Calix Gigaspire Blast U4 & U6 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router Review

[@patriciaslice1898]

We have the CalixU6 thru our Fiber Optic company. Thanks for explaining this as I am looking to extend the U6. You did an awesome job.

[@timmturner]

These Calix units have insane range.

[@soubhikmukherjee6871]

Router has become more important than anything else.

[@dad.0]

Absolutely!

[@timmturner]

The negative of this system when provided by your w/ISP is the data mining that takes place without your knowledge.

[@onebyside]

Fills our needs..all good...mine on

[@timmturner]

@@onebyside The hardware is excellent, however it's interesting you are okay with your provider knowing everything you do on the Internet.

[@onebyside]

@timmturner my phone aswell, since my 1st cell phone in 1989.

[@dannydadon407]

@@onebyside😭😭

[@golffoxtrotyankeehooligan222]

It’s an awesome router the tower! I no longer need a mesh box in my 2,150 sqft home with basement..

[@dad.0]

It really is a great set-up

[@AudioFileZ]

My ISP provided the Calix Spire (I think this is the name, it's the base Calix unit). It worked pretty well for about a year and a bit of change. Then I noticed the inside TVs would sometimes drop the signal (I thought). Then it was like a cold and spread to my laptop occasionally dropping. Finally instead of a small TCU patio TV we'd pull out at times we went to a large HDTV in our well covered area. The large HDTV had severe issues connecting to Wi-Fi, often not being able to do so at all especially during the daylight hours. I started thinking. In the past I had Uverse by ATT and I had to replace their wireless part of the supplied router as it got very weak in about the fourth or fifth year. I remember reading this wasn't too unusual as heat often degrades performance, ultimately often resulting in total failure, of wireless routers and that five years was about the point where most degraded or failed. I think my Calix Spire is failing due to intermittent inside disconnects over a range of devices and the newly discovered almost non-existent coverage close by outside in the covered patio. The ISP wants to give me this Blast and one mesh (i.e. booster?) for an added $10 monthly. I abhor additional costs as I feel a service like fiber internet should be robust at the stated price. Greed is personified by companies always finding ways to take on more and more reoccurring fees and I'm sick of it. I may go the same way I did with ATT...that is, I may buy a router and configure the Calix one to not use it's own internal radio but output to whatever wireless router I find that is a good balance of robust performance and reasonable cost. Any recommendations?

[@archer102356]

The same router ALLO fiber includes at no charge with their 500 Mbps and gigabit service, I agree it has good coverage. Also, see speeds over wireless 460 Mbps on a laptop with a wifi 6 card. The other laptop's older wireless card around 280 this is with SSI 50-65 range. Allo calls it their Blast router. Feel fortunate to have Allo with fiber into the homes and no data caps or router fees.

[@dad.0]

Agreed

[@kurtmurphy5994]

Yeah you're right where I live we have allo would never trade it for cable internet ever had absolutely no problem with allo at least where I live you don't need the 500 mpbs speed to get the blast router even with the 50 mpbs like we have you still get that free everybody does and I don't know it doesn't show it there but it also comes here anyway with the modem

[@alexyouknowwhoo3580]

In rural Texas they rent those for $6 a month i rural Idaho they go for $17.50

[@tduff1]

They need to add a feature where you can limit the bandwidth on a guest network, and it would be a perfect app!

[@dad.0]

That would be a nice feature

[@puddatoo]

The 21.3 Platform does give prioritization for devices attached, or for example you can set up a Guest "Work from Home" that can have priority bandwidth over any other.

[@chriswest3778]

Great job. we use the Calix U4 and U6 at the ISP I work for and they are great. Really good break down. Thank you

[@alexyouknowwhoo3580]

Can't configure PPOE, IPv4 with admin's settings. Ability to adjust led's light brightness is cute though I agree.

[@leetronix]

Very nice and good thorough review.

[@dad.0]

Thank you kindly!

[@Jakepf]

I just got fiber internet installed and they hooked up a gigaspire blast u4. I wanted to get my own router but I decided not to and use this one. I've noticed that it's not super strong. The u4 version isn't at least. It sometimes doesn't fully reach my room or give me the same speeds as my Xfinity router at the same distance. Close to the router I get fast speeds, but sometimes the u4 cuts out.

[@puddatoo]

I apologize for the late reply and hopefully you've contacted your tech support for a resolution. One of my largest problems with WiFi is the aspect of "more is better" instead of using proper placement of the router. Installation of the Calix platform routers should be finished with a check for dead spots on its current location. Movement of the router by as little as a few inches can make a tremendous change in connectivity. Items that affect your routers WiFi are 1. Other WiFi interference, as in the WiFi Direct feature in printers, legacy 2.4GHz phones, etc. 2. Metal objects reflect all WiFi frequencies not just absorbing them. Refrigerators, metal siding, aluminized insulation, microwave, heating/cooling ducts. 3. Dense materials such as concrete, plaster and lathe, energy efficient windows all will absorb WiFi like a sponge. 4. Ethernet runs- perpendicular to electrical lines is ok, parallel is absolutely not. Coding suggests if running parallel to keep them separated by 16". 5. Other electronic devices. Give them all some space. Stacking a phone base on top of a router that's on top of a printer all next to a laptop just asks for problems. Grab some tools to work with your problems. Calix CommandIQ, Overlook Fing and a WiFi analyzer are always part of my arsenal to monitor and troubleshoot.

[@billdycus9095]

Tech dinosaur here looking for help......I just got a new ISP who installed a Calix GigaSpire GS4220E wifi 6 router. I live in an older home with thick, solid walls and am not getting as good a range as I did with my previous router, a Linksys VLP01 (3 pcs mesh, wifi5). Can I connect both of these routers together giving me the increased range of the Linksys mesh and increased power of the Calix? I have a disconnected shop that no longer has a wifi signal after installing the Calix and wifi extenders don't seem to help. Thanks.

[@roblaw1969]

You don't consider connection to a VPN, in my case ExpressVPN. Has anyone successfully done this ?? Is there documentation of a KZbin video somewhere. Considering the WiFi features I considering putting a proven VPN router between this and the Calix u6.2, anny thoughts

[@Bringmewar1]

I just got the gigaspire. I really want to see a side by side against a NETGEAR - Nighthawk X6 AC3200 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 5 Router .. My netgear has 3 channels which helps with congestion. Does the Gigaspire have that? Does the Nighthawk have better range? Overall what is better. I would try to review it but just don't have the knowledge on how to test all this

[@kurtmurphy5994]

Yeah I have allo communications internet and everybody where I live anyway gets a blast router free of charge of course also comes with a modem free of charge of course and no matter what the speed it is free that's a terrific service better than cable Internet by far wouldn't trade fiber optic for cable at all I don't know about the other companies but with allo it is very very good

[@mr.mister673]

ISP is 100mbps D/U. Had a Calix GigaCenter before - worked great, but the WiFi went out. Received a new Calix GigaSpire U6. Download speed is almost as good as the GigaCenter, the upload speed however is not...Used to pull 50-60mbps upload over WiFi. Now it's dropped to 2-3mbps, yes two-to-three mbps. I've changed every setting relating to it, nothing helps. Could be faulty. Also, strange bug: whenever I enable mobile hotspot on windows 10 for my phone to connnect to, my main PC is unable to access many websites like google. This never happened with the GigaCenter. All-in-all, I'm not impressed. Hopefully my ISP can figure something out or splurge and give us a better modem.

[@nojrecneps8210]

Is there a Way to add a Non Powered Hard Drive To this Router I Connected a Non Powered hard drive to the USB Port and the router kept shutting down Oddly and Powering Back on . Is there a setting I have to change to the router to make it see and Accept the Hard Drive ???? Any Help Would Be Greatly Appreciated . Thanks

[@jaredfromspace]

Great video. I just got one today with fiber through Carolina Connect in SC. I'm very happy with the performance so far, but just can't figure out how to individually name the two wifi bands. Right now I can only see a single band from my devices because both bands have the same name. If I can't figure it out, so I'll see what kind of customer service I can get through my ISP or through Calix. I might also need that U4 for a mesh.

[@puddatoo]

With the newest 21.3 Platform and firmware you can now add 4 additional Guest WiFi, isolated (not to be part of your network) or non-isolated to become a part of it for those devices that require only one band. 2,4Ghz Only, 5GHz only or another Unified, each isolated or non-isolated. The GigaSpire is designed for optimum usage with the primary channel Unified utilizing band steering (2.45GHz) and node steering (Mainmesh unit). This additional Guest non-isolated Wi-Fi is fantastic for those 2.4GHz only doorbells so you don't have to go to another Wi-Fi SSID just to control it! Be sure once on the 21.3 Platform to log out of CommandIQ and back in to get the newest app to match the new platform.

[@walkerjw81]

I have the exact same system, but apparently the ISP is still in its setup phase. We get regular buffering and it is extremely annoying. Having gigabit internet is nice and all, but when I can't even download phone apps or stream without lag, it is frustrating to say it nicely. At least our rep is very accommodating and understanding.

[@justamanfromspace3312]

Who is your ISP out of curiosity?

[@SeanyMac39]

Can you split the bands to separate 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz?

[@techmaster170]

I hope my ISP switches to these once one with an SFP fiber module is integrated into it. I currently have a calix 844G-1 and it does the job quite well. Although I am not a fan of the web interface. I just kind of wish the ethernet ports were 2.5Gbps. But, i see this model is still 1Gbps ports. I built a new computer and it has a 2.5Gbps ethernet port on it. My link speed on the fiber is coming in is 1.1Gbps but over wired most i've hit is 950Mbps on a speed test which is still plenty. I'm just a nerd and like to see large numbers. Giving I recently got rid of my old connection which was 1mbps download and upload that i've had since 2010. My ISP is only allowing us to use calix devices. I asked to use my own equipment, but they said I wasn't able to because the way the network was configured. The wireless is 802.11ac and my speed test when in the same room are 545Mbps down and 505Mbps upload on the wifi which is awesome. Anyway, was a good review thanks for the video.

[@puddatoo]

techmaster170 Contact your ISP and ask them about the u6,x GigaSpire. This unit does have an SFP port capable of copper, Ethernet, 1/2.5/5/10 Gig Fiber SFP addition on the bottom. It is the same WiFi6 router as the standard u6.1(AE) and u6.2(GPON) as in this video.

[@techmaster170]

@@puddatoo I'll ask one of the guys i know that works for them. And the only problem would be that my current one is mounted on my wall and the fiber cable is behind it. That way can't risk accidently breaking the fiber cable.

[@puddatoo]

It may not be out yet, I believe it is the GS4277W (white model). The Grey GS4277 is out, this is a 1/2.5/5 Gig model that is still Ethernet based. We are in the process of testing one now.

[@puddatoo]

@@techmaster170 I would believe the unit on the wall is an ONT, a device that has fiber in/Ethernet out. And depending on their transport being Active Ethernet or GPON will determine the maximum transmission allowed. AE has a max of 1 Gig whereas GPON reaches the transmission above that. Normal GPON can only reach 2.5 Gbps on an E7 platform and your ISP would need to incorporate the newer E9 to get more. We're currently adding E9s around our ring that can offer up to 100Gbps to any customers wanting that. Being fully AE we had to add the E9s to offer increased capabilities.

[@techmaster170]

@@puddatoo The unit on my wall is my calix device. Fiber plugs directly into the back of it. The box outside the house is fiber in and fiber out and then the fiber runs straight into the house and plugs into the back of the calix. Originally I asked them if they could provide me a fiber to ethernet converter and I'd get my own router. I didnt want a calix router. I dont know that much about fiber. I have done some research on it though. When logging into the web interface in the calix device it says my upstream and downstream is 1.1Gbps. Before I changed plans, it was 110/110.

[@travisdonaldstanley6420]

Hello What does Bolt and Bolt Automation mean when you try and look for wiffi signals? Thanks

[@ClaytonJones1]

Just installed new fiber service into my home; ISP provided the GS Series (GS4227E) and so far I am loving it! My biggest gripe is I am paying for 2Gbps and the unit is receiving just over 2.2Gbps. But why not have any ports able to handle something over 1Gbps? Isn't it pointless for me to pay for the 2Gbps service when all the ethernet ports are 1Gbps?

[@billweir1745]

There are 10GB Ethernet options now.

[@Imprisoned1995]

So this preforms better than the Alien 6 router? I have two of the setup as mesh with wired back haul. I get around 500-600 like you mention. I wish it had 6E. I wonder is there is a router that will give you gig speed 🤷‍♂️ I have fiber to the modem gig package, I’d like to get 800 plus on a router.

[@dad.0]

About the same in my experience

[@Imprisoned1995]

@@dad.0 I don’t have any issues with this Calix as far as drop outs or loss of signal. I just can’t get more than 500-600 megs on Wi-Fi. I wonder if the issue is only being dual band and not tri-band? I’d love to get close to the speeds I pay for.

[@Greeny4335]

What's the range of the U6 Mesh? Wanting to get internet to a building that's 75-100 yards from the house.

[@theowlsofouterheaven]

Is this not 2.4ghz compatible? We got the U6 modem from our new ISP and only have a 5ghz wifi connection. Lots of things can't use it in my household. Can it be enabled?

[@tinyl9599]

I have the u4 from my isp alone, no modem no u6 nothing, but the u4 alone and my internet is trash. My isp told me I don't need a modem which I really don't understand. I guess because it's a connection through a satellite they set up. I constantly lose wifi then it comes back ( over and over). I'm sick of it but I live in the boonies and the internet through a satellite dish is the only Internet I can get. My last stand alone router did a better job before they switched to the u4. Do u think getting the u6 with it will help? Hopefully you see this a year later .

[@dad.0]

sorry to hear that. The u6 should help but there are probably better options on the market now

[@t.k.morris]

Do you still need an extra modem?

[@timbelson9522]

The u4 has a version with only 1 Gb Port on it for wan/lan that I install at customers for local ISP as mesh add on only

[@philshock3805]

How do I connect a USB-based drive to the U6 router and get it to show up on the network? Just got this router with my new fiber connection and can't get the drive to appear on the network. My old AirPort Extreme may be ancient, but I miss the plug and play aspect.

[@mickeymallette2663]

I’m curious about this as well, or the ability to use a NAS system

[@craigschannel4042]

quick question. does it have a built in VPN gateway?

[@JenJennaJen]

Thanks Dad!

[@dad.0]

You betcha

[@Calwooddaddy]

Cannot figure out how to change Nat 3 settings to 2 so my son and I can can game online.

[@muusicman2010]

Can you use these 2 devices with a Netgear Orbi?

[@chadnichols5932]

So I'm trying to set up this router but unfortunately I know very little about all this stuff and I was hoping you could help? I see a place to turn on "full mesh topology" should I turn it on? What about 160/80+80MHz, DFS, and MU-MIMO? Should any of these things be turned on? Thanks

[@techmaster170]

The Mhz stuff is different frequencies your wireless can operate on and the bandwidth between multiple channels. You should generally only mess with this if you are in a heavily populated area with lots of other wireless frequencies in your area to prevent interference. Also, Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) is a WiFi function that enables WLANs to use 5 GHz frequencies that are generally reserved for radars. I'd leave DFS alone. And you can turn on MU-MIMO.

[@tkaptan71]

Most probably you see "Full Mesh Topology" toggle ln the Web Page main page. When you enable this you will get full drawing of your home network and see which client it connected where. Mesh itself is enabled and doesnt need additional enable or configuration. Related to other parameters considering wider compatibility I would use 80Mhz only, DFS and MIMO enabled. In case you have any device that supports 5Ghz but doesn't see SSID you have you should switch DFS off as its possible that some clients doesn't support DFS.

[@brandonrussell4651]

I just got the U6. Speed is perfect on the 5ghz but the signal doesn't reach to my bedroom. The speed on the 2.4 is terrible. Any insight??

[@dad.0]

Did you get a mesh with the U4? 5ghz will be good at close range but diminish quite a bit going through walls or if you have a congested network.

[@sherrysherry5972]

My ISP rented me one, it is the worst router I have EVER had! I have to reboot it about every 3 days. I try talking to ISP but no one can solve the issue. Get msg "connected but no internet". There are many issues but the main one is the no internet. Take 5 to 8 reboots to finally get connected. Each reboot process takes 10-15 minutes. I easily end up spending 2 hrs rebooting before it works. My ISP of 6 years insists it is everything but their network. Rented this new router/modem because had issues, then they replaced it with another a different calix, then said issue was my extender, then sold me more bandwidth and still it is horrible and has been for 4 months.

[@btdtgg]

My ISP is using the U4 as our modem/router once the fibre is run in the next couple weeks. Does this mean that the incoming fibre uses one of the 2 inputs as an in and just leaves 1 empty to connect to say my desktop? I want to be able to plug my NAS and desktop to the U4.

[@techmaster170]

This device doesn't have a SFP module installed for fiber to connect directly do it. I can only assume your ISP is going to use a fiber to ethernet converter and that ethernet connection would plug into the WAN port on this device. Which would then leave you with 4 ethernet ports to use for various wired devices.

[@tkaptan71]

If you have u4 you will have 2 LAN ports available for NAS and desktop. u4 have 3 Eth ports - one will be the WAN in your case

[@joelmatteis6189]

Does anyone know how to use the USB-3.0 port? i have plugged my external drive into it (says it can be used for external storage devices) yet, I can't find it on my network. Love this router, otherwise, but hoping someone can help with the USB usage, no documentation I have found speaks of it.

[@pdubbs128]

I'm in the same boat. There is some press information about the router that claims you can connect a hard drive, however it doesn't have any SMB options or similar in the settings.

[@philshock3805]

I have the same issue -- any resolutions? Just got the taller, u6 router with my new fiber-based ISP connection and can't get the drive to show up. Came to this video specifically for information about it. My old AirPort Extreme base station may be ancient, but I miss the plug and play aspect.

[@mickeymallette2663]

@@philshock3805 any update on the ability to use the usb to connect a hard drive?

[@mickeymallette2663]

@@pdubbs128 any update on the ability to use the usb to connect a hard drive?

[@pdubbs128]

@@mickeymallette2663 No I was not successful. I ended up using a raspberry pi to make a plex server and it has been awesome. kzbin.info/www/bejne/naqwoXxumNiKn9U&ab_channel=NetworkChuck

[@ccr508]

Tried to use it with my Netgear EX7300 extender and the extender "didn't like it".

[@ChosenOne9387]

How to troubleshoot?

[@risto_raptor1466]

What about livestreaming /online gaming

[@arrowdog8852]

The form factor of the U6 is senseless... no way to wall-mount or rack mount, ports coming out the corner, just abysmal design.

[@victorreyes4300]

No dices cual app registrarte

[@nevilleilunga9973]

Where can I buy a U6 in Canada?

[@tatethegamer9]

They only lease them out to isp's (sorry for the late response)

[@adibees]

How much does it cost you to rent this per month?

[@Albrecht420]

its free with their service

[@Fjord_Driver]

My ISP charges $9.95 for the rental. I questioned it and they were adamant about charging what I consider a junk fee, because I can buy the damn white box off ebay for $100 or less. I asked if I could just buy the unit outright and again was told no. So they want to charge me $10 per month forever. That is anti-consumer practices by companies. File complaints with the FCC online for your ISPs that do this crap. It's the same crap Bell telephone companies did for ages with inside wiring "maintenance fees." What load of bull crap.

[@TheElixir1]

That is NOT how meshing works. You need to plug the u4 into the u6 via ethernet until they both reboot and flash green. Then your u6 settings will trickle down to the u4, and then you can unplug the ethernet. They will stay connected wirelessly to continue the mesh. WPS does nothing but waste everyone's time. Also the phone app is trash. Use the web gui.

[@totalelectronics6734]

That's not an informative advice; It's an ad!!!

[@Ziggyzaggy300]

Mine is literally garbage. My nintendo 3ds can't connect to it, but it can connect to any other wifi. And when I'm in my room, literally 45 feet away, my phone slows and says" connecting...,

[@tinthecontentcreator1798]

It seems like your Nintendo 3DS may not support the router or band that it’s broadcasting, and your phone may have a bad internet chip or may support an old network standard (802.11).

[@Ziggyzaggy300]

@@tinthecontentcreator1798 😂😂😂😂😂😐😭😭😭

[@n3rd7_v1ru5]

having the same issue, PS3 (yeah, a ps3 because i wanted to go back to some oldschool games over christmas) was working just fine and the parents switched our Netgear router over to this, and now I can’t connect to a wifi source at all on the ps3, rendering it a paperweight. Is there anything I can do about this with the Gigaspire? open a security setting or something?

[@Ziggyzaggy300]

@@n3rd7_v1ru5 same exact story (minus Christmas and i was on a wii) for me

[@Albrecht420]

@@n3rd7_v1ru5 ive never had an issue with any of my xbox's besides i cant get the nat type to be open its always strict or moderate

[@kevin0045]

Good

[@afrojojo9475]

Having good coverage from your neighbors house isn't necessarily a good thing

[@carlosvalderrama1991]

Internet permissions

[@bennabulsi6756]

It's a downgrade, C844G has SFP+ Claix needs to take notes from new eero PoE Gateway Apartments are coming prewired now and C8445G can't handle the load, forget about wifi + router +modem setup, they will never do well in a hidden media closet in the basement, people are moving access points and needs more ethernet ports and SFP

[@VictorMistral]

So that thing can't work without app? We can't configure it without a cellphone. If so, it's a piece of garbage... At least tell me you can configure Radius...

[@dad.0]

Not sure what you mean. If you have a cellphone you can get the app

[@VictorMistral]

@@dad.0 I meant without... and nope, I don't have access to google store, since I didn't sell myself. Even if I have a cellphone...

[@dad.0]

@@VictorMistral depending on your ISP, there may be a web portal access as well

[@tkaptan71]

If you dont have app or dont want to use you still have Web Interface on the device where you can do most of the configurations around WiFi and LAN side. For advanced app ProtectIQ or ExperienceIQ you need the app.

[@ClaytonJones1]

You can access through the web; typical router log in portal