Virgin Hub 5. Yes or no?

Posted 22nd Apr 2022

Virgin have just emailed to offer me a free Hub 5.
I currently use a Hub 2 that is several years old.
Is the new tech really worth it?

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26th Apr
Joshua_Turner26/04/2022 15:46
Does anyone have the email address that virgin email you from for the …Does anyone have the email address that virgin email you from for the upgrade. Don’t need the Wi-Fi 6 but the 2.5gb Ethernet would be stellar right now

My invite came from email@em.virginmedia.com.
The in page link leads to virginmedia.com/off…ade
30th Apr
Has anyone with a Hub 5 measured the power consumption, particularly in modem only mode? Thanks.
10th Nov
Mine uses about 12Watts
22nd Apr
Westwoodo22/04/2022 19:34
Yup with massive issues just like every other new virgin hub, I know …Yup with massive issues just like every other new virgin hub, I know several people with it and all have had problems that didn't exist with their older hubs.

You are bound to get loads of issues with any Virgin media hub as they have so many customers using the same equipment, i bet 99% of the customers are getting along absolutely fine though. You can find plenty of problem reviews on any router.
22nd Apr
Azwipe22/04/2022 19:44
You are bound to get loads of issues with any Virgin media hub as they …You are bound to get loads of issues with any Virgin media hub as they have so many customers using the same equipment, i bet 99% of the customers are getting along absolutely fine though. You can find plenty of problem reviews on any router.

Yeah if you dismiss facts anything can be true.
22nd Apr
TristanDeCoonha22/04/2022 18:54
The contract is effectively new anyway.Perhaps I should have asked "yes or …The contract is effectively new anyway.Perhaps I should have asked "yes or no, and why?"

Each time they bring out a new hub it's worse than the one it's replacing and HUKD & VM forum is littered with historical VM Superhub threads.

I'm on 3 and it was worse than 2 & 1.
22nd Apr
No
22nd Apr
If it means a new 18 month contract then no.
If it’s no new contract then anything for free is good. Stick it in modem only mode and get an ASUS router.
Author
22nd Apr
fiestasteve4422/04/2022 18:47
If it means a new 18 month contract then no.If it’s no new contract then a …If it means a new 18 month contract then no.If it’s no new contract then anything for free is good. Stick it in modem only mode and get an ASUS router.

The contract is effectively new anyway.

Gollywood22/04/2022 18:40
No

Perhaps I should have asked "yes or no, and why?" (edited)
22nd Apr
Ordered mine for delivery 5th May. What's not to like about a free upgrade to WiFi 6
22nd Apr
Nope, don't pay to be the guinea pig.
22nd Apr
I'm on 5 and it's no different from my previous 3 hub if using it in modem mode.
22nd Apr
As mentioned already, if you have Virgin media then the hub is only good for a modem. If you plan on using their equipment then I guess ordering it is fine provided it doesn’t add any additional cost or term to your contract.
22nd Apr
You need to consider the speed you are on or will be in future. I believe SH2 can only do max 200mb so eventually you would have to change it anyway
22nd Apr
Westwoodo22/04/2022 19:05
Nope, don't pay to be the guinea pig.

It's been tested over the previous 12 months with selected customers.
22nd Apr
Azwipe22/04/2022 19:33
It's been tested over the previous 12 months with selected customers.

Yup with massive issues just like every other new virgin hub, I know several people with it and all have had problems that didn't exist with their older hubs.
22nd Apr
There is a story circulating that suggests this new hub will make it harder to adopt VPN features, so could diminish the enjoyment of "freebie" streaming choices.
Does anybody know if this has any truth to it?
Author
22nd Apr
Westwoodo22/04/2022 20:43
Comment deleted

Simple way out.
Ask them.
22nd Apr
It's a box to get the you connected to the internet - you only need to upgrade if you are using gigabit broadband as it has a single 2.5Gbps ethernet port which is unavailable on the older hubs. Other than that the WiFi options have been upgraded to allow better throughput, although I doubt you would notice any significant difference between this and older hubs (It is supposed to allow for better signal strength et al)

See here for the specs: community.virginmedia.com/t5/…299
23rd Apr
I've had a few vm devices over the years (Motorola surfboard, super hub 1,2,3). I was on a hub 2 and was forced by Virgin to upgrade to a 3 to fix a problem. But it didn't fix it. I forced them to reactivate my hub 2 as I didn't like the 3.

The only real point in changing from a 2 is if you have above 350 Mbs or need faster wi-fi. The switch part of the hub is gigabit and unless you have a nas with 2.5gb or have upgraded all your nics in all your devices or have devices that support Wi-Fi 6.

No idea what the hub 4,5 or 6 is like. The hub 2 is net gear but the hub 3 and 4 are made by Arris and seemed inferior to me.
Author
24th Apr
So the Hub 2 appears to have been saved from destruction. I used to run 350 through it, which is enough for my needs. There were higher speeds offered at the time, so unless this blows up, here it stays.
The wifi speed did seem to drop, but has returned without issue, which may actually have a phone problem.
24th Apr
Find the signal stronger with the 5. Moved from the 3 and had no issues at all

Westwoodo22/04/2022 19:34
Yup with massive issues just like every other new virgin hub, I know …Yup with massive issues just like every other new virgin hub, I know several people with it and all have had problems that didn't exist with their older hubs.

I've found the opposite. Better imo

BlitRider22/04/2022 19:36
There is a story circulating that suggests this new hub will make it …There is a story circulating that suggests this new hub will make it harder to adopt VPN features, so could diminish the enjoyment of "freebie" streaming choices.Does anybody know if this has any truth to it?

Still use mine fine (edited)
26th Apr
Does anyone have the email address that virgin email you from for the upgrade. Don’t need the Wi-Fi 6 but the 2.5gb Ethernet would be stellar right now
28th Jul
I have had the hub 5 since December 2021. It replaced the hub 3 which I had no issues with. So far I have had internet connection that is unstable. One minutes we have strong connection, the next hardly any or none at all, then back to good again. The wifi was connecting everything on the 2.5ghz only so speed was 92-101 when I was paying for up to 500 speeds. Virgin then said they would resolve this by splitting the wifi in two. So we have the 2.5ghz as standard and then the 5ghz separately. To connect from one to the other we have to sign out and then sign in to the other! Same hub and same unstable internet but two separate connections. After months of phoning them they have agreed to swap us to either the hub 3 or 4. Will find out which one on Tuesday next week. But until then we can't do things like ps4 party chat or the online stuff. Definitely can't share play. Our fire stick will keep stopping part way through films and the hub will carry on needing rebooted several times a day. You may not have this experience in your area. All I know is it is not compatible for our home.
11th Nov
This is exactly like the issue I have noticed at a relatives place. Some days connections seem fine other days speeds randomly drops, next being useless.
In my new property the previous owners have left 2 Virgin routers behind, looks like I will be binning those, and make sure steer clear of them. (edited)
11th Nov
Yes, had mine for 6 months and it's been rock solid. You always get plenty of negative experiences with VM routers simply due to the volume of users.
12th Nov
Terrible for me. Some devices drop out very frequently
25th Nov
I had zero problems over the years with my hub 3. I just received my free hub 5 replacement yesterday so far so good.
25th Nov
Its got wifi 6 which will be good for my Quest 2 and new stuff in future that use wifi 6.
2 m ago
Do not get if you got some old tech as the worst hub I have come across. If they offer you the hub 3 or 4 then go for it as you will regret the hub 5 if you have some old tech older than 2 years as will not connect properly to them. For Example Samsung Galaxy tab A (2019 model) or the Honor 8X phone.