Grey Market Asus RT-AX88U Router, Potential Issues?

Torch on 29/08/2023 - 13:39
Last edited 29/08/2023 - 14:01 by 1 other user

As i missed out on the previous ax6000 promotions, i found an ebay seller who sells "Unopened, never used" condition Asus AX88U routers on ebay
(for ~300 $). As i read the previous comments on other deals i tried to check whether if it is a UK spec version (for 2.4ghz band signal strength restrictions) or not, and the seller confirmed it is indeed an overseas version, however did not specify the origin of the stock.
Are there any other checks i should do (other than correct plug) on a router from overseas stock?

Thanks in advance

• 

  jizmo on 29/08/2023 - 13:43

  Merlin FW is the same if you download from UK or AU

  • 

    Morien on 29/08/2023 - 13:57

    +3

    As I recall, firmware won’t overcome hardware limitations of overseas models.

• 

  scrimshaw on 29/08/2023 - 14:00

  +1

  You can't turn an overseas UK model router into an AU one just by flashing the firmware with third party OS, it still is going to be nerfed due to hardware limitations

  It seems that the ASUS RT-AX88U is no longer stocked in Australia — I bought this router way back in 2020 but since then the prices started going up as stock dwindled. So whatever is left on the market is either second hand or import models

  • 

    Torch on 29/08/2023 - 22:37

    https://w.wol.ph/2015/08/28/maximum-wifi-transmission-power-…

    Based on this, no real drawback if it would be a Chinese model?

    • 

      Twix on 30/08/2023 - 12:49

      The thing is you don't know the original region. There is no easy way of knowing since the seller won't tell you. I wouldn't purchase it. Wait for an Oz deal on a Asus RT-AX86U Pro and Asus GT-AX6000.