So I've been reading reviews this afternoon and, assuming a name brand and 802.11g capability, there doesn't seem much to choose between the current crop of MIMO routers on the market.

Other than the special-purpose Linksys Travel Router WTR54GS mentioned here previously (still waiting for that deal to reappear ), am I missing anything?

I'm contemplating the Linksys SRX400 WRT54GX4 vs. the SRX200 WRT54GX2 vs. the Linksys WRT54GS.

I've had good luck with Linksys products at work. I've had poor personal experience with the one Belkin g router I installed for my mother-in-law. I've not been impressed with the range on the AirLink 101 Super G I have running next to me, though it is adequate to my purpose. I have no experience with D-Link or any other brand.

.11n modems appear to not yet be ready for prime time.

Anyone have a favorite bang-for-the-buck WiFi router, or should I just pick whichever late-model Linksys is on sale at Fry's tomorrow?

Thanks!

I have had bad luck with linksys so I started to use the d link n router with a d link n network card and get really good reception. I believe frys and costco have the router for $75 and the n card for about the same.

Go with Buffalo.

Rock solid, well priced and more reliable then most of the other A name brands.

Like you said; stay away from Belkin and the Fry's brand "Airlink 101".

You should be able to find a decent Buffalo like the WHR-G125 for around $45.

I defer to ScottC's knowledge here, but, fyi, my Linksys has been excellent.

But I also need, given my setup, to use one of the Linksys Range Expanders and while it would maybe/probably work with another brand it was much easier to stay same-brand and avoid vendor finger-pointing.

I have had a netgear for many years, when it died (everything died in the old house, private power company, surges, brownouts on a daily basis) I was lazy and replaced it with the same model so I could just upload the saved settings to it.

It's still in use, think that was like four or five years ago it was replaced.

When I was looking for an access point, I purchased a used d-link on e-bay, it's also been flawless, probably a year and a half now.

I think these days there isn't that much of a difference between most G wireless routers. Back when I purchased my router a few years ago, I selected it because I knew I could reflash it and run a custom firmware that gave me many features commonly found on enterprise grade routers. This might be something to look into if you like playing with your toys...

I have used Linksys routers and network components for years with zero problems. I have two WAP54G's (one is a repeater) in use now with the BEFSR81 router. I have installed several setups for friends and they are still working fine.

Having said that, I don't think there is much difference between major brands today. I would just be consistent in what I installed (i.e., all Netgear or all Linksys). It makes life easier.

I've used a variety of routers and sometimes there are problems with the Linksys, but it's rare and there can be problems with other routers. Just make sure you get one that has adequate range, protection, and features, for your needs.

Thanks for the advice. I have bought and used many Belkin, Linksys, Zyxxx(?) a.b,g etc over the years, and most seem fine but disconnect 1-4 times/day and a simple reconnect restarts them ok. Is the Buffalo noted really more stable and is there a simple explanation exactly why.

MisterNice

I really misuse mine, pumping LOADS of data through it, and it hasn't disconnected or crashed in a year.

The simple reason is probably because they put enough memory and CPU power in the router. In the past years most companies have started cutting costs in their routers, reducing memory etc...

Loads of good advice, thanks!!

One more question - transmitter power on these (in the US) is fixed by the FCC, correct? Therefore any differences are due to RAM and CPU and nuanced antenna design?

Buffalo has an "HP" version, which means it has the radio set to max and has a booster antenna. A good (external) antenna can boost as much as 15DBi.

Many models can be upgraded to "alternative" firmware versions, like DD-WRT which lets you boost the transmitter power past the factory setting, sometimes as much as 500% over.

I like them too.. especially with DD-WRT.

I also have a Netgear which has been running for over 5 years now. Never
dropped a connection and it has been rock solid. Its 802.11b.


I think Buffalo boasts the DD-WRT compatible capacity of their routers..
and almost all of their routers could be flash upgraded with dd-wrt.
A great thing. ^

I have an old D-Link wireless router. I seem to remember a 615 in the model number. Occasionally I have to unplug it, wait a few seconds, and then power it up again for the wireless card to detect the router. I have called "Customer Support" several times about this issue. They told me that I am not supposed to have a firewall running on the computer. I am not comfortable with a computer connected to the Internet without a firewall, so when the wireless card does not pick up the router, I use the IT simple fix. If only the power down - power up trick worked for cars!

At the office, I am connected to the network with a Netgear wireless router. It is very reliable, although lately my computer has started flashing messages about signal strength weak/excellent out of the blue, while still connected.

The Linksys routers are fine, but be sure to avoid their range extenders if you value your sanity and personal time. I think we have a thread in here somewhere about the plague of seemingly-simple-but-actually-improbably-complex problems that descend upon users of the Linksys range extenders.