LinksysMesh WiFi 6 Velop T

These day when you buy a router, it needs to get automatic security updates to be reasonably safe from hackers. My previous router a m5 from tp-link was reaching its end of life for these updates, so it was time for a new one. Unfortunately most router manufacturers don’t make it easy to determine the end of security updates date for their routers, so I did sone research and found this Linksys router three pack at a decent price. This router will receive updates until, I believe sometime in 2028.This is quite a tall router, at about 10 inches, which they say will help give it more range. I used three routers to provide Wi-Fi mesh coverage for my 1/2 acre property containing a house, shed and barn. Coverage seems to be good, certainly as good as my previous m5. Performance is good as well, claiming to be a WiFi 6 router. Connection reliability seems to be good as well. I have many devices connected, from light controllers, sprinkler controllers, a sprinkler Wi-Fi translator, and various android, Apple IOS, Google, Windows devices and Amazon FireTVs, and smart televisions. All devices connected with out issue, except one older Visio tv that may just be too old to connect. I solved that problem by switching it to a hard-wired Ethernet connection to the nearest router.Setup was easy with clear instructions, using the free configuration app downloaded from the web. Configurability is ok, perhaps not as detailed as my tp-link app, but still good enough for my needs. Be sure to enable automatic updates for the best security.Overall this seems to be a decent router that is priced well, and should give me great service for several years to come. Recommended!

The WiFi system works really well. I get full coverage for 4000 sqft house on all 3 levels with one node on each floor. It replaced 2 standard wireless routers that could not provide more than 60% of the speed seen by the modem. The old system also had to be restarted every couple weeks. The new Mesh system provides the same speed as the modem and are the same throughout the house with no issues staying connected as I move around the house. Setup was easy, as it walks you through the process. The nodes are a little tall, but I have them situated so they are not very noticeable. I would definitely recommend this system to upgrade your WiFi.

Starting with positives:- When (and I do mean when) it works, it works really well. Consistency in upload and download speeds, low latency, good wifi strength- Looks nice, doesn’t really stand out too much or take up a ton of room- Can be used as access points if you want to run ethernet cables between them, but that kinda defeats the purpose of a mesh networkCons:- These things go down EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Whenever I boot my workstation in my office, the node it’s connected to IMMEDIATELY throws a red light and will not reconnect to the network until it’s power cycled, sometimes up to 3 or 4 times. All the while, the application states that “all nodes are working”. Obviously they aren’t, if the status light on one is red, and isn’t allowing any traffic through it whatsoever.- About 70% of the time, devices get sent to the node that is the farthest away, and then they get stuck there until the device just can’t connect anymore. *THEN* it will reconnect after 4-5 minutes, but usually just back to the other node that’s still not the one closest.- I have to fully reboot all three nodes about three times a week, because network speeds end up tanking to well below 1gb/s for seemingly no reason. It’s not the ISP or the modem, I’ve checked.- The whole system is just simply unpredictable and unstable. I’m a Junior Sys. Admin that works from home, so I need to have a reliable network solution. This ain’t it. If the UI or the web portal had some meaningful diagnostics, maybe I could figure out why it seemingly just stops working for no reason, but there is nothing there. From what the diagnostics say, everything is peachy keen.So, sadly, I guess I need to eat my pride (and wallet), and buy a different system. Maybe do a bit more research instead of Covid panic buying because I’m suddenly not able to go to the office.