Overall, a pretty nice product, customer service is pretty top notch, and would be hard pressed to give them up. Though, it's very new, so it has some growing pains...which I was impacted by significantly, while many were not (based on others reviews and comments).
While the price may shock some, it's really not more expensive than other options, and actually cheaper for the end results and the effort required of the user. (I go into more details below). But really, the price is worth it. The more of an advanced user you are, then the less appealing it may be until more features are rolled out.
Pros:
- ALL ONE SYSTEM - while there are 3 devices in my network, they all act as one from my point of view.
- Customer Service (more below)
- App is pretty good, and getting better. At face value, it has a simple interface for most users, but has options to open for more advanced users. Only issue, is they really need to explain what some of the things are...and what it means to the user. For example, they list concerns...but with no idea why it was a concern...or what I'm supposed to do about it.
- Good to excellent speed (more details below on this)
- 2.4 and 5GHz wifi
- Automatic/Seamless switching/connecting to all units (i.e. device is not having to actively switch between units or frequency, which means less lag related to that switching)
- Coverage: I have a single story, long, 2000sqft house. 3 units are in a triangle formation about 20'ish ft appart, and I cover my whole house with either full bars, or 3 of 4. My bedroom used to have a minimal bar, and barely any speed/bandwidth. My connection just crawled at night if I wanted to look something up on my phone. That is no longer an issue. I have full 2.4G speed with 3 of 4 bars. Overall, the 5G drops off around 30ft, and the 2.4G around 60ft. Which was typical of my old wifi router. The difference is that I now have more units, so more coverage, and thus improved experience....but, then that is the point of having more than one unit.
- Price (see below)
Cons:
- Price (see below - I know I have this listed as a pro too)
- Feature set is still not fully there yet, and not well documented - meaning, if you want a specific feature that you can find in any modem, it may not be there, and may be difficult to find out if, or when, it will be.
- Software updates can take some time to come out (grant it, this is a pro, as the SW is tested). This is a con, because the system is missing a number of features and any bugs will take some time to rectify. Meaning, if the system is just bad, it might be easier to return for a replacement to fit in the return window, rather than wait...unless you have the time.
- Due to my HW issue, I could not recommend holding onto the units more than a couple weeks before returning if they are having serious issues. Due to the other cons, it could take weeks to have a solution. Though that said...they did eventually send replacements outside the 30day windows, so maybe it is worth it. If you have the time to support the troubleshooting on your end.
Topics:
Speed:
The numbers in the app are a little misleading. This is the speed between the hub Luma, modem, and your service provider. Call this the maximum you will get if you were to use a wired connection and only connecting to your providers server. Everything degrades from there. Wifi, where you are going on the internet, the number of devices you are running, etc. Please note, you need a modem that will at least have the speed/capacity you are paying for from your provider. if not, either decrease what you are paying for, or update your modem.
If you do perform an "internet speed test", you will need to be aware the numbers may be lower, to much lower. As this factors in your wifi connection and any congestion on the "internet". just like the freeway, if everyone is on, performance will degrade.
These next two issue, the average or maybe even an above average user needs, but worth noting.
Now, the other issue with speed is distance, which effects what one sees as coverage. For those bandwidth heavy people out there, I'm one, I really need better speed/coverage...that means 5G for the whole house, that means I need units no further than 30ft apart covering my whole house. Right now, 3 units tests the system, I need to eventually buy 3 more units; to cover my house with a bunch of touching 30ft circles, so I need 6 units. That also means my coverage around the house will be pretty good as well.
Also, to really boost things, I'm putting in a wired backbone. A lot more work an expense, but when I'm done...oh boy.
Price:
Is it expensive for the average person? probably, but that needs to be put in context. It's less than a smart phone, so..... But really, for one unit, its a pricey expense for a wifi connection....vs a standard $70 unit. But, keep in mind, there is so much more here.....especially if you buy more than 1 unit (my old wifi router at about $120 also included another $150 in extending coverage over my power lines....those little boxes add up. ALSO, the feature set they keep expanding on will provide way more than you get in standard units, and a lot easier for the average person to use.
Now, lets hit a price compare head on. I was looking into doing this, so I knew what cost I was looking at. To set up a similar system with the original standard stuff, I was looking at two things. Cost to purchase, installation, and setup/operation. The units to properly expand range were at least $100 each, and more depending on how they operated. Second, most required ceiling mount, and a network switch. Third, setup was not straight forward, would need at least some tech'ish abilities, and some of them required separate login's, as you leave one, the computer once setup would log into the next. Still annoying, but that was the solution I was looking at prior to Luma. Now, for about $133 each, I have a system that really takes little time or skill to setup, and it all works as one system...pretty sweet. I can also set them anywhere needed...I have one on a plant pot edge against the wall.
Tech Support:
Mostly, I have nothing but positive remarks - and I had a major issue that may have been a HW issue - so this isn't a simple comment because I called them about a simple fix. I have never experienced a better customer service, and I have a number good experiences that this beats, or is equal too.
Basically, I have had them spend hours on the phone with me, and at no time did I feel like I was taking up their time. Even for something as simple as; I wanted them to step thought the installation process (when installing the second system). They could have said, try it first, then call us. But no, the guy was on the phone the whole time...AND, stayed on just to make sure it was working after a reboot. I should also note, they keep pretty good records of your calls. When I did get to another tech, or higher level support, they could see the history. How good their notes were...not sure. But while you are on the phone with them, you can hear them typing...and not in a way that leads me to believe they are not focused on my call.
That all said, my only disappointment was that they took much longer to decide to replace the units. I figured it was a HW issue long before they decided to send replacements...and then after posted a number of negative reviews. Meaning, SW updates were not fixing it. All forms of testing resulted in no improvement. It did take about 1.5 months to remedy, but on my end it could take a week to get back to trying something else, or checking for improvement after a SW update.
My initial units issue in brief:
Initially, my initial system did not install easily (The second set installed so easy, it was hard to believe it was the same system). The first time, took a couple hours with the Tech Support to get it to work. The second time, would probably have been less than 30min. (i had tech support step me through just in case, but turns out it was not needed...so this took longer than it should, but was not very long)
Then, I never had good speed over wifi. Wired, and through my old wifi router wired to the Luma was fine. Connecting wirelessly to Luma was no better than old modem on its worse day. The new set, wow, what a difference. My Fire TV has no issues now in getting a movie to stream.
----------initial review ----------------------
I have waited to post this, assuming they could fix them.
(update: 10/5: they have contacted me to send me replacement units....)
My old wifi router has 5x the speed of the lumas. The only good thing about them is they do extend the range, but that only helps of you barely had a connection in the first place. So, the only reason it is worth a star....is that i have a wifi connection in my bedroom.
I could not in good conscionce recommend luma to anyone.....and if they did eventually fix them, then maybe with reservations.
I would recommend to return them asap if they dont work out of the box. Some people they have worked for.
Customer service is very willing, but cant fix something they cant fix. Will not replace...and since i was busy, i didnt return...my loss, your warning.
Since i have had them, i have been back and forth on countless emails, spent at least 6+hrs on the phone with them, and at least as much testing things.
Wired, the luma is great.....but wait, i thought it was a wifi device.
| Wireless Type | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
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