L&LD
Part of the Furniture
Yes, I believe you may be correct with all your points above. With regards to theoretical aspects of WiFi. I don't deal in theory, myself and my customers want more tangible, and real-world applicable, results.
I simply do not care about theoretical testing after I have bought (or decided to buy) a product. And testing WAN-WLAN in a home environment will introduce so many variables in a 1 minute period that it negates any results you may gather at any particular time if you're trying to predict if router 'A' is better than router 'B' in a specific home environment (or not), overall.
My actual testing is to use the network to get my work completed, as I would be doing normally. This usage hasn't changed in a very long time. When I change any component within the network, I can (usually) tell in a few minutes or hours if it is an improvement or not.
And, to double-check me and the results I'm seeing, I do a full M&M Config as needed to see if anything changes substantially (for better or worse after a full M&M Config).
Basically what I'm saying is it's time to stop reading and start doing.
When I tested the RT-AX86U (for a customer) in my home so long ago, this is what I learned, confirmed I knew or changed my mind on.
While I love to read reviews as much as anyone, the only thing that needs to be 'proven' to me is; 'Is this better than what I'm using now?' If it is better, great! Less cash in my wallet. If it isn't, just another returned item.
I simply do not care about theoretical testing after I have bought (or decided to buy) a product. And testing WAN-WLAN in a home environment will introduce so many variables in a 1 minute period that it negates any results you may gather at any particular time if you're trying to predict if router 'A' is better than router 'B' in a specific home environment (or not), overall.
My actual testing is to use the network to get my work completed, as I would be doing normally. This usage hasn't changed in a very long time. When I change any component within the network, I can (usually) tell in a few minutes or hours if it is an improvement or not.
And, to double-check me and the results I'm seeing, I do a full M&M Config as needed to see if anything changes substantially (for better or worse after a full M&M Config).
Basically what I'm saying is it's time to stop reading and start doing.
When I tested the RT-AX86U (for a customer) in my home so long ago, this is what I learned, confirmed I knew or changed my mind on.
- AiMesh via wireless backhaul mode is still a very poor Repeater mode with just one or two additional benefits (i.e. GN1 propagates to the nodes). Still very much 'AiMess' as I used to call it back then.
- At no point in my testing back then did a wirelessly connected node improve mobile devices' performance vs. just using the main router in its optimal (central) location.
- Using a wirelessly connected node also increased the overall system stability. From zero instances per week to more than a handful the week following. And this is with the same 2x RT-AX86Us.
- AiMesh via wired backhaul mode is not created equal between router models. The latest example to me is the horrible synergy the 2x GT-AX6000s exhibited in my home.
- Only with 2x RT-AX86Us is the performance of the network as a whole doubled in my environment (as I would expect 'in theory'). I do realize since then that firmware may have brought other routers to RT-AX86U levels of coherence too, but when the RT-AX86U is consistently better, proven reliable, and cheaper (at least when on sale), there is a reason it is still my top recommended router in single/main or main/node use today.
- The higher throughput to the same client at the same (exact) location is proof to me that the latency is lower on the RT-AX86U. And, it stays consistently lower, day after day.
- Testing the limits of hardware is hardly satisfying and even less useful if that isn't how it is used day-to-day.
- Worse, the result of that type of testing is a poor indicator of how useful that hardware is above what you're using today in your environment.
While I love to read reviews as much as anyone, the only thing that needs to be 'proven' to me is; 'Is this better than what I'm using now?' If it is better, great! Less cash in my wallet. If it isn't, just another returned item.