Superhub : Superhub 2

[Pbryanw]

Another Super Hub 2 review, this time from Trusted Reviews:

Virgin Media new Super Hub review

Originally Posted by Trusted Reviews

So how does the new Super Hub actually perform? We have already explained that claims of being the fastest ISP supplied router doesn’t mean too much, but can it give the best 802.11n third party routers a run for their money?

We are both surprised and happy to say the answer is yes. Testing the new Super Hub at our usual distances of two metres (line of sight), 10 metres (line of sight) and 13 metres (with two solid walls between) gave us average speeds over 5GHz of 17.5 megabytes per second (140Mbits per second), 11.6MBps (92.8Mbps) and 4.3MBps (34.4Mbit). All of these speeds will handle Full HD streaming video and transfer rates were also smooth and consistent as you can see from the graph showing the performance at two metres above.

The new Super Hub is not only a vast improvement on the flaky original, but an impressive performing router in its own right. It doesn’t have a great array of features, but it is easy to use and affordably priced. 802.11ac routers won’t face sleepless nights, but should end most Virgin customers' needs for reliable third-party 802.11n alternatives.

[karma mechanic]

My SH2 gives wireless performance that's at least on a par with my D-Link DIR-655, using 2.4 GHz.

For example, I get an actual transfer speed of 16.74 MB/sec (that's Megabytes) when my laptop backups write files to my NAS. That's at 8 metres range, through one wall. Equivalent to 133 Mbits/sec.

Before I got the SH2 I had the 655 as the main router and the SH in modem mode. The SH2 now sits where the 655 used to sit, and the Joggler in the kitchen never buffers. The direct line is through a block wall at a very narrow angle. With the 655 it often buffered unless you made sure everything was exactly lined up - it was marginal.

[mrselfdestruct]

Got the SH2 today, and to my surprise and most likely everyone's here - The 5Ghz throughput/signal is much higher, and stronger than that of my Asus RT-N56U - entire coverage has improved which I find baffling as it's regarded as a top tier router.

The 5Ghz at the best of time on the Asus was flaky, but I put it down to house layout etc, but since setting up the SH2 I've had superior range and throughput - Please tell me I'm mad?

[General Maximus]

You are mad

[mrselfdestruct]

Originally Posted by General Maximus

You are mad

Thought so.

Although this has now put me in a quandary, as obviously i'd rather use the RT-N56U due it's Hardware NAT and 'superior' architecture, but not at the cost of Wi-Fi Quality.

I've tried nearly every Wi-Fi setting so far to try and correct the balance, but it always falls short of the SH2 sometimes by a mile - Somethings afoot..

[General Maximus]

sounds like the VM marketing gurus are working overtime and taking things to a whole new level

[mrselfdestruct]

Originally Posted by General Maximus

sounds like the VM marketing gurus are working overtime and taking things to a whole new level

Believe me If I worked for Virgin Media, I wouldn't have allowed that turd box of misery (SuperHub 1) be set upon the human race.

I'm as surprised as anyone they've managed to release a hub that's half decent.

The router options are still lacking, so I would quite obviously rather use the RT-N56U especially after paying a premium for it, and it technically being a superior piece of kit.

As it stands, I'm using the SH2 as a router for testing purposes, but eventually plan to put it back into Modem Mode and once again use it with the Asus, but currently the Shub is giving me better coverage - and I need answers.

Maybe I just lucked out on a dodgy unit with pencils for antennas

[General Maximus]

it is a shame you cant use shub1 as your modem with your asus router attached to it and then use shub2 as an access point somewhere in your house.

[Simm]

Was issued a SH2 as a possible aid to correcting errors ( T3 and T4 ) on m connection

This was my graph, prior to SH2



T3 and T4 errors were 871 and 45


This is my graph in the 16hours its been up and running



T3 and T4 errors sit at 0 !


Likelyhood its my connection just having a peacefull period, and although the new graph looks a bit messy, the performance is flawless, especially on wifi range. Previously i could not use gadgets out in the garden, but on the SH2 i was getting great range and performace.

One thing i did notice is that previously i was on US1 and US2 ( channels 4 & 5 )............. I am now on US1 and US4 ( channels 4 & 5 ). Would this make any difference to my connection??

[General Maximus]

ya, I do believe T3 and T4 errors are related to problems with upstream faults. It is possible that changing the channels is avoiding/getting round the fault if it is associated with US1

Unfortunately this sounds like history repeating itself. I remember when there original shub was getting good press at the very start and ultimately got bad reviews. For me VM could make the best equipment but it will not fix the underlying of over subscription.

I get less then 20mb downloads on speed test.net and the following on TBB.



Roll on September and BT Infinity

[Sephiroth]

There's always a contrary side.

My ASUS RT-N56U is upstairs connected to my Infinity circuit.

The SH2 is downstairs and the iPad was less than one metre from the SH2. From my desk, the iPad saw the ASUS with 2 bars and returned 19 meg downstream.

Upstairs, the iPad could only see the SH 2.4 GHz wireless, not the 5 GHz. Both directions go through the same amount of house.

So, in my environment at least, the ASUS RT-N56U tops the SH2 on 5G.

[mrselfdestruct]

I've heard nothing but good things about the RT-N56U hence why I purchased it. But for the life of me, I cannot get 5Ghz to work properly.

The SH2 manages on average 60-80Mbit in nearly every room, unlike the RT-N56U which sometimes struggles to even connect to the SpeedTest server due to weak/unstable signal.

The RT-N56U is placed in the exact same spot as the SH2, and has the equivalent settings for Wi-Fi, but is undeniably weaker/patchier

For anyone else such as Seph using the RT-N56U what are your results and settings for 5Ghz?

And before anyone asks, yes i'm running the latest firmware.

[truthspeaker]

Kieren aris helped me get back on the virgin media help and support forum. I think few other virgin media staff stopped Kieren from sending me a super hub 2. Because retention told me they did send the super hub 2 but someone cancel it. He retention didn't know why they cancel it.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by mrselfdestruct

......
For anyone else such as Seph using the RT-N56U what are your results and settings for 5Ghz?And before anyone asks, yes i'm running the latest firmware.

My ASUS settings for 5GHz are:

Wireless mode: Auto
Channwl bandwidth: 20/40 MHz
Channel: Auto
Extension channel: Auto
Tx power adjustment: 100