I don’t know about you, but I’m always looking for a faster connection, along with more roaming area with the wireless routers I use. If I’m on the patio, and my router is on the other side of my home in the office, I still want to have a stable and speedy connection. Enter the Amped Wireless TAP-R2 Touch Screen AC750 Wireless Router.
Overview
The Amped Wireless TAP-R2 Touch Screen AC750 Wireless Router is a compact, easy to setup, yet powerful router. From straight out of the box to connecting your computer or other device to the router’s wireless signal should take even technophobes less than 15 minutes tops.
The box contains:
- High Power TAP-R2 Touch Screen AC750 Wi-Fi Router
- Stylus
- Detachable High Gain Antenna
- Power Adapter (100-240v)
- Setup Guide
- CD: User’s Guide & Installation Video
- Network Cable
- Product Stand
My time for out of the box to fully connected took me all of 5 minutes, and that included my disconnecting and turning off my Apple AirPort Extreme, and clearing a spot for the TAP-R2.
Setup is easy, the bright, easy to read touch-screen walks you through automatically connecting to your modem, and setting up both the 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHZ wireless networks. Setting up the network names and security passwords are a simple matter of entering your desired network name via the handy touchscreen, and then doing the same with a “clever” password. (Letters and numbers everyone! And, no pet’s names!)
The touchscreen’s keyboard responsiveness leaves a bit to be desired, as I found myself re-tapping the on-screen keyboard a number of times to get my touch to register. There is an included tiny stylus, however it didn’t help much. No iPhone or iPad typing response here, no sir.
The TAP-R2 comes with an excellent setup guide, printed on real paper, and even includes a CD with a more detailed user’s guide, and installation videos for those who prefer to follow along.
The performance of the TAP-R2 was excellent. I found the 5.0 GHz connection to supply a much faster throughput on my iPhone 6 Plus than the signal I usually get from my 1 1/2 year old AirPort Extreme.
The 2.4 GHz connection proved slightly faster than the AirPort Extreme’s, and gave me a slightly larger usable connection radius, allowing me to walkout into the middle of my apartment complex’s parking lot before requiring the switch to 4G.
The 5.0 GHz connection, while performing well in my home, and directly outside on my patio, fared worse when required to pass through the two apartments between my own abode and the parking lot.
The TAP-R2 supplied a steady connection, showing no wavering as I moved about my apartment, and patio. No signal loss was apparent, until I moved farther away, out into the parking lot.
Video performance was excellent on all of my streaming devices. (Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, an iPad Air, and an iPhone 6 Plus.) All performed well, starting content up almost instantly, and never freezing as I walked around the apartment. if you prefer to hardwire your streaming boxes or video game consoles, the TAP-R2 also includes two RJ-45 ports.
Verdict
The Amped Wireless TAP-R2 Touch Screen AC750 Wireless Router is an excellent option for anyone in the market for an easy to use, yet powerful router with options to meet most any home or small business user’s needs.
The TAP-R2 supplies a strong, and fast, 2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz wireless signal, and should meet the needs of even the most avid streaming content consumer.
While the TAP-R2 is a little more expensive than some routers in it’s class, the ease of use and excellent performance more than make up for the few extra bucks you’ll be spending.
Rating:[rating:4.0/5.0]
Price: $159.00 – Available at the Amped Wireless website. (Also available at Amazon.com) it carries a one year warranty.
Pros:
- Fast, easy setup.
- Strong signal.
- Great connection.
- Compact size makes it easy to hide on a shelf.
Cons:
- The touchscreen could be a bit more responsive.
