Solved Router Showdown

[N2Abyss]

Hey Guy's, I'm looking at replacing my old Netgear RangMax 240 G with one of the following, and could use your input!
I rely heavily on wireless upstairs, as my house isn't hard wired for LAN.
The house is a two story, wood construction, 2660 sq. ft. bi-level.
The old rangmax reaches fairly well, but at times, I get dropped signals at the far end.
Here's what I've narrowed it down to -

Netgear WNDR3700

D-Link DIR 655

Cisco Linksys E4200

Any input would be appreciated.
Bret

 

[Sardonicus]

Two of those are reviewed at Newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100010076&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=145|33-127-215^33-127-215-TS%2C33-122-326^33-122-326-TS

 

[N2Abyss]

Thanks p5bd[URL="http://www.sevenforums.com/member.php?u=109674"]w[/URL]k, for fast reply and the link, I have read a ton of this stuff, but I'm definitely a novice when it comes to wireless, and don't really understand what I'm reading!

I just know I need something more solid than what I'm presently using, with better reach and less dropped connections. One reason I included Netgear is the fact that I'm somewhat used to them.
Thanks
Bret

 

[Sardonicus]

OK,
I'm pretty much a novice, too.
Someone else will probably weigh in.

 

[N2Abyss]

Thanks for your help p5bdkw, I appreciate your input!
Bret

 

[alphanumeric]

I've got a D-Link DIR-655, its got good signal strength and works well for me. My router is in my basement and my two wireless PCs are upstairs. There are lots of reported problems with these routers though. At least in the D-Link forums anyway. I've been though several different firmwares and once you flash to certain ones there is no going back to an older version. I have yet to get Shareport working reliably. I am seriously thinking of replacing mine with a Netgear, hopefully dual band 5 and 2.4 GHz N. I'd trade it for a Netgear WNDR3700 in a heart beat.

You might want to poke around here and look at some of the reviews.
Real Help For Your Small Network - SmallNetBuilder

 

[N2Abyss]

Thanks alpha, looks like I'll be trying another RangeMax, I've had good luck with my old G band!
Thanks for everyone's input.
Bret

 

[chev65]

I wouldn't trade my Dlink DIR655 for anything, the newest firmware works absolutely perfectly, the ones having trouble with these routers usually do not understand anything about routers. This router has the best reviews of any other router at Newegg IMO.

 

[Maguscreed]

I've never noticed a significant difference with any notable brand and routers. They all honestly seem about the same to me. That's why I'm currently just on a trendnet. Wasn't exactly rated very high but it's doing way better than the netgear I paid almost twice as much for.

 

[alphanumeric]

I wouldn't trade my Dlink DIR655 for anything, the newest firmware works absolutely perfectly, the ones having trouble with these routers usually do not understand anything about routers. This router has the best reviews of any other router at Newegg IMO.

The biggest complaints are with the Shareport feature. I guess you could argue its the application that doesn't work not a fault with the router. Either way though for a lot of people, me included it doesn't work as advertised. The other bone of contention on their forums is the Securespot feature. The latest firmware removes that feature but thats only because enough people complained about it in the first place. Mine works and for the most part it does what I want but I don't go out of my way to recommend it to anybody. I can say for certain that I will never buy another D-Link product. Don't get me wrong though, I'm glade yours is working for you and that your happy with it. There is always two sides to every story. My next router will be dual band. The 2.4 GHz band here is saturated and I can only see it getting worse. Dual band is one of the reasons the Netgear WNDR3700 appeals to me.