TP-Link Shortage?

[RudderVator]

My TP-Link W8968 unfortunately became the latest victim of highveld lightning on Monday evening.

So i thought to myself ok no biggie lemme just pop over to uniterm direct and buy a new one...clearly things just cant ever be that easy ay? Well i guess it makes our lives more exciting...
To my shock and horror i find almost ALL the TP-link routers are out of stock!? how does this happen? I could understand if only one or two models where out of stock but not having any of their products in stock!?

So anyways running off a dying Billion BiPAC 5102G in the meantime with a astounding wireless range of about 8m, apparently they will only receive stock on the 5th of March.
Also what is a recommended surge and lighting protector for phone lines to protect routers, alarms etc?

 

[nemisiz]

Check Matrix Warehouse , they now stock Tp-Link stuff .

 

[benhart]

Takealot has a variety, generally at good prices. http://www.takealot.com/all/?manufacturer=TP-LINK

They don't hold stock of all them, though, but they're claiming they're available.

 

[RudderVator]

Takealot has a variety, generally at good prices. http://www.takealot.com/all/?manufacturer=TP-LINK

They don't hold stock of all them, though, but they're claiming they're available.

Check Matrix Warehouse , they now stock Tp-Link stuff .

I did check Matrix only had the baby model available! unfortunately not suited for my needs need Wireless N and 3G fall back at least.
Thanks for the suggestions i guess i would need to find out from Takealot if they sell V1, V2 or V3 of the W8968.
Because there is an immense difference between V1, V2 vs V3 the newest version is based on a broadcom design instead of trendchip.

 

[benhart]

Thanks for the suggestions i guess i would need to find out from Takealot if they sell V1, V2 or V3

Yeah, not sure if they'll be able to tell you though! I got an Archer C7 from Takealot a few months ago. Was somewhat annoyed to find it was V1, six or so months after the V2 was released. Thankfully in the case of the Archer there isn't much difference...

 

[Rocket-Boy]

Im not a fan in any way of the tp-link routers. I have had nothing but hassles with them needing to be rebooted often due to the device locking up.
Maybe the newer chipsets are different but that ship has sailed for me.
These days I use Asus or Cisco where budgets permit.

 

[RudderVator]

Yeah, not sure if they'll be able to tell you though! I got an Archer C7 from Takealot a few months ago. Was somewhat annoyed to find it was V1, six or so months after the V2 was released. Thankfully in the case of the Archer there isn't much difference...

I know could not get a straight answer from them! Its like trying to get a technical answer out of someone at Game or Incredible connection..its just not happening.
Thats what i love about Uniterm direct if you have a more technical question it is absolutely no problem to get a straight answer out of them, they just need to sort out their bloody stock situation!!:twisted:

Im not a fan in any way of the tp-link routers. I have had nothing but hassles with them needing to be rebooted often due to the device locking up.
Maybe the newer chipsets are different but that ship has sailed for me.
These days I use Asus or Cisco where budgets permit.

Yes i had one W8968 V1 die on me 2 days before the 24Month warranty was going to expire Sent it back to Uniterm "no problem Sir here is your new router" it was a W8968 v3 this time worked even better than the V1 seems like broadcom based routers just work better?

What is your most recommended router from Asus or Cisco or the other more expensive brands for R800 or so that would give me more or less what the TP-Link had?
My argument is that i spend R1000 + on a Cisco or Asus to get the full house more or less and only get a 1Yr warranty!?
I go out and buy a TP-Link with a broadcom based design (same chip as most other more expensive routers out there anyways) for R500 and if it breaks after 2 years i would be ok with it.
Purely on personal experience with another Billion i had before the TP-link's that never completely failed but it started becoming so unstable after 3 years and in the end that's basically what i got for R1500?