$179 D-Link 2890AL Dual Band Modem Router (Bonus Wireless N Cloud Camera) @ MSY + More

Related Stores

MSY Technology

• 

  Snoop on 08/04/2014 - 11:21

  I need to upgrade from the pos Speedstream router that Optus have just given me… Tempting!

  Please note that you cannot redeem product(s) purchased from EBAY and/or Grey Import.

  Never had an issue with MSY before. But checking they're definitely not grey imports, are they?

  • 

    Gnostikos on 08/04/2014 - 11:39

    -7

    Skip this, get a Billion 7800NXL. Cheaper and better in every way.

    • 

      fatpizza on 08/04/2014 - 11:49

      +4

      7800NXL doesn't seem to support Wireless AC? Single USB port?
      So, not better in every way?

      • 

        Gnostikos on 08/04/2014 - 12:04

        For most users the performance-to-price ratio of the 7800NXL and how legendarily stable and fast the Broadcom chipset is, offsets the needless benefits of 802.11ac or an extra USB socket. Most Aussie internet connections won't come close to saturating 802.11n, let alone 802.11ac.

        The only really pressing need for 802.11ac is if you stream huge amounts to multiple devices at the same time. Newer is not always better or necessary.

        I'm just offering a cheaper alternative that'll do everything this expensive D-Link does, better (aside from having 802.11ac).

        MSY has the 7800NXL for $117.

      • 

        Waffles on 08/04/2014 - 12:15

        I've never used billion before but people (like you) rave about them ;)

        I'd be interested in AC too so, regardless of your thoughts on the technology, does billion have an AC model similar to this?

      • 

        dazweeja on 08/04/2014 - 12:24

        +8

        Ridiculous assertion that a single-band router on the interference-prone 2.4GHz range (shared with cordless phones, microwaves, etc) is better than a dual-band router with beamforming. This router blows the Billion away for speed (a lot of people do use NAS, Plex/XBMC, etc) but, more importantly for most people, range too. Being able to use a router at good speeds a couple of rooms away is not "needless".

        And it has a Broadcom chipset too.

      • 

        Snoop on 08/04/2014 - 12:52

        Hence why I'm looking… New house = not wired, multiple media centers (sometimes used simultaneously), + NAS, TVs, TiVos, laptops, tablets, phones, printer, etc. I have a reasonably heavy wireless work load at the moment!

      • 

        fatpizza on 08/04/2014 - 13:48

        'Legendary Stability' isn't really good compensation for someone who needs more than one USB socket though. :)

    • 

      Waffles on 08/04/2014 - 11:49

      What about wireless throughput?

      • 

        Gnostikos on 08/04/2014 - 12:12

        It's got solid performance out to 10m.

        See the graph half-way down this review.

        And it's consistent:

        In the 2m test, a transfer rate of 9.28 megabytes per second (MBps) was achieved, while in the 10m test, it managed a transfer rate of 9.1MBps.
        PCWorld

        During our wireless testing (below) we regularly maintained speeds well above the advertised number, often reaching close to 400 Mbps.
        TechAU

        I've recommended the 7800NXL (and 7800VDPX/VDOX) to several people now, no complaints from anyone.

      • 

        dazweeja on 08/04/2014 - 14:45

        +2

        There's no cnet reviews of the 2890AL, but looking at both the older and newer D-Link AC1750 routers, at a distance of 5m even the older D-Link AC1750 router is getting 199.2Mbps (AC) and 147.6Mbps (5GHz N):

        http://www.cnet.com/products/d-link-dir-868l-wireless-ac1750…

        But the point of these AC1750 routers is that they maintain strong performance out to the 30-50m range.

        The performance of the Billion is embarrassing by comparison. A fully concur that it was a solid router when it was released but it was using old technology then and it's a dinosaur now.

        Also, if you red the TechAU article, you can clearly see from the graph that it's a typo - it's 40Mbps, not 400Mbps

  • 

    evol on 08/04/2014 - 11:43

    +2

    MSY stuff is all local stock with Australian warranties.

    • 

      Snoop on 08/04/2014 - 12:01

      Thanks. I thought so, but I've actually never had to make a claim to find out any different!

• 

  [Deactivated] on 08/04/2014 - 11:45

  +1

  Using a spin-on oil cartridge as a router. What will they think of next?

• 

  Waffles on 08/04/2014 - 11:47

  How does this compare to a Asus 66 or a Netgear 7000?

  Edit (excluding the modem part - what about router performance…)

• 

  lemons4lime on 09/04/2014 - 10:47

  Question, can I use this as my modem/router for my new NBN connection?? What other hardware do I need (apart from the NBNCo coming out and installing that box).

  I have said no to wanting the modem that the ISP is providing as its not a very good one.

  • 

    Snoop on 09/04/2014 - 11:16

    It says that it's got 'Built-in ADSL2/2+ Modem & Configurable LAN/WAN Ports for NBN/UFB Support'. But as I haven't seen it yet, I'm not sure exactly how it hooks up. (ie. like cable is very specific to ISP provided router!)

    • 

      lemons4lime on 09/04/2014 - 12:02

      I just rang D-Link then, and it is compatible with NBN (Port 4 is defaulted to the WAN/LAN port). Also something i find VERY important to buyers is that it is backwards compatible, meaning that it can connect to all b/g/n devices, so even if you purchase this now (expecting to buy an AC compatible device in the future or USB adapter now) it will still work.

      This is an investment for future wireless devices as well as handling today's wireless devices.

      • 

        Snoop on 09/04/2014 - 12:27

        it can connect to all b/g/n devices

        That's kind of standard, and in the specs… Comply with IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n

      • 

        lemons4lime on 10/04/2014 - 08:04

        Oh yep whoops didn't see that. Seems like a good buy, but im still deciding what brand to go with and if ac technology is worth buying into now and not next year?

      • 

        Snoop on 10/04/2014 - 08:42

        Reports are that any advancement on ac in draft4.0 will be minor, and most likely firmware upgradable!
        I know that people are carrying on that it doesn't improve net speed… Well der!!! But I needed to improve my wireless networks performance and range. Some devices were struggling to keep connection with my current router (Sagemcom Fast????) and/or connection speed was so slow that 1080p movies and shows were struggling to play!

        I can honestly say that even playing around for just a couple of hours last night re-setting everything up again that I'm pretty impressed. (Not bench tested for throughput) but streaming speed across to the WDTV has delinitely improved greatly. Content loaded quicker, movies started quicker and streaming same title across two players was flawless! Set up was also so much easier than that p.o.s. Sagemcom that Optus supply!

      • 

        lemons4lime on 10/04/2014 - 09:18

        So ac technology is mainly used for improving wireless networks? And will mainly improve streaming?

        Wow, your setup sounds impressive and along the lines of what I want to do. Can you explain how you have set it up please? Where is your content (movies) kept for streaming to your WDTVs?

        Thanks in advance mate

      • 

        Snoop on 10/04/2014 - 10:06

        Change your settings to accept new messages and I'll PM you instead of filling up pages on here!

• 

  Snoop on 09/04/2014 - 16:08

  +1

  Grabbed one at lunch time! Probably won't get a chance to set it up until Thursday night though.
  And I know it goes against OzB community spirit, but for the sake of $8.95 I really couldn't be bothered driving out of my way through peak hour traffic tonight then spending another 15 minutes plus trying to get the staff at OW to price match it!