Background:
Just before I switched over to Sky Broadband, I decided to purchase an ADSL XTE-2005 filter from ADSLNation, which is an awesome product for filtering your telephone line to potentially improve your line speed whilst using your broadband.
The product I initially bought over 2 years ago was an
XTE-2005 Filtered Master Faceplate, once fitted this improved my line speed from approximately 3meg to just over 6meg. Now this was a vast improvement, however it should not be taken as Gospel that this would happen for everyone, as everyone's line / connection is different. It does however give you the optimum filtering for your line, as well as negating your use of those dreadful looking ADSL filters.
On Sunday, Sky came out to re cable our Sky HD boxes, and I thought I would use this chance to redo the telephone cable, and hide my extension lead behind the plaster board, up to the BT socket. Unfortunately I couldn't find my IDC Tool and so proceeded to use a small flat bladed screwdriver. Big mistake!
Whilst refitting the 3 extensions and the broadband extension cable, I managed to destroy the metal clamp like things, that grip the telephone cable into the XTE-2005 filter, thus leaving no extensions working.
As I need both Sky boxes connected to the telephone line, I thought I had better replace the XTE-2005 and at the same time, buy a new IDC Tool.
As we have both
ADSLNation and
run-it-direct as members on SkyUser, I decided to have a quick look at their current line up of products. However, both of these companies have similar products, but completely different pricing structures.
I remembered that
Tamar Communications had offered us a discount code for members last year, and so decided to have a quick look at their alternatives.
Ordering Process:
I opted for Tamar to see what results I would see for the least amount of money, although I did choose the more robust IDC Tool, so as I would never need to buy one again, obviously you could save a few quid by purchasing the cheaper disposable one.
I ordered my parts on Monday 11th May, in the afternoon, total cost of order -
£15.53
Approximately dinnertime today, my order arrived, Recorded Delivery, although I had only chosen the cheaper normal First Class Post, this was a good sign. Inside the padded envelope was the ADSL Filter, the Punchdown IDC Tool, 3 nicely wrapped plain chocolate sweets, as well as the invoice / receipt.
Fitting was a complete doddle and it took less than 5 minutes, and straight away I had all of my extensions back on and the Broadband working. (I will do a tutorial for this very soon as to help others)
Seriously, I was that impressed I actually rang Tamar to say Thank You for such an excellent service. Whilst on the phone I asked them if they would be interested in implementing the discount again for our members to take advantage of, to which they have agreed to do so. If you wish to order from Tamar you can use the following code,
skyuser - This will provide a 10% discount across their product range, including their ADSL filters / i-plate;
This offer is valid until the end of July 2009.
Quality wise, on first impressions, the Tamar Filter was the same or similar looking quality, complete with 4 screws, and a cable tie. Once fitted it gives me exactly the same stats / results as the ADSLNation XTE-2005 and my Broadband is connected at more or less the same speeds as before.
Conclusions and benefits:
- Having used an ADSLNation and a Tamar ADSL Faceplate Filter as well as testing the 3 that Run-IT-Direct sent us, I can confirm that they are all about the same performance wise as each other, and cosmetically not a lot of difference, although the ADSL Nation XTE-2005 I would say had a slightly higher recess on the back where you put the telephone wires in, against the XTE-2005 Clone offered by Run-IT-Direct, making it slightly easier, using the IDC tool to actually connect the wires to the faceplate.
- If you have differing stats, between your extension and your actual test socket, this is one potential way of fixing those issues.
- No longer any need to use ADSL filters.
- Nice aesthetical solution.
- Well worth the price of fitting, from any of the below suppliers, for the actual amount of grief that they could save, as well as potential performance increase.
Update: Since we originally conducted this review, Run-IT-Direct have sent us 3 of their current face plates to review, of which I have added images of the router stats below, as well as amending my conclusions above.
So what are the differences between the three different suppliers?
ADSL Nation
As I no longer have the
ADSL Nation XTE-2005 Master Faceplate, I cannot provide a screen shot of the router's stats, suffice to say, they were about the same as all those tested below. However, having bought one over 2 years ago, I can honestly say that I have never had an issue with its build or performance quality, apart from my own doing, in re-fitting and damaging the grips that hold the phone wire in, using a screwdriver instead of the IDC tool. I must also add, since I have used the Tamar one, I have in fact managed to repair the ADSL Nation one, and have since sent it to Glenn (SatDish) to use at his house.
Tamar Communications
Router stats using their
ADSL FacePlate Filter
Run-IT-Direct
Router stats using their
ADSL Faceplate for NTE5 Linebox (XTE-2005 Clone)
Router stats using their
Pressac ADSL faceplate
Router stats using their Austin Taylor ADSL faceplate
Suppliers and costs of products:
ADSLNation
XTE-2005 Master Faceplate - £11.39
Disposable IDC Tool - £0.59
Professional IDC Tool - £9.78
Carriage - £2.99
Total Cost of our selection -
£24.16 delivered
run-it-direct
BT ADSL Faceplate for NTE5 Linebox, 6 Way Version(NTE2005) - £15.26
IDC Tool , Simple tool to allow termination to IDC blocks - £0.59
Professional IDC Tool - £7.04
Carriage - £4.49
Total Cost of our selection -
£27.38 delivered
run-it-direct offer a 10% discount for SkyUser Members. Please PM direct to get the code.
Tamar Communications
ADSL FacePlate Filter - £7.82
IDC Cable Insertion Tool - £0.54
Punchdown IDC Tool - £5.82
Carriage - £1.64
Total Cost of our selection -
£15.53 delivered
Notes:
- If you have differing stats at the extension and your test socket, you could first try removing the ring wire, if you are competent enough. This may possibly in effect produce the same results as having a faceplate filter, although you would still need to use the ADSL Filters as normal.
- If you do not have any extensions running from your master socket, there would be no need to purchase an IDC tool.
How to find out if you could benefit:
If you wish to try the Test Socket, to see if your stats are indeed any better and could benefit from a filter, we have produced these guides:
Get your Sky Router Stats - Remember to measure your stats both before and after the Test Socket
Test Your Master Socket - This guide shows you how to find your Test Socket
The above prices are current as at 12th May 2009 - for absolute clarity we do not have any association with the above mentioned online stores, and we do not receive any commissions or benefits for promoting them.
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