Comcast Fios router/ modem replacement recommendations

[Jim Pittsburgh]

two part question;  First I would like to get rid of the $10 / month Fios rental fee for their router/ modem. Was wondering what you guys have had good success with? Second, I think I'm going to need a router to bring a better signal to the main living area of the house.... 

Discussions w Pepe, a visit to the Apple store and reading online, have led me to believe that an Airport Extreme would work very well for the upstairs router... but those are not the same as the unit needed to replace the Fios unit.... I've been reading router/ modem reviews online and even the highest rated ones have only a 60%-70% high rating with the remainder giving them one or two stars... That's 30% or more people not happy with their purchase... an amazing statistic for companies that stay in business.

I need dependable ( think appliance) and not something I'll have to mess with or reboot every day etrc.  Appreciate your thoughts, expertise etc.

[geoffr]

I have the fios router and have not been able to make the Airport extreme work, despite mutiple attempts.

[bmwr75]

The Apple Airport Extreme is the best router I've used, although my experience is probably limited to 3 different wireless routers over many years.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057AVXJA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

You will still need a cable modem though since the Apple unit is only a router.

All I had to to do set up the Apple router was turn off the modem first, plug it into the Apple router, turn the Apple router on, then turn the modem on.

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

Verizon FIOS or Comcast Xfiniti?

[bearjew]

You want to get an AC MIMO router.  The upside is that the speeds are super badass.  The downside is that as these newer technologies are using higher frequencies, they don't make the distance as well.  At your place, I'd probably put one right by your stairs.  I don't know how much a Cisco router costs that is both AC and MIMO, but it'll be the most reliable option.

[scorpio333]

I have an Airport Extreme I use with along with the FIOS router. Ran a network cable up from the basement where the router lives up to the kitchen for the Airport Extreme, that gives us wireless for the whole house and yard.

We don't use the wireless on the Verizon router, instead using network cables it runs into two switches which support my wife's work station, Blu Ray, receiver, and my desktop. We've got about 15 different laptops, computers, phones, etc that use it and it's been very reliable. I've had routers in the past that need rebooted every few days, I won't tolerate that any more. I want it on and ready and hidden.

I recently sold a Verizon router on CL for $40, there are usually a few of them out there in that range. I would research which router version and/or firmware version is the most recent before buying used.

I'm pretty close by, if you need help configuring anything let me know.

[steinjw]

I have had Verizon FIOS since they first came out, and have only used Apple Time Capsule, which is also an Airport Extreme base station, as a router with no difficulty at all. The only time that I have used the Verizon router is once when I needed Verizon to ping through to check that signal was getting all the way through to my computer correctly (without a Verizon router, they can only ping to their box outside). It was a simple switch-out. The problem was not router related, but a change in how my computer was configured with them (I started out PPoE, they supported for a while, then went all DHCP).
So, whatever you use, keep the Verizon router accessible.
As a bonus, I have my computer data backed up to, like, 2013.
I use Apple products - YMMV if pc only - but my son is able to wirelessly connect with his pc in the house.

[Jim Pittsburgh]

My mistake... it's Xfinity not Fios... typed without reading / thinking  my sincere apologies for wasting your thoughts/ time

[bearjew]

I have an Airport Extreme I use with along with the FIOS router. Ran a network cable up from the basement where the router lives up to the kitchen for the Airport Extreme, that gives us wireless for the whole house and yard.

We don't use the wireless on the Verizon router, instead using network cables it runs into two switches which support my wife's work station, Blu Ray, receiver, and my desktop. We've got about 15 different laptops, computers, phones, etc that use it and it's been very reliable. I've had routers in the past that need rebooted every few days, I won't tolerate that any more. I want it on and ready and hidden.

I recently sold a Verizon router on CL for $40, there are usually a few of them out there in that range. I would research which router version and/or firmware version is the most recent before buying used.

I'm pretty close by, if you need help configuring anything let me know.

You don't need the Verizon router if you're not using it.  You can connect your own router directly to the FIOS box thing.

[Jim Pittsburgh]

I'm not sure if that's correct... the modem / router is connected to a separate coax wire from the main splitter...  The Router/ modem isn't the picture feed to the room boxes,they are wired,  but it does connect with them and is necessary... boxes will not work without it.

so to start this over... need a very dependable, easy to set up modem /router to replace the $10 / month Xfinity router/ modem. Again very sorry for the confusion.

[scorpio333]

You don't need the Verizon router if you're not using it.  You can connect your own router directly to the FIOS box thing.

Nope, it's necessary. All the guide info and on demand info requires the router. If you just wanted internet only, I'm sure it's possible to run a cable to the to the box on the house. I can only assume this would also be true for Comcast.

Jim, one thing you may want to try is calling Comcast and giving them the "c'mon man 120 a yr for a modem???" talk. If you've been a customer for awhile they sometimes work with you.

[Jim Pittsburgh]

thanks, good advice.... but I'm on their  sh_t list right now.... long story but in summary: Switched to Comcast about a year ago saving $50 month vs Fios but never liked the picture nor the sound  .... then suddenly didn't have NHL network and other "high band" channels for about 5 weeks...  at least 6 or 7 house visits and finally they had to replace street wire for about a block up the street.... at least 10 -15 calls from me...multiple $$$ credits tactfully demanded and received. BUT, now picture and sound are equal to FIOS...  I just want to reduce bill a bit more... and thought supplying my own router/ modem could be a good way to do so.... but not looking for a new hobby if you know what I mean.

[bearjew]

forgot that most people have TV.  I have only internet, so I don't need the fios router.