Has anybody any experience of the eero router?

Chief_of_Staffy

I signed up with Fibrus today due to their very low prices ATM. I have a FTTC connection but it's garbage due to the house wiring so need another. I knew Fibrus use the eero router but I made the mistake of researching it only after I'd signed up. I still can't quite believe that eero would mandate that their router not only cannot be managed from your computer, but cannot be managed locally.

That's 99% of the utility of a router logon. If there's a connectivity issue you can use your local router connection to diagnose and possibly fix the issue. With the eero, you can't. Instead, you have a device sitting in the same room that in order to access you have to have a phone, an app, a working internet connection and an Amazon account (it says you can use your own credentials but after an hour of trying, I can say that didn't work for me at all).

So does anyone have experience of these eeros, especially what happens when things go wrong, or you buy a new smartphone.

Ayr_Rage

Anecdotally from the TalkTalk forums if you have only one the WiFi coverage can be pants but they work well as a mesh when you have a few.

M25

Is there a question?

You can set the eero to use ANY other fallback source for the Internet (eg mobile phone hotspot) when there's no connection. Works great.

Eeros work great IME I have 2.

Their mobile app works great but yes you need a mobile phone. You're on the Internet and can post here but don't own a mobile phone?

I find it highly unlikley most people could fix connection issues by logging into their non-eero router.

If you have a question and can explain what the problem is I'm sure people will try to help.

Chief_of_Staffy

M25 said:

Is there a question?

Sure

Chief_of_Staffy said:

So does anyone have experience of these eeros, especially what happens when things go wrong, or you buy a new smartphone?

M25 said:

Their mobile app works great but yes you need a mobile phone. You're on the Internet and can post here but don't own a mobile phone?

I do, unfortunately, but I find it weird that a person is mandated to own a mobile phone to use a computer? My point is, I have a device next to me (hypothetically) that I use for my PC broadband, but I cannot access it from my PC; instead I need an additional device and route my requests through servers 3000 miles away, and if broadband goes down and I'd like to see what's going on I can't, because it works via broadband. So what are people's experience when this set-up fails?

M25 said:

I find it highly unlikley most people could fix connection issues by logging into their non-eero router.

I'm not really interested in most people. I find it easy to diagnose issues via the localhost access to my Fritzbox, because all the information on your connection is available, although I've found it easy for decades on various routers. In fact, I did it yesterday. After moving into a new house I had - and still have - slow speeds and periods of disconnection. So when support talked of test sockets and port resets I was able to tell them, from five minutes on the Fritzbox, that the problem is rate limiting at the exchange due to deteriorated wiring between the cabinet and house, and they need to have a look at that.

M25 said:

If you have a question and can explain what the problem is I'm sure people will try to help.

As I said, I'd like to hear from people about what happens when issues arise. It's basically a rented service, like everything is trending towards these days, and as such control is in the hands of another company, in this case Amazon. Leaving aside the absurdity that your broadband, supplied by NI company Fibrus, requires your US-based Amazon shopping account to function, what happens if your Amazon account is disabled (like many are if you make too many returns), or you close it? What happens if your smartphone is stolen or non-functional?

bazdvd

if the internet connection is down you can still access the router with your phone as the local wifi connection will still be up much like a normal router.
If you are that worried just use another router.

How can I check if my network is connected? 

1. When accessing the eero app, tap the Home tab. 
2. Your network status will be reflected at the top of the app. 
   1. Note: No Internet will display if you are not connected to the network.
3. Navigate to Internet. You will see how long your network has been offline for or if your network is using eero Internet backup. 
4. Tap Internet. This screen will present if a network outage is detected and whether it impacts your Wired connection or your eero Internet Backup. 
5. Tap the > arrow next to the Wired Internet or eero Internet Backup options.
   1. Note: A red exclamation mark icon will populate next to the detected network outage. 
6. In-app troubleshooting instructions will display based on the detected outage. 

Chief_of_Staffy

bazdvd said:

if the internet connection is down you can still access the router with your phone as the local wifi connection will still be up much like a normal router.
If you are that worried just use another router.

How can I check if my network is connected? 

1. When accessing the eero app, tap the Home tab. 
2. Your network status will be reflected at the top of the app. 
   1. Note: No Internet will display if you are not connected to the network.
3. Navigate to Internet. You will see how long your network has been offline for or if your network is using eero Internet backup. 
4. Tap Internet. This screen will present if a network outage is detected and whether it impacts your Wired connection or your eero Internet Backup. 
5. Tap the > arrow next to the Wired Internet or eero Internet Backup options.
   1. Note: A red exclamation mark icon will populate next to the detected network outage. 
6. In-app troubleshooting instructions will display based on the detected outage. 

Interesting. I thought you had to log in using your Amazon account. I'll check that out if / when I get the thing.

I did look into using a Fritzbox with Fibrus instead of the eero but apparently it's difficult to set up with Digital Voice (not difficult in a technical sense, but in that the provider has to make certain changes their end which they may or may not consent to doing).

bazdvd

ive had an eero 6+ for a few years and never had an issue with it. I like that you get regular updates for it.
I have had countless routers over the years and this one is the best so far.

Chief_of_Staffy

bazdvd said:

ive had an eero 6+ for a few years and never had an issue with it. I like that you get regular updates for it.
I have had countless routers over the years and this one is the best so far.

I'll see how I go with it, assuming Fibrus manage the installation. I can't imagine it being superior to the Fritzbox, this is some piece of kit, but we'll see.

SimonSeys

Hi. I hope you don’t mind me coming in on this thread, but I’m also considering a Eero mesh system.  Probably the 6+ pro.   I have Vodaphone FTTP, but have a shed in the garden that I can’t get Wi-Fi to.   Powerline doesn’t work, and a £30 repeater either gives a really strong signal or nothing - just drops for 10s for no reason.  I’m wondering whether a Mesh system would give more resilience. 

I assume it’s a simple matter if plugging into the vodaphone router?

Also any recommendations for where to buy?  I’m hoping for a good deal in a Black Friday sale. 

Si

Chief_of_Staffy

FIbrus was set up this morning. Quite efficient, underground install done in 90 minutes and eero working with the identical speeds as promised. The eero app, though, is rubbish. Despite the eero being right beside me, the app says it can't find it. Support's solution - the tried and tested 1990's IT favourite - "Reboot and see if that helps." I'll pass on that, thanks.

SimonSeys

Chief_of_Staffy said:

FIbrus was set up this morning. Quite efficient, underground install done in 90 minutes and eero working with the identical speeds as promised. The eero app, though, is rubbish. Despite the eero being right beside me, the app says it can't find it. Support's solution - the tried and tested 1990's IT favourite - "Reboot and see if that helps." I'll pass on that, thanks.

Thanks.  Is your eero plugged directly into the ONT or is there a Fibrus or other box inbetween?

Apparently the Vodafone router can’t be configured as a bridge but I’ve read that the eero can be be connected directly into the ONT.