Using Circle with Eero
Is anyone using the Circle device with Eero to manage children's devices on a home network? I like Eero's ability to "turn off" devices, but Circle seems to allow you to set filters on a per-device basis. Just not sure how well Circle works in general -- and, in particular, if it works with Eero.
124 replies
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I just spent 1.5 hours with Eero tech support trying to figure out why ethernet connections through a switch connected to the gateway Eero would not work. A process of elimination led to the conclusion it was quite probably the Circle. The tech said the Circle would need to be connected to the gateway Eero directly and not via a switch. Problem is I need the switch and the Eero has only 2 ports, so it's switch or Circle (or ditch Eero for another system that has more than 2 ports). I'm dubious to reconnect the Circle and risk recreating the same problem. I plan to try Eero's features that might be similar to Circle, but what I definitely do not want to is pay the $10 per month for their content filtering service that is included in Circle, so if I don't use the Circle I give that up. I might try putting the whole Eero system (in "bridge" mode) behind another router that has more than 2 ports that itself can have both the Circle and switch connected to it. Net net, I'd be very wary of buying an Eero system if you enjoy using Circle. To the Eero engineers: please build a unit with more than 2 ports!
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Yes, great to see the discussion here on a thread I started some time ago. Personally, I gave up on Circle even before eero created its own parental controls, but I'm very happy with eero Plus (the only drawback I see is what has been said -- it's an ongoing fee as opposed to Circle, which only requires a one-time hardware purchase). And kudos to weaves for joining in here!
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Hi Nick ( weaves ) nice of the CEO to weigh in!
I would echo what others have said about suggested enhancements (except the "out of home" which seems too much to ask for a home wi-fi system to provide), but I would caveat them by saying the ongoing monthly fee is definitely a burden when thinking long-term. I like our Eero Pro system a lot, but I would have reservations suggesting it to someone who uses Circle on account of some of the features being held back for the subscription. That said, as the CEO of a subscription business myself, I get it. Subscription revenue is better revenue than hardware sales.
P.S. for those of you using Circle before, consider what we did: we didn't tell our kids it has been disconnected.
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Eero plus allows graphic photos to still show up where Circle does not when I compared the two. When will this improve? Eero and Circle do not work together no matter what you and they may claim. My daughter can't use Roblox "because of circle" and lately she gets locked out of xbox multiplayer when it's assigned to her her circle profile so there's two devices I can't manage for her, making circle useless. That leaves Eero, but your filtering of content I don't want my 11 year old running into is severely lacking compared to circle. I can't seem to obtain the level of monitoring I need even if I'm willing to pay.
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Hi... I'm really unhappy.
The new update to eero has broken Circle completely. Now every time I turn on the filters, it completely blocks everybody. It wasn't doing this before - just blocking certain sites like Roblox. I'm very disappointed with this whole thing. I wonder whether it's possible to get a refund for the eero - not the service I was expecting, weaves
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I'm quite frustrated. I purchased the eero from kickstarter - partially because of the parental filtering that was shown in the initial eero marketing video. Once eero launched - without the promised filtering capabilities - I stuck with the product because I was assured that more features were coming via software updates. So while I waited for the promised parental features I bought a Circle. It has been a frustrating experience, but it worked. Now, with the latest update, my kids' devices are useless when connected through Circle and I have to pay $100/year for eero Plus to get the features that I was promised would come standard with the eero purchase!
I'm aware companies need to make money to survive, but the old bait-and-switch is never a good look. I really believed in eero and it's sad that I've had to warn people away from the product because of this. I'm sure it's just coincidence that a competing filtering device stopped working shortly after eero started offering filtering services for an additional fee, but you really have to fix this issue.
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And to add insult to injury, Circle tech is now "baked into" Netgear routers including Orbi. So no need to add an additional peripheral and all the issues that can accompany that. https://www.engadget.com/2017/11/15/circle-with-disney-on-netgear-routers/
But since Orbi doesn't do wired backhaul, Eero won for me. I love them, just wish they could offer that additional touch of value.
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I set up my 1st Gen Eero last night and then set up my Circle. No issues at all. Was originally worried since it was listed and a non-supported device. Overly happy about the wifi coverage and use of my current devices.
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Mark Smith You will probably be fine as long as you don't update eero. Once it updates - your dead in the water.
weaves - I have sung eero's praises to everyone who would listen, but when the last person asked me this week, I had to point them away. Here is the communication that you get from eero when asking for help:
Brandon (eero Customer Support)
Thank you for contacting eero support. Upon doing some research, I found the following article below about Circle and it's compatibility with eero. It does not specifically say how to configure (at least the first few messages don't) but I do see customers that use it. Let me know if you require further assistance and I will be more than happy to help. https://community.eero.com/t/366lt9/using-circle-with-eeroThank you for being a valuable eero customer.Respectfully,Brandon Hindes
When I pressed again, I got this back:
Brandon (eero Customer Support)
I have found some more information on eero and circle's compatibility. This came from Circle's support site. Let me know if this helps at all sir.Thanks for your interest in Circle! Unfortunately, we're aware of a serious incompatibility issue with Circle and Eero routers. With the latest Eero software (v3.5.0-312), released on October 17th 2017, we've determined that Circle's filter level settings cause overall Internet functionality to break. Specifically, you may notice setting a profile to a filter level other than "None" will cause every platform and website to fail to load, regardless of whether the site has been set as "Not Allowed". Setting the profile to the "None" filter level, or the device as "Unmanaged", will restore Internet functionality. At this time, there is no other workaround, other than switching all profiles to a "None" filter level, or disabling Circle until the problem is resolved. We are working as quickly as possible to remedy the situation and restore overall compatibility. Feel free to reach out to us using the support links below for more information.I hope you have a good day.Respectfully,Brandon Hindes
So after multiple emails, I've managed to get what I already knew.
Circle is a very useful device. For me, it is far more useful than eero's $10/mo service. Something eero did broke this functionality. Is there anyone at eero who cares? Is there any chance this will be resolved?
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My Circle now is a paperweight. I didn't update the Eero but I did put the Circle finally on the Eero Wifi. (I had it on my Linksys Wifi prior) Looks like I'll be running a wifi network just for my son on the Linksys controlled by the Circle. Does any one seeing any issues with running a second Wifi network under the Eero?
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I will be likely ditching my Eero too since Circle support on my router system is a must. It offers way more support in filtering, device->user management, and guest devices and filtering than Eero Plus. I think the Eero team would do themselves best by responding to this topic with a timeline for a fix no matter who is providing it. Circle worked before the last Eero update - it is therefore Eero's responsibility to make sure the their system works with other highly rated filtering systems, especially when they worked before. This is starting to feel like an anti-trust issue.
Content aside
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