Superhub : Free Superhub - good idea?

[Osem]

I just received an email from VM telling me I can have a new Superhub free in order to take advantage of an increase in BB speed from 20mb to 50mb.

Currently I'm using one of the old cable modems connected to a Netgear Router and it works OK but of course I have nothing else to compare it with. I was only wondering yesterday how long the old modem will last so I'm tempted to take up the offer but, as a novice in such matters, I'm wondering how simple (or not) the upgrade/setup process would be and whether (other than BB speed) moving to a Superhub will have any bearing on my other services or the way in which I access and use them. As the Wi-Fi setup I'm currently using will no longer be in use, I know I'll need to set up a new security code and reset all our wi-fi devices to connect to the new equipment but is that all that will be involved?

I'm not in desperate need of faster BB but it would be nice providing it doesn't bring with it a whole lot of other issues and general hassle.

TIA as always.

[pip08456]

You will be getting the SH1 for 50Mb and the wireless is reknowned for being terrible. You can however use it to modem mode and continue using your Netgear router. No settings to change then and all services you are using will run.

Will also add you need to connect and ring in to activate it (number supplied).

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by pip08456

You can however use it to modem mode and continue using your Netgear router. No settings to change then and all services you are using will run.

Only if Osem has a Wireless N Netgear router. Wireless G isn't fast enough to offer the full performance of 50Mbit.

[Kushan]

Yes Osem, if you don't have wireless-n, then wirelessly you won't see much benefit if you use your netgear router. However, wired you definitely will see a benefit.

For all intents and purposes, the Superhub in Modem mode and what you have now are largely identical as far as you'll see - just the speed will be faster.

Finally, even if your netgear is only wireless-g, I would still consider using it above the Superhub's awful wireless and router mode. It's really that bad.

[Osem]

Thanks guys.

It's a Netgear wnr1000 v.3 (N150 whatever that means).

The email I received implies that I need to order the free Superhub to get the speed increase. Is that correct or could I access the higher speed using my existing cable modem and the above router? I must confess I am worried about our old cable modem packing up after so long so I'm almost tempted to get the hub even if I don't use it right now. That way, if nothing else, I'd be able to connect it if/when the cable modem fails.

[Kushan]

You need the superhub to get the higher speeds. They use a slightly different technology to work. It is well worth the upgrade.

Your router would be fine then, it should be a drop in replacement (just activate it and stick it in modem mode).

[Osem]

OK so if I do go down this route will the old modem be worth keeping for emergency use (albeit not as quickly) or will it cease to work due to the higher BB speed?

[BenMcr]

Of course if you end up getting a SuperHub 2AC, then use that it's a better than your current router

Originally Posted by Osem

OK so if I do go down this route will the old modem be worth keeping for emergency use (albeit not as quickly) or will it cease to work due to the higher BB speed?

It'll cease to work, you can't go back to kit that has been replaced (but then that's generally always been the case)

[Stop It]

I'd say go for it.

Worst case you get a SH1 and use it in modem mode as advised, which aside from having 2.5x more speed means you wont have any functional differences from at present.

If you get a SH2/AC, then you have a much better wireless modem than that Netgear, which is very much an entry level, 2.4Ghz only model. If it wasn't for the fact that the original SH1 is utterly diabolical at wireless, I would've said to ditch the router entirely but hey!

[v0id]

People in this thread hating on the old SH1 wireless performance, and I found its range to be superior to that of my current SH2.

[Jumping]

Originally Posted by v0id

People in this thread hating on the old SH1 wireless performance, and I found its range to be superior to that of my current SH2.

range != performance

Having the wireless enabled on the SH1 made it much more unstable and prone to crash/freeze etc. Can't comment on SH2 nor SH2ac as not had any of them.

[jb66]

Originally Posted by v0id

People in this thread hating on the old SH1 wireless performance, and I found its range to be superior to that of my current SH2.

LOL, april fools

[qasdfdsaq]

Bit early for that

[Kushan]

He meant to post it last year, but as he said he's on the SH1.

[Matth]

As a 20 to 50 upgrade, I got a SH2 - retired my old N150 router.

The SH2 supports N300 - backward compatible with N150 - and indeed, with most things earlier unless you select greenfield ON