[offroadr35]

After my debacle with my Netgear router which can be found in my other thread in this section, I picked up the t-mobile linksys router today. It definitely works better. My question is, I have an old WRT54g v.2 here that I used before my Netgear. Is there a real difference between the T-mobile version and the non-TM version or is it just branding? Should I return the TM and just use my v.2?

[monkeypaw]

There is a difference. The TM router is supposed to give better battery life for your BB and a more solid UMA connection.

But you can probably get good performance from your old router. You can change the firmware to dd-wrt firmware and get the same benefits as from the TM one. I just noticed that the Tmobile router is now a supported model on the DD-WRT website.

DD-WRT available here: News

BUT read the wiki and other information in depth here: Main Page - DD-WRT Wiki

ALSO See this thread:

http://www.blackberryforums.com/wifi...uma-curve.html

[sgtcasey]

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[offroadr35]

Originally Posted by monkeypaw

There is a difference. The TM router is supposed to give better battery life for your BB and a more solid UMA connection.

But you can probably get good performance from your old router. You can change the firmware to dd-wrt firmware and get the same benefits as from the TM one. I just noticed that the Tmobile router is now a supported model on the DD-WRT website.

DD-WRT available here: News

BUT read the wiki and other information in depth here: Main Page - DD-WRT Wiki

ALSO See this thread:

http://www.blackberryforums.com/wifi...uma-curve.html

Thank you very much for the links. So between the out of the box TM router or a DD-WRT WRT54Gv.2 with the power upped, which would work better? I don't really care about the $50 that the TM router costs, I just want whatever works best for both my phone and my internet.

[John Clark]

I've not used the TM router. However, I don't see how anything could work better for me than my WRT54G v1.1 w/ DD-WRT. I boosted the power with DD-WRT and followed the instructions here and couldn't ask for better UMA connections. I get no drops to EDGE in my house. DD-WRT is for those who know what they are doing, however, so be careful.

[John Clark]

Originally Posted by monkeypaw

I just noticed that the Tmobile router is now a supported model on the DD-WRT website.

Great news! That's good to hear.

[absoluteevel]

Thibor's firmware is great as well and allows you to modify transmit power. It is much more user friendly compared to DD-WRT, which is great software.

Here is a feature comparison for the WRT series 3rd party firmwares:
3rd Party Firmware Comparison: WRT54G/GS - LinksysInfo - Community Forums for Linksys Devices

And a rundown of the latest versions of each:
Firmware Tracker - LinksysInfo - Community Forums for Linksys Devices

And an article to show the differences between the different revisions of the Linksys devices.
Autopsy: Linksys WRT54G and WRT54GS Hardware Versions Under the Knife - LinksysInfo - Community Forums for Linksys Devices

[offroadr35]

ok so i did head to head comparisons all day. First I installed DD-WRT on my 54Gv2 (found the install to be quite easy actually). I used all of the settings from that other thread and upped the xmit to 70. The best UMA service I got was 2 bars and it still cut out in some parts of my house.

With the 54GTM using the settings in the other thread, I get 3 bars downstairs but drop a bit more frequently upstairs.

However, I also have a WRE54G range expander from a while ago. I couldn't get this to work with the DD-WRT router but with the 54GTM I get 3 UMA bars everywhere and have not dropped to edge yet.

[John Clark]

The bars are a bad way of judging reception. They don't update frequently and are often just wrong. Do a site survey. Go to Manage Connections >Wifi Options >Menu Key >Wifi Diagnostics >Menu Key >Site Survey >Menu Key >Start Scan. This will show the networks in your area and the dbm level in a much more real time and accurate manner.

Also, on my Linksys router I purchased a wall mount and mounted it on the wall in my hallway in the middle of the house. And then turned the antennas so they face away from each other 180 degrees from each other. That's what seemed to give the best signal.

[offroadr35]

Originally Posted by John Clark

The bars are a bad way of judging reception. They don't update frequently and are often just wrong. Do a site survey. Go to Manage Connections >Wifi Options >Menu Key >Wifi Diagnostics >Menu Key >Site Survey >Menu Key >Start Scan. This will show the networks in your area and the dbm level in a much more real time and accurate manner.

Also, on my Linksys router I purchased a wall mount and mounted it on the wall in my hallway in the middle of the house. And then turned the antennas so they face away from each other 180 degrees from each other. That's what seemed to give the best signal.

didn't know about that tool, but regardless, even the hyped up WRT54 can't compete without the range expander. All the proof I needed was a dropped call with the DD-WRT in the same place WRT54G-TM had no problem.

[John Clark]

Sounds like you do have a working scenario, though.

[Rev. Po-Jay]

Originally Posted by offroadr35

didn't know about that tool, but regardless, even the hyped up WRT54 can't compete without the range expander. All the proof I needed was a dropped call with the DD-WRT in the same place WRT54G-TM had no problem.

My understanding is that the WRT54g and the WRT54g-TM are the exact same devices, but T-Mo rebranded it... Am I wrong? I am currently thinking about the WRT54gs which comes with speed enhancement built in. My current Motorola WR850gp is flakey and won't connect well to a wireless laptop 20feet away. I did add my 8320 as DMZ and I am not sure if this has effected other devices connectivity. Either way, I have a Linksys modem so I will try the same brand router.

BTW- Sorry for the thread resurrection. =-)