Which AC router for Merlin firmware

[brummygit]

Help

It's time to retire my RT-N66U and swap to a newer AC router. I specifically want to run Asuswrt-Merlin.

My priorities are:

• Wireless Range / Performance
• Stability
• QoS as we have a number of heavy users in our house

My current connection is 70Mb down 20 Mb up BT Infinity VDSL but I'm happy to use a VDSL modem.

Should I go with AC68, AC87 or AC3200?

Thanks for any advice

 

[L&LD]

I would buy both the RT-AC68U (or 'P' from Best Buy) and the RT-AC3200 routers and see which gives the best performance for your uses and environment. Return the lessor one.

Both support RMerlin firmware.

 

[elorimer]

At Newegg a refurb 68 is $120 and a refurb 87 is $150.

 

[gatorback]

Help

It's time to retire my RT-N66U and swap to a newer AC router. I specifically want to run Asuswrt-Merlin.

My priorities are:

• Wireless Range / Performance
• Stability
• QoS as we have a number of heavy users in our house

My current connection is 70Mb down 20 Mb up BT Infinity VDSL but I'm happy to use a VDSL modem.

Should I go with AC68, AC87 or AC3200?

Thanks for any advice

For $100, the T-Mobile Cellspot (RT-AC68U) is available for T-Mobile customers. Some have signed up for T-Mobile service for a few days just to buy one. Postpaid customers are given indefinite loaners or can buy for $100. This was rated the #2 AC router on the smallnetbuilder site.

See the dd-wrt wiki here: http://tinyurl.com/asuscellspot

 

[elorimer]

For $100, the T-Mobile Cellspot (RT-AC68U) is available for T-Mobile customers. Some have signed up for T-Mobile service for a few days just to buy one. Postpaid customers are given indefinite loaners or can buy for $100. This was rated the #2 AC router on the smallnetbuilder site.

See the dd-wrt wiki here: http://tinyurl.com/asuscellspot

 

[elorimer]

But only for accounts with phones that are capable of T-Mobile's wifi calling scheme. If you are bringing your own phone, on the tablet promotional plan, on a $3/month pay-go plan or are on the $30 Walmart plan, not the way to go.

 

[brummygit]

Thanks everyone, I went with the AC68U and so far I'm very pleased.

 

[mstombs]

Thanks everyone, I went with the AC68U and so far I'm very pleased.

and for our US friends care to share how much these cost in the UK ? That CE marked 3-pin 230VAC adaptor usually means the tech exchange rate is close to 1 USD/GBP!

 

[brummygit]

I paid £129 which at today's rate on Google is $200 US

 

[gatorback]

I used http://www.google.com/ncr no country redirect in Europe. It's ~$200 in the US.

 

[sfx2000]

Should I go with AC68, AC87 or AC3200?

AC68U series - hands down - stable and mature - fast, and it's issues are a known quantity for the Asus community here.

The 87U has is QTN issues, and the RT3200 is an evolutionary dead-end, two AC1900 radios in one box and all the attendant complexities there...

 

[The Asgard]

I have the AC87 running the latest Merlin firmware and have had zero issues. The only time it goes down is when I decide to reboot it. Solid router just like my Nighthawk which also runs unofficial Merlin.