GL.iNet GL-MT1300 Beryl Micro/Travel Router $89.10 (Normally $99) Delivered @ GL.iNet via Amazon AU

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AssociatedLimbot @ GL Technologies (Hong Kong) on 28/03/2022 - 20:59 amazon.com.au (487 clicks)
Last edited 28/03/2022 - 21:23 by 1 other user

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One of the ways the Beryl is being marketed is being an “an advanced version of our best-seller, Slate (GL-AR750S)”.We know a few people have already bought the Slate off Ozbargain so the question is does it replace the Slate? In my mind it’s both “yes” and “no”

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.

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 :)

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• 

  dblade123 on 28/03/2022 - 21:02

  Any news on the upcoming GL-A1300 or GL-AXT1800? Been looking for a travel router but I might hold off if the new ones are going to be better.

  • 

    AssociatedLimbot @ GL Technologies (Hong Kong) on 28/03/2022 - 21:02

    +5

    I was supposed to see a "beta" AXT1800 by the end of this month for testing. 3 days to go and I'm not holding my breath :P

    Personally the question for me is if there's really a need for WiFi 6 in a travel router, especially here in Australia with our "speshul" internet speeds we (don't) have. Not sure that the size, weight, heat production and power consumption factors will outweigh performance (or lack thereof) but of course it's not just around speed and theoretically you should see better battery life for AX devices attached which could be useful while travelling. Of course, that's all my personal opinion. For me though, I'll most likely be using it as an AP attached to a Flint in my new infrastructure :) (Oh and I know the devs are working hard to get it onto a later version of OpenWRT than 15.05 like the Flint)

    Haven't heard much about the A1300. Since this uses the same SOC as their AP1300 Enterprise ceiling mount AP, it should be a good jigger but again hopefully the heat/power constraints in a smaller form factor don't effect it.

    • 

      poweredbysugar on 29/03/2022 - 10:22

      +1

      Do you have any idea if the newer routers will have better VPN speeds? WireGuard to be specific

      The Beryl looks like the best all rounder if you want to run everything through a VPN while traveling.

      • 

        AssociatedLimbot @ GL Technologies (Hong Kong) on 29/03/2022 - 11:36

        +1

        Purely speculation based on SOC as haven't got any figures:

        A1300 is based on same SOC as the AP1300 Cirrus, so quoted 192Mbps on WG
        AXT1800 is based on same SOC as the AX1800 Flint so quoted 667Mbps on WG

        That's compared to the Beryl quoted 91Mbps

        Whether the new formfactor and cramming into a much smaller box, or power consumption or heat or….will affect I can't tell you.

        Of course there's always a trade off in size, weight, price and there's always so many factors that contribute to WG speed :)

        • 

          Iceman-jkh on 17/04/2022 - 20:33

          @Limbot: Hi,
          Any update on the A1300 device?
          I'm very interested in the Beryl vs Slate vs A1300.. and was hoping you might have heard/seen a little more since your last update.

          Basically, I'm thinking to a Beryl unless the A1300 convinces me otherwise.
          Thanks.

• 

  bdl on 28/03/2022 - 21:46

  +2

  The only router named after the CWA's chief scone maker

• 

  TazX on 28/03/2022 - 21:48

  Jesus, I stopped being a tech head years ago. Since when did commercial routers all start running openwrt? That's amazing. I was thinking of getting a router for my room.

• 

  Doy on 28/03/2022 - 23:38

  What’s the best option like this that takes a 4G SIM for a portable hotspot?

  • 

    uncyspam on 28/03/2022 - 23:55

    There are a few options, it depends on what you define as best.

    I have a beryl and just use a usb 4G dongle with it. If I was replacing today, I’d go with the gl-x750. But it’s nearly twice the price. So if you already have a 4G dongle the beryl will work fine.

    • 

      AssociatedLimbot @ GL Technologies (Hong Kong) on 29/03/2022 - 13:21

      X750 is great for "fixed" 4G router, but the barrel power connector makes it a bit less flexible and it's a little bit hard to run off a powerbank/notebook when mobile and the external 4G antennae are useful in "fringe" areas. Both XE300 (Puli) and E750 (Mudi) have a built in battery so you're entirely self contained but much more expensive (and Puli is only 300Mbps WiFi) . Horses for courses :)

      Don't forget all Gl.Inets can do WAN failover straight out of the box :)

• 

  aileron on 29/03/2022 - 01:14

  +1

  I'm currently using a Mango as a stop gap router direct from the NBN box and it's surprised me by being able to connect to 6-7 devices and keep up 25Mbps (not exactly intense, but it's the speed at the box). This one would be far better suited for my use case of course.
  Been pretty happy with GL.iNet and the firmware so far, it's no bs and just works.

• 

  Ostrich on 29/03/2022 - 07:51

  How do you gracefully power down these units. Or do you still just yank the plug out? I used the previous versions for wifi sharing of hdd movies etc, but was always tricky to disconnect hdd and power down unit…

  • 

    AssociatedLimbot @ GL Technologies (Hong Kong) on 29/03/2022 - 13:16

    +1

    Always just yank the cable and haven't had an issue with the multitude of units I've got.

• 

  UncommonName on 29/03/2022 - 20:28

  Is it better than Mango (yellow color) as a travel router?

  • 

    senorclean on 29/03/2022 - 22:01

    +1

    It is - I think the lack of dual band is likely to make the most difference (ie you can't connect to a hotel's 2.4ghz and then run your devices on 5ghz). But also a fair performance gap.