Centro Grande OR "If new isn't really better"
Hello zame!
I also have to agree with the bad reports about Swisscom’s latest generation routers. In summary: The router is (still) junk. Swisscom may be able to improve the device with firmware updates, but given the current status, I would advise against buying it.
But first things first:
After reading about the router in a brochure, I called the Swisscom hotline and asked whether they would replace the old one (white; with a protruding WiFi antenna, also Motorola) for me. Swisscom’s advertising slogans, the appearance and the lower power consumption made me curious. Since a free replacement wasn’t possible (somehow logical), I “bought” the router for 149.00 - but the nice lady at the other end also gave me a kind of “trial period” of 2 weeks during which I could use the router without it could return costs. No sooner said than done. The router was with me on the second day after the conversation - chapeau, Swisscom!
When unpacking the size of the Centro Grande was immediately noticeable - the name doesn’t lie. But since he looked so smart, I didn’t mind. The included accessories, the instructions - everything was top notch and the router was installed in no time.
I walked around my apartment with an iPad and iPhone and tested the speeds in each room and continued to notice differences in speed (this is also the case with the old router) (I have the 20,000 line). The WiFi strength left a lot to be desired - not the speed differences, which are still normal somewhere, but the extreme fluctuations that the router caused. Sometimes three, then suddenly only one line at the signal logo, on stationary devices - much worse than the old router. With Swisscom TV - connected via Ethernet - I didn’t notice any major differences (if so, then in the negative range). The worst thing, however, and ultimately the reason for the router being returned, were the severe interruptions in streaming. I stream music to Apple TV via Macbook, iPad and iPhone and listen to music that way. Or listen to music on the surround sound system via a radio app using Airplay. In both cases the failures were very dramatic, so I called the hotline. And here’s the highlight: After an intensive conversation with the friendly technician (his tip was to change the channel, which didn’t help), he let it slip between the lines that they knew about the problems and that the router was “crappy”. Well, if the professionals say it…
My conclusion: It’s probably okay for occasional and non-intensive WiFi users, but for me the device doesn’t promise what the “advertising” promises. The old router, on which you can fry a fried egg because it gets so hot, works perfectly when streaming.
Conclusion: Hui on the outside, yuck on the inside!
