Motorola Surfboard SB5101 Cable Modem
by Motorola
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List Price: Our Price: $46.95 You Save: $23.04 (33%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $22.25 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Motorola Surfboard SB5101 Cable Modem
Customer Review: Works fine, but have useful info for Cox Cable users
Summary: 5 Stars
I had an intermittent problem when using my old Motorola SB101. The computer usually could access the internet in the early morning, but fail sometimes between 10AM and noon. Sometimes, I could restart it in the evening by disconnecting it completely, waiting for a while and reconnecting. TV's worked fine. I phoned Cox, and tech support usually could sense the modem from their office, even though I couldn't access the internet. Other posters here mentioned failures in about 5 years, so I purchased another through Amazon.com, but it wasn't needed.
A tech came to my house, and removed a filter connected between the modem and coax cable. The filter resembled a small silver-colored cylinder with coax connectors at each end. He said they are no longer needed, and provide an incorrect signal level when connected. Since it was a Cox-related problem, there was no charge for the service call.
When phoning Cox tech support, you may be asked for the serial number and HFC MAC ID; both are on the bottom of the modem. They are long "numbers", so if your eyesight isn't the best or the modem is at an inconvenient location, you might want to jot them down before phoning.
I have three TV's. two requiring 4-port splitters to connect the TV, digital receiver, DVD recorder, and DVR. A digital receiver or DVR is required to receive channels above 99 when using Cox Cable. The signal level was too low, so I purchased a booster amplifier. The Cox tech said I should use a 2-port splitter with the input connected to the incoming cable and outputs connected to the amplifier for the TV system, and the cable modem. A run-of-the-mill splitter won't work with the computer. Cox has suitable splitters, or one can be purchased on-line. My on-line purchases say they covers 5-1000MHz.
Jim
Customer Review: It Just Flat Out Works
Summary: 5 Stars
This modem replaced an 8 year old failing Motorola Surfboard. The Comcast technician said, nice dinosaur, regarding the old beige beast. Since I did not rent that dinosaur, it was free many years ago after rebate, I decided to buy my own to replace the dinosaur.
What can be said about a black box that just works as advertised? It works.
Well there's a bit more to it than just it works. I'm using this on Comcast cable. My old modem was delivering 2-3Mbps near the end of its life. This one consistently delivers what I pay for, 15Mbps. Unless your modem is broken or near failing, this modem should not deliver some magic speed increase.
Remember that you can't just unplug your rented modem and install one you purchase. You have to decommission the old modem and commission the new one. This can be done over the phone, but it may take a good 15 to 30 minutes on the phone with Comcast tech support (not the modem's problem, Comcast's problem). They require the infinitely long serial number and MAC address from your new modem. Comcast does this for free, but it can be a long process on the phone. In fact my phone tech person had no idea what he was doing and bumbled the job several times. And then I did something stupid on my end to complicate matters more.
My strongest advice when you call to commission the new modem, leave your old one plugged in, don't have a router or VOIP (Vonnage / Ooma or the like) device plugged in, connect your computer directly to the modem, and follow the technician's instructions to the letter. My mistake, I thought I knew more than the technician did.
If this new black beauty lasts half the lifetime of my dinosaur, I'll be really happy with money well spent.
Customer Review: Very good cable modem
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been a Comcast high-speed Internet customer for about 5 years. The modem Comcast provided as part of a package deal was a Motorola Surfboard 4100. About 4 months ago, I noticed that I was getting barely more than 1/2 the speed I was paying for, which was 6Mbps. I complained to tech support. They sent a technician out and within 3 sec. after walking into my office, he said, "Oh...I know exactly what the problem is; you have an 'end-of-life' modem. You need to upgrade to a 2.1 DOCSIS modem, and I would recommend a Motorola Surfboard as one of the best." So I got on my favorite shopping site, Amazon, and bought one. Not only did it work perfectly from day one, my average download speed on Speakeasy.net is ~22Mbps -- almost 6 1/2 times what I was getting with the old Surfboard -- and the upload speed increased from ~364Kbps to ~1.6Mbps.
Would other brands do as well? Probably, but I stuck with Motorola because the last one was 100% reliable; never had a problem. The only reason it was not delivering the speed is because Comcast's system had changed and the old modem's software could not keep up with it. I also like the fact that Motorola moved the standby button to the top where it is more easily accessible. I have a new Vista computer and have to put the modem on Standby after putting the computer to sleep, because (not sure why) Internet activity tends to wake it back up.
I found it disappointing that Comcast apparently does not alert its customers when their modems are obsolete. If you're having a similar problem, check with your ISP. If you need to upgrade your modem, I highly recommend this one.
Customer Review: Great product!
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the SB5101 to replace the current cable/wireless all in one modem the cable company gave me (I also purchased an Apple Time Capsule as my router). I was setting up to a wireless router, and it was incredibly easy to do. The "Geek Squad" had me so scared that I wouldn't be able to set up my own home network (I am really good with computers, but they said, even so, I would "mess it up"). But when they estimated it would cost about $300 for them to come out and set it up for me, I laughed and said I would take my chances on my own.
It's a fast connection and communicates flawlessly with my router. I have Charter as my cable provider, and I called them and added the Ethernet MAC id for my modem, and within minutes, I had high speed internet.
The design is really sleek and compact, it's also great that it has a power off/disconnect button on top to allow you to reset the modem without going through the hassle of unplugging everything.
A big reason I wanted to change my set up from the original one the cable company started me with is because having a separate wireless router allows for a MUCH better wireless signal. In addition, I am also now going to save $9.99 a month on my cable bill because I won't be paying for the leased equipment - so basically, this modem will pay for itself in 6 months!!
I really recommend this modem for anyone looking to do a separate modem router home networking system, or for anyone looking to get a great deal on a modem (seriously, check your bill, this WILL pay for itself!).
Enjoy it!!!
Customer Review: much better than a rental
Summary: 5 Stars
After years of renting a box from the cable company, I finally bought one. I got it, opened it up, plugged it in, called Cox tech support to give them the serial number and MAC number and was up and running in 5 minutes. I don't know that I can claim an increase in speed over the Toshiba PCX2200 that I rented from Cox, but the performance is at least as good. Honestly, I never had any complaints about the performance of the prior modem, I have always had a fast connection to the internet. The real benefit is that I now own one for the same price as 4 months rental of the other one.
I am also using a D-Link DI-624 wireless router. Some previous reviewers complained that this modem either did not work with D-Link routers or needed special cables. The only thing I did was re-boot the router after the modem was activated and it worked great. At first I used the same ethernet cable that I had been using with the old modem, but, when I realized I had to return the cable with the modem to Cox, I replaced it with the cable that came with this modem (both appear to be standard ethernet cables). Because I pressed the standby switch before disconnecting the cable, I didn't even have to re-boot anything after replacing the cable. I have to wonder if those reviewers had their cables connected properly?
One note: I am using an ethernet connection to a wireless router and not USB, which is an option if connecting the modem directly to your computer. I cannot comment on how this modem works with a USB connection.
I highly recommend this unit.