FIRST LOOK: Hands On With iiNet’s BoB2 Modem [PICS]
While I was just about to type “Waiting for by BoB2 – it should be coming soon” on Google+, I looked out my window, and guess who was walking up my driveway? A delivery man holding my brand new BoB2 Modem from iiNet that I won through iiNet’s Win A BoB2 in May Competition.
After being a proud owner of a BoB1 for almost two years (check out my review of BoB1), I could not wait to see what the new and improved BoB2 would be like. With no further ado, here is my iinet BoB2 review.
The Unboxing
One of the main reasons I wanted a BoB2 was for its fresh minty smell. However, I was quite disappointed when it smelt like any other computer component. (Confused? Watch the TV Ad). So to answer that question, no, BoB2 does not have a minty smell (unless of course staff put mints in your package).
In the BoB2 package (which is your BoB2 Modem and your handset), you get the standard things such as your power supply, line filter, Ethernet cable and two phone cables, and your stands. You also get four manuals, which are your quick installation guide, your BoB2 user manual, your handset manual, and your wireless setup guide that you can download here. They also send you a friendly fridge magnet (or I should say a freezer magnet).
Setting It All Up
You can see that iiNet tries hard in making the installation on BoB1 and BoB2 pretty easy, but I have to say, it was a little troublesome getting online as the standard automatic setup procedure did not really work for me. It was pretty easy physically installing BoB2, because all I had to do was pull out the cables from BoB1 and put them into BoB2. I did not have to use the supplied Ethernet cable, phone cables or line filter because that was already there, so I can add those into my spare parts collection.
Since the automatic setup did not work for me, I had to manually configure the modem, which was that difficult. Once your computer is connected, (I connected via LAN), the first time you visit a webpage, you will be redirected to an iiNet page asking for your iiNet UserName and Password. Therefore, I entered my details in, and it says that my details were incorrect for some reason – even though they were correct as I got them straight out of FireFox’s password manager for iiNet Toolbox. So I clicked on the forgot password link to get a copy of my password just to make sure, however, that took a good 30 minutes to receive, and by then, I already configured BoB2 manually.
Therefore, when I went to BoB’s IP address that is http://10.1.1.1, I entered in my account details and was I connected straight away. VOIP was a little trickier because that time I did enter my VOIP password incorrectly (could not read my own handwriting).
So What About Wireless Setup?
A while ago, I believe iiNet got some slack for having the default wireless settings open to all, so non-tech-savvy people would be vulnerable from their neighbours. However by default, the BoB2 Wi-Fi is protected. On the back of BoB2, there is a sticker informing you of your default SSID and WPA Key so you can connect to your wireless network. It is pretty much self-explanatory, but the Wireless Setup Guide (PDF) explains it all.
BoB2 also offers WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) which can also be used to setup BoB2. On the back of BoB2, there is a button that you can press to get you started. There are three buttons on the back, the WPS, DECT Register, and DECT page.
Playing Around Inside BoB2
When you visit BoB2’s URL at http://10.1.1.1, you are presented with a nice splash screen of key information regarding the status of your ADSL connection and VOIP.
The layout of BoB2 is almost identical to the iiNet website, and looks much neater than the BoB1 configuration page. Here are screenshots of each of the seven areas and their sub-menus.
1. BoB2 Wizard Screen
2. Wireless Setup Page
3. VOIP Setup Page
3a Phone Mapping
4. USB Port Setup
5. Advance Setup Page
6. Handy Tools
7. Setup and Diagnostics
The Answering Machine
Although I am yet to receive a call through BoB2, it does have an inbuilt answering machine that can be activated by touching BoB2. It’s quite loud too by default, and it sent my Golden Retriever Puppy crazy and running towards me when I started playing with it. I am not 100% sure though, but BoB2 makes a buzzing sound while on, but I assume that it is the inbuilt speaker.
The default ring timer is set to 10 seconds by default, but I find that is too short especially when you have to get out of bed, so I set it to 30 seconds. However, make sure you do not set it too long otherwise the settings you set in toolbox may contradict with your settings.
One thing I am not too sure about is configuring VOIP in the iiNet’s ToolBox and on your BoB2 modem. I assume that the settings in the ToolBox take priority before BoB2. So if your internet is down, the ToolBox settings will take action, if BoB2 is connected, BoB2 will take action, as long as the Toolbox settings do not activate first. I have provided my settings in the above two screenshots which should work.
Call History
Another improvement BoB2 has over BoB1 is the call history. BoB1 used to only provide statistics of how many calls you have made, missed or received. With BoB2, it now actually tell you the times and numbers of these calls which is really handy and useful feature.
The Handset
When you look at the handset for the first time, it is quite big and bulky. Not sure what the reason for this is, but for those who cannot see well or who have trouble pressing buttons, it would be a perfect phone for them. Nevertheless, it’s really light and easy to use.
Update: One thing I don’t quite like about the handset is that it is quite difficult to pick the phone up since it fits nicely in the cradle. I had my BoB1 handset in the cradle in another room, and to pick it up, you can actually grab the entire phone. Having BoB2 in somewhat of a corner, the only way to pick it up is if you put your thumb on the earpiece, and use your fingers at the back of the phone to left it up – only then you can grab it. So you only have one way to pick up the phone and that is to pick it up from the top. If you try picking it up from the sides, the phone seems to get stuck or it will end up on the floor.
The phone features a nice big clock, or you can have it display picture. As you can also tell, the BoB2 is very reflective. One feature on the handset that I noticed is a feature called “Room Monitoring”. I could not find any information about it in the instruction manuals, but it allows you to enter a phone number. Therefore I assume that you can put the phone in a room, activate the feature, and if it detects noise (such as an intruder), it automatically calls you and you can listen to what is happening in the room. I will try to test this feature out soon.
USB Settings
With BoB1, you could connect your 3G USB modem, have a FTP, Web, WebDav, and file server, and this is no different to BoB2. However, the web server was a bit dodgy in BoB1 so I didn’t tend to use it. For a static webpage, it was perfect, but anything more, it wasn’t good. With BoB2, I can see a slight improvement on speed, but I would not host a site using BoB2 as your web server. First of all, if you load http://bob2/websitedirectory it will show the files in that directory, then automatically display the index.html page. The speed of displaying static pages is reasonable, so the only reason why I would see anyone using this is if they made a page that links to all their files to download.
The File Server in BoB2 is something that I might consider using now, which I didn’t in BoB1. The speed of accessing the files seem much faster than BoB1. Storing files on a pretty slow 32GB flash drive, and accessing it over 100MB Ethernet, I got a 1.5MB/sec average writing, and around 4MB/sec reading. So sharing small files around the home or simply sharing a portable HDD to multiple computers is pretty easy. I did copy over a 700MB video to stream it and it played reasonably well without any jitter.
The FTP server works, but I didn’t get anything faster than my current internet downloads speed. However, it’s a great way to access your files remotely. For example, I may connect my backup HD to BoB2 when I’m away to be able to access my files without having my computer on. Even though I have a dynamic IP address, I use DYNDNS.org so when my IP address changes, I can easily access my router on the web through a subdomain – which I have been doing all the time on BoB1.
Overall…
I think the BoB2 is a pretty good modem & all in one package, and better than the BoB1. I never got the BoB lite, so I can’t compare it to that, but I am pretty happy with the BoB2. If I didn’t win a BoB2, I probably would not buy one because I don’t see the justification of upgrading. However my BoB1 will still go to good use in another home.
When I first plugged it in, I did notice that the speed of downloading files was almost cut in half, but after trying a number of services, I did reach a my best download speed record ever of 2.1MB/s. With the BoB1, I never reached 2.0MB/s and my Sync speed was never over 20000kbps as it is with BoB2 – so I’d say the download performance is much faster.
Playing around in the UI, it was also much quicker and more responsive than BoB1. I used to run into troubles with BoB1 while adjusting my Wireless settings. The wireless would just drop out and never return until I power-cycled BoB1. But I don’t think I will have that problem with BoB2.
One thing I do like is that BoB2 supports two VOIP accounts from two different providers, where as BoB1 would support two, but only from the same provider. So I am thinking of getting a DID from MyNetFone for $5 per year and use it as a secondary line (in case someone rings while someone is on the phone).
One other slight bug I noticed, when I plugged my BoB1 back in, I picked up the landline phone that was still connected to BoB2 and it still had a dial tone, even though it wasn’t connected to the internet. If this happened on BoB1, you would get a message saying it’s going through a PSTN line. So I am not sure if this is a slight bug.
Never the less, I am quite happy of BoB2. If you want to ask my any specific question (if you are looking at getting one) or for any other reason, please do so in the comments below and I will try my best to answer them in detail.
That’s all from me, and look below for more low quality photos of BoB2 on my awesome Nokia 5800 mobile phone.
Further Support
If you want to check out the user manuals for BoB2, you can download them at http://www.iinet.net.au/bob/documents.html. Also, check out BravoCharlieTV unboxing video of BoB2 on YouTube.
More information about BoB2, including purchasing BoB2 can be found on iiNet’s BoB Homepage.
Update: iiNet just sent an email out saying you can also receive a free 3 month trial Fetch TV. Don’t want it after the three month free trial, simply put it back in the box and send it back. More information about the Fetch TV 3 month trial can be found here.
Further Reading: Make sure you check out my other iinet reviews
- Review of the original BoB modem/router
- Review of BoB2 (this post)
- What is a BoB1, BoB2, BoB Lite and Wireless Bridge (This article)
- Review of BoB Lite (coming soon)
- A comparison of BoB1, BoB Lite and BoB2 (coming soon)
- BoB2, BoB Lite, and Wireless Bridge giveaway (Tournament updates here, play your hand now)
I noticed in the manual for Bob2 it talks about the USB is not designed for a full Network Attached Service (NAS) storage function.Do you know any specifics on this? I have Bob1 and it was okay with plugging in about a 300GB drive (powered only by the USB) however if I try and plug in anything bigger, Bob1 has a bit of a fit and tries to keep configuring but doesn’t like it.
Do you know if there is a size limit of the storage device that you can attach (such as 1TB or 2) to Bob2 or is it just not designed for what I am wanting it to do?
Hi Tigerlynx,
I am just reading what you are reading on Page 5 of the BoB2 User Manual.
My interpretations is that it should not be used as a full NAS unit due to the limited processing power BoB2 has. For example, BoB2 has to manage your internet connection, routing, VOIP, answering machine which can put a large amount of strain on the processors, so adding using it as a NAS where it has to share files, will just put too much strain on BoB2 and in return, it could overheat, get damaged, or the performance will decrease making your internet slower.
If you want a NAS, I suggest that you buy one that’s dedicated to the job that has it’s own processors instead of trying to jam it all in the one device.
So that’s my opinion on why.
With my BoB1, I only ever plugged in a USB stick. The reason why BoB1 was malefunctioning was the reasons above – it didn’t have enough power to support the modem and the hard drive. You would probably find, if you plug a hard drive in with it’s own power supply, it would work.
To answer your question, I don’t know of any size limit what BoB2 can handle. But as the manual says “It’s designed for backing up or sharing files around your home network”. I take this as files just general files like documents and pictures”. I wouldn’t use it to store Terabytes of data of it and stream those files all around the house at the same time.
If you want a NAS, I suggest you buy one.
I hope this answers your question.
Thanks for the prompt reply. 😀
Your welcome.
Gidday,
Nice run down on the BoB2. I just got one through Orcon here in NZ. I was wondering if you had any advice on accessing the file server functionality, i.e. do you need to use the Routers ip sddress and a port, or can you access it via a server/share arrangement?
Thanks,
Marc
Thanks Marc!
Setting up the file server is pretty easy. In BoB2, just plug your flash drive in, and setup a folder to share in the BoB2 configuration page.
Then on Windows, BoB2 acts as a computer device, so you can simple go to servernamefileshare
I hope this make sense. I’m not quite sure how it works with other OS’s though, but I guess it would be similar.
Does it really have a minty smell? 🙂
No it doesn’t. But iiNet sent me another package and they kindly included a packet of Minties, so in away, it does 😀
Hi, do you know if you can plug like a 4-port usb hub into the single usb port on the wireless modem to make more usb ports available for more devices? It kinda sucks how the modem only has one usb. Thanks..
Hi, I just did a quick test with an old (self powered) USB hub, but from my 10 minutes of testing, it didn’t work.
It seemed to only want to read the first flash stick that I inserted into the port, and wouldn’t read anything else I plugged in afterwords.
Although in the UI, you can select a volume, it hints that you could possibly select a different drive, but nothing appeared. I am not sure what would happen if you plugged another USB device into the other port.
I haven’t done extensive testing, so maybe it didn’t work with the devices I tried, but that’s not to say it won’t always work.
But I would have to say no, to this question. Using a USB hub will not make more ports available.
A reason why it may not have worked is because BoB didn’t have enough power to supply both USB, so maybe using a powered USB hub, it may work, but from my testing, I only got the first plugged in device accessible.
Unless others have got it working, please let me know if you have.
I have telstra cable, and i was going to go with bob 1 when it first came out, but now that 2 is out..im wondering if its worth it.
is cable better than bob2. i dont know enuf about internet and all that stuff.
isnt wifi slower also than cable?
im trying to find stuff on the net about it, but dont seem to find what im looking for to explain it.
I just have a standard cable with 16G each month set up with telstra , does that make sense
is this comparable to bob2?
our internnet is only used for surfing the net and odd downlaod song..thats about it…so no movies etc and use it for my work as well…
well thanks, and any advise .hope that all makes sense
thanks
Hi David,
First of all, I think I better explain the difference between a cable connection and an adsl connection. Basically, a cable connection and adsl connection requires a completely different modem, as cable modem requires a coax cable, while adsl modem requires a telephone line.
Therefore, if you have a Telstra Cable connection, the BoB modems will not work as you can’t connect it.
Unless you are talking about that you have an Ethernet connection from your computer to your modem, and you have an ADSL connection, then the BoB modems will work.
[quote]is cable better than bob2.[/quote]
Cable is a type of connection, BoB2 is a device, so they are two completely, not comparable things.
[quote]isnt wifi slower also than cable[/quote]
Usually yes, but not all the time. For example, if you are only using a Cat5 ethernet cable which supports speed up to 100Mb, it will be slower than a 802.11n Wireless connection that supports speeds up to 300Mb.
[quote]I just have a standard cable with 16G each month set up with telstra , does that make sense is this comparable to bob2?[/quote]
If you have a cable connection, you won’t be able to use the BoB2 for the reasons above.
My recommendation for you is to stick with what you got, because it seems to work. I hope this helps.
Hi David,
First of all, I think I better explain the difference between a cable connection and an adsl connection. Basically, a cable connection and adsl connection requires a completely different modem, as cable modem requires a coax cable, while adsl modem requires a telephone line.
Therefore, if you have a Telstra Cable connection, the BoB modems will not work as you can’t connect it.
Unless you are talking about that you have an Ethernet connection from your computer to your modem, and you have an ADSL connection, then the BoB modems will work.
[quote]is cable better than bob2.[/quote]
Cable is a type of connection, BoB2 is a device, so they are two completely, not comparable things.
[quote]isnt wifi slower also than cable[/quote]
Usually yes, but not all the time. For example, if you are only using a Cat5 ethernet cable which supports speed up to 100Mb, it will be slower than a 802.11n Wireless connection that supports speeds up to 300Mb.
[quote]I just have a standard cable with 16G each month set up with telstra , does that make sense is this comparable to bob2?[/quote]
If you have a cable connection, you won’t be able to use the BoB2 for the reasons above.
My recommendation for you is to stick with what you got, because it seems to work. I hope this helps.
Hi Jack
Currently we have an old iinet belkin modem, that supports VOIP calls. We have a dual phone line cordless system. Which means the cordless phones support both the land line and the VOIP, quiet handy. There for we have a cable from the filter running into the cordless base station, as well as a cord running from the VOIP port on the modem, into the cordless base.
We are looking at getting the Bob 2, but are wondering if it is possible to have the Bob 2 + our old cordless system running in sync?
From my understanding Bob2 cordless handset allows you to use it for both the landline and VOIP. is this correct? If this is the case can we have Bob 2 running both lines, and then run a cord from Bob 2’s VOIP port into our old cordless system? Hence getting VOIP on bob 2 and our old corless? or does Bob 2 only support these individually, eg only BOB or only external cordless VOIP at one time?
Regards
Jason
Hi Jason,
I don’t think I quite understand fully of your setup, but I hope these comments make sense for what you are after.
[quote]Which means the cordless phones support both the land line and the VOIP, quiet handy. [/quote]
BoB2 supports this. You plug your phone line from the street into BoB2. BoB2 has two phone line outs – one for VOIP, and one for a PSTN Failover (normal landline). Therefore, if your internet is down, any phone calls you make will go through the PSTN line (with a warning message saying so).
There is also a phone mapping page in the router(see the new image I posted in this post) which allows you to set whether outgoing, and incoming calls are made from PSTN, VOIP1 line or VOIP2 Line – Eg, you want to make calls only through VOIP, you can.
[quote]There for we have a cable from the filter running into the cordless base station, as well as a cord running from the VOIP port on the modem, into the cordless base. [/quote]
So you are saying your cordless base station has two phone cable inputs? So you can use both lines -VOIP and PSTN?
[quote]We are looking at getting the Bob 2, but are wondering if it is possible to have the Bob 2 + our old cordless system running in sync? [/quote]
This part, I am not 100% sure of, but I can say that BoB2 supports up to 5 DECT handsets, so if your cordless system has 5 phones, (assuming they are DECT cordless phones (most are), then you can then register them with BoB2 all with BoB2 without the need or of the cordless base station.
You can also plug a normal phone into BoB2 (I have an old Telstra phone that just sits there plug in). So I am sure you can plug your cordless base station into BoB2 and have the cordless phones connected to the cordless base station – which all your calls will go through VOIP or the PSTN line (which ever you choose).
Then, you can either choose whether to have the cordless phones registered to BoB2, or the cordless handset.
However, you won’t be able to connect the cordless base station in any other phone socket in your house if you want it to go through VOIP and BoB2
So your options are:
1. 5 DECT cordless phones connected to BoB
2. Plug cordless base station in BoB and use cordless handsets with the base station
3. Connect cordless handsets to both BoB2 and the base station – and let the phones automatically select which base they want depending on the signal strength
The other option is to not get the BoB2 without DECT handset and Answering Machine, and just get the BoB Lite which may be a better option – I will post a review of it up next week as well as a giveaway post (I have one to give away, and 2 BoB2)
BoB Lite allows you to have VOIP and normal PSTN line, but you need to plug all your phones into BoB Lite if you want to use VOIP, or you can use other phone sockets form your normal PSTN line.
[quote]From my understanding Bob2 cordless handset allows you to use it for both the landline and VOIP. is this correct?[/quote]
Yes, just depends how you do your configuration – see image
[quote]If this is the case can we have Bob 2 running both lines, and then run a cord from Bob 2’s VOIP port into our old cordless system? Hence getting VOIP on bob 2 and our old corless? or does Bob 2 only support these individually, eg only BOB or only external cordless VOIP at one time?[/quote]
BoB2 and BoB Lite only support one line coming in to the house – so if you have two different PSTN numbers, BoB2 won’t support it.
Yes, you can run a cord from BoB2 or BoB Lite VOIP line into all cordless system – which can be configured to go through PSTN as well.
In a nutshell, BoB2 supports two VOIP accounts from two different providers, and your PSTN line – so technically speaking, you can have three different DID (landline numbers) all going through BoB2.
I hope that this answers your questions. Let me know if you need more clarification.
Thanks Jack
That pretty much answer my questions. Sorry if the question wasnt as clear as it could have been 🙁
Regards
Jason
I have a bob1 which can only stand upright. Can bob2 be lay flat?
Yes, the BoB2 and BoB Lite can both lay flat. With the BoB2 and Lite, you have to attach a stand for it to stand up right.
Thank you for these interesting comments and suggestions re BOB2. I have had BOB for 18 months and have found it excellent. Am now considering BOB2 but have a couple of questions.
Does BOB2 have its own firewall and virus protection? If so, would I still need to run Kapersky if I purchased BOB2?
Currently I cannot run the fax part of my printer/scanner/fax machine. Just too difficult and can’t get it to work. Would I be able to connect the fax to the BOB2?
Thanking you for your help, Chris
Hi Chris,
BoB2 has pretty much the same firewall as BoB1.
Just a point to note, a firewall in a router does not prevent viruses directly, it more prevents access to your network from unauthorised people to prevent people from accessing your network. However, BoB2 does have an intrusion detection feature when can alert you off suspicious packets entering your network or certain attacks such as DDOS attacks.
Virus protection such as Kapersky scans your computer for viruses through items you download from the internet. For example, you can download a an application, which can have a trojan in it. For example, Sykpe install something on my computer without my permission http://www.jackcola.org/blog/165-skype-installing-crapware-automatically-on-your-pc-easy-bits-go
A firewall does not scan for viruses, and I don’t know of any router that can replace a virus scanner – so you still need Kapersky or another application such as Windows Security Essentials. Have a look at some of these articles:
[url]http://www.jackcola.org/blog/44-debate-are-antivirus-software-necessary-and-ways-you-can-protect-yourself-without-them[/url]
[url]http://www.jackcola.org/blog/99-a-summary-of-viruses-and-how-to-remove-them[/url]
[url]http://www.jackcola.org/blog/38-is-it-just-me-or-does-microsoft-security-essentials-slow-down-your-computer[/url]
As with Fax, you may run into issues if you are trying to use your VOIP connection. iiNet doesn’t support Fax using VOIP. It may work, it may not work due to the way VOIP and Fax work. If a packet or multiple packets is lost when sending a Fax, the whole process stops, thus why the traditional line works well. There may be settings in BoB2/BoB1 that you can tweak to get it working such as disabling “Enable Voice Activity Detection” But no matter what modem/router you are using, when using VOIP, Fax doesn’t work that well. It should work if you use your normal phone line with BoB2 though. So no, you won’t be able to connect your Fax to BoB2.
Hi Jack, Thank you very much for your advice re BOB2 and firewall and virus protection. You provided this information more quickly than iinet. Interesting about using the fax also.
I’ll probably stay with my original BOB for the time being and consider BOB2 later on.
Thanking you so much,
Chris
Hi Jack, Have just had a phone call replying to my questions from iinet. I was offered a pretty good deal for BOB2 as I am a long-standing customer – 7.1/2 years with first Ozemail and then iinet. Took up the offer and will let you know what I think of the new BOB. Thank you for your help. Regards, Chris
Hi Chris,
That’s great. I can’t wait to here your thoughts on BoB2.
Could you also let me know what the deal iiNet gave you? I would love to know what they offered you.
Thanks and I hope you enjoy your BoB2
Hi, do you know if you can add 5 extra DECT handsets to Bob2 making a total of 6 or can you only add another 4?
Regards, Richard
Hi Richard,
You can only have a maximum of 5 DECT handsets connected to BoB1 and BoB2.
However, there is nothing stopping you from connecting a DECT base into the BoB2 VOIP line, so you can have 3 registered to BoB2 as a Base, and another 3 connected to another DECT base connected via the phone output. I haven’t tried it, but in theory, it should work. The only problem you might have with this is internal calls between handsets registered with the two different bases.
Hope this helps.
Hi, can you please comment on the call quality on Bob2. I am concerned that VoIP might be a bit frustrating.
Thanks, Anton
Hi Anton,
Personally, I can’t fault the quality of VOIP calls. To me, it’s just like using a regular landline. However, other people may have a different answer. But there is the odd speedhump every so often (like the internet disconnecting for what ever reason)
Since the calls a free, I’m happy with it.
Hi Jack
I’m not very computer savvy so that’s why I’m asking what is probably a very obvious question…
We have been with iinet for several years and currently have an old Belkin modem/router thing and we run VOIP (yeah, we got naked when it came in). When internet or power goes down, we plug an old phone into the PSTN fallover port.
We have 4 LAN ports on the back of the modem/router box thingy – one to my desk top PC and two to printers in my home office. My daughterƒ??s Mac runs via wireless (internet and printing) and my husband regularly prints from wherever heƒ??s sitting in his house with his lap top. We also stream to a dongle on our TV (not the best though) for photos etc.
I am assuming that in your pictures, all the yellow ports on the side of BOB2 are once again LAN ports and we can run the same printer set-up on BOB2 as pathetic old Belkin?
Hi Trude,
Yes, there are 4 yellow ports which are your 4 LAN cables to connect to computers and two Ethernet enabled printers (not USB printers). IN your current setup, a BoB2 would work, even a BoB Lite will work if you don’t need or want the DECT phones and Answering Machine.
As long as your printers can be connected via Ethernet, they should work in BoB2/Lite. I don’t have a LAN based printer so I cannot verify, but they should work if it’s all setup correctly.
The port at the bottom is your ADSL plug to plug into your phone line to access the internet, the one above the 4 Ethernet Ports is your PSTN failover port (your normal landline phone connection (what you described in your first paragraph), and the one above it (green) is your VOIP line.
Therefore, if your internet goes down, so you have no VOIP connection, the PSTN failover will be used as your normal landline – provided you have a landline, and don’t have Naked DSL. In terms of power going off, I am not sure if power is required for BoB for that to be able to work. I cannot test it because I have Naked and I don’t have a landline, so when I plug my phone into the PSTN failover, the phone does nothing.
If BoB2, has been well designed, BoB2 should not require power for it to be able to work, but I can’t comment on whether or not it does. Then again, you can always use another phone socket in your house if required.
I hope this answers your question, which was Yes, you should be able to run the same printer set-up on BoB2.
Hi Jack,
The reviews you posted for BOB have helped me to understand BOB2, etc.so thanks heaps! I am looking for the whole kid and caboodle…internet, phone etc. I dont have any internet connections (as such) at home and spend a truck load on phone line rentals, and foxtell, so am looking for a solution that will give me both internet/phone.
I am not technically savy. I have reservations and hope you can help me to understand whether BOB2 is the best solution.
From my research, I understand that BOB2 and Foxtell cannot function together, its have one or the other, is this correct?
As the only internet connection I have is via a portable USB stick, do you think (based on your experiences) I will have any problems with the initial set up? I am prepared to ditch the Telstra landline phone.
Is the location of the current landline connection important? Is this where BOB2 will need to be set up? Basically, I would prefer BOB2 be wall mounted in the kitchen.
If I remove foxtell and take up fetch tv, will the location of the unit matter to where my TV is located?
Appreciate your advise. I called iinet to get answers to my questions and pretty much got nowhere..
Cheers Linda
Hi Linda, I am glade that I helped you, otherwise I wouldn’t be doing my job properly. First of all, I am only going to make suggestions, and you have to make your own decision on what you want to do. I don’t want to be responsible for you making a “bad choice” for your needs.
However, I think iiNet has you covered in all area’s.
[quote]From my research, I understand that BOB2 and Foxtell cannot function together, its have one or the other, is this correct?[/quote]
I’m not too sure about that has I have never used paid TV before, and I am not sure why it won’t work as BoB2 is just a normal modem/router, which is something everyone needs to get on the internet. Plus, doesn’t Foxtel broadcast through a cable connection or satellite, but not your phone line. The only thing the phone line is used for is for Foxtel’s subscription services – so they can bill you. But I can’t answer this question for sure.
[quote]As the only internet connection I have is via a portable USB stick, do you think (based on your experiences) I will have any problems with the initial set up? I am prepared to ditch the Telstra landline phone. [/quote]
I’m actually about to start a post about how hard it is to get connected to the internet. In my last two places, it took over 1 month and both ISP’s blamed telstra. The first time telstra couldn’t find my house because they have the old suburb name, and the second reason, telstra said there was no infrastructure to the house, even though there was. But these two times, there wasn’t an active phone line, so since you have your’s already, it should be a smooth process. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t have problems, and you can’t really tell until you start changing ISP’s.
It also depends on what you want to do. For example, you can keep your telstra phone number, and change broadband providers, or you can move move to another company who will supply your homephone and broadband, or you can ditch your home phone and go Naked with VOIP (which is what I currently have now with iiNet. However, if you go down that path, you may have some issues because VOIP can be a bit troublesome compared to your traditional landline. The other thing is, there is no Quality of Service if you go with iiNet VOIP – since it’s free and you have to sign a waver – so it may be a bit risky. But for my experience, it’s been pretty good for only paying about $1 a month in phone calls.
[quote]Is the location of the current landline connection important? Is this where BOB2 will need to be set up? Basically, I would prefer BOB2 be wall mounted in the kitchen. [/quote]
I would say yes, especially with BoB2 because it’s your answering machine and phone. With other modems/routers, no – as most people have the tucked away out of sight because they don’t need to physically touch them.
Basically, you need to have your phone socket close by so BoB2 to connect to it, so if that’s in the kitchen, than that’s great – that’s where mine is.
[quote]If I remove foxtell and take up fetch tv, will the location of the unit matter to where my TV is located?[/quote]
Yes and no. If your TV and BoB2 is to each other, you can just run an ethernet cable. However, it doesn’t matter any more as iiNet released a Wireless Bridge which means your TV with Fetch TV and BoB2 don’t have to be near each other, or in the same room. Read this post of mine [url]http://www.jackcola.org/reviews/177-what-does-iinets-bob1-bob-lite-bob2-and-wireless-bridge-actually-do-and-why-would-you-want-one[/url]
So if you want to go with iiNet, you can either get a BoB Lite, or BoB2 – depending if you want the cordless phones and answering machine, Wireless Bridge, and Fetch TV to replace Foxtel. That will be your hardware.
In terms of your plan, you can get HomePhone+Broadband or Naked.
HomePhone+Broadband(100/100)+FetchTV2+Free VOIP calls = around $120/month + $200 for BoB2
Naked+FetchTV2 = around $100/month + $200 for BoB2
Or you stick with Telsta [url]http://go.bigpond.com/bundles/[/url] for around the same price.
I hope this helps.
Hi Jack,
Really appreciate your advise. Thanks so much
Linda 😀
Hi Jack, Just reading your reply to Linda and am interested as I have been with iinet now for over 5 years, and was with Ozemail for over 2 years prior to that. I have found iinet to be terrific. It sometimes depends on the technician when you contact them, as to how helpful they are, but usually they are great.
I have had connected for the last 18 months: iinet with VOIP, at first with BOB and now BOB2. I have been using my DORO dect handsets to give me more extensions and the system works really well. I also have Foxtel installed, and as I am on the Central Coast, had to have a satellite dish instead of cable for this. Of course, it works with iinet, as Foxtel is a totally different system.
Last week I received the Fetch TV box and wireless bridge. Installed it fairly easily and looks good. Installed Fetch as well as Foxtel, as my husband enjoys his golf and a lot of golf is on ONEHD, which we can’t get through Foxtel with our satellite dish. Fetch TV is the answer to this, so that we can record the golf early morning etc. Also looks good for movie downloads.
The BOB and BOB2 boxes make installation of internet etc very easy, as you can access the box through your computer. I did have to have help from iinet when connecting DORO DECT phone system though, but could still do it myself. I am fairly ok with this type of thing, but am not a computer technician, by any means, just a fairly old grandmother, who is interested in technology.
I hope this helps Linda with her decisions.
Very happy with the new BOB2, Fetch TV and the wireless bridge. No cords now.
Kind regards,
Chris
Hi Chris,
Thanks for your reply. I hope Linda finds it useful.
Jack
Have you conducted the wireless test for BoB2 yet, I need a good connection for several rooms
Hi Charles,
It should be up in a few days. In the meantime, the signal for BoB2 is pretty much the same for the BoB1, and BoB Lite.
Not knowing your house plan, you might want to look at the Wireless Bridge and connect that to another Access Point to provide more functionality.
Sorry for the late reply Charles.
Hi Jack,
Great website. You really get down to fine detail in your answers thus providing a great service. Thanks.
I understand the computer side, I just don’t get the phone hardware side. I understand the multi handset phones with base station from say Good Guys, but I think from what you write that the Bob2 must be a wireless base station And maybe also Bob Lite? It sounds like I can buy a Lite and register three DECt handsets to it and put them where I like.I don’t need a phone where the modem is located so the Bob 2 would be wasted. linet sells DECT handsets for $90 each, but are there other sources that you are aware of?
Thanks!
Just to clarify, with BoB2, the base station is inbuilt. So you can connect up to 5 DECT handsets with BoB2 being the base station. However, with BoB Lite, you cannot connect DECT handsets and use the BoB Lite as a base station.
However, you can plug another base station unit into the BoB Lite (and BoB2) phone socket and use VOIP/Phone Line, but all your handsets have to be registered with another Base Station Unit that is connected to BoB Lite.
You only have one VOIP line with BoB Lite, 2 from BoB2 (which can be used from multiple providers), and 2 with BoB1 which both have to be from the same provider.
[quote]It sounds like I can buy a Lite and register three DECt handsets to it and put them where I like.[/quote]
You can’t do this with BoB Lite, you would need another Base Station to plug into BoB Lite to do this.
This does work with BoB2 though.
[quote]I don’t need a phone where the modem is located so the Bob 2 would be wasted.[/quote]
You don’t need to have the BoB2 handset connected to BoB2, it comes with another cradle and AC adapter so you can have it away from BoB2. But the answering machine can only be accessed on BoB2, and not the handsets. But I think this feature may come at a later stage… maybe.
[quote]linet sells DECT handsets for $90 each, but are there other sources that you are aware of? [/quote]
You should be able to use any DECT handset. I am using with BoB2, and old handset (probably about 10 years old now) that came with a fax machine, as well as the BoB1 handset.
But you should be able to buy cheaper DECT handset elsewhere, just make sure you can use different base stations with them and that they are not locked into one.
For example, I just got a Siemens Gigaset C470 IP phone from other ISP I just signed up too (I’m still with iiNet), however, I cannot register that phone with BoB2, even though it uses pretty much the same Firmware has the BoB2 handset uses (same screen display)
Now I get the difference between the Bob 2 and the Lite. So I will probably go for the Bob2 and register other DECT headsets as I can afford them.
Great answer you covered everything first go.
Hi Jack, Just reading comments and questions re BOB2, iinet etc. I have had my Doro DECT phones running with BOB and now BOB2 very successfully. I use VOIP connection, which is clear and have had no problems with it. This saves a lot of money as my local and interstate calls are free, and I can skype my daughter, who is in London – again free-of-charge (other than the monthly charge from iinet, of course. This usually runs at about $113 for broadband, phone, VOIP etc.
I’m very happy with BOB2, other than the voice on the answering machine is a bit “tinny”, but this doesn’t worry me. Fetch TV using the wireless bridge is also working fine. I have the tv in the rumpus room connected through the wireless bridge to BOB2, which is located in the study, a fair distance away. No cords.
I would certainly recommend this system, and with iinet I have hardly had any down time in the last 7 years.
Kind regards,
Chris
Hi Christine,
Good too hear that you’ve had great success with BoB2 and the Wireless Bridge.
I’ve got Naked DSL paying $60, and on average, I’ve only spent about $1.00 per month on phone calls (13 numbers) Big saving since being with Telstra.
Thanks for your abundance of knowledge and sharing Jack! I am about to take the step and go naked DSL and voip with iinet and am just wondering whether the BOB2 means you can only use it with iinet (in case things go wrong and I need to switch) and also isn’t voicemail provided by iinet (or any voip provider anyway)? Maybe I’ve got the wrong understanding but was wondering if the voicemail feature on BOB2 was because we couldn’t access voicemail any other way if we go naked? Thanks
Hi Diana,
If things go sour and you need to change providers (hopefully they don’t) you can take your BoB2, or BoB Lite to another provider. I successfully have got a BoB Lite working with another ISP. So the BoB2 will work with another ISP, even with another VOIP provider.
Voicemail is usually provided by the provider as well, but you usually have to dial a number to be able to listen to it. BoB2 has it all inbuilt, so you don’t need to store it somewhere else.
So in my setup, I have configured my BoB2 to divert a answered call to the BoB2 answering machine after 29 seconds (30 seconds didn’t seem to work for some reason). If BoB2 was switched off, or I use my VOIP account on another device, or the internet is down, I’ve configured iiNet Toolbox to send me an email. If your internet is down, BoB2 wouldn’t be able to receive the VOIP call, so Toolbox will handle it.
So iiNet VOIP does have a voicemail system (as well as the BoB2 answering machine)
For those who don’t have VOIP, the answering machine inside BoB2 would be really handy (if you need an answering machine)
I am not sure if you are eligible, but iiNet is running a bit of a promotion at the moment you might want to look into if you are not already aware [url]http://www.facebook.com/iiNet/posts/168958529853374[/url]
I hope this clears things up.
Jack,
Thanks for presenting this useful info.
Appreciate your efforts spent in this.
Just received BOB Lite from iiNet and struggling to find the DMZ setup. As per my experience with Billion or Netgear was pretty easy, but with BOB Lite is really a different number.
Hopefully you have experience in this area and can share.
Thank you and regards,
Darlot
You can find DMZ Configuration settings under:
5) Advance Settings
9) Firewall
2) DMZ
I hope that answers your question.
Regards,
Jack
Hi Jack,
Thank you so much for your reply and help. I am able to setup DMZ on my BobLite.
The setting that I made, same as other setting in other brands, but it didn’t work with BobLite:sad:.
It seems DMZ setup in BobLite required a different touch.
Greatly appreciate if you could throw some more light to show the proper DMZ setting in BobLite/BOB2 for getting it work.
Many thanks and regards,
Darlot
When you are in the above sections 5.9.2 (the DMZ settings page), make sure you click the enable button.
In the table, you will see your public IP address, assigned by your ISP. In the client PC IP Address, put the IP address BoB Lite has assigned the computer you want to put in the DMZ.
You will find that IP address in 7) Status/diagnostic, 1) DHCP List.
Then hit save, and you’re all good to go. If you want to add more PC’s to the DMZ, put your public IP address in the box, and fix another client PC – however, I am not sure how this would work if your ISP gives you a dynamic IP address (Eg, it changes each time your modem connects to the internet)
It also says “To use the DMZ, you must set a static IP address for that PC.”, so in the DHCP list, for the PC you want in the DMZ, make sure the “Fix IP Address” to Client is ticked.
Hope this helps.
That’s exactly that I’m looking for.
Thank you so much for your prompt help!
Your blog is really helpful!
Best regards,
Darlot
Hi,
Thanks for your review much appreciated.
I am considering getting BoB2 as part of a move from Iprimus to iinet.
Just concerned as I use unblock-us.com as a IP mask so that I can get Netflix etc. out of US.
Do you know if it is it possible to overwrite DNS from auto set up. My skill set is limited??
regards, Stu
Hi Stuart,
Yes, you can change the primary and secondary DNS settings for BoB2/Lite after setting up BoB2. Just log in and go into 5) Advance Settings, 2) DNS/UPNP/DDNS, untick the “Let my ISP manage the DNS server” box, and enter your IP addresses in.
Hi there, appreciate your review and responses to everyone’s questions…
Read something about BoB having a crappy handset. So my question is (a) do you think the original BoB had a crappy handset, and (b) is the handset of BoB2 significantly better in terms of how it feels, quality of build, sound, or does it feel cheaply made.
I love iinet and want to return to them after being lured away by Telstra a couple of years ago… was gonna go the BoB but after reading about the crappy handset I had second thoughts…
Thanks in advance.
Nalin
Hi Nalin,
I haven’t used many cordless handsets, so I can’t really comment against a wide variety, but from the ones I have used, design wise, the BoB1 handset is pretty good. It has a nice feel to it, nice wait, and easily press buttons. However, it was a bit flacky as sometimes it wouldn;t ring, but this (I think) was due to the firmware in the BoB modem, not the handset itself (but not to say that may be true).
In my opinion, the BoB2 handset is nothing flash compared to the Telstra T-hub, but it does the trick – it works. It’s a bit hard to pickup out of the cradle, and probably on the “brick mobile phone side”, but without the weight. But I was outside, on speakerphone, quite a far distance from BoB2, and it pretty good quality. In terms of the other things, it does feel a bit on the low quality side of things, and somewhat cheaply made, however, it works. I’m not too fussed about it, as long as I have a phone to call people. There’s nothing on either phone that frustrates me.
Also, I have 2 BoB2’s to giveaway, you should enter to try and win one [url]http://eepurl.com/eLVNY[/url]
Hi Jack,
great service you are providing to non-tech savvy folk like myself.
We currently have virgin home ph & internet bundle, and performance is attrocious.
thinking of taking up engin’s special offer (300GB + unlimited local/ national / mobile/ Intl calls) by 31 Dec at:
http://joinnow.engin.com.au/phonebroadbandsplash?gclid=CMWWjcWRqK0CFQklpAodACcxmQ
1. will this work well with Bob2…any pros/cons we need to consider?
2. are there comparable/better alternatives available?
Setting: large single level home, family of 7 active phone users (sharing 3-4 handsets), 2 phone lines to the house (currently just one in use), need for max 6x separate access to internet, usually 3-4 simultaneous users, and we have 2 TVs at opposite ends of the home (appears ‘fetch’ will enable this)
many thanks,
Dave
Hi Dave,
BoB2 should work with Engin as there aren’t any restrictions on BoB2 – you just got to manually configure it, and change some of the default settings, but it’s no biggie. I have a BoB Lite with MyNetFone working a treat (BoB2 and Lite have pretty much the same administration features)
As for alternatives, it’s really up to what you want, but based on your description, you need a lot.
If you need mobile calls included for free, I wouldn’t go iiNet, you only get landline calls for free.
Check out MyNetFone prices for Internet and VOIP calls, they are pretty cheap. https://www.mynetfone.com.au/whirlpool
I have MyNetFone voip working with iiNet Naked DSL and VOIP. I have it configured, so if I am on the call on one number, it redirects to the other –> so two lines, two numbers which is handy.
You can go with Telstra, $159 for free calls, and 500GB internet, which is probably too high.
Or you have Optus Fusion plans [url]https://www.optus.com.au/shop/broadband/bundles/topbroadbandplans[/url]
Or you can go TPG with Unlimited Internet, landline calls, but only 100 minutes too mobile for $70.
You have plenty of choices as well, you can go Naked, and go VOIP with the same, or different provider, go with a home phone, and internet (same of different provider), and add VOIP on top.
If you don’t need to make mobile calls, I would suggest iiNet or MyNetFone.
If you haven’t already checked it out, Check out Whirlpool Broadband choice [url]http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/[/url]
I’ll keep a lookout for other plans, but Engin seems like a pretty good deal.
Let me know what plan you finally go with.
Hi
Have been on the net for years and although have always been impressed by iinet due their adsl2 provision, help desk and overall marketing. I have had my first disappointment.
The BOB2. I have also changed to naked so this may or may not be the BOB2, but my speeds have dropped dramatically from 8 Mbps to 6.2 Mbps. Using the iinet mirror I have been as low as 2.1 Mbps. Unacceptable. I have since spoken to the help desk and got speed up to 7.3 at times.
Anyway, back to the BOB2; it’s big, unnecessarily big, and the stand set up is ugly and obtrusive. It does not have to be this big, really.
The handset is also big and ugly like something out of 70s Star Trek. Not a pleasure to use unless you are upgrading from a 60s Star Trek phone.
The answering machine is poor both in its functionality and its tone. Playback sounds terrible. If you receive more than one or two messages this alone is enough to make you want to return the BOB2.
Talking of returning the BOB2. I rented mine and there is a hefty hit to returning it right up to the 24 months end which means you’re stuck with it. I realise that I did not have to pay a connection fee as I rented the BOB2 (However, having an associate in a telco I am informed that this is a money making scam anyway), however, I am now stuck with it.
Change the BOB2 iinet, it is letting you down. Make it small and sleek. Make the handset a pleasure to use rather than a semi brick. Put an answering maching speaker in that isn’t made of a cornflakes packet, and do something with the answering machine functionality.
Also I don’t know if the significant drop in speed is endemic to naked (Yes, I’ve done all the due diligence on the hardware etc) but a significant drop in speed is not acceptable. The help desk put my modem on to Gaming Speed and it still falls well short.
Good luck with it.
Hi,
I agree, you do have some points of improvement that BoB2 needs. I’ve actually made a lengthy list as well of BoB2 improvements and enhancements [url]http://www.jackcola.org/reviews/201-what-i-would-like-to-see-in-iinets-next-bob-modem-router[/url]
I’m not sure if it’s going on Naked, or BoB2, but I haven’t used my Naked connection with another modem. There could be all kinds of reasons why you are getting a slow speed? The only really way to tell is if you connect your PC via LAN. If you are connecting via Wireless, there could be interference which will be affecting your performance. When you log into BoB2, what does it say your Internet Speed is at, and what standard is BoB2 using?
The design – that’s really up to personal opinions. Where I have my BoB2 setup, it suits the place well. If you have it on the kitchen bench, it may look really messy and ugly.
The handset is a bit odd – I do like the old BoB handset better I have to say. But it’s all got to do with personal opinions. It’s big and easy to use, so the older generation of people – who iiNet is targeting with BoB’s simplicity, it’s a good design handset.
The answering machine – yes, it’s terrible – a better option would be to get voice mails delivered via email.
Renting BoB2 – This is just a tactic for iiNet to make more money. If you look at the minimum monthly cost, over a 24 month period, if you rent BoB2, you pay (on Naked Home 2) an extra $158.85. You can buy it on contract for $199, so technically speaking, you buy the router for $40.15. And if you stay longer for 24 months, you’d end up paying more because it isn’t on a buyout plan. The only good thing about renting, you don’t get a massive first invoice. Mine with iiNet was over $400 – first month, BoB1, and Setup fee, but now, after 2 years, I’ve got a BoB1, and low internet costs.
Oh, and with putting it on Gaming Speed, to get the fastest speeds, you actually want it on Thrillseeker. I had it on Gaming for ages, and I was only toping 1.5Mbps downloads, I put it on Thrillseeker, one down, and it bumped the speeds up to 2.1mbps – quite a big jump.
I have just received my new BoB2 (after 2 yrs with BoB). I have managed to set it up ok, very similar hiccups to yours but it wasn’t too hard, as I pretty much took the cables out of the old BoB and into the new one. The only problem I have is connecting my DECT handsets I used to use before. The BoB2 isn’t recognising them. The phone one is lit up blue but not phone two. Any suggestions. (I have connected the phone cable from the other base unit into the green phone socket on the Bob. The phone line is plugged into the bottom grey socket – I have Naked as I don’t have a working phone line. Are these correct?
Also could I hook up the original Bob at all or would like confuse settings – just to use the BoB 1 for an extra handset. Hope this is clear.
Thanks for the blog, it is very informative and helpful.
Phone two should only be lit if you have another VOIP account configured.
So your phone line, coming from the street should go into the bottom grey port, where it says ADSL, and your phone handset should be plugged into the green phone port. As far as I am aware, the black PSTN fail over port can only be used if you have an active phone line (E.g you pay phone line rental) – which you won’t have since you have VOIP.
As for registering DECT handsets, follow page 21 of your user manual [url]http://www.iinet.net.au/bob/guides/bob2-manual.pdf[/url] – if you still can’t get it to work, let me know.
You can hook up the original BOB handset without a problem with BoB 2 – you would have to adjust some advance settings if you want the handset to work nicely between BoB2 and BoB1 at the same time though.
If you are talking about using BoB2 as a modem/router and BoB1 as a switch, it is possible to do, but you have to change the settings on BoB1 so it will play along nicely in your network.
Let me know if you need more assistance on these other issues. Thanks for reading!
Hi, thanks for the info. I haven’t been able to try my other handsets, they seem to have died (nothing lasts for long these days).
I do have another question though. Just bought a new iMac 21″ and have set up the BoB2 wirelessly. Every time my Mac goes to ‘sleep’ I seem to lose my wireless connection. So I have to manually click on the wifi icon on the top of the screen for the computer to ‘look for networks. Then choose mine in the list.
I have tried looking under Network Preferences and seeing if there is a setting I can find to ‘keep connection’ but no luck. I’ve also asked iinet about a possible setting in the bob2 interface, They suggested changing the channel to 6 or 11 instead of ‘auto’ which I tried but no difference, they also asked if there were devices interfering but I can’t see that I would have any. The Bob2 sits right next to the computer. I have another PC plugged into the Bob with ethernet cable.
I am using Mac OS X 10.7.3 Lion. Not sure if this is a iinet issue or Apple. Do you have any ideas. It’s not that hard to manually click to connect but I am used to a constant connection with my old Mac (with Snow Leopard).
Thanks, Helen :-?:
Hi Helen,
This isn’t an iiNet issue or a BoB2 issue. It’s how your Mac is set up.
I’m not a Mac user, so I can’t tell you how to fix it, but a quick Google search reveals a lot of people are having the same problem.
Google something on the lines of “Autoconnect Wireless Network on Mac after sleep” or something along those lines.
Let me know how it goes.
Hi, thanks. I also have found a lot of people have had this problem. I actually seem to be ok now with just having to re-connect now and then. I haven’t actually done anything to change it so I seem to be ok. THanks for your reply, again. Helen
No worries Helen.
I have just tried my THIRD Bob2… and encounter the same problem with every one… logging into the modem using either Safari or Firefox (OS10.6.8) and all I get is a blank screen… iiNet support don’t know how to fix it (despite my having twice previously informed them that there are workarounds and what they are.
I was assured that this latest Bob2 had all new firmware… it might have but it doesn’t solve the problem. It just came with the same old problem plus…. taa daa…a NEW problem! The WPA password for the wireless network also doesn’t work (checked repeatedly; photos sent to iiNet of the label on the back of the page and the screen shot showing the correct network, the correct password, and the invalid password message).
Bob2 has ended 16 happy years with iiNet and been the worst technology purchase I have ever made.
My rating on Bob2? 🙁 🙁 🙁
Hi Brody,
It is certainly strange that you’ve had three BoB2’s and none of them work.
Although it could happen that the three are faulty, but upon reading your comment, the first thought that came into my head was, “have you tried it at a friends place?”
It could be that your computer has a virus, or an outdated web browser or you have an add-on that doesn’t play nicely.
I suggest take it to a friends house and try – that way if it still doesn’t work, you have a stronger argument against iiNet for them to fix it.
Let me know how it goes.
Jack
Thanks Jack,
Yes I have tried the BoBs on other Macs, yes… same problem I do not have a PC or a desktop – just a Powerbook and my browser etc are up to date. It works fine with a PC but not on a Mac in a friend’s house.
I’ve frankly given up on iiNet with this problem and will not be spending anymore of my time on the issue… will live with the workaround for now since once it’s up and running it’s OK…. I also no longer se the voice mail because the quality is like coarse sandpaper on your inner ear, and you can’t change the message… all in all, I think BoB2 is a really crappy product that has destroyed my trust in iiNet.
I truly wish I’d never bought it.
Hi Gail,
Sorry to hear that BoB2 isn’t working out with you very well. It appears that iiNet built it for the majority (Windows users) rather than the minority (Mac users) – but it’s strange that you are having problems on the Operating System you are using.
Maybe the BoB Lite would have been a more suitable purchase for you.
But sorry to hear about your problems. Have you asked if you could get your money back on it? After 3 products and it still doesn’t do what it’s meant to, you might have a case.
Jack
I have a BoBlite at my site office… same issue with logging in to the modem.
I now have everything set up and working (it’s a pain in the neck every time I need to log into the modem, but with perseverance I can EVENTUALLY get to make whatever changes I need to make by logging in throught the Diagnostics or Security log buttons and clearing the cache between every failed attempt to open a tab (ie sometimes I get in to Diagnostics, but then when I click on Wireless Network tab I get a blank screen; back to square 1…clear cache try logging in… then can’t get in through Diagnostics, just get a blank screen so, try getting in through the Security log and – sometimes – that works, try the Network tab again and -sometimes – it works… aarggh).
But I do e v e n t u a l l y…. get there. And once it’s up it works.
Fortunately I don’t often have to go in to change things….
So…do I want to send it back and get something else? Yes.
Do I know what else to get – No.
I have two phone lines (separate lines/numbers) coming in; ADSL2; 2 handsets for line 1 and 1 for line 2; wireless internet…. I wanted answering machine for each line but have given up on that and am using voice to email (which actually works pretty well)….
any recommendations?
You might want to look at some of these [url]http://www.cnet.com.au/top-10-wireless-modemrouters-339288569.htm#image0[/url]