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[jaggythistle]

Sorry if this has been covered a few times before (did do a search but got distracted by the "stupid HG612 prices on ebay" thread).  About to get upgraded to FTTC and thought I might be able to get an OR modem off BT and continue using my own router.  But as I am a 'self-install' I couldn't get person I spoke to, to understand why I would want that, and seems the HH5 has already been dispatched anyway and due to arrive tomorrow (oh, deep joy!).  My current one doesn't have a VDSL compatible modem, so looking for some advice on whether it's worth trying to save some cash and bidding on a HG612 (assuming I can win one without paying stupid money), or opt for a new VDSL all-in-one - probably go for TP-LINK VR900 since it's on Amazon @ £99 at the moment.

The TP-LINK seems a pretty good deal, maybe more future-proofed if/when Howlingwolf decides enough is enough in customising fw for the HG612, and I could probably live without the detailed line stats anyway.  But it's a higher cost, and it just seems a bit overkill, plus I don't get to play with unlocking with custom fw.  Having said that, if I manage to get a HG612 it's an additional box I need to figure out where to put and access to power socket.  Hmm.

Just out of interest - (hope this isn't falling foul of the forum rules, apologies in advance if it does) - would any members have a HG612 they would be willing to sell?

[Dray]

Of course the $64 question is, are you on a Huawei cabinet?

[jaggythistle]

Yes, from desktop research using the useful tools on here - although haven't yet gone walkabout to actually find it and check the grill pattern though.

[Dray]

I'd recommend bidding on a cheap HG612 v3B while you try and determine if the TPLink supports G.INP.

[broadstairs]

Two combined modem/routers to consider as well are the ZyXEL VMG8324 and VMG8924, the only difference between them is that the 8924 has 2.4ghz and 5ghz wi-fi, otherwise they are the same and I believe both support G.INP is you are lucky enough to find you are on a Huawei cabinet.

Stuart

[Ronski]

I'm using the Zyxel VMG8324-B10A,  although it's badged as an Eircom F1000. It works very well and of course fully supports stats logging.

If you use the correct technique there are plenty of HG612 modems available for between  £10 to £20 on Ebay, looking at the recent sold history shows this.

[NewtronStar]

The Billion Bipac 8800NL is a good all-rounder VDSL2 modem/router - the 5GHZ wireless the specs are high at a cost of wireless range.

[tickmike]

I got all my HG612 Free off 'freecycle'  Put an add on and see if anyone has one near you .

[burakkucat]

From personal experience, I am able to say that the 5 GHz WiFi band of the TP-Link Archer VR900 gives very good performance.

Look at how the 2.4 GHz WiFi band is well cluttered in the environs of The Cattery --

Code: [Select]

  Wireless Access Points (* = current AP)
    BTWifi-with-FON: Infra, C2:91:F9:6B:6A:22, Freq 2412 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 12
    Belkin-T9284:    Infra, 94:44:52:0D:59:C9, Freq 2437 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 13 WPA WPA2
    BTWifi-X:        Infra, E2:91:F9:6B:6A:22, Freq 2412 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 16 WPA WPA2 Enterprise
    *TP-LINK_AF56_5G:Infra, C4:E9:84:CD:AF:58, Freq 5180 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 100 WPA WPA2
    TALKTALK0862EE:  Infra, 84:DB:AC:08:62:F4, Freq 2447 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 8 WPA WPA2
    HP-Print-91-ENVY 4500 series: Infra, F0:92:1C:FB:DE:91, Freq 2462 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 14 WPA2
    HP-Print-20-Officejet 4630: Infra, 8C:DC:D4:67:A3:20, Freq 2412 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 17 WPA2
    SKYE6D82:        Infra, 90:01:3B:0E:6D:83, Freq 2437 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 12 WPA WPA2
    TALKTALKF76719:  Infra, EC:CB:30:F7:67:20, Freq 2412 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 16 WPA WPA2
    BTWifi-with-FON: Infra, D2:84:B0:DA:51:E4, Freq 2437 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 36
    SKY43C8F:        Infra, C0:3E:0F:90:FF:59, Freq 2462 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 40 WPA2
    PS4-20C656A7E906:Infra, 60:5B:B4:43:65:CF, Freq 2412 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 34 WPA2
    BTHomeHub2-PG7N: Infra, 00:8B:5D:B0:7F:22, Freq 2437 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 33 WPA WPA2
    BTWifi-X:        Infra, F2:84:B0:DA:51:E4, Freq 2437 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 34 WPA WPA2 Enterprise
    BTHub5-KHG5:     Infra, 00:84:B0:DA:51:E4, Freq 2437 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 38 WPA2
    ZyXEL_FB28:      Infra, 28:28:5D:EF:FB:28, Freq 2412 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 56 WPA WPA2
    HP-Print-FB-ENVY 4500 series: Infra, 50:65:F3:EB:DE:FB, Freq 2462 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 48 WPA2
    PLUSNET-XKH7GK:  Infra, 00:37:B7:AB:5D:1C, Freq 2462 MHz, Rate 54 Mb/s, Strength 60 WPA2

Out of all of those entries, there is just one using the 5 GHz WiFi band and it has a strength of 100. I wonder where it could possibly be located . . . 

[Weaver]

That's an amazing list, Burakkucat. What happens if you try and get any actual work done on a 2.4GHz channel?

I knew it was bad in civilisation but I really had no idea. A disaster.

[burakkucat]

What happens if you try and get any actual work done on a 2.4GHz channel?

I don't! 

Without the 5 GHz WiFi band I would have to use a direct LAN connection. 

[Weaver]

Apologies. I should have said "if one tries", or "if they try".

[jaggythistle]

I'd recommend bidding on a cheap HG612 v3B while you try and determine if the TPLink supports G.INP.

If you use the correct technique there are plenty of HG612 modems available for between  £10 to £20 on Ebay, looking at the recent sold history shows this.

Thanks for the suggestions folks.  Yep, trying but no wins yet.

The Billion Bipac 8800NL is a good all-rounder VDSL2 modem/router - the 5GHZ wireless the specs are high at a cost of wireless range.

Thanks, but got a couple of ac clients in the house though.

I got all my HG612 Free off 'freecycle'  Put an add on and see if anyone has one near you .

Good idea, now done 

From personal experience, I am able to say that the 5 GHz WiFi band of the TP-Link Archer VR900 gives very good performance.

Good to know

[burakkucat]

Apologies. I should have said "if one tries", or "if they try".

I regard the 2.4 GHz WiFi band as a total loss and do not attempt to use it. To date, no one else has been observed using (or trying to use) the 5 GHz WiFi band. It seems as if I have that band entirely to myself! 

[Dray]

I think that's due to the limited range and probably limited penetration of 5GHz