italyguy01
Regular Contributor
Anyone have a link to where a user can find this 266 FW?
You can get the version 266 here:
http://www.gohighvoltage.com/forum/threads/23904-Asus-RT-AC66U-Firmware-266?p=23960
Anyone have a link to where a user can find this 266 FW?
I am very happy with 270.26b but c'est la vie! Here are links to 3.0.0.4.266 and 266.23b-dw from my MediaFire account.Asus has now PULLED 266 from its firmware list! The list now jumps from 260 to 270. I blame you
http://support.asus.com/Download.aspx?SLanguage=en&m=RT-AC66U&p=11&s=2
I am very happy with 270.26b but c'est la vie! Here are links to 3.0.0.4.266 and 266.23b-dw from my MediaFire account.
3.0.0.4.266:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?cb9bsev1c90g803
3.0.0.4.266.23b-dw.zip:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?7pn54vd928j1l3g
I guarantee anyone to try the 266 firmware, and you will see a 10% increase in signal strength at the minimum on both 2.4 and 5.0 and the mw adjustment on 266 actually works, where all other firmwares it does not make any difference.
266 uses the exact same driver build as 260 and 246, and there's been numerous reports of stability issues from many users with this specific driver version. There was even a poll where as many as 50% of users mentionned having various stability issues with this driver version versus the driver from build 220. So no, not everyone will get better results, as past reports has shown.
I am very happy with 270.26b but c'est la vie! Here are links to 3.0.0.4.266 and 266.23b-dw from my MediaFire account.
3.0.0.4.266:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?cb9bsev1c90g803
3.0.0.4.266.23b-dw.zip:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?7pn54vd928j1l3g
Oh, just FYI, Merlin's
3.0.0.4.266.23b-dw.zip:
Does not use the actual 266 driver. He told me he still uses the 220 driver his his 3.0.0.4.266.23b-dw.zip
So, If you want to try the 266 driver, make sure to use the ASUS original 266 driver and then report your results.
Thanks for the feedback regarding your personal experience with fw 266.
So, to confirm my understanding:
1. You are using Asus' firmware version 266 (not Merlin's firmware) right?
2. You are noting that Merlin's 266 fw actually uses older Broadcom drivers than the Broadcom drivers used in Asus fw 266 (which Merlin noted is due to reports of stability issues with the 266 driver from about 50% of polled users).
I plan to finally open my RT-AC66U tonight (made easier by my having just ordered the USB-AC53) and test it to compare the two routers in terms of wifi signal stability and wifi performance on both bands.
is there a merlin build with 266 driver?
just flashed the 266 and my 2.4 and 5 are stronger about 10db each!!
is there a merlin build with 266 driver?
just flashed the 266 and my 2.4 and 5 are stronger about 10db each!!
I told you!!!!!
Merlin does not have a 266 version. Merlin's 266 version uses the driver from 220 firmware if I am correct.
I have been using Asus 266 version for a good while now with no issues, great speed and the strongest signals possible.
AND with 266, if you adjust the mw power, it actually WORKS!
if would be great if RMerlin would do builds with 266 driver for the people who don't have issues... I looked on my note 2 with wifi analyzer app and I see the difference and the speeds are much greater with it!
There are two different routers, with no less than 4 different driver versions in the past 6 months per router. I'm not gonna compile and release 8 different firmwares just because everyone has his own favorite driver...
5GHz signal strength is also weaker than with the N66U.
N66U was -46 dbm (between -43 and -49) in my bedroom, whereas the AC66U is only -56 dbm.
The thing is there isn't no perfect wireless driver, and never will be. I am a N66U user, and for me the latest wireless drivers asus is using work very well for me. I have a decent amount of device's that connect wirelessly also. For me I see a 2.4ghz band that is more steady, and doesn't bounce around connection speed's. As for the 5ghz band, I don't expect a whole lot because it's limited range.damn... the 266 on the ac router with your tweaks = FTW!!!
BTW, make sure you do your tests using the same channel. Lower-numbered channel have different output power limitations than the higher-numbered ones.
The thing is there isn't no perfect wireless driver, and never will be. I am a N66U user, and for me the latest wireless drivers asus is using work very well for me. I have a decent amount of device's that connect wirelessly also. For me I see a 2.4ghz band that is more steady, and doesn't bounce around connection speed's. As for the 5ghz band, I don't expect a whole lot because it's limited range.
I have had only one complaint regarding wireless connection since I started using the .3xx build's. Which was related to the 5ghz band having connection speed drop, but pick back up soon after. Which I have had this happen with older build's also. Giving the location of the 5ghz connection, and stuff in between. I would just blame it on the condition's of where everything is, rather then a driver issue. That's not without saying, I would love for one day the range of the 5ghz band to be better, as we all know it's better usage wise.
Welcome To SNBForums
SNBForums is a community for anyone who wants to learn about or discuss the latest in wireless routers, network storage and the ins and outs of building and maintaining a small network.
If you'd like to post a question, simply register and have at it!
While you're at it, please check out SmallNetBuilder for product reviews and our famous Router Charts, Ranker and plenty more!