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GL.iNet GL-MT1300 Beryl Micro/Travel Router $79.20 Delivered (Normally $99) @ GL.iNet via Amazon AU

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One of the best travel router, is now at one of the cheapest price point according to camelcamelcamel (first time below $80)
While there might be some good prices in the coming black friday sales
As a OZB spirit, always buy first and think later
(And most importantly, backed by the amazing amazon after sales protection)

Below spec of the router just copied from the last deal ($84.15) https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/659923

There’s a number of ways that the Slate is still relevant and useful especially when used as a travel router.

What’s been improved in the Beryl over the Slate?
AC1300 versus AC750
USB 3 versus USB 2
VPN speeds better 21/91Mbps versus 17/68Mbps (OpenVPN/Wireguard)
USB-C versus USB-Micro
IPV6 support

Where is Slate “better” for travel over the Beryl
Lighter 86g versus 184g
Smaller 100mm X 68mm X 24mm versus 118 x 85 x 30mm
Supports EAP WiFi networks
Only requires 5V/2A versus 5V/3A (better run life when attached to a portable power source (notebook/powerbank) while truly mobile)
Cheaper :slight_smile:

So in my head, if you want a truly portable router to take out to the cafe and in your kit bag, then the Slate still holds some advantages over the Beryl. If you’re going to setup in a hotel room for a week or so, the Beryl’s probably a better option (if you can live with the additional size and weight getting there). You need to weigh up the better functions of the Beryl against the larger size as your travel router. That being said for a small apartment or as a repeater/extender, or as a VPN client then this little discrete unit will work as a “home” router really well and look good.

Just my first quick thoughts and as always YMMV

Still another Gl-iNet router that performs well above it’s size and does everything a big router can accomplish in a much smaller form factor. Of course we can’t forget the flexibility offered by it running OpenWRT compared to other commercial routers.

As per normal, the Beryl supports all the functions of the Gl.iNet routers (VPN Server/Client/TOR/DNS over TLS etc) and has the handy Gl.iNet interface wrapped over the top of OpenWRT.

Please note however that because it is based on a Mediatek SOC, then it uses proprietary WiFi drivers for reliablity and stability. You can load native Open/wrt but performance MAY suffer. Additional it will not connect to an EAP WiFi network

Specification
CPU: MT7621A, Dual-Core @880MHz
Memory / Storage: DDR3L 256MB / FLASH 32MB
Wi-Fi Speed: 2.4GHz(400Mbps), 5GHz(867Mbps)
Ethernet Port: 3 x 10/100/1000Mbps auto-negotiation
Antennas: 2 x undetachable external Wi-Fi antennas
Power Input: Type-C, 5V/3A
Working Temperature: 0 ~ 40°C (32 ~ 104°F)
Storage Temperature: -20 ~ 70°C (-4 ~ 158°F)
Dimension / Weight: 118 x 85 x 30mm, 184g

Some quick thoughts, ideas, comments (in no particular order)
*If you use as a WISP repeater then you repeat on one band and LAN on the other for "full" bandwidth (unlike a single band unit like the Mango)
*Supports out of the box OpenVPN and Wireguard Server and Client and with the latest firmware TOR client.
*VPN access on/off can be controlled by a physical on/off switch.
*Via the web interface you can switch VPNs. I have a Wireguard client back to my home router server for security and Australian internet access but also have 3 OpenVPN countries setup on Nord/Pure for geographical VPN. It's easy as dragging a CFG file into the interface to setup and the web interface lets you change between them
*One thing that isn't mentioned is the security implications on connecting to an open network. Using this you end up with your own firewalled, subnetted network (This is why Chromecast will work on a hotel captive portal network)
*While default is 1 WAN and 2 LAN ethernet, if you are using WISP you can change to 3 LAN ports
*Because it's OpenWRT based you can add any of the packages out of the OpenWRT repository. I have run VPNs, AdBlock, Transmission Torrent downloads to the USB stick connected etc
*It can also be used as an AP or repeater. Handy because of it's size
*5V/3A means you can run off a appropriate phone power pack, modern PC/Tablet USB port, Car 5V adapter or powerbanks.
*Full LUCI interface can still be accessed outside of the Gl.iNet wrapper
*If you're on holidays with the family you can configure all your devices to attach to the Beryl and as you move from free WiFi to free Wifi you don't have to reconnect all their devices just the Slate once.
*You can put a USB stick on it to share music/movies/photos (or in a car, or on a plane) even without an internet connection.
*You can connect a 4G USB Dongle to it (as long as it's supported by OpenWRT) or USB tether you mobile to it and use as a router to share the LTE.
*Because the router presents itself as a device to the network, and all connected devices to the Beryl present as the Beryl (if that makes sense), gets around restrictive WiFi networks where you can only have a limited number of devices. Useful too if you're paying for per device.
*It's a great small and versatile unit. It won't suit everyone or every circumstance, but if you've got a use for it they're a great jigger :)

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.

Related Stores

Amazon AU
Amazon AU
Marketplace
GL Technologies (Hong Kong)
GL Technologies (Hong Kong)

closed Comments

  • Can these GL.iNET routers be connected to any L2TP/IPSEC VPN, or only OpenVPN/Wireguard? Interested in having a link to home when travelling, but can't seem to find a straight answer to this question (Currently running VPN server using SoftEther). Thanks in advance.

    • L2TP/IPSEC not "supported" out of the box like OpenVPN and Wireguard, but can be configured to support because underlying system is OpenWRT.

  • +1

    is there any gl.inet device that takes sim cards for mobile hotspotting?

    • X300 or E750 if you need battery powered
      X750 if AC powered.

  • Can I connect it to NBN box and get internet ?

    I am using the Telstra Smart Router 2 which blocks Linux machine from accessing internet for some reason.

  • Yes, NBN Box - WAN of Beryl - set Beryl to DHCP and you should be good to go.

    • Thanks, bought and will test it out.

    • It works, much better than the smart router.

    • One question, how do I reduce ping to single digit?

      When I was using the Telstra router with wire, the ping on speedtest.net is always single digit

      Now with Beryl, ping is around 15.

  • Asking as a complete novice:
    I see that I can use this to connect to a public Wi-Fi network as a repeater in WISP mode, what protection does that have for my devices compared to a direct connection, in particular with regards to making online transactions?
    Would WireGuard and OpenVPN be another layer of protection on top of that, and do they need dedicated subscription to paid services for full functionality?

    • trying to figure this out as well.

      Like is this only more secure compared to public wifi if we use wireguard/openvpn?
      or still safer even without openvpn/wireguard

    • +1

      All your devices attached to the router will be on a completely different subnet and will be protected by a Firewall. Case in point, I was at a little hotel the other weekend and connected to the public WiFi. I used Fing on my mobile and I could see about 45 different devices, their model and MAC address, and more scarely they could see my devices. Using the Mango will mean that people will only see your Mango and they will not be see nor be able to (potentially) access devices attached to the Mango.

      OpenVPN and Wireguard will further encrypt your traffic.

      Quick Google Search article here

      Hope this helps.

      • perfect thanks for the response @Limbot.

        Do you reckon Beryl would be good as an extender upstairs?
        2 storey house, pretty weak signal upstairs far corner

        • +1

          Yeah they work well for that. Best thing is to repeat on one band and WLAN on the other band to preserve bandwidth. If you repeat and WLAN on the same band you'll lose 50% of bandwidth (advantage of dual band over single band)

          Of course if the signal is really weak there's not much you can do.

  • At my school , the school's free wifi cripples the use of all VPN via its wifi network.

    Meaning if I use the school's free wifi to access internet via my laptop , I will not be able to use my paid VPN's client on my laptop.

    Can I use this Beryl router to get around this problem?

    i.e. I can use the VPN client on my laptop , which is connected to this Beryl router , which makes use of my school wifi?

    • Sorry, can't say as never been in that situation. I'd assume it depends on how they're blocking VPNs. Might be worth a post on the gl. Inet forums.

      • Thanks

  • Any more deals likely on this? went to buy on Amazon but price had gone up…

  • An update. I decide to return this router. I have only been using it for two weeks and I had to restart it twice already.

    It just randomly stop working (Internet is gone, wifi is gone when it is on)

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