[yf]

I was planning to buy a Linksys SPA 2102 as I am a Linksys guy. When shopping I found Grandstream HandyTone 496 at a very competitive price. I believe the Grandstream 496 is comparable to the SPA 2102. Has anyone performed a comparison between the two models? Are they truly comparable for one is better/durable/reliable than the other?

I heard (and I may be mistaken) that Grandstream in general not as reliable as the Linksys. Is this true?

[lafflots]

Originally Posted by yf

When shopping I found Grandstream HandyTone 496 at a very competitive price.

I heard (and I may be mistaken) that Grandstream in general not as reliable as the Linksys. Is this true?

I bought 5 Grandstreams - not the 496 though - and all of them were not very reliable for me. They had constant trouble registering, staying registered....etc The money saved wasn't worth the trouble they gave me.

Of course, there are lots of people who are happy with their Grandstreams too, but I can only speak from my experience.

[yf]

Thanks a lot. Usually the price difference between both of them is around $10. I was browsing the net and found someone having Grandstream on special this month and the price difference was $20. I am a Linksys guy and I see there are more features in Linksys (and maybe better quality). However, I was told that Grandstream software is more friendly, yet the hardware, is not that reliable. $20 does not worth the risk and having your system down until you replace the device.

[lafflots]

Originally Posted by yf

Thanks a lot. Usually the price difference between both of them is around $10. I was browsing the net and found someone having Grandstream on special this month and the price difference was $20. I am a Linksys guy and I see there are more features in Linksys (and maybe better quality). However, I was told that Grandstream software is more friendly, yet the hardware, is not that reliable. $20 does not worth the risk and having your system down until you replace the device.

friendly = less powerful - in this case. The 486 was no match for the features of my PAP2. Assuming the Grandstream is reliable, the user friendly feature are good if you configure it and don't tweak it again. I tend to login to my ATA every now and then and play around with the dial plans, settings etc.

If you're buying more than one you could buy one GS and one Linksys and see for yourself

[yf]

I do log in and tweak my SPA every now and then seeking perfection or a new feature. I only just need one SPA 2102 (router and with 2 SIP accounts). Buying IT equipment without the immediate need for it is a bad investment because prices tend to go down.

I made my mind already to buy a Linksys this time. Maybe later I would get a GS.

[Marceli]

You should buy HT-502 not 496, i'm not sure about price and avaibility
2 sip account, 100Mbit full duplex router(no hanging problems), dial plan.

[yf]

I noticed that the HT-502 is more advance than the 496. I guess the HT-502 is comparable to the SPA 2102 and not the 496. The believe the SPA 2102 has a dialplan as well for each line.