/.16 - Eko 15337 Mega (K2.6) - wl0 NG-Mixed, wl1 N-Only (5GHz) - WDS 5GHz
1 x WRT610N v1/.16 - Eko 15337 Mega (K2.6) - wl0 NG-Mixed, wl1 N-Only (5GHz) - WDS 5GHz
1 x WRT610N v1/.16 - Eko 15337 Mega (K2.6) - wl0 NG-Mixed, wl1 N-Only (5GHz) - WDS 2.4GHz
1 x WRTSL54GS - Thibor - Retired
WRT610N (Never had to use)
1 x WRT54GS v3 - 13064 Std - Client Bridge 2.4GHz
1 x WRT54GS v3 - Thibor - Retired
here the cheapest refurb i found was for $80 or $85 for new which is lame.
But how do you guys like the E3000, how are the speeds? I ask because its only 480MHz when compared to 680MHz of the Netgear 3700 which i actually got for $80 bucks.
Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 118 Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 3:00 Post subject:
My E3000 has been rock solid for over 2 years and the speeds have been very good with the right firmware - so far 16994 has been better than the later releases for sustained wireless speed.
I only use it as a router, not for NAS or serving up anything, so I can't comment on performance there.
But I can get 300 on 5 GHz sustained and up to 150 on 2.4 GHz, while at the same time downloading and uploading over the internet and transferring multi gig files between wired clients at full gig speed. I'm happy with it.
If you do get an e3000, get taller, adhesive rubber feet to lift it up and keep it cool. _________________ Linksys E900 dd-wrt v24-sp2 18946 mini
Linksys E3000 dd-wrt v24-sp2 15692 std-usb-nas
D-Link DIR-601 Gargoyle 1.5.3 ar71xx dir 600 a1 squashfs
yeah i plan on getting the E3000 and calling it a day. I am worried about heat based on the reviews i read. People saying it overheats and dies after a few months which is why i think i will pay the extra 5 bucks for a new one. But then you can never trust the user base because they might be cramming it in a closet and not letting it vent for all we know.
I plan building some sort of standing base for it using the wall mount brackets on the back, this way it will stay well ventilated and will not take so much room either.
As for firmware isn't 14929 still the best? as i read anything higher has some kind of NAT loop problems like discussed here http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=148946. I still have that on my WNDR3300 and was thinking of dumping the settings and flashing them on the E3000 after i flash 14929 making the transition a snap. So are you saying you do not have the NAT looping problem?
I will try 16994 since you have good stability with it and good WiFi which is what is most important and not to concerned about NAS, may just want it to dump quick files on to it to share with other not in the house not going to use it for streaming because i have a NAS for that
You have had to have flashed an e2k~e3k build.. nv60k is post 15962.
e2k~e3k is an nv60k build but at the time the build was named, only the e2k (E2000), and e3k (E3000) routers had 60k of nvram. Since then, there are others.. Hence the generic nv60k builds.
. _________________
1 x E3000 - 15962 Big (K2.6) - wl0 NG-Mixed, wl1 N-Only (5GHz) - WDS 5GHz - WAN Gateway
1 x WRT610N v1/.16 - Eko 15337 Mega (K2.6) - wl0 NG-Mixed, wl1 N-Only (5GHz) - WDS 5GHz
1 x WRT610N v1/.16 - Eko 15337 Mega (K2.6) - wl0 NG-Mixed, wl1 N-Only (5GHz) - WDS 5GHz
1 x WRT610N v1/.16 - Eko 15337 Mega (K2.6) - wl0 NG-Mixed, wl1 N-Only (5GHz) - WDS 2.4GHz
1 x WRTSL54GS - Thibor - Retired
WRT610N (Never had to use)
1 x WRT54GS v3 - 13064 Std - Client Bridge 2.4GHz
1 x WRT54GS v3 - Thibor - Retired
It's amazing how wide the e4200 pricing varies. I just grabbed a e4200 from amazon in the after christmas sale for 99€ and it even qualified for 25€ cashback