30% Off Xiaomi Routers on 24th of December [Aliexpress.com]

Allyall

Tomorrow Only (24/12/2015) - 30% off Xiaomi Routers.

Mi Mini Router US$24.99 (€22.88)
Xiaomi Youth US$14.99 (€13.72)
Xiaomi WiFi Router 2 US$149.00 (€136)
Wi-Fi Repeater US$7.99 (€7.31)

Fr_Dougal

What is that? A router for ants?

Newtown90

Was thinking of buying some to see if they are as good as the reviews! Worth a shot if they are still available in the morning!

Allyall

Newtown90 wrote: »

Was thinking of buying some to see if they are as good as the reviews! Worth a shot if they are still available in the morning!

Same here, excellent reviews everywhere for months now, and I haven't bitten yet.
They are only available for tomorrow at that price, starts at 8am our time and finishes at 8pm I think.

The youth seems to be the most popular but that version doesn't have Gigabit Ethernet port. I'm not bothered too much by that, also it would push the price up.

WIZWEB

I have the 'mini'. Great piece of kit. 2.4 and 5g. Use it on crappy UPC/ Virgin Horizon box. Decent internet speeds, distance and smart DNS/VPN etc all work. Menu layout only in Chinese after updating but this is easy to convert to English using Google translator or use miwifi IPad/Android apps.

Hootanany

WIZWEB wrote: »

I have the 'mini'. Great piece of kit. 2.4 and 5g. Use it on crappy UPC/ Virgin Horizon box. Decent internet speeds, distance and smart DNS/VPN etc all work. Menu layout only in Chinese after updating but this is easy to convert to English using Google translator or use miwifi IPad/Android apps.

Just pulled the trigger is it easy to set up with the upc router any tips?

WIZWEB

Hootanany wrote: »

Just pulled the trigger is it easy to set up with the upc router any tips?

Just attatch together with Ethernet cable and your sorted to plug n play. All other adjustments SSID name changes, guest wifi, DDNS etc are easily made later if required. I turned off wifi on Horizon box to prevent interference but it's probably not even necessary. Some reviews suggest turning off DHCP on one advice but I didn't need to do that. Nice to have the 5g which Horizon supports. Range much improved and very little interference as few neighbours on that frequency.

Allyall

Got the mini and the Youth. Hopefully they don't take an eternity to arrive, as there wasn't a fast shipping option.

moleyv

Their menu is ONLY in Chinese right?

Skidmcmarx

Would I be right in saying the WAN port is only 100mps?

If so the AC speeds are wasted on 240mbp/s UPC as it cant pull full speed?

I was going to order one of these now but that would be a deal breaker.

Allyall

moleyv wrote: »

Their menu is ONLY in Chinese right?

These are the English version.

Skidmcmarx wrote: »

Would I be right in saying the WAN port is only 100mps?

If so the AC speeds are wasted on 240mbp/s UPC as it cant pull full speed?

I was going to order one of these now but that would be a deal breaker.

http://technofaq.org/posts/2015/07/xiaomi-mi-wi-fi-router-mini-review-big-bang-for-the-small-buck/

http://reviewsbucket.com/xiaomi-mi-wifi-router-youth-edition/

WIZWEB

moleyv wrote: »

Their menu is ONLY in Chinese right?

Mine was English until I updated to latest firmware then reverted to an option of three types of Chinese only.

moleyv

Allyall wrote:

These are the English version.

Thanks, a mini and youth ordered to use as APs.

WIZWEB wrote:

Mine was English until I updated to latest firmware then reverted to an option of three types of Chinese only.

Thanks for the heads up.

Newtown90

Got shipping confirmation this morning!

Allyall

I've not received confirmation yet. I guess they must have a lot of orders to go through.

GY A1

Ally
Will the repeater one boost wifi to the rear of a house on say an eircom router.
Does it just have to be powered in a plug.
Have poor wifi at front of house
Cheers

k123456

Just to add , these routers are well regarded, and are brilliant value

I researched and was very interested in the mini model, which is dual band wifi, the only thing that put me off was the 100mbs wired port. Unless you have cat5/cat 6 etc in your house these is not an issue

Dual band Wifi, is much faster than single band, when you browse for wifi networks (ssids) you should see a 5ghz and 2.4 ghz network, the 5 is quicker and much less prone to interference
Downside to 5 ghz is your range is a bit less, however as you move around the house, your phone, tablet etc, will pick the best ssid.

This thread describes how to use a third party router with UPC Virgin

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057367191 page 1

Most devices (laptops, tabs, phone etc) less than two years old, will see and connect to both the bands , older devices may see the 2.4ghz band only

Newtown90

My youth arrived this morning! Very sleek haven't had time to use it yet! Needs a USB power supply I think!

Allyall

GY A1 wrote: »

Ally
Will the repeater one boost wifi to the rear of a house on say an eircom router.
Does it just have to be powered in a plug.
Have poor wifi at front of house
Cheers

Sorry, I didn't see that at all, just saw the date and don't know how I didn't..
Yes, it should boost network all around a normal sized house easily enough.
Can be powered by USB

Newtown90 wrote: »

My youth arrived this morning! Very sleek haven't had time to use it yet! Needs a USB power supply I think!

Grrr.. Mine still not arrived..

Looking forward to them though.

moleyv

I was reading up on them the other day. Someone says the English firmware isn't official, but made by the vendor. That could be a security issue for the paranoid.

There is no working DDWRT option.

There is an OPENWRT firmware, although quality of signal is less than that from stock firmware.

I have two minis and a youth on the way, I might play about with OPENWRT on the youth as it is extra to requirements and see how it goes, before possibly putting it on the two minis.

Newtown90

Got both of mine now. Make a huge difference in terms of wifi speed around the house! The 5ghz band is very impressive. Great purchase for the money!

GY A1

Newtown90 wrote: »

Got both of mine now. Make a huge difference in terms of wifi speed around the house! The 5ghz band is very impressive. Great purchase for the money!

Much involved setting up
Or connecting to existing router

Newtown90

GY A1 wrote: »

Much involved setting up
Or connecting to existing router

Very quick, I set it up via my I-Phone, once you connect you get a pop up to carry you through set-up.

Allyall

I think mine arrived today. I'm hoping it's them.
Collecting them after 4.

GY A1

Newtown90 wrote: »

Got shipping confirmation this morning!

which onw would b best to boost wifi to end of house, say 10-12 metres from main router

Chardee MacDennis

The Mi WiFi Router 2 and repeaters arrived today. Managed to avoid customs somehow. Cheers for the heads up.

TheBigGreen

Just bought the repeater, cheers original poster!

Rowley Birkin QC

Cheers! Just ordered the Mini to start using the UPC 5GHZ. (hopefully)

GY A1

TheBigGreen wrote: »

Just bought the repeater, cheers original poster!

how are u going power it

Allyall

GY A1 wrote: »

how are u going power it

After you pair it, plug it into any USB port with power (plug/console/UPC box/Laptop etc..)

Mine still not arrived. The parcel yesterday was flashlights..
Cool, but not what I'm waiting for..

upandcumming

Chardee MacDennis wrote: »

The Mi WiFi Router 2 and repeaters arrived today. Managed to avoid customs somehow. Cheers for the heads up.

Did you order on Christmas eve?

Chardee MacDennis

upandcumming wrote: »

Did you order on Christmas eve?

i did, got the three for $165.

upandcumming

Chardee MacDennis wrote: »

i did, got the three for $165.

Thanks. I ordered on the same date and it left China on the 5th but no sign since. When did yours leave?

charlie_says

Much good deal! Happy speed WiFi original poster. Please to be thank!

Q&A

Mine arrived today having ordered Christmas eve. Haven't had a chance to play with it yet as I got it delivered to work. Only issue so far the adapter plug is broken but might have something similar at home.

I wouldn't worry about the delay... It'll give you more time to brush up on your mandarin :-P

moleyv

Two minis arrived today, still waiting on a youth.

I wouldn't pay attention to the tracking.

I only gave a quick look inside the bag, but do they really come without boxes?

I mean they look well bubble wrapped, but still, why no box, just seems odd.

Allyall

Two Minis and two Youths arrived today. All in Xiaomi boxes and untouched.

Repeaters not arrived yet.

moleyv

Anyone else boxless?

tigershould

Yeh me boxless too. Expected tbh. Not tried it yet. Mini €23 Ordered 24/12 received 13/01 no customs. Happy out

Newtown90

moleyv wrote: »

Two minis arrived today, still waiting on a youth.

I wouldn't pay attention to the tracking.

I only gave a quick look inside the bag, but do they really come without boxes?

I mean they look well bubble wrapped, but still, why no box, just seems odd.

It's China!.... The youth comes with a box though!

Allyall

? My post disappeared..

Maybe what arrived was 2 x Youth and 2 x Repeater.
I haven't opened any boxes yet. - These x 2 are what arrived. So maybe the Minis will arrive tomorrow.

moleyv

Connected a mini into the modem.

Set up was straightforward and it connected itself to the modem.

Connected it to my switch, and all working great.

No chance to properly test it yet, but will see how it goes as main router.

I'll set up the other as an extender tomorrow. When I get the youth I might set it up as a VPN router with a different SSID, so I can switch to it when needed.

Furzy

Received my mini today and connected to UPC modem. Setup was easy and in English. Very disappointing speeds though - using the 5G band I'm consistently getting half the speeds of my UPC (Cisco 3925) modem - in the same room as the Xiaomi modem. This applies to my laptop, phone and iPad. The 2.5g range is extended slightly but not by much. My UPC is 120mb/s so Wifi giving 70-80 on laptop and iPad and 40-50 on phone but these speeds halved rather than increased using the 5G band, slightly lower for the Xiaomi 2.5g. Seems a bit variable - I'm using Okla speed test and got one 90Mbs on my phone, followed by others at 22-25Mbs. I know Okla may not be a true measure but feel that it's a useful comparison. Thinking that this my not be a genuine Xiaomi router!

Furzy

Allyall wrote: »

Two Minis and two Youths arrived today. All in Xiaomi boxes and untouched.

Repeaters not arrived yet.

Interesting - mine arrived in one thin layer of bubble wrap, plastic envelope, no box, one tiny leaflet and no other documentation. Surprised it wasn't badly damaged - not at all what I would expect for a Xiaomi product.

moleyv

Furzy wrote:

Received my mini today and connected to UPC modem. Setup was easy and in English. Very disappointing speeds though - using the 5G band I'm consistently getting half the speeds of my UPC (Cisco 3925) modem - in the same room as the Xiaomi modem. This applies to my laptop, phone and iPad. The 2.5g range is extended slightly but not by much. My UPC is 120mb/s so Wifi giving 70-80 on laptop and iPad and 40-50 on phone but these speeds halved rather than increased using the 5G band, slightly lower for the Xiaomi 2.5g. Seems a bit variable - I'm using Okla speed test and got one 90Mbs on my phone, followed by others at 22-25Mbs. I know Okla may not be a true measure but feel that it's a useful comparison. Thinking that this my not be a genuine Xiaomi router!

The WAN and LAN ports are not gigabit, they are 10/100. So if you are connecting it into the back of your existing router by Ethernet cable. It is limited to 10/100.

Rowley Birkin QC

moleyv wrote: »

The WAN and LAN ports are not gigabit, they are 10/100. So if you are connecting it into the back of your existing router by Ethernet cable. It is limited to 10/100.

So what would be the best way to connect it to a UPC Horizon box?

moleyv

I don't know if it will work, but try using it as a repeater, connecting wirelessly?

I don't know enough about how the internals workings to know if that will get around the bottleneck.

Are you only using the horizon box as a modem?

Furzy

Rowley Birkin QC wrote: »

So what would be the best way to connect it to a UPC Horizon box?

See link in post #17 of this thread.

Has anyone figured out how to turn off wireless on the UPC modem?

Furzy

Just a heads-up to anyone who has a Mac - mine wasn't picking up the 5G band. Thought it was one of the notorious Mac WiFi problems but after hours of head scratching I realised that the router was broadcasting 5G on a channel that wasn't recognised by the Mac. Went into the Xiaomi miwifi.com site and changed the broadcast channel and now picking up the 5G at decent speeds (90Mbps) on the iMac.

moleyv

Furzy wrote:

Just a heads-up to anyone who has a Mac - mine wasn't picking up the 5G band. Thought it was one of the notorious Mac WiFi problems but after hours of head scratching I realised that the router was broadcasting 5G on a channel that wasn't recognised by the Mac. Went into the Xiaomi miwifi.com site and changed the broadcast channel and now picking up the 5G at decent speeds (90Mbps) on the iMac.

Thanks, I was picking up 5G on my laptops, but not phone or tablet, which do have AC as I double checked, so I'll try changing channels later.

Newtown90

Set up my youth in another room at home today with home plugs feeding it, works great! Wifi in both sides of the house now :P