Where to get an Asus RT68U Router?

Lcitroncrew on 26/09/2018 - 12:32
Last edited 26/09/2018 - 12:40 by 1 other user

Hi all,

I have been using Netgear WNR2200 for about 6+ years. With DDWRT, its been working great so far but starts to play up a bit so I thought it might be a good time to replace it.

After a bit of research I think the Asus RT68U would be a good fit.

The router has been around for while, I've seen regular deals in the $130-$160 range in the last couple of years but today I can't find anything below $200+. Why is that the price of such device doesn't go down? And most importantly, where can I get (locally if possible) model for a reasonable price?

Alternatively is anyone knows of a better/equivalent router in the same price bracket, I'd be happy to hear your suggestions.

Cheers

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  Diji1 on 26/09/2018 - 12:47

  I've seen regular deals in the $130-$160

  That seems very low to me, I think I've seen one sixty something but 170 is a "good" price in my judgement - could be wrong.

  I just sold an excellent condition preowned Netgear R7000 for $160 - shipping which is hardware identical to the AC68U although it looks like Darth Vaders head after it was run over by a steam roller. You can run Merlin or roughly anything that works on AC68U on it.

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  geech on 26/09/2018 - 14:03

  Can't help with where to get them that cheap, but can confirm the pricing only seems to go up. After the 20% off eBay sales I got my first one in June 2016 for $176, and then another one in June 2017 for $188.

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  Willy Stains on 26/09/2018 - 14:04

  I bought one in January for $145 from Ebay. It was a T-mobile OEM one which the ebay seller reflashed with something suitable to australia, merlin rings a bell.

  I've just looked the seller up and they've run out of routers.

  But yeah Ebay is a good place to search.

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  iforgotmysocks on 26/09/2018 - 15:10

  +2

  $187? https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Asus-RT-AC68U-Dual-Band-Wire…

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    citroncrew on 26/09/2018 - 20:41

    Thanks that look like the best deal at the moment.

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  s3n on 26/09/2018 - 16:41

  I have an RT68U and I have it running Merlin with Optus cable

  I find when running QOS fqcodel it's not that fast (new routers support out of box rather than a firmware hack) and the range downstairs isn't great

  It's getting long in the tooth now so I'm not an expert but I'd suspect you'd be better of with the Unifi Amplifi HD which includes meshing for the whole house and it can be found a similar price to RT68U

  https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/7858/ubiquiti-amplifi-hd-8…

  I'm just starting to look for something a bit faster and more robust than the RT68U routing wise - maybe an unifi edgerouter plus something else

  I'm not sure how good a router the amplifi hd is…

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  citroncrew on 26/09/2018 - 20:44

  Thanks for input guys.
  It bothers me a lot to have to pay more than 2 years ago for a tech that is supposed to depreciate quickly but I think I'll pull the trigger on the ebay deal…
  I'll leave until the end of the week in case the price go down again!