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Seems to be cheapest of all time according to camelx3.
ASUS RT-AC86U Wi-Fi AC2900 Router $195.13 + Delivery (Free with Prime) @ Amazon UK via AU
200
hanke on 12/11/2021 - 12:24 amazon.com.au (466 clicks)
Last edited 12/11/2021 - 12:27 by 1 other user
Last edited 12/11/2021 - 12:27 by 1 other user
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I've had my 68u forever but have always wondered, what are the main advantages of loading Merlin Firmware?
Allows full customization.
I've loaded Entware and am using x3mRouting for split tunnelling traffic via any one of three running VPN connections.
Can be used to run adblockers. I have pihole on an RPI, so didn't need that.
There are a ton of other functions available.
Great price. Waiting for a good deal on the AX as I'm using the 68U atm and prefer to leapfrog the 86U. Also, merlin is great!
Still using 68u as well. Also waiting for good deal on AX
I have an 68U. My powerline adapters gave up, so uncertain whether I should take a chance on the AC86U with the view of linking to the 68U using AiMesh.
The AC86U will offer way more horsepower to run VPN. They're currently topping out at 20mpbs on the 68U.
My only concern is that they're both dual band, so one will need to be dedicated to backhaul.. I might still fall foul of the distance between the two.
But it's a good price and I'm tempted.FOMO… made me pull the trigger. Hahahaha.
^ what he said. (his first message)
Except I have my eye on the ASUS RT-AX89X, it is a BEAST.
The only con is that it isn't 6E, otherwise, it's a contender to be the best.
Cheers OP. Bought one!
There's also the ASUS TUF Gaming AX5400 for only 40 bucks more at $234
https://www.amazon.com.au/ASUS-802-11ax-Accelerator-Adaptive…
It's selling for 350+ everywhere else
this seems a good deal - anyone have one with thoughts
this vs Telstra gen 2 smart modem
I have the AX3000 Tuf Gaming and I really like it. Has been getting updates all the time. Big upgrade over the Telstra modems I had been using. I have FTTN so I bridge a VDSL2 modem to the AX3000 and its been great.
so i take it you link AX3000 to your ISP modem and use the router for wifi etc?
there wouldn't be a point to wire connect computer to router when you can just connect from modem direct right?@botchie: Yes. Cause of FTTN you need a modem, where as FTTP and others you don't need that you can just connect this modem directly into the connection. These don't have modem chipsets for FTTN.
@tugman: yeah I have one of those black NBN modems and Telstra gen 2 smart modem, so now I will add this as 3rd :)
or can it connect direct from the NBN little black modem ?@botchie: You just need to bridge one of them. Depending on the brand its pretty easy to do and googling it shows you want to do.
https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/modem_to_router_bridging_guide
That looks good. Going off the Merlin site looks like you can’t put Merlin on it though
Any power WiFi issue if coming from the UK?
The power signal is weaker?From previous comment:
Band C is banned in the UK.
DO NOT BUY UK ROUTERSAnyone know what this means? The ASUS guy in the thread says it means it's not ideal if you plan on buying local Australian routers and putting them in the same AI mesh network as this?
For those of us who never plan to do that, it's not an issue, right?.
i only just started looking at routers but i take it this one is not wifi 6
Correct. AC is 5 ax is 6
would it be better then to wait for a good deal on wifi 6 since this would be old tech - they are not that much more expansive?
the one linked above - gaming one at only $40 moreI’d say only upgrade if you feel as if your wifi solution at home is unstable. Most wifi devices are transitioning to wifi 6 and out of all honesty, still quite buggy.
So it comes with UK plug
just bought from Scorptec couple days ago so Aus stock but it had Aus, US and UK plugs in the box.
Came here to post the same thing! Mine has arrived with a UK plug and an Euro plug
Have you managed to track down an Aus one? What're you planning on doing?
Geez i'm an absolute spud, that took me so much longer than it should've to just use a travel adapter. Spent ages trying to find an Aus adapter for the Asus power supply…
Does this have to be flashed with Aus firmware to comply with Australian regulations? Otherwise, you know, breaking the law?
Can I ask, as a purchase for my son, any reason I would buy the AX5400 over the AC86U with gaming not in the equation?
wifi 6
can handle more streaming devices connected to the network then old wifi5
Processor
1.8 GHz dual-core processor
Memory
256 MB Flash, 512 MB RAMGreat upgrade from your ISP router.
Poor upgrade if your current router already has a dual-core CPU.
Interesting purchase to be used with a similar Asus router to utilize AiMesh. (I've never used Asus' AiMesh so I can't comment on that)
And then to get the most bang for buck out of it, load Asuswrt-Merlin on it > https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/