If you couldn't get the Orbi to work, try the Google WiFi system, I've read good reviews of that one too.
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Netgear Orbi
- Thread starter apolloa
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If you couldn't get the Orbi to work, try the Google WiFi system, I've read good reviews of that one too.
I picked up an AmpliFi-HD system last week and found time to install and configure it over the holiday weekend.
So far, I am extremely happy with it. It was a snap to set up. I had tried the Orbi and could not keep my devices connected... but with the AmpliFi HD system, that's no problem.
Configuration was straight-forward, including setting up the primary network and the secured guest network. The system found, paired and configured the two mesh access points quickly and now my entire home is blanketed in WiFi coverage and it could not have been easier. There was a firmware update available, and that, too, was a snap to do the update.
In addition to the WiFi configuration, there are four gigabit Ethernet ports, more than most of the competition. The base unit has 5 different information displays: Date/Time, Throughput (data counters up/down), WAN and router IP info, real time up/down transfer speeds, and port status.
The only negative that I've encountered so far is that the USB port on the base unit is non-functional - it's labelled "For Future Use". I have a USB printer that I set up as as network printer by connecting it to my previous router... no such luck on this one. I don't understand why it was not enabled (yet), but hopefully it will be via a future firmware update.
Bottom line: Easy to install and configure. Works great. Would recommend it to a friend in a heartbeat.
So far, I am extremely happy with it. It was a snap to set up. I had tried the Orbi and could not keep my devices connected... but with the AmpliFi HD system, that's no problem.
Configuration was straight-forward, including setting up the primary network and the secured guest network. The system found, paired and configured the two mesh access points quickly and now my entire home is blanketed in WiFi coverage and it could not have been easier. There was a firmware update available, and that, too, was a snap to do the update.
In addition to the WiFi configuration, there are four gigabit Ethernet ports, more than most of the competition. The base unit has 5 different information displays: Date/Time, Throughput (data counters up/down), WAN and router IP info, real time up/down transfer speeds, and port status.
The only negative that I've encountered so far is that the USB port on the base unit is non-functional - it's labelled "For Future Use". I have a USB printer that I set up as as network printer by connecting it to my previous router... no such luck on this one. I don't understand why it was not enabled (yet), but hopefully it will be via a future firmware update.
Bottom line: Easy to install and configure. Works great. Would recommend it to a friend in a heartbeat.
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This thread's about 6 months old now.
So.. questions for all out there who are still using the Orbi:
Six months later, how are things going?
Still doing OK?
Or... have you had problems?
If you DID have problems, were you able to overcome them?
If so, what did you do?
I still see reports at the Netgear Orbi forum from folks having problems connecting to Macs/iOS. What seems odd is that some Mac households install the Orbi and they're off-and-running without problems. Others have problems from the get-go, or not too long after the initial setup.
It's a bit odd to check Orbi's ratings on amazon.
The ratings seem to be "a-OK" (90% with 5/4 stars), or... terrible.
I still haven't bought Orbi yet, but would like to.
I'm just a bit wary about the high entry fee, and (as an all-Mac household) then running into a roadblock...
So.. questions for all out there who are still using the Orbi:
Six months later, how are things going?
Still doing OK?
Or... have you had problems?
If you DID have problems, were you able to overcome them?
If so, what did you do?
I still see reports at the Netgear Orbi forum from folks having problems connecting to Macs/iOS. What seems odd is that some Mac households install the Orbi and they're off-and-running without problems. Others have problems from the get-go, or not too long after the initial setup.
It's a bit odd to check Orbi's ratings on amazon.
The ratings seem to be "a-OK" (90% with 5/4 stars), or... terrible.
I still haven't bought Orbi yet, but would like to.
I'm just a bit wary about the high entry fee, and (as an all-Mac household) then running into a roadblock...
My 2 posts on this topic are fresh - within the past month... I, too, am curious how the others fared...
I've had Orbi setup for 2 weeks now in router mode. I have 2 satellites and about 35 devices that connect and running the latest firmware. I have 7 Nest products, 6 Ring products (2 have cameras), Wink Hub 2, 3 wireless printers, Directv, new iMac, 2 ipads and 2 iphones. All work 100%. The ring cameras originally wouldn't show up and my final settings after playing around are the 2.4g is channel 6, not auto and 5g is 48. All other settings are default except I enabled mu-mimo only.
I installed my Orbi 2-unit system about 2 months ago and its worked excellently. I replace a 2-unit Airport Extreme setup to cover 2 floors of my home. That was a total pain to deal with and constantly had performance issues. Generally the problem was an iOS device that got stuck on the wrong unit and I would have to recycle WiFi to get it on the closer one. I've not had any problem with that on Orbi. We have gigabit fiber to the house, and I'm getting great speed... just did a random speedtest on my iPhone 6s+ and got about 400mbps.
The other nice thing is that I was before running a MoCA network over my cable network to get to several media locations; and to join the Airport Extremes. I've been able to get rid of that because the backbone network between the Orbi devices is compatible speed to what I was getting from MoCA 2.
We have also had lots of visitors to the house and exercised the guest network... no problems there either.
I can fathom why some Apple users can't get it to work. We have Macs, iPads, iPhones, Apple TVs, and even an Apple Watch; and all of that has connected and run without any incident.
The other nice thing is that I was before running a MoCA network over my cable network to get to several media locations; and to join the Airport Extremes. I've been able to get rid of that because the backbone network between the Orbi devices is compatible speed to what I was getting from MoCA 2.
We have also had lots of visitors to the house and exercised the guest network... no problems there either.
I can fathom why some Apple users can't get it to work. We have Macs, iPads, iPhones, Apple TVs, and even an Apple Watch; and all of that has connected and run without any incident.
Got an Orbi 3 pack from Costco that was $75 off. Setup was a breeze using my iMac and web browser option. Finally, my Apple TVs have a strong signal and streams almost instantly now. Replaced an AE single router only. In hindsight, I probably could have just used a 2 pack, but having full coverage around my house after years of dead spots/slow connections, sure is nice. Will keep an eye for the dropped connections, but as of now, working like a charm.
I had constant drop outs with my netgear R9000 and tried everything to resolve. Disabling beam forming finally fixed it
Looking at getting an Orbi mesh. I have FTTP NBN (Aust National Broadband Network, with a Fibre to the Premises connection) and I'm currently using a Netgear D6300 which broadcasts 4 signals:
I live in a two-story house; the wifi signal upstairs is OK.
My bedroom is downstairs, but it has large mirrored sliding doors on my wardrobe, which blocks the Wifi signal from my router (which sits next to my TV and other media streaming devices in my loungeroom).
Many of the devices in the household frequently suffer from slow/dropped internet speeds. Restarting the modem seems to fix it. It is three years old at this point, but still clocks in a 96Mbps... when it's working that is.
My hope is that getting the Orbi will fix our issues with poor signal strength, which may in turn help stop the drop outs.
I've seen that the Orbi works with Alexa and would like to know if it will work with Siri.
Can any fellow iZealots confirm if and how well the Orbi works with HomeKit and/or Siri?
- Torjan Downloader.exe (Home 2.4Ghz)
- Not the Wifi You're Looking For (Home 5 Ghz)
- NSA Data Collection Stream (Guest 2.4Ghz)
- Get Your Free Porn Here (Guest 5Ghz)
I live in a two-story house; the wifi signal upstairs is OK.
My bedroom is downstairs, but it has large mirrored sliding doors on my wardrobe, which blocks the Wifi signal from my router (which sits next to my TV and other media streaming devices in my loungeroom).
Many of the devices in the household frequently suffer from slow/dropped internet speeds. Restarting the modem seems to fix it. It is three years old at this point, but still clocks in a 96Mbps... when it's working that is.
My hope is that getting the Orbi will fix our issues with poor signal strength, which may in turn help stop the drop outs.
I've seen that the Orbi works with Alexa and would like to know if it will work with Siri.
Can any fellow iZealots confirm if and how well the Orbi works with HomeKit and/or Siri?
I'm deciding whether to get an RBK4 series system or spend the extra money on RBK5 series....
As far as I can tell, the difference from a WiFi point of view is the backhaul channel on the RBK4 series is 887 Mbps and on the RBK5 series is 1733 Mbps. I'm not knowledgeable at all on WiFi. Is this only referring to a difference in speed or is it also referring to a difference in bandwidth? I can't see the former being of any benefit to me but the latter may be of benefit. Assuming bandwidth on the RBK5 series is higher, how busy would my network need to be to really take advantage of the higher-end system?
FYI, we are a 3, sometimes 4, person household. There are occasions when everyone is simultaneously streaming media over WiFi. I plan to add 3-4 WiFi security cameras to the network at some point.
As far as I can tell, the difference from a WiFi point of view is the backhaul channel on the RBK4 series is 887 Mbps and on the RBK5 series is 1733 Mbps. I'm not knowledgeable at all on WiFi. Is this only referring to a difference in speed or is it also referring to a difference in bandwidth? I can't see the former being of any benefit to me but the latter may be of benefit. Assuming bandwidth on the RBK5 series is higher, how busy would my network need to be to really take advantage of the higher-end system?
FYI, we are a 3, sometimes 4, person household. There are occasions when everyone is simultaneously streaming media over WiFi. I plan to add 3-4 WiFi security cameras to the network at some point.