Sorry, OT a little. Anyone using Netgear router or mesh? Probably not one of the more common brands in SG but is it any good?
Am looking at Orbi 970 and specs wise looks pretty decent.
https://netgearstore.sg/collections...i-7-mesh-system-2-pack-black-be27000-rbe972sb
Plus if you buy from Kaira it comes with free installation which otherwise costs $120 is you buy from elsewhere then book installation from Netgear website cos they outsource to Kaira.
I guess for you experts its pointless but for a noob like me, hardware installation especially if free is worth it.
LOL, HWZ forumers are pro-Asus, so not much literature u can find here. Google SNB forums for Orbi if u need to do your due diligence
I've used 750 and then upgraded to 850 before. One issue with Orbi is that u can't split SSIDs into 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz, so power users typically shun Orbis. Other gripes are that standard router features like network security, parental controls comes as subscription mode after the free trial ends and sometimes firmware updates screw up the entire system lol (if u are the set it and forget about it kind of user, then no issue. Just ask the netgear folks to disable auto-updates when setting up your system). I do find that, if going purely by wireless backhaul (i.e. no ethernet cable connecting between router and satellite), speeds at the Orbi Satellite nodes are far superior to both TP-Link mesh (used Deco X60 for a week, performance wasn't that great) and Aimesh (Asus XT8 was disappointing). Roaming algorithm between nodes is very well implemented with Netgear mesh, U'll hardly feel any interruptions when your device connects from one node to the other, no need for users to set anything to optimise it.
IMO - if money is no object, and u like the simplicity of the system, I'd say go for it.
EDIT: PS - Before you commit, please call up Kaira Technology and ask if they have the all black 970. Plastics used to house Orbis are really low grade, the white ones turn yellow in no time.... that's why Asus is clever, all black except for Special editions lol
EDIT 2: One more thing to add - Orbi's radios are much stronger than Asus and penetrate concrete walls much better. When I was setting up Asus AI Mesh in my brother's place with his old Orbi 350 still in play, the signal strength from client device to satellite 1 room away (door closed) is 10dBm stronger on the Orbi than the Asus AX86 Pro (measured 3 times across a 2 hour span in the afternoon on Wifi Analyzer). Hence this is why Orbi works better on wireless backhaul. There is a caveat though... with better wireless backhaul performance vs TP-Link or Asus, means their radios work harder and potentially burn out faster than competitors. Personally, I have used Orbis for max of 2 years and have never had any major problems with them. However, if u see your satellite constantly disconnecting from the Router within the 3 year warranty period, I'd suggest immediately calling up Kaira to get the whole set changed if possible
EDIT 3: And please instruct the Installers to set either Channel 1 or 11 on the 2.4Ghz band ONLY. Otherwise 2.4Ghz is unusable with the congestion around, when the Orbi goes crazy one day and switches some of your devices to use 2.4Ghz. U'll thank me.
