NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless Router WNR834B - wireless router

...choice for me was the Netgear Rangemax Next Wireless Router, I made this choice on the basis of style and technical spec, which seemed to be higher than most. The biggest issue of all was that it offered 300 meters range coverage from the base unit; but hang on a bit I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here, why did I need a Wireless Router, whats the purpose?

We live in a Wi-Fi world; no longer do we need to have cables all over the ...
...was not the case the Netgear Rangemax Next Wireless Router is both not properly compatible with Windows Vista, or the Scientific Atlanta modem provided by Virgin Media. And when it comes to technical support Netgear's representative spoke as good English as I spoke Czechoslovakian (which is none at all). Virgin's technical support was better, because at one point everything just stopped working fullstop, wireless or otherwise. Once Virgin had helped ... more

When it comes to buying a wireless modem/router there are a variety of things you should take into account, for those not too technically aware hopefully as well as informing you on a product maybe I might be able to teach you something "in plain English" it needs to be plain because I'm simply not capable of spouting technical jargon.

The first thing to take into account is whether you have your internet service via a telephone line, or whether it comes to you via cable. The most important part you need to take into account that for each one you will need a different set up. As I have cable I needed to purchase a router, what you need to take into account here is that you're not replacing anything, your adding so you also need to allow for the fact that not only are you going to need another power cable, but your also going to burning more electricity most likely 24/7 (Twenty four hours a day, seven days a week); so if your energy conscious this is something you need to take focus on.

Thankfully at home I was equipped with the latest Argos catalogue, this meant I was able to familiarise myself with products before leaving. Some of you might be thinking why not check out the internet? To be honest not only do I often prefer to use older methods, you quite often find that online suppliers of technology related products already think you know everything. Having looked through the Catalogue I decided the best choice for me was the Netgear Rangemax Next Wireless Router, I made this choice on the basis of style and technical spec, which seemed to be higher than most. The biggest issue of all was that it offered 300 meters range coverage from the base unit; but hang on a bit I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here, why did I need a Wireless Router, whats the purpose?

We live in a Wi-Fi world; no longer do we need to have cables all over the place in order to carry out everyday chores. So with my recent laptop purchase that comes with built in Wi-Fi I can now set anywhere around my house, garden or even as far away as my local park (about 250 metres) and use my internet access to surf the net wirelessly from a location of my choice. As a plus point, and interesting side effect (so to speak) I later discovered that this wireless adaptability means that I can use my Sony PSP to play games online, download music, and even surf the net; this latter option has actually proven to be more fun.

Buying

When it comes to paying out for something I'm one of those annoying people that if I'm physically paying for something I need to have it now. If I'm not paying until something's delivered I'm fine to wait. The weekend I went all Wi-Fi it was not just a money implication, it was a miserable weekend and I had some rather unusually free time to spend at home. So I wanted the product quite literally now!!!! So off I headed to Argos which was when the penny dropped, why not look around? I was surprised to find that exactly the same product varied in price range by £50 from different high street retailers (or in this case retail park traders). The most expensive place to buy was Comet, while the cheapest was PC World, who sold the product £20 cheaper than my original purchasing location Argos. So in this case PC World came up trumps at £99.99 plus I got a bit of technical info too to boot. So my point is never settle for the first option, always look around.

Set-Up

Read the leaflet, follow the onscreen instructions (provided on the CD-Rom) and everything should be as smooth as a silk. Unfortunately this was not the case the Netgear Rangemax Next Wireless Router is both not properly compatible with Windows Vista, or the Scientific Atlanta modem provided by Virgin Media. And when it comes to technical support Netgear's representative spoke as good English as I spoke Czechoslovakian (which is none at all). Virgin's technical support was better, because at one point everything just stopped working fullstop, wireless or otherwise. Once Virgin had helped me to get my normal internet working they told me that I could ring a technical support number that they operate whose staff's first language was English, problem being this would cost me £1 per minute. I decided to soldier on alone, and after 2 hours from beginning the initial installation I had set up my home network. Something to take into account here is that while setup is rather simplistic if you know what you're doing, if you don't it's like living through hell on earth, if I did not shave off all my hair I'd have pulled it out.

How Does It Work?

Well sadly not as it should the downfall of the Vista/Virgin issue means that my connection is not secure, and while nobody can access my home PC or laptop, someone could quite simply jump wirelessly onto my internet connection and have free internet for the foreseeable future. The most annoying factor to take into account here is that you can connect four wireless products at any one time, imagine if you could not wirelessly connect because your scumbag neighbours had quite simply nicked your connection. So in time I hope to be able to get to the bottom of this issue.

From a connectivity point of view, I have never had any issues at all. The service is strong (signal strength) and always consistent. Even when I pop down the road with my laptop the signal is always on full signal, until I get halfway through the park when it quickly just drops off. One thing to take into account is that if you live in a new build property the chances are that structural shielding my cut down your signal strength, thankfully my current home is quite old so no issues there. However a friend that lives in a new block of flats says that even with this set up they cannot get more than 75 meters before the signal cuts out altogether.

On my laptop (where I'm writing this) the speeds are kind of reminiscent of the first broadband connections, a lot faster than dial up but a fair bit slower than the connection speeds we are now used to. And this is important to point out, you will never achieve the same speed as your primary computer (which will be connected via wires to the router), although the speed won't bother you for long.

On my PSP the connections with online gaming are really strong, never once have I lost the signal so I've never dropped out halfway through an important game. As I had never thought about my PSP when making a purchase this has been the most pleasing development in my Wi-Fi journey, I'm told other games consoles can benefit from this too.

Journey End

I'm really pleased I bought the Netgear Rangemax, its maximum speed of 270 MBPS means that I can do all the things I need to do on my laptop without the need for wires. I can even look at sites like Youtube without lagging issues. It's also great for downloading, providing the source you are downloading from is consistent I can download a 45 minute TV show in the same amount of time, and a movie in 2 to 5 hours depending on length. For my location I believe I get every one of the 300 meter range the product claims to cover, in fact I'd go as far as to say I probably get more.

The big plus is in appearance and function; firstly so many wireless modems and routers have little aerials that you need to adjust to get the best signal. With the Rangemax the aerials are inside its stylish white upright box, and that they always give you the best performance.

Set up was a total nightmare and not one I would wish on anyone, it was arduous and at times incredibly painful, I literally wanted to throw the product through the window. But now its setup it's a solid product that has made my life that bit more pleasant. 

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