Help Finding Low Effort Wireless Router (for Ex’s Internet, She’s Not Terribly Tech Savvy)

tolchok on 26/07/2025 - 06:41
Last edited 26/07/2025 - 12:24 by 2 other users

Hello OzBargainers, can anyone suggest a (preferably) low cost, low effort, but reliable wireless router?

It is for my ex (/soon to be ex-wife). I did put that detail in the title for engagement, despite being aware of what some of the engagement will be. Neither of us is planning to make the other Beef Wellington with exotic mushrooms… well, I’m not at least, and I doubt she is.

She is not terribly technology savvy, though is not a Luddite. I mention that, as many of the low-cost routers seem to need their firmware flashed with OpenWrt. I’d prefer to avoid that if there are options that won’t require it, to reduce potential for things to go wrong.

It is for DGTek/Pineapple 1G/1G, with a PPPoE connection, just in case that is relevant. Was getting great speeds with old Deco X60s on stock firmware. She may drop the speeds, though we were on a very good deal (might still be).

Computing Wireless Router

Comments

  • 87percent on 26/07/2025 - 07:40
    +2

    Had a flint2, and it was good. Was under $200. You don’t need to flash it

    • tolchok on 27/07/2025 - 05:46

      Thank you, I’ll look into it, though whether it makes it onto the “try this” list will depend how much under $200 it is. I’m guessing anything significantly over $100 is going to get some pushback.

  • FoxJump on 26/07/2025 - 08:30
    +11

    send her to office works. she'll figure it out

    • tolchok on 27/07/2025 - 05:54

      I’m trying to be as nice as possible (as is she… at least after breaking my heart).

      Genuinely though, me suggesting a low cost, low effort, but reliable wireless router to her is something that will likely be appreciated a lot, and costs me not-a-lot.

      We’re going to have to remain a part of each other’s lives for at least the next decade and a half, so “small favours” will keep the separated relationship running as smoothly as possible.

  • JIMB0 on 26/07/2025 - 08:35
    +22

    Let it be the next blokes problem.

    • tolchok on 27/07/2025 - 05:55

      These were the comments expected.

  • liamisred on 26/07/2025 - 08:58
    +2

    Telstra Smart Modem 2, you can get them pretty cheap at op shops/marketplace/eBay. They just work, though probably not as good as the previous one at all. Buy them out of my own pocket doing social work so old mates can get internet and usually no complaints even when switching

    • tolchok on 27/07/2025 - 05:07
      +1

      Thank you, I’ll check FB marketplace and eBay. I’m annoyed that I actually had one of these and whatever the Optus equivalent was, but got rid of them a few years back because wasn’t going to need them again…

  • tenpercent on 26/07/2025 - 09:25

    Why?

    • brendanm on 26/07/2025 - 16:10
      +4

      He's taking the router in the divorce. She gets the dog.

      • tolchok on 27/07/2025 - 05:07

        *The cats, but close.

  • mbck on 26/07/2025 - 09:29
    +1

    Any should work fine.

    Pppoe means there's a username and password. So need to log into the router manually and input it.

    If shes not a luddite, she should be able to do that with clear instructions.

    Otherwise, just sign up to an nbn and get their modem, so it's plug and play.

    • tolchok on 27/07/2025 - 05:29

      Thank you - I don’t know if I’m misremembering, but I thought some older routers wouldn’t allow users to enter PPPoE details without flashing firmware. I think it was to try and stop users taking modems to a new service. I could be wrong. I have moved between Internet technologies a lot over the last close to 30 years, and especially in the last 10 years.

      I unfortunately know plenty of people who would have difficulty navigating through (or even to) a modem/router’s gui and entering the connection details. For people who have done it before, often multiple times, it seems easy and straightforward, but I’m guessing 2/3 of the population would not be comfortable doing it without significant hand holding.

      The DgTek/Pineapple internet is much better (faster and cheaper) than the FTTB NBN available at the apartment.

      • mbck on 27/07/2025 - 10:25

        Thanks! Just learnt about it. Interesting.

        https://kb.pineapple.net.au/help/is-my-router-compatible

        Have a peek here. Router needs a WAN port only, no DSL

        Ofc it's easier to let them supply the modem from the sound of it.

        Kudos to you for being caring so much i guess.

        All the best

      • deeevan on 30/07/2025 - 21:36

        You are misremembering, openwrt isn't needed.

        ISP has got you covered with setup instructions:
        https://kb.pineapple.net.au/help/router-setup#tp-link

        Go to Officeworks, two cheapest routers are TP-Link
        https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/c/technology…

        Or if even that's too hard, is there a reason you can't preconfigure the router with PPPoE details and hand it to her?

        • tolchok on 30/07/2025 - 22:43

          Excellent - I thought Telstra and Optus models in particular were locked (pre-NBN days?), but will defer to you.

          I think I’ll likely preconfigure, as you’ve suggested. I did manage to pick up a NB16WV-02 at Savers for under $10, so we’ll see if that works first, if not will get her to go to Officeworks

          • Twix on 31/07/2025 - 10:16

            @tolchok: NetComm NB16WV-02 is from like 2013 and wireless N600.

            Find a router with at least Wi-Fi 5 (wireless AC).

  • GordonD on 26/07/2025 - 10:10

    What does DGTek/Pineapple supply, recommend and support?

    • tolchok on 27/07/2025 - 05:34

      From memory it was around the $200 mark, definitely not a budget modem/router. A lot of the features will likely be wasted, and I think she’d balk at spending so much.

  • samyall on 26/07/2025 - 11:08
    +1

    I think your overthinking it. Unless the house is really big or has dead zones that requires mesh, just go for the telco router. They are good enough, come setup for the connection and will come with tech support.

    I guarantee you she will not notice the difference between the $100 telco router and whatever else you might want to set her up with.

    • tolchok on 27/07/2025 - 05:37

      I will check what they sell, but I thought it was closer to $200. If they have a $100ish modem/router, I’ll suggest she get that.

  • joka on 26/07/2025 - 11:38
    +3

    I thought that privilege of having the in-house computer support tech guy goes away with a divorce.

    Or will you install a back door to the connection and bring about constant drop outs? Genius.

    • tolchok on 27/07/2025 - 05:39

      We are still amicable, and I would do the same for any other friend.

  • Twix on 26/07/2025 - 12:19
    +3

    Leave the TP-Link Deco there and purchase a new router for yourself.

    • tolchok on 27/07/2025 - 05:42

      Already set up at the new place and they work well for this space and were overkill when we downsized. From memory I also bought them with business money (or possibly before we were sharing finances).

  • 7ekn00 on 26/07/2025 - 13:33
    +1

    Does it need to pack an extra "surprise" for her?!?

    Or haven't you found out what the divorce is going to cost you yet?!?

    • tolchok on 27/07/2025 - 05:58

      Nope, just trying to be nice.

      She was the big earner.

  • Muppet Detector on 26/07/2025 - 18:47
    +1

    IMO, let her sort it out for herself.

    If you recommend and/or install anything for her, she'll call you to fix it every single time she holds her tongue the wrong way.

    I made that mistake trying to help my mother out with an upgraded iPhone.

    If an email makes its way to trash for example, she'll ring me up to tell me she was hacked and then spend 20 minutes telling me how it was my fault.

    And then there was the time I had to take her to Apple Store because she wouldn't believe me when I told her the thing wasn't broken. Couldn't comprehend that some of the pictures were blurry because her hands were a bit shaky.

    Every single day there's some new adventure just waiting to be discovered.

    If the end goal is to eventually distance yourself from her whilst maintaining a reasonably amicable relationship, let someone other than yourself sort it out for her.

    • tolchok on 27/07/2025 - 06:05

      I was a bit concerned about this, but weighed it up against blowback of telling her to sort it out for herself.

      We are still genuinely friends and I’d prefer to assume that there won’t be a problem and then say “out of my wheelhouse” if there is a problem, rather than more-likely causing a problem now.

  • AndyC1 on 26/07/2025 - 19:39

    Get her to call the RSP help desk she is paying for and ask them for what they support remotely and then she can but that and you are off the hook for any support/calls/help/problems.

    Make sure the kids if there are any have a mobile that you pay the SIM for so that you ensure that they can get help or call you if and when needed. Make sure the SIM does NOT auto pay fro extra data per month as you will be up for $K's if you do. On Android phone calls and data are separate, but the fruity eco system is different (you would need to check how data and voice work on this ecosystem so you are not up for $K's).

    • tolchok on 27/07/2025 - 06:19

      We are amicable and still friends, and whilst I could (and might) tell her to just contact the ISP, I think that is only the preferred option if there aren’t low cost, low effort, but reliable wireless routers that I can recommend first.

      Mobile phone is many years away and she is still the same person (and mum) as she was pre-breakup, so I trust that she’ll contact me on her care days if there is an emergency. I’ll do the same for my half the time.

  • Muppet Detector on 27/07/2025 - 07:10
    +2

    Just saying my thoughts are with you.

    This must be an incredibly tough time for you and you seem like a really nice bloke trying to do the right thing by her.

    I hope that things end up in a place that lets you be ok with the new direction your life has taken.

    All the best.

    • tolchok on 28/07/2025 - 06:25

      Thank you. Your comments are appreciated.

  • 87percent on 27/07/2025 - 09:16

    Why would someone that isn’t “that tech savvy” need a 1G connection???!

    • tolchok on 28/07/2025 - 06:29

      Tongue in cheek answer: Streaming Paw Patrol and Real Housewives of XYZ, whilst mobile gaming? Real answer: She probably could drop to a lower tier, though I don’t know how much $ saving it would be. I did mention that option to her when I asked if she wanted me to cancel it.

  • brad1-8tsi on 27/07/2025 - 12:15
    +2

    Dude, I can't help with the router recommendation but I do totally understand your actions. It makes life so much easier to be the better person and not be an A-hole. From experience, it pays dividends in the long run.

    • tolchok on 28/07/2025 - 06:31

      Thank you. Yep, it is the best path in general, doubly so given she is a family lawyer.

  • soan papdi on 28/07/2025 - 11:22

    To keep your lives simple in the long run, ISP’s router is easiest. However if $200 is too much, then you can use the referral system and earn a month free, which is $109 for the 1g plan. The $200 is effectively $100 out of pocket now.

    • tolchok on 30/07/2025 - 22:37

      Have/had been on pineapple for at least a year, did a lot of referrals at the start, so got a few months free. Thank you though, it is useful for anyone else thinking about signing up for It.

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