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    November 3, 2015
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    November 3, 2015
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TechMatcher's Reviews
<< 1 ... 14 15 16 17 18
 
Make your home an internet haven with this versatile Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system. Three identical tri-band dual-stream AC2200 routers, each equipped with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor, deliver lightning-fast internet. Equipped with Bluetooth 4.0/LE, this Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system is simple to set up and pairs easily with computers, tablets and smart devices.
 
  • Top 250 contributor
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Suprisingly Fast & Amazingly Easy
on February 8, 2017
Posted by: TechMatcher
I’ll get right to the point. The Linksys Velop 3 node system is hands down the easiest to install system I’ve ever tested and has ended up being the fastest within the walls of my house by a factor of 2x over the competition! Those two points truly surprised me – as I was not expecting such a quality product from Belkin so soon.
To qualify my assessment, to say that I’m a geek is an understatement. I absolutely LIVE for technology, and when it comes to home WiFi, I review 4-5 routers a year! I’m an IT Professional for over 15 years and I evaluate all sorts of technical products on my spare time – from the routers, modems, thermostats, cameras, storage systems, etc – you name it.
OK – so back to the WiFi system. I’m an owner of the NetGear Orbi system as well – so I setup both systems live – side by side – to do a more accurate comparison.
The Velop system came well packaged and neatly organized into the box. Three small Nodes, 3 power supplies and an Ethernet cable. The only instructions say “Download the app”. That’s it. So – I downloaded the app and walked one of the Nodes (all three nodes are identical so it doesn’t matter which one you choose) downstairs to plug it into my modem. I started the app, created a new account and within a minute, it detected the first node, asked me what I wanted to call this WiFi network and what password to give it, and we were done. I didn’t have to type in an SSID or default password or anything!
Node 2. The Linksys app left off on a screen where I could either click Finish, or add another node, so I click Add another node. Now up on my main floor, I plugged in Node 2, gave it a few seconds to startup, and clicked through the app prompts on my iPhone and BOOM – done with Node 2! Wow, I thought. That’s pretty slick!
Node 3. Again, selecting the option to add another Node, I walked the last node upstairs to the Master Bedroom. This node was a little farther away from the rest, but I thought I’d test it out in a remote location. I’ll admit I had a bit of trouble with this Node, and the app walked by through restarting the Node and connecting it up to the network successfully, but that took about 8-10 minutes to complete. Sweet!
The next step was to automatically check for updates – and all three Nodes required an update. That took another 10 minutes – but after that – things were smooth sailing.
The first test was to use “WiFi SweetSpots” when attached to the appropriate network (Velop or Orbi) to compare the device to WiFi speeds. See attached images. The “WadesWorld” is the Velop network, while “Jungleland” is the Orbi network. I was shocked to see the 2x performance of the Velop vs Orbi. I'll be doing more tests over the next few days, but wanted to get this out there right away in case someone is looking for advice.
The Velop has both 2.4GHz and 5GHz signals, so attaching legacy wireless devices to your network should not be a problem. The Linksys app is also well thought out – and has built in speedtest functions, Channel optimization (see screenshot), remote access and more. Nice job Linksys!
Overall – I was pleasantly surprised by the features, ease of setup and use of this router, and will be recommending this to my family and friends super option for a whole-house mesh network. You won’t be disappointed!
My Best Buy number: 2178905958
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Use your existing electrical wiring to extend your WiFi Internet access to any room in your house. Just plug the PowerLINE Adapter into your modem or router, then plug in the companion PowerLINE WiFi access point to an electrical outlet. It's that easy. With 1000 Mbps speed and Homeplug AV2 support, the PowerLINE WiFi 1000 is perfect for connecting smart TVs, streaming players, and game consoles wirelessly.
 
  • Top 250 contributor
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Super Easy and Quick Network Extender!
on January 31, 2016
Posted by: TechMatcher
from Minneapolis
Product: NETGEAR - PowerLINE Wi-Fi 1000 Access Point and Adapter - White
Model: PLW1000
Overview:
This product uses your home or apartment wiring to bring internet/LAN access to areas of the home where WiFi signals are low or a network cable is required. You can add up to 8 certified adapters to extend your network.
Packaging:
Nicely packaged. Easy, frustration free removal. Powerline adapters came in sturdy, custom-formed inner cardboard box snugly fit into the light cardboard exterior shell. The two adapters, two Ethernet cables and instructions were included.
Initial Setup:
Installation was a snap! Super easy – plug and play!
1. Unpack the adapters, plug the one without antennas and connect this to your router via the provided Ethernet cable. NOTE – do not plug into a power strip – it MUST be a wall outlet.
2. Plug the adapter with antennas into a wall outlet in the room you are looking utilize the wired or wireless extender network in. You can use the Pick-a-Plug LED to see if the outlet you are using has good connectivity or if a different outlet in the room provides a faster connection (by the color of the LED).
3. If using the Ethernet cable, plug it into the device you want and you’re done! If you I want to use the wireless network, connect to the SSID printed on the back of the adapter. You can alter the name of the wireless network once you’ve connected to it.
Features:
I’ve owned and reviewed many routers. I’ve also had several dead spots in my home. Using a PowerLINE adapter solved this effortlessly. The only drawback is that you have multiple wireless network in your home, you need to manually select the wireless network that is strongest in that particular area of your home or office. My iPhone and laptop do not automatically connect to the strongest signal – so that is an extra step. However, once you define the network to your device, it is simply a matter of selecting it.
OVERALL:
In summary, I was impressed with the ease of setup and performance of this product – but I’ve come to expect that from NETGEAR. During my testing, I used it to connect my TIVO in the master bedroom to my network via Ethernet cable vs the MoCA setup I used previously. So far – after streaming Netflix movies – it works great!
I am required to mention that I received the PLW1000 from NETGEAR as part of a review and test program. The pricing seems a little steep, but if you need wired connectivity to a device and you don’t already have Ethernet, this is the only way to go – and provides easy and quick, high-speed connectivity!
My Best Buy number: 2178905958
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Only at Best BuyNETGEAR DEAD SPOT TERMINATOR Wireless Adapter for Nighthawk R7300 Routers: This adapter plugs into an electric outlet to extend the range of your wireless network. The router (sold separately) uses the electric wiring in your home to send a signal the adapter can receive and rebroadcast as a secondary network.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Terminate Dead Spots easily with the DST!
on January 3, 2016
Posted by: TechMatcher
Product: Add-on DST Adapter
Model: DST6501
Purchased at: Received from NETGEAR as part of a product review and test program
Overview:
This product is an add-on to a custom solution for Best Buy’s Geek Squad that comes with 24/7 phone and web support for an entire year! The Dead Spot Terminator (DST) is a device that plugs into an outlet in an area of your home where normal wireless signals may fail – using your homes electrical wiring to talk with the “main” router, then acts as another WiFi hotspot with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz signals!
In my review, I used the Nighthawk R7300 Router from Best Buy and I had 3 DST adapters to attach to it. You can attach up to 16 DSTs for those with a really, really big home or office.
Packaging:
Nicely packaged. Easy, frustration free removal. Add-on DST device came in sturdy, custom-formed inner cardboard box nestled inside a plastic bag. The power cord, instructions and an Ethernet cable were also included.
Initial Setup:
Installation was a snap:
1. Unpack the DST, plug it into a wall outlet. This is assuming you have already properly setup your Nighthawk DST router (ensuring it is NOT plugged into a power strip).
2. I let the DST boot up to a steady power light, walked over to my Nighthawk router and pressed the WPS and DST Adapter Sync button.
3. I walked back to the remote DST device and pressed the WPS and DST Router Sync button for the required 2 seconds. It took approximately 60 seconds for the connection to setup.
4. I immediately logged into the Nighthawk Router web page, selected the DST Remote Maintenance tab and updated the Wireless settings and Firmware. Both updates worked flawlessly and I watched the new wireless networks appear on my iPhone.
Features:
I’ve owned and reviewed many routers. I’ve also had several dead spots in my home. Using an Add-on DST adapter solved this effortlessly. The only drawback is that you need to select the wireless network that is strongest in that particular area of your home or office. My iPhone and laptop do not automatically connect to the strongest signal – so that’s an extra step. However, once you define the network to your device, it is simply a matter of selecting it.
Performance
I added my DST adapters one at a time to the network. After each was added I upgraded the firmware and wireless settings from the main router. I then connected to the DST wireless network and performed a speed test. Each test maintained a consistent bandwidth although slightly slower than when I tested on the main router itself. Overall, I was impressed with the setup, connectivity and performance the DST Add-on Adapters delivered.
Suggestions:
I have a few suggestions for NETGEAR/Geek Squad regarding the future versions of this product. For my purposes, I’d like to see the following:
• The DST adapter includes a single LAN port – which I tested and it worked well. Perhaps the DST device could have 4 ports on it like the router – so I could plug it in behind my entertainment center and run Ethernet to my audio/visual devices.
• The DST does block an outlet – so perhaps adding an outlet on it would still leave me with 2 outlet plugs that could be used.
• One step further, if you’re adding an outlet, maybe that is an outlet then controlled by the DST adapter – which would allow for light control lighting, etc.
OVERALL:
In summary, I was impressed with the ease of setup and performance of this product – but I’ve come to expect that from NETGEAR. During my testing, I had a system that I recently updated to Windows 10 and its wireless adapter was acting flaky, so I simply plugged it into the DST adapter and BOOM – instant signal and much faster than the WiFi I had in Windows 7!
If your location has multiple Dead Spots or low signal strength – don’t be afraid to add up to 16 Add-on DST adapters to give you the ultimate in flexibility. I have already recommended this product to family, friends and neighbors and they have also been happy with it’s performance.
My Best Buy number: 2178905958
I would recommend this to a friend!
+14points
14of 14voted this as helpful.
 
No more WiFi dead spots. The powerful Nighthawk DST AC1900 WiFi Router along with the DST WiFi adapter eliminates WiFi dead zones. Create additional WiFi coverage right where you want it. The DST Router comes with a year of worry-free set up and support from Geek Squad.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Super for eliminating WiFi Dead spots!
on November 3, 2015
Posted by: TechMatcher
Product: Nighthawk DST AC1900 DST Router & DST Adapter
Model: R7300DST
Purchased at: Received from NETGEAR as part of a product review and test program
Overview:
This product is a custom solution for Best Buy’s Geek Squad that comes with 24/7 phone and web support for an entire year! The Dead Spot Terminator (DST) is a second device that plugs into an outlet in an area of your home where normal wireless signals may fail – using your homes electrical wiring to talk with the “main” router, then acts as another WiFi hotspot with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz signals!
Packaging:
Nicely packaged. Easy, frustration free removal. Router and DST device come in labeled plastic bags indicating SSID, Network Key and Best Buy Geek Squad support ID. The three antennas are individually bagged and placed beside the power cord for the main unit and 2 5ft Ethernet cables. Nice job packaging NETGEAR!
Initial Setup:
The first thing I noticed after screwing in the 3 antennas and replacing my existing home router to perform the test – is that the main router and the DST router did not have similar SSIDs. I would have expected them to be more aligned, but that really not that big of deal as I AWLAYS customize the SSID of my routers anyway – and recommend you do to!
Installation was a snap:
1. Unpack main router, attach antennas, plug in power cord and plug in network cable from my cable modem.
2. My iPhone 6 saw the SSID of the main router in no time, and I attached using the predefined Network Key. Initial tests of communication between my iPhone and the router on the 5G signal yielded around 300MBs. Router is located in the basement of a 2 story home – and I was stay connected in all areas of the house – albeit the same speed tests at various points of the house did show some degradation (expected as I move from floor to floor and room to room).
3. I chose the second floor of my home to install the DST adapter. I grabbed it from the box, walked upstairs and plugged it in. Nothing. I did see the SSID of the adapter – usually something like NETGEAR##-EXT. Disappointed, I went back downstairs to consult the manual. Lo and behold, after reading a bit, I found my mistake – actually multiple mistakes. The DST adapter uses NETGEAR’s Powerline technology, which means you cannot plug the Main Router or the DST adapter into a surge protector or UPS like device. That was my first problem. I plugged my main router directly into a wall socket. Next, I guess I thought that the main router would just magically connect to the DST adapter. I was wrong. There is a button on the main router you need to press, and a corresponding button on the DST adapter that allows the devices to pair. (A possible suggestion for NETGEAR is to pre-pair these devices). Once I pressed the buttons on each unit – they successfully connected and worked as expected!
Features:
I’ve owned and reviewed many routers. The DST adapter feature of this router really made this an attractive device. You can even pair a second DST adapter router with this system to further extend your range or get around WiFi blocking metal/concrete walls.
Since this router was specially made for Geek Squad and included a support ID, I decided to give them a call and see just what this was all about and how they could help me.
I called Geek Squad around 10:15 PM and was placed in a queue to receive phone support. Hold time was stated to be between 4-7 minutes. I was one the phone for 8 minutes and 50 seconds before I reached a human being. She took some of my contact information to start a ticket and talked me through the process of establishing an online remote control session with a Geek Squad agent versed with the Nighthawk router.
I pretended to not know what I was doing, and once I was able to get my machine on the internet, I was directed to GeekSquad.com > My Geek Squad > Top Secret Passcode web page that would establish a LogMeIn session with her so she could remote control my computer. Before I let that happen, I ‘fessed up that I was reviewing the product and fully believe that they would have been able to configure the routers once on my computer. Nice job Geek Squad! The only thing that I saw to improvement in the process was the hold time – and the wait time I was told would happen before the online Agent session (I was told it would be about a 30-minute wait).
Suggestions:
I have a few suggestions for NETGEAR/Geek Squad regarding the future versions of this product. For my purposes, I’d like to see the following:
• Pre-pairing of the DST adapter and the main router.
• NETGEAR: More ports on these routers! Don’t be shy! Maybe 8, 12, 16 – we now have so many devices – why not build it in?
• NETGEAR: Mounting options – for mounting on the wall vs requiring the space to place on a shelf.
• NETGEAR: The DST adapter also includes a single LAN port – which I tested and it worked well. Perhaps the DST device could have 4 ports on it like the router.
• GEEK SQUAD: Watch the hold/wait times. Nothing makes an already frustrated person more frustrated than waiting. Maybe the Geek Squad support coupon code bumps me to the front of the line or something…
OVERALL:
In summary, I was impressed with the ease of setup and performance of this product – but I’ve come to expect that from NETGEAR. During my testing, I had a system that I recently updated to Windows 10 and its wireless adapter was acting flaky, so I simply plugged it into the DST adapter and BOOM – instant signal and much faster than the WiFi I had in Windows 7!
If your home or office has Dead Spots or low signal strength – give the NETGEAR NightHawk with DST a try and Terminate them!
My Best Buy number: 2178905958
I would recommend this to a friend!
+15points
15of 15voted this as helpful.
 
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TechMatcher's Answers
<< 1 ... 4 5 6 7 8 >>
 
No more WiFi dead spots. The powerful Nighthawk DST AC1900 WiFi Router along with the DST WiFi adapter eliminates WiFi dead zones. Create additional WiFi coverage right where you want it. The DST Router comes with a year of worry-free set up and support from Geek Squad.
 

Is this also a modem?

No - this is NOT a modem. You need to use a modem to modulate the signal from your Internet provider - after which you can use this router to deliver WiFi or wired Internet through your location.
8 years, 4 months ago
by
TechMatcher
   Minneapolis
 
No more WiFi dead spots. The powerful Nighthawk DST AC1900 WiFi Router along with the DST WiFi adapter eliminates WiFi dead zones. Create additional WiFi coverage right where you want it. The DST Router comes with a year of worry-free set up and support from Geek Squad.
 

what router i need that works well with fois

Basically, ANY router will work with ANY internet service. Your Internet company will provide an ethernet cable connection to their modem device, which you can plug into any router to create your own wireless network. NETGEAR has several router products that you can use - with different features depending on your needs, number of connected devices, etc.
8 years, 4 months ago
by
TechMatcher
   Minneapolis
 
No more WiFi dead spots. The powerful Nighthawk DST AC1900 WiFi Router along with the DST WiFi adapter eliminates WiFi dead zones. Create additional WiFi coverage right where you want it. The DST Router comes with a year of worry-free set up and support from Geek Squad.
 

Will this allow someone 500 ft away to pick up internet or does anyone know how far of a reach internet can be recieved outside the home is?

There are too many factors to tell you exactly how far wireless signals will reach. Your home construction materials, wall/duct location, placement of the router itself, your landscaping features, fences, etc can all affect the wireless range. If you need to get signal that far away - you're best to place a second router or network extender device. NETGEAR has several products that can solve this for you.
8 years, 4 months ago
by
TechMatcher
   Minneapolis
 
Use your existing electrical wiring to extend your WiFi Internet access to any room in your house. Just plug the PowerLINE Adapter into your modem or router, then plug in the companion PowerLINE WiFi access point to an electrical outlet. It's that easy. With 1000 Mbps speed and Homeplug AV2 support, the PowerLINE WiFi 1000 is perfect for connecting smart TVs, streaming players, and game consoles wirelessly.
 

i want to provide signal strength in different parts of the house. Can i buy additional access points?

Router is on second floor. I want to provide stronger signal in basement and in first floor den and porch.
You can purchase several things - including a better router or a PowerLINE adapter - which uses your home wiring to extend your network to other areas of your home.
8 years, 4 months ago
by
TechMatcher
   Minneapolis
 
No more WiFi dead spots. The powerful Nighthawk DST AC1900 WiFi Router along with the DST WiFi adapter eliminates WiFi dead zones. Create additional WiFi coverage right where you want it. The DST Router comes with a year of worry-free set up and support from Geek Squad.
 

Do you need a computer to set it up?

My only computer, a MacBook Air has no Ethernet port but does have usb.
No - it does not require an ethernet connection to configure. You can simply plug it in and connect to the wireless network it provides to configure it.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
TechMatcher
   Minneapolis
 
No more WiFi dead spots. The powerful Nighthawk DST AC1900 WiFi Router along with the DST WiFi adapter eliminates WiFi dead zones. Create additional WiFi coverage right where you want it. The DST Router comes with a year of worry-free set up and support from Geek Squad.
 

Does this netgear nighthawk dst ac1900 allow mac filtering for connectiong devices?

Yes
8 years, 5 months ago
by
TechMatcher
   Minneapolis
 
No more WiFi dead spots. The powerful Nighthawk DST AC1900 WiFi Router along with the DST WiFi adapter eliminates WiFi dead zones. Create additional WiFi coverage right where you want it. The DST Router comes with a year of worry-free set up and support from Geek Squad.
 

does this package use powerline technologies

Yes - the basis of this product is that is has built-in powerline wiring technology to communicate with the DST adapter - which would be one of the only ways to get signal into a tough spot without running more cables.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
TechMatcher
   Minneapolis
 
No more WiFi dead spots. The powerful Nighthawk DST AC1900 WiFi Router along with the DST WiFi adapter eliminates WiFi dead zones. Create additional WiFi coverage right where you want it. The DST Router comes with a year of worry-free set up and support from Geek Squad.
 

Will this be an OK router for streaming 4k content?

Well - there are two sides to this question. Where is the 4k content coming from? If it's the internet, this router would likely not be a bottleneck - your internet connection would be. If you have 4k content locally on a PC or NAS, this router would be able to handle that as well. So yes - this router could handle 4k content. The point is, this router has a specific feature - the Dead Spot Terminator - built in. You would buy this router to help resolve dead spots in your location by using your electrical wires as network cables.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
TechMatcher
   Minneapolis
 
No more WiFi dead spots. The powerful Nighthawk DST AC1900 WiFi Router along with the DST WiFi adapter eliminates WiFi dead zones. Create additional WiFi coverage right where you want it. The DST Router comes with a year of worry-free set up and support from Geek Squad.
 

Will this router work with Windstream?

It does not matter who your internet service provider is. As long as you have the Netgear Nighthawk R7300 Router, you can add up to 16 DST Adapters in location - provided that it shares the same electrical circuit box (since it uses your powerlines as wiring).
8 years, 5 months ago
by
TechMatcher
   Minneapolis
 
Only at Best BuyNETGEAR DEAD SPOT TERMINATOR Wireless Adapter for Nighthawk R7300 Routers: This adapter plugs into an electric outlet to extend the range of your wireless network. The router (sold separately) uses the electric wiring in your home to send a signal the adapter can receive and rebroadcast as a secondary network.
 

Does it only work with the one router?

Yes - to use the NetGear DST adapters, you need to have the Netgear Nighthawk R7300 router - since it has built in powerline networking in it...
8 years, 5 months ago
by
TechMatcher
   Minneapolis