Almost perfect as an access point, only to a few wireless options

I have the Netgear R6200v2 bought because I had the hardware from my provider (Vodafone Easy Box) finally tired of that respect. WLAN has too little power and can be 2.4 and 5 GHz run with the same SSID, which is simply nonsensical.

The housing is of a simple front, hochlänzend black square, slightly tilted backwards standing on one side edge. Scripture Netgear lights up after switching on in white (yes, there is a power switch!). There are also bottom status LEDs for power, wireless, and network access. Beautifully understated and well in a living room as in my case not disturbing. Also blinks nothing around. The glossy surface according to the latest fashion is of course highly fingerprint and scratch-resistant. I have the backing therefore deducted only after a few days and finished device, as I had to change no more connections.

The connections of R6200v2 are on the cutting edge. There is 1x WAN 4x LAN and with 1Gb and 1x USB 3.0. The R6200v2 provides two independently configurable WLANs at 2.4 and 5 GHz, plus a guest each network with its own SSID. So you can specifically determine which client should register himself at what frequency per SSID. Appropriately, one should take for ease of mapping the frequency with in the SSID name. The wireless range is phenomenal on both frequencies. The signal reaches easily by two thick walls, even with the more subdued 5 GHz. One hurdle at my Easy Box 904 failing miserably even at the actually less problematic 2.4 GHz.

Too bad I find, however, that it has no detailed options for configuring various WLAN standards, you can only determine the maximum bit rate in 3 steps, so at 5 GHz, for example, "up to 173 Mbit" "up to 400 Mbit" "up to 867 Mbits ". A determination on eg 802.11n + 802.11ac is not possible. At 2.4 GHz, all 13 channels to choose from, in 5 GHz offers the Netgear but inexplicably only 4 (!) Channels.

I am using the Netgear as a remote access point, an option is available. This requires a connection from a LAN port of the existing router to the WAN port (important!) The Netgear exist. Many routers configured as an access point you need to go to a LAN port, the Netgear here is an exception, where you have to go to the WAN port. Just in case but you get even again represented pictorially in the very good GUI of Netgear. Advantage: The R6200v2 is so full 4 ports as disposals available. But I must mention that in turn not every device is clearly with this 1Gb ports: My Sony Bravia 40EX500 eg increases on all 4 ports and various cables regularly sampled from the transfer. Here ultimately helped only, otherwise make a 100Mbit port available. To limit an option, one of the LAN ports for compatibility on 100 Mbit, Netgear has not provided. Troubleshooting is at this point for the uninitiated a bit difficult.

Unfortunately Multicast is completely blocked in operation as an access point and comes either via Ethernet even via WLAN by.

The GUI does not only react relatively quickly when compared with other routers. Also adjusts itself in German and has every option context-sensitive, German assistance. The latter is very useful if you do not just breakfast IP addresses and so some times only takes a blue moon in operation. Also positive, I find that in the GUI, all passwords should be read in plain text and that you can find firmware updates directly via the GUI and install.

The Android app NETGEAR Genie is indeed a well-intentioned bonus, but they will not my router. According to description only in router mode used, not in the Access Point mode.

The measured power consumption in Access Point mode with no USB device is 8.7W.

Summary

Positives:

- High-quality optics (albeit delicate)
- Clear, German GUI context sensitive help
- Two separate, simultaneously usable wireless frequencies with own SSIDs, each with 3 antennas, top range and current transfer standards
- Connections according to the current standard (1 Gb LAN, USB 3.0)
- Firmware is updated regularly and can be found and installed directly from the GUI
- Passwords in the GUI visible in plain text, no stupid asterisk
- All 4 LAN ports can be used as disposals of operating as an access point, because uplink via WAN
- Power switch available

Negatives:

- Multicast (IPTV) is completely blocked in operation as an access point, also to the Ethernet ports
- Android App NETGEAR Genie works only in router mode
- Hardly options for the wireless transmission standard used, only max. Selectable bit rates
- Only 4 channels can be set at 5 GHz
- No setting option to reduce the speed of individual LAN ports for older devices

My Rating: 4.5 stars, I round on 5 stars on. Full buy recommendation!