Netgear Nighthawk M5
Product ratings
Pros
Cons
58 reviews
Well, would have expected something more. Not so good for continuous operation.
I bought this router in March and unfortunately have to say that he convinces me for continuous operation rather little. Because you can not distinguish the bands between 5G and 4G, the router connects randomly sometimes with the 4G network and sometimes with the 5G. You always have to go back to another band group and then back to LTE to reconnect to 5G. Would not be able to adjust manually via Telnet, since everything is proprietary at Netgear and this even voids the warranty according to Netgear support. I honestly find that pretty ridiculous. If you're going to put 5G in there then always let me use 5G with an option to select that! Since when is telnet access to any device a warranty void!!?
The router also completely locks up in IP/Passthrough mode so it won't stay on permanently but sometimes this way, sometimes that way, so it practically has to be run in double NAT. This is also common with the M2 (MR2100) predecessor model! This is also extremely annoying when you are streaming a movie or in a zoom call and everything completely shuts down because the MR5100 has no time and reboots.
The interface is rather "simple" for me, with some settings being hidden under weird tabs and the dashboard requiring you to click on each device individually to see the local IP. The only thing I find really good is that you can still easily reach the dashboard even in double NAT (via http://mywebui.net/).
If you travel a lot in the city and have 5G there and need fast internet, you can buy this router for yourself. But who wants to use the in continuous operation at home constantly should look elsewhere, I would rather buy a https://www.digitec.ch/en/s1/product/zyxel-nr7101-outdoor-lte-modem-router-routers-14484844 for outside, the part should also run great, write a review soon!Pro
- Good bandwidth.
- Interface is ok.
- For on the way super.
Contra
- Connects to whatever network it feels like.
- Bands can't be set manually.
- Crash in IP/Passthrough mode.
- Not designed for continuous operation.
- Warranty expires with Telnet access (according to Netgear).
- No interface when in IP passthrough.
Speed speed speed..oh yes!
The modem goes off and how, on the Sunrise network at least.
On the balcony 600-700 mbits/s. Indoor on the windowsill still 350-400 mbits/s.
Latency around 15-20ms.
Antenna is not in sight.
Let's see how much an additional antenna brings.
https://www.galaxus.ch/de/s4/product/upgrade-solutions-usl-5glte-antenne-antenne-12892477
and don't forget to buy the adapter 2x.
https://www.galaxus.ch/de/s1/product/delock-antennenadapter-sma-ts-9-mobilfunk-antenne-netzwerk-zubehoer-5829274
Pro
- fast speed
- small and mobile
- can also be connected to the existing router as a 5G modem via RJ45
- can also be used as fallback via LAN for e.g. cable network
Contra
- Price
Good device quite expensive
I’m using mine with Sunrise subscription in places far away where no fix-cable connections exist. I tested it for 2 weeks, specially for remote work / home work. It works great, fluently, and obviously speed and latency and quality of connection strictly depends to network coverage. Please check it before with the provider.
Easy setup and first impression with touch display who it really inaccurate is (compared to modern smartphones) or similar devices. (Touch display of iPhone 4 was much much better). I expected better precision and quality considered devices at same value / price. I set SIM PIN and it was not easy to insert it when booting device with such touch display. Hopefully SIM-unlock can be done with Netgear app or device GUI from you mobile.
By default it automatically adjusts band selection (5G, 4G+, LTE, and so on), also during usage. I figure out this also depends on provider network cell density user count / usage bandwidth. When rolling back to 4G, that is perceivable on performance. Maybe a “5G only” option miss, with the intention to stay to 5G as far as it can.
I also had the chance to try it with a Panorama Antenna DMM-7-38-2TS9 and do some speedtest. In one far away (from city) place I had following values:
[Location, Ping ms, DW Mbps, UL Mbps]
Inside building, 37, 94, 35
Outside building, 36, 43, 60
Inside building with antenna, 37, 100, 12
Outside building with antenna, 29, 35, 68
OK, these are numbers…. And also tests where not executed many times, it was just to have and idea. And general impression is, that using this antenna also in other places, work experience is little more fluently in latency, no timeouts. In general inside device antenna seems to be really good!
I finally found this M5 device, quite expensive!!Pro
- Great on the go, travelling
- GUI / apps
- Speed
- Easy setup
- Ethernet port
- TS9 ports
Contra
- Overall quite expensive
- Touch display inaccurate
- Miss "only 5G" band selection
fast setup works fine
I have connected the device to our network, works perfectly.
so you no longer need a fixed internet connection. we also take the device in the apartment so you save two connections.Pro
- very fast
Contra
- high price
Great speed
Device placed at the window, antenna approx. 300 m away, result of current speed test see picture.
With the Netgear MK63 Nighthawk Mesch 3er Set WLAN distributed in the apartment. Makes fun so, am very satisfied!Not suitable for continuous operation
Pro
- Average speed (250/75)
- Battery good
- Operation / Display
Contra
- Crashes after a few days Restart necessary
- relatively high price
- in passtrough no longer reachable / manageable with the app
6 out of 58 reviews
How do ratings
work?