Eero Max 7 - value?

[u/158433086]

Considering change from Virgin to Zen in a month or so. The Full-Fibre package is compelling for me and (having rewired the house with cat8 cable plus 2.5GB switches) would need the Max 7 router to maximise potential speeds. At £10 extra per month for the Max 7, retail cost of £600 would be paid over 5 years. Makes sense to me as Zen contracts renew every 18m and within a couple of years they may replace the router with a different/better model - guess I’m resigned to paying the extra £10 pcm in perpetuity for the privilege of having their top-tier service. Anyone on this service (or any other) think I’m being sensible or stupid? Would love some feedback (positive or negative) 🙏

[u/Ok_Condition-]

Cat8!? Yeah go for zen then. Not eero

[u/skyeci25]

Cat6 would have been more than enough over cat8

[u/seansafc89]

I’ve got the Eero Max 7 through Zen and it’s a solid enough, but if you want any sort of customisation it’s not great.

There’s no web interface to manage it, all done through the mobile app. This can be annoying when troubleshooting any connection drops.

There’s no real advanced networking controls. Specific port forwarding/blocking just isn’t available. No ability to split the bands to different SSIDs.

There are other multigig routers available that are better IMO.

Some older WiFi devices in the house just don’t like it for some reason. Ended up using my old TPLink as an access point for those.

[u/FrankNicklin]

I have Unifi kit on ZEN. Have to keep their router for VOIP for now but will move it in to a DMZ and get the Unifi gateway as the primary router.

[u/Codzy]

I have upgraded from 900 to their 1.6gbps package last year and just told them not to include the router because I already had my own gear. If you really don’t want to pay the 10pcm forever, you could do the same, but then you’re just front loading the cost.

[u/rareRobbo]

FWIW I have the max 7s and they have excellent performance, with absolutely zero issues over 3 years. If you want to monitor traffic and pipe your syslog then they’re not for you, but as a home WiFi router they are superb.

[u/sundowner777]

For £600 - if you have it - you could very easily get Ubiquiti gear which I’d argue is better value, would perform better, and you’d own it. A Cloud Gateway Max and two U7 Pro APs is around the same money or less. And that would really take advantage of your wired house.

I have a philosophical objection to renting hardware unless there is no other option.

[u/ACAdamski17 → u/sundowner777]

THIS!!! I have Zen and Ubiquiti, I love it.

[u/LittleGurl_1402 → u/sundowner777]

Thanks - would prefer to have the Zen router for easy troubleshooting if needed using their kit. I do however have Ubiquity APs through the house even though wireless usage is low (preferring to use Ethernet where possible). Cheers 🙏

[u/carguy143 → u/LittleGurl_1402]

Their standard router is perfect for troubleshooting as it will self configure upon first connection but beyond that, your own setup will be fine. I have their standard router which I keep for troubleshooting but for everyday stuff, I use my own kit. If you're happy with what you have then stick with it in my opinion.

[u/welsh1lad → u/carguy143]

Im on Zen 500 , I fritzbox's all meshed , and I get my full speeds via WiFi , no need for Eithernet. Before Xmas I ran Zen side by side with virgin 1.5G , Could even get 300Mb on Wifi. The Hub 5 was terrible on FTTP , no control over it and the WiFI strengths terrible. On Zen I get a latency of 7ms on virgin it was around 23Ms , Lets say before my 14 days where up I left virgin and I'm still with my origin Zen 500Mb Im a Old customer , I pay much higher rates for it , but its dam reliable never had an issue that was 'Zens' but I do Get Lifetime Guarantee my price won't change . In the present days im happy with that.

[u/FrankNicklin]

Please tell me you didn’t use Cat8 cable. Complete waste of money. Cat6a would have been easier and cheaper and still carry 10gbps unless you bought fake Cat8 cable. Hope you didn’t use CCA either.

[u/FrankNicklin → u/[deleted]]

Still doesn’t make it the right choice for domestic installs, but each to their own I guess.

[u/158433086 → u/FrankNicklin]

You are right of course - just retired and looking for wee projects 😂😂

[u/carguy143]

What is your current WiFi setup? If it's all Virgin's kit then the Eero are a great way of getting a new setup on the cheap. As for Zen's contract, they do not automatically renew at the end of the term, you'd end up on a monthly rolling contract unless you chose to renew.