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[Creaky]

I’ve just bought a HG612 from eBay to replace my BT Home hub 5, it will be paired with the Google WiFi device.

Got a couple of questions though.

1. The HG612 isn’t unlocked, is there any benefit in unlocking the device apart from line stats?
2. Will the HG612 work without unlocking it.
3. Google WiFi wil be acting as the router so the HG612 is for modem use only. Is there anything I need to change or will it work out of the box?

Appreciate any help and advice if anyone has done this.

[burakkucat]

Welcome to the Kitz forum. 

Giving one word answers your to questions --

• No.
• Yes.
• No.

Please remember that an Openreach branded Huawei HG612 is a relatively old device, both in terms of the Broadcom chipset used and actual physical age. That said, you may have many trouble-free years with the one your have recently purchased.

Just for completeness, who is your CP/ISP and what service do you use?

[Weaver]

Is there any danger of a random ebay one ‘phoning home’ and configuring itself or updating itself in some undesirable way? I suppose many or perhaps all of the ones on ebay are ex BT engineer install ones from the days before they went for the cheapo option of self-install. Is that the case? A BT engineer install one would be ISP-neutral of course, isn't that correct? Would they still phone home anyway? Because, so I believe, in the old days BT delivered a service up to the point of the output of the modem, for a time, rather than to the NTE, as usual. But what do I know. I have no personal experience. Such things remain forever a dream for me, only heard of in tales from distant lands.

[Creaky]

Welcome to the Kitz forum. 

Giving one word answers your to questions --

• No.
• Yes.
• No.

Please remember that an Openreach branded Huawei HG612 is a relatively old device, both in terms of the Broadcom chipset used and actual physical age. That said, you may have many trouble-free years with the one your have recently purchased.

Just for completeness, who is your CP/ISP and what service do you use?

Thanks for that.

I'm with BT so hopefully won't be any issues.

As this is an old device, only cost £10, are there any newer devices you would recommend?

[Weaver]

And welcome, Creaky!

The ZyXEL VMG 1312-B10A is a very good modem indeed, can be found on ebay. They are very expensive because they stopped making them last summer and they are highly desired so prices are going through the roof. New boxed ones can still be found on ebay but you would have to be quick about it and prepared to pay an arm and a leg. I have just bought a big load of them.

[tubaman]

Zyxel VMG8324-B10A or VMG8924-B10A can be found for very reasonable prices on eBay and can be used in bridged (modem-only) mode. They use the same BCM chipset as the 1312-B10A that Weaver has recommended.
I'd see how you get on with your HG612 first as it should be quite capable of doing what you need.

[johnson]

This one will probably go for peanuts:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ZyXEL-Router-VMG8924-B10A/222997284166?hash=item33ebac8546:g:FOQAAOSw3HZbDX6a

Used, no box, ends at 5:30ish this evening (too early for max price).

[chenks]

already at £13.50 plus £5 postage... not in the "Peanuts" category for me 

i've stopped selling on ebay now, as ebay are charging you a percentage of the postage cost as well now.
so if you sell something at £50 with £5 postage, they take a cut of the selling price, then take a cut of the postage cost, then take a cut from the paypal transaction. so it ends up not even worth while doing it after all the money they take off you.

[johnson]

Was at £5 when I posted 

Still if it stays under £15 +£5 postage its not bad.

Haha, I assume "c***k(126)" is you chenks? Never bid on something with hours to go man! You wait until < 30 seconds left and put in your max. 

[chenks]

nope not me.
i already have a VMG 1312-B10A

[johnson]

Ah, my apologies!

[chenks]

it went for £31+p&p.
jeez some folk get caught up in bidding wars!

[Creaky]

Thanks for the useful info, the HG612 arrived today so time to give it a test run.

Will keep an eye out for the other devices mentioned and see if I cn get one cheap.

[chenks]

don't be afraid to use the "make offer" option in ebay.
i had someone listing the zyxel at a stupid price. i made an offer based on what i thought it was really worth (explaining why i thought it was worth that) and it was accepted. i suspect most listings are chancers hoping someone will bite at the stupid price.