Which Vonage device is better?

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Oct 25, 2005 Posts: 1

Hey everyone,
I am new to the forum, and a potential new Vonage subscriber. I would like to hear some input about the different devices offered by Vonage. Which is better: The Motorola VT1005RB or the Linksys RTP300. I already have a wireless router that I am happy with, so I am primarily concerned about which of these devices work best with the Vonage service.

Thank you for any info!

Posts: 233 · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 12:02 pm Post subject:

Other = PAP2

Posts: 605 · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:02 pm Post subject:

Other = RT31P2

Have never had a problem with this device.

Well I did have a problem when using SSH but I guess they have fixed that in a firmware update.

Posts: 277 · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:39 pm Post subject:

Other - RT31P2, but really using it as a PAP2, just in a box that matches my other network equipment! All routing functionality turned off, and plugged in behind my WRT54G wireless router.

My view is, there are SO many posts here with people having troubles of one kind or another with the router functionality of the combo boxes, and you have NO control over the firmware, and router function and performance is not high on Vonage's list of concerns, so don't use any of the Vonage devices as your main router. My RT31P2 is being used for one thing, and one thing only - interfacing to Vonage for Voip service. It works great in that capacity.

Posts: 282 · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 2:09 pm Post subject:

Other = PAP2...

I have no experience with any of the other adapters, but my experience with the PAP2 has been flawless. Easy setup and no firmware upgrade issues (problem fixed in one update, broken in the next, etc.). My voicemail message waiting light works as does stutter dial tone, and they go away when I retrieve my messages.

I also just prefer the adapter being just an adapter and not acting as my router as well.

Posts: 1715 · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 5:28 pm Post subject:

RTP300 -- my fav. Vonage adapter. I've had 2 RT31P2 adapters and both of them had marginally-acceptable audio quality. Basically, the analog section of the phone circuitry is woefully cheap & under-designed, which gives plenty of interference & background noise. Forget trying to do any data calls over the RT31P2's. One of them had a loud whining in the background that never went away. As I've said in other posts, you can send out all of the firmware updates you want, but you can't overcome bad hardware.

Then, Vonage shipped me an RTP300... GREAT hardware, beta-quality firmware, but it is improving substantially. I was pretty happy with the 1.00.4x versions of firmware with this router, and I think the 1.00.55 which will be coming out in the next week or so will be the icing on the cake. Absolutely crystal clear audio, no background noise whatsoever. Some of my callers will ask if I'm still there if I've not said anything in awhile. I've yet to find a data device (fax/data/alarm/tivo/etc) which hasn't worked with my RTP300 yet. In many cases, it works better than my Verizon land line.

Posts: 533 · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:18 pm Post subject:

I've had both the RT31P2 and the RPT300. The RT31P2 falsely detected DTMF tones during phone conversations resulting in "beeps" being heard during those converstations. The RPT300 has been great as far as voice quality, however it's had recent issues with caller ID loss and dead-spots during converstations. Bright side on that is they should be fixed in firmware 1.00.55 this week.

Posts: 129 · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 1:56 pm Post subject:

I havent heard the "beeps" since Vonage sent me a new RPT300. Has anyone else???

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:08 pm Post subject:

If you use P2P services or use your internet connection heavily, I'd avoid the WRTP54G for the moment. In general, I'd avoid a router from Vonage and go with a separate one, then just get a simple Voip adapter from Vonage.

The basic reason for my statement is pretty simple - Vonage controls the firmware on anything they provide. They can and will change that firmware. Fair enough.

Sometimes those changes are good, sometimes they are bad, but you may want to think twice about letting Vonage control the gear that manages the rest of your Internet connection. Their commitment to upgrading the firmware for the Vonage-related bits is commendable. But the Law of Unintended Consequences does apply. Wink

I'd go with a separate (NON-Vonage) router, then put a simpler Vonage adapter behind it, and set up your router to route the appropriate ports, etc, to the Vonage adapter. That way, you control the firmware in the router, and Vonage can only affect the firmware on the device that runs your Vonage phone line.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:10 pm Post subject:

EzCo wrote:

I've had both the RT31P2 and the RPT300. The RT31P2 falsely detected DTMF tones during phone conversations resulting in "beeps" being heard during those converstations.

Really? I've been hearing the occasional beep tone but just figured someone on the other end bumped the phone. Come to think of it, though, some of the times have been when it was highly unlikely the person on the other end could have (speakerphone with person in distance, etc).

Have to keep a careful ear out on tomorrow's all morning conference call to listen for them. This is on a WRTP54G.