NETGEAR - Poor Quality Products

star1_2

Not sure if anyone has also suffered the same problem with Netgear products.

Out of a varity of Netgear products (VoIP router, Wireless Routers, Wireless cards, Power extenders). Out of approximatly 10 Netgear products purchased and configured for friends 4 of these have failed (most dead on arrival), or developed a fault soon after. (the retailer has verified this too).

Compared with Linksys (when I've deployed some 15 network cards, VoIP boxes, Routers etc), not one has failed or had an issue (todate).

It's not particulary scientific - but these doing favours for friends and family's network/wireless lans - has given me a good insite into the relyability of differing products.

My personal advice - AVOID Netgear !! thought I would share that with others ..

Kangol_Rat

I have a netgear wireless card, have had since n ov last year and had no problems at all!

I must be the lucky one!

albertross_2

Kangol_Rat wrote:

I have a netgear wireless card, have had since n ov last year and had no problems at all!

I must be the lucky one!

Make that 2.. Netgear make good equipment usually.. the op (who has a problem with 3com equipment currently) must have been very unlucky. Maybe the retailer is selling duff equipment?

Wireless Linksys (and Belkin) owners are regular visitors to the techie forum..

peter_the_piper

It just goes to show how peoples experiences differ. I used to use an 11b Origo router which was very unstable when I upgraded to Maxadsl. I changed to a Belkin7633 which has been solid as a rock( bet thats put the mockers on it now)

Torby

think everyone has had problems of one sort or another with every wireless product manufacturer. Perhaps what we really need to know is how the manufacturer responded when you notified them of the problems

Did they recommend a solution?
did they offer constructive advice?
Did they exchange the product...promptly and without question?
Did they tell you to clear off and do nothing?

With answers to those type of questions, it may give everyone a better insight into what they should buy.....everyone on this forum knows you could probably start a "don't buy, don't use" list for every product and service available....there's always people who have good and bad to say about a purchase....

at least this way people can make an informed choice and it the answers will add weight to your statement.

The sun is out today again....have a nice day everyone....

Matt_Nixon

I think Star1, you have just been unlucky, I have loads of Netgear products, including Wireless Routers, Print Servers, Wifi Adaptors & Ethernet Cards.

Never Had a DOA, in fact the only problem I have had is with the drivers for the PS101 print server and this was resolved using Netgear Online Support.

MercilessKiller

albertross wrote:

Make that 2.. Netgear make good equipment usually.. the op (who has a problem with 3com equipment currently) must have been very unlucky. Maybe the retailer is selling duff equipment?

Wireless Linksys (and Belkin) owners are regular visitors to the techie forum..

And me..

Bought many netgear products.. at once thought one was dodgy but found out it was the pcmcia card which was a belkin one!

I've had more probs with linksys and belkin than netgear.

I advise everyone to go with netgear!

executiverocker

ive had 2 netgear routers, both have never failed me, ive now got a linksys because im on cable, which again has never failed me.

nej

I've also had several Netgear products. All have worked flawlessy for many years.

Astaroth

Netgear have an exceptionally strong reputation - to the extent that when we purchased one of our competitors replacing all their routers, bridges and other techie network gear which is beyond my knowledge to netgear from the previous mix of brands was seen as a level 2 priority.

The first wireless router I had died within a week of having it but the replacement has been going strong for 2 years now without ever dropping ADSL connection or needing rebooting.

star1_2

I agree with everyones comments - some brands are good - some are bad .... I've had a problem with 3com, Cisco (commercial kit) and belkin. But personally I'm really disapointed with Netgear ....

2 DOA Routers - from 2 differing on-line retailers, were brand new in boxes, and verified as DOA when returned.
1 Network Card from a retail store - that failed after a couple of days
1 Wireless power range extender - which just crackles in a dangerous way straight out of the box, and wont work (understandably, did'nt want to keep it plugged in for too long).

Also with the Netgear range extenders, the moulded threepin UK plug on the back (like a transformer) has been manufactured incorrectly and it does'nt fit correctly into wall sockets, trailing 4bars etc .... it looks like someone at the design centre made the mould incorrectly - and it requires the units to be forced un-healthly into the wall socket !! I've seen this same problem with over 4 units now !!

Anyway - I'll stop my winge about Netgear, their support is good, and technically the products are good on paper - it's just the relyability and high number of DOA (dead on arrivals, or near-dead on arrival) that underwelmes me !! Compared to other brands ....

:rolleyes: