er70
join:2002-05-27
USA
| Getting Blast package - What modem?
Hello all,
I am thinking of subscribing to Comcast Blast package (been having dsl problems for months and I'm running out of patience) and would rather have my own modem instead of renting it from them.
What would be the best modem to use with this service. Does certain modem perform better than others? Any recommendations in terms of brand/model to get? Thanks for your inputs. |
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Cjaiceman
Premium,MVM
join:2004-10-12
Parker, CO
 ·Comcast Workplace
·Comcast
| Well, I would choose one of two DOCSIS 2.0 modems. They would be the Motorola SB5101 or the Linksys CM100. They both perform really well.
Motorola SB5101:
-»www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a···25122001
-»www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp···s&ks=960
Linksys CM100:
-»www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a···25120001
-»www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp···58583562
If you are planning on going up to Ultra or Extreme when its available, if it isn't already, then I would get the Motorola SB6120 which is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem. I might even get that if your not planning on going to those packages just because when D3 hits your area you can span your downstream across multiple channels (channel bonding) and you shouldn't see any speed fluctuations durring peak usage times.
Fry's is the only physical store selling them right now, so if you don't have one near you then you might find someone that is and have them ship you one if your willing to go that far to get one, otherwise I would stick with one of the other modems.
Motorola SB6120:
-»shop1.frys.com/product/5851863?s···_RSLT_PG
Make sure you purchase any of these modems from a store and that it is new, don't buy online from craigs list or ebay as they could be stolen, broken, unprovisionable or something else could be wrong with them .
Hope that helps.
--
Duct tape is like The Force – it has a light side and a dark side, and it binds the Universe together |
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er70
join:2002-05-27
USA
| This is great info Cjaiceman thanks for taking the time to post all the links.
Comcast is not offering the Ultra/Extreme package in Houston, TX. Not sure when they will.
Do you think it's practical to purchase the SB6120 now or should I just buy the SB5101 and get the SB6120 later when the Ultra/Extreme becomes available in my area.
Would I see any difference in performance when using the SB6120 instead of SB5101 with the Blast package?
Thanks again for your answers. |
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RR Conductor
RailRoadDude
Premium
join:2002-04-02
Redwood Valley, CA | reply to Cjaiceman
Amazon has the SB6120 for $89
»www.amazon.com/Surfboard-Docsis-···0&sr=8-1 |
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er70
join:2002-05-27
USA | Thanks RR Conductor! |
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westdc
join:2009-01-25
Amissville, VA | reply to er70
I Just got blast installed (on) a leased Modem RCA DCM-425 |
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perki
join:2008-12-01
Santa Maria, CA
·Comcast
 ·Verizon Online DSL
 ·VOIPo
·Vonage
·VoipYourLife
| reply to er70
Are You Sure You Want To Buy A Modem Now At This Stage? At a price of $89 you would not truly save a dime until 2011. And by then Docsis 3.0 tiers should be cheaper. Maybe you might want something faster in 2010 and decide to upgrade your investment would be shot to hell.
Why not wait a while and see how it plays out the next few months. |
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baineschile
2600
Premium
join:2008-05-10
Sterling Heights, MI
·Comcast
·magicjack.com
 ·Verizon Wireless B..
| Agreed with perki. Unless you are getting the D3 tiers, there is no point in having a D3 modem. You usually can find a decent SB5120 at a reasonable cost ($20-30).
Remember, to rent a modem from comcast, its only $2-3 a month, so you might as well save your money now. |
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er70
join:2002-05-27
USA
2 edits | reply to perki
Yes that's why I was wondering if it's worth it to buy the SB6120 now even though Docsis 3.0 is not available yet. I was more concerned on getting optimal performance a modem can give.
If it's not going to do anything for the current Blast speeds. I may be better off just buying a Motorola SB5101 which is probably better than the Ambit modems they provide.
I'm deciding between the Motorola SB5101 and the Linksys CM100.
Anyone have any experiences with these two? |
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Mike Wolf
join:2009-05-24
Beachwood, NJ
1 edit | reply to er70
I have the SB6120 and I'm in love with it. The key is to have a router with Gigibit WAN to take advantage of the spare bandwidth and gigibit ethernet from the modem. I have the Blast! package currently and I haven't had any issues with using this modem, in fact I've seen an increase in throughput since installing it. Plus you future proof yourself later on down the road.
I originally had the Linksys CM100 and had no problems with it either. |
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