One has to be patient, follow the steps and be able to provide detailed information as they have to imagine what you are looking at.cons: mesh will not work if firmware is different versions between router and satellites

I just downgraded my firmware so I don't know

I tried to call Netgear to let them know their firmware is DEFECTIVE, they only have support for 90 Days which means I will have to PAY them money to tell them their firmware is CRAP.

However, the list of things that are in the don't work camp are- as a router (setup UI is literally unfinished, default router settings cause sub-1mbit speeds at random)- with wired backhaul, the required firmware version breaks mesh support completely, and trying an ethernet backhaul causes a broadcast storm.- from a phone (the app is terrible and has about a total of 6 options, and shows wrong info)If you live somewhere that needs orbi in API instead of router

This VERY expensive system has been rendered junk and Orbi support has not provided any solution apart from beta firmware updates that fail to fix the problem

Upgraded firmware today (version 2.1.4.10) and lost the one thing I relied on - the network map

Because you have no control over auto-updating, when Netgear releases bad firmware, guess what - you get it!I have dealt with constant disconnections from 2.4 gHz clients.

The big issue for me is: a) it appears they knew the issue but the Support rep decided to use me and my time as their QA (wasting my time) and never actually mentioned that other people were running into the same thing or what their thinking was on the problem and fix, b) it wasn't until I said in a follow-up post that I was going to return the Orbis that someone suggested downgrading the firmware

Upgraded the firmware (it alerted me to upgrade)

You will think after 5 months of problems that Netgear will get a new firmware out (I guess everyone needs to pay to let Netgear know their firmware is crap)...

Bottom line, the hardware has so much potential, but the firmware is absolute junk.

Looking at the Orbi Community page you'll see complaint after complaint from people that suddenly found their equipment useless... oddly enough, even rolling back to previously stable firmware versions does not fix anything

AND you're okay manually reverting firmware versions when updates break then orbi is a good pick

When it works it's very nice, unfortunately, the firmware which Netgear seemingly throws out without testing causes frequent reboots and connection losses

I initially had issues with the satellite as somehow the Router updated firmware and the satellite had older firmware so satellite was not working properly

You HAVE to downgrade your firmware to get the Orbi usable again.

I like the fact that Netgear seems committed to continuously improving the firmware & adding functionality the Orbi.

I ended up setting up an old wireless router until I can get Orbi working again, or until Netgear gets a stable firmware update

The most recent firmware has made ethernet backhaul unreliable for many (myself included).

The problem first appeared to be a bad firmware upgrade that is a known issue

That said, I'm not sure if people buying new will automatically get the "current" (not good) firmware version

This system works great once Netgear produces a stable firmware, but when it's not working its useless

but I am happy to report that the current firmware is stable and I have not had any issues so far

This time Netgear offered free tech support for the issue (seems like they should since they sent out the bad firmware auto-update)

A few key points: 1) I downgraded the firmware to what is now apparently the "official latest release" which solved part of the problems but not all of them

Problematic - I have not had the unit for a week yet and have had to make 4 or 5 calls into technical support.

You can get more background from my post on the netgear community (https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Orbi-stops-working-but-can-be-reset/m-p/1506475/highlight/false#M23676)

It has boosted my cell phone booster coverage as

It just works as they say

So now non-tech family members have to mess with network properties as they come and go.

This simple setup alleviates signal and transfer issues encountered throughout the odd shape of the floorplan as well as across multiple floors.

Believe the hype, this actually works exactly as they say it will

The wired backhaul feature doesn't work as of last weeks auto-update

I have the base system, as well as, the outdoor satellite.

We picked this over the eero despite the bigger form factor due to ethernet ports as well as I think it'll vent better than small pucks

I have a gigabit speed she complained a

The outdoor satellite is shooting a signal about 500 feet to our smart garden irrigation system, as well as, covering our three greenhouses which utilize smart environmental control systems

The back haul capability is either not completely developed yet or is a dream as is clear it is not fully supported as of now.

I can saturate my 300mb/s connection from anywhere in my house now as well as in my garage and back patio

As I can't update, have no support, and am vulnerable, this device is going into the E-Waste pile, after just 6 months of use