Netgear WGR614 v6 Wireless Router Review Friday, Jun 16 2006
Product Reviews and Wireless Routers 11:01 pm
After years of reliable service, I figured it was time to give my old Netgear MR314 Wireless router a break, so I ordered a new Netgear WGR614 wireless router based on my good luck with the last one.
Although it works (and looks nice), it didn’t meet my expectations. At first, it constantly dropped the connection, both wired and wireless, requiring a reboot. This would happen a few times per day.
I upgraded the firmware, which didn’t seem to help. I searched the web and found many others that were having similar problems. I tried any tweaks and settings that helped others, which did make things better, but I’d still have to give the old MR314 the edge in reliability.
Many blame their problems on heat (it does get much warmer than my old one) and fixed it by cutting up the case for more airflow, adding fans & heatsinks, etc… which I just don’t consider acceptable for a new piece of hardware that should work fine out of the box.
My main problem with the WGR614 (at least the one I received) would be that it’s not more reliable out of the box. Even if it could be tweaked to perfection, these are being bought by home users, which generally recognize that something either works or it doesn’t.
Currently, after the adjustments, it’s fairly reliable. I’d probably be happy with it if it was my first and only router–but since the one it replaced was more reliable, I’m still not happy. I still can’t maintain an SSH connection for more than 10 minutes, so something is still a little off.
So, here’s where I’m at. Unless I stumble across a magic setting for it, I think I’ll give Netgear a chance to replace it–but for now, I just ordered a Linksys WRT54GL wireless router. Even if the Netgear model is good, I’m not buying another one to use while this one’s in for warranty. I’m guessing that I’ll like the WRT54GL better, but I’ll still give the Netgear a test run when it gets back and keep the Netgear as a backup.
If you’re considering a Linsys, most would be happy with the WRT54G, which is about $20 cheaper than the WRT54GL. The GL is basically the older version of the G, which is Linux compatible and can be flashed with third-party firmware. If that doesn’t interest you, check out the Linksys WRT54G router.
If you’re set on the Netgear, Amazon has it on sale with a $10 rebate, which makes it $32–plus it qualifies for free shipping. My experience and review certainly doesn’t make it a bad product. There are plenty of Linksys complaints out there, but that didn’t stop me from ordering one.
I’ll post an update once I receive the WRT54GL and get things setup.
I am happy to find out what’s going on, and very disappointed in Netgear to find that they have burned me in this fashion. At work, I have previously installed older versions of their wireless access points, and I found them to be nearly flawless. So when I finally need one at home, and a friend needs one, we go and pick up two of these flawed WGR614s. Netgear just lost me as a customer… now, what brand to buy that I can actually afford?
If you want cheap, I’d go with the Linksys WRT54G. That link will take you to the Amazon page for them, where they are currently $49.99 with free shipping.
If you want to mess with firmware, you’ll want the WRT54GL, which is what I just bought. I haven’t gotten around to writing up a review yet, but I love it. Linksys has officially stolen me away from Netgear with this one.
Normally the GL is around $20 more, but if you click that link, Amazon currently has it at $65.94 with free shipping, plus a $10 rebate that brings it down to $55.94 total.
I haven’t messed with anything, yet, at least. I just took it out of the box and set it up. Quick, easy, painless and not a single problem with it so far.
Also, the Linksys seems to stay much cooler than the Netgear. I like that it’s vented on both the top and bottom, plus the legs lift it a little for better airflow.
Just wanted to add that I can relate to the disappointment. In addition to the MR314 routers that were perfect for me, I also had great luck with two MA401 wireless cards. My parents also use an MR314 and one of their USB wireless adaptors (I forget the model).
Never a problem with any of them, which is the type of reliability I was hoping for with the WGR614.
Word of warning: We’ve got a LinkSys WAG54G as our Internet Gateway, and we get extendeded period of “Duuuuur” from the thing – The ADSL is working fine, but the gateway refuses to provide connectivity.
I don’t know if the WGR series suffer from a similar problem, but they might. The only Wireless Netwokring Component I’ve even had proper, constant uptime from is the Belkin 54G Wireless Internet Gateway that my parents use…
I have yet to find a home wireless brand that I like, I have had problems with Netgear has terrible connectivity on a wireless bridge and linksys always breaking and replacing. I have a belkin 54g, while it is reliable and has a fair amount of features, I have to reboot if after torrents or it wont access port 80.
I think I had looked at a few Belkins at the time, too.
Shortly after writing this, I did switch to the Linksys WRT54GL that I wrote about here: http://www.mikeseiler.com/linksys-wrt54gl-wireless-router-review/
It’s been over 2 years and I’m still happy with it, so at this point I guess I’m a Linksys fan.
I never messed with the firmware or anything, so I would have probably been fine with just the WRT54G.