pods or extender
Which is better Cox pods or extender for a dead spot in the house
Forum Discussion
What's the make and model of your router?
As for running an Ethernet cable, use this example: If you wanted to install a cable-box in the "dead" room, is there a coaxial connector already on the wall in this room? If not, how would you run a coaxial cable to this room? Could you...would you...should you?
The same goes for an "access point." Is there already an Ethernet connector (LAN connection) on the wall of this dead room? If not, would you run a cable?
A wire is your best option; however, if you don't have the means for a wired connection, we'll roll back to your wireless option.
Technicolor CGM4141. in my dead spot room where I watch TV/Stream, etc. I do have a coaxle cable but it’s my only one coming in to where my TV is
It's hard to say whether you would be "better off"...
You are renting the equipment from Cox. Those rental fees add up over time. So much so that over the course of two and more years, you could have paid for your own equipment several times over. However, Cox will support the rental equipment. Consider the rental fee as paying for tech support every month.
I've been a Cox internet subscriber for 15+ years. In that time, I've purchased two cable modems and two wireless router systems. It's straight forward to see how much money I've saved purchasing my own equipment instead of paying rental fees.
In the end it comes down to what is valuable to you. I certainly won't judge anyone who says, "I don't know this stuff. I don't want to think about it. It should just work." The rental fees might be worth it.
I do wonder why Cox rents the modem/router but makes you purchase the pod extenders... if needed, one would think the pods would be part of the equipment and included in the rental fee.... either way, you can buy these pods on eBay for $50-60. Caveat emptor.
As for your "dead" room.. there are many variables why wireless signals won't penetrate into a room. The construction of your walls, ceilings, and size of your home are a significant factor in your router's wifi signal range. As bruce mentioned earlier, purchasing your own router, one with a stronger wireless radio, could help.
...so running an Ethernet cable to the dead room would not be practical?
How far does the Panoramic reach...with a strong signal...before the dead room? You could probably connect an access point at this spot.
MoCA could be an option but unless you also rent a Wireless cable-box, I think Cox disables this feature on Panoramic.
The Panoramic is a bloated and weak router. You could probably solve this by just buying your own router with a stronger transmitter. Cox just wants your cash: weak router, overpriced pods and no delicious MoCA unless you also 'fess for this.
I used to have a net gear router that did a lot better before Cox talked me into that panoramic. for some reason I believe them. from my rauner to the dead spot it is about 15-20 feet around walls. so I need to call Cox and ask them for MOCA? You seem to be the only person that knows
You seem to be the only person that knows
Me? Hardly. I just repeat whatever widermouthopen recommends.
I only recommend to evaluate the "...for some reason..." against purchasing your own equipment. If Pano was everything Cox boasts about in their woke-pandering commercials, why sell pods? I understand there are special circumstances but 15-20 feet is not special...unless your dead room is lined with lead.
Instead of MoCA, you might be better served with an inexpensive wireless WiFi extender as suggested earlier by widermouthopen...
If you want to read up on installing a MoCA network, review my post at the end of this thread -
This is a decent review of the Cox Panoramic WiFi product -
so, you’d be better off to buy a separate router? if I remember right putting panoramic in bridge mode didn’t help much either When I was trying Google router
How many spare routers do you have? You may just need to purchase a compatible DOCSIS modem and experiment with these extra routers. Translation: get rid of Pano.
I have the Arris SB8200 cable modem and use the Gryphon Guardian mesh WiFi system. The security features and parental controls of the Guardian system are great. The little devices are $100 bucks each and put out a pretty good signal. Mesh two together and you can cover quite a lot of sq footage. If you have a really big house and have the need for more LAN ethernet ports, the Gryphon Tower is a better choice although quite a bit more expensive.
Their customer service is amazing with response times from within minutes to hours of request. I've had nothing but excellent customer service.
What is this customer service you speak of? Do you mean overseas reps professing my coaxial cables have become unscrewed...or blaming my equipment...or trying to oversell me? Cox also does this immediately and amazingly.
@bruce No.. I speak of an actual person who is competent and can answer highly technical questions about the product and technology. I've used both the online support chat and telephone support.
