When was the last time you purchased a WiFi Router for your home?

2019-01-16T17:16:07-05:00

You had better sit down. Before you read this. Especially if you haven't purchased one in a couple of years. That's how long they seem to last. Cable modems seem to last a lot longer. I've only had to change mine when my connection to the Internet has increased beyond its capacity. WiFi Routers have rarely last more than two years, two and a half if I'm lucky. Most everyone I talk to reports the same. In the past I could purchase the top of the line router for less than $100. No more. When I walked into the store this time, I discovered nothing under $100. The cheap ones were under $200. Good equipment cost between $240 and $500. Yes, I said Five Hundred Dollars. WTF? Well, when I got back home with my $275 model and the technician's withering glare still feeling hot on my back, I think I discovered the reason. After installing the new device (using my former router identity and password to avoid having to setup everything again) I looked at the app on my smart phone (yes, that's where you set up everything these days) and looked at the list of attached devices, I discovered that I had 14 of them. WTF? When did that happen? Well, in the past two years (since I purchased my last WiFi Router) I seem to have acquired a lot of wireless devices, all communicating with the Internet and with each other over my WiFi. There's two Apple TVs, one Amazon Fire TV, two ROKU TVs, a BlueRay DVDR, a smart TV (my computer monitor), two smartphones (three to five more when my daughter and her family visit), three Kindles (three more when the granddaughters are here), the printer, and the thermostat. There were two more over the Christmas holidays controlling the lights. I guess that's why I needed more capacity. You may too. Be prepared for the sticker shock...

Response by CPL Dave Hoover made Jan 16 at 2019 5:19 PM

2019-01-16T17:19:23-05:00

I appreciate it brother. CPT Jack Durish

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jan 16 at 2019 5:40 PM

2019-01-16T17:40:48-05:00

Don't have internet at home.

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Jan 16 at 2019 9:04 PM

2019-01-16T21:04:34-05:00

Last year, spent $120 for a decent AC WiFi router with 4 1 gig ports. This year i updated my parents WiFi for Christmas bringing them out of the stone age and into the 21st Century. Ok I actually did that for me when I visit.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2019 10:06 PM

2019-01-16T22:06:15-05:00

Go with a Wifi Mesh solution. Still the same sticker shock but the automation and setup are a breeze. And the coverage? Well beyond any wifi router you can get at Best Buy!

I bought a 3 pack of Eeros over 2 years ago. My entire network is now wireless and you can bet I have at least double the devices on my network. I do love my tech gadgets!

https://eero.com/

Response by 1stSgt Nelson Kerr made Jan 18 at 2019 7:22 AM

2019-01-18T07:22:16-05:00

I just (Jan 12th 2019) bought a TP-Link AC-1200 dual band Gigahertz router from Amazon for 40$. Buying stuff like that from a brick and mortar store is seldom the way to go.