68u and nighthawk users?

[toyz72]

hello all,i'm new to the forums and this is my first post. i'm looking for some help deciding on my new router.i build my own pc's,but networking is not my thing.

i recently bought a new house(2600 square feet) and i need a router that can cover it. i plan on updating my home network over time and would like to move up to an ac router.

i been reading a lot of reviews on the 68u and nighthawk. it seems like SNB liked the nighthawk over the asus. i would like to hear from users here and get some real opinions on these two routers? i'm also welcome to recommendations. thx

 

[stevech]

hello all,i'm new to the forums and this is my first post. i'm looking for some help deciding on my new router.i build my own pc's,but networking is not my thing.

i recently bought a new house(2600 square feet) and i need a router that can cover it. i plan on updating my home network over time and would like to move up to an ac router.

i been reading a lot of reviews on the 68u and nighthawk. it seems like SNB liked the nighthawk over the asus. i would like to hear from users here and get some real opinions on these two routers? i'm also welcome to recommendations. thx

2600 sq. ft, and/or 2+ stories, you'll need one or more Access Points (APs) to give good coverage in most all areas, patio, etc. There's a section on the top level of this forum on how to improve coverage using APs.
I suggest using ASUS RT-N12D1 ($35 ea) if you don't need super high speed WiFi for all areas. The challenge is connecting each AP to the router via cat5 cable (ideally pre-wired or easy to add), IP on power line, or MoCA (IP on existing TV coax).

An issue is that WiFi is two-way. Weak signals from client devices limit the coverage - not just the signal TO the client devices.

I'd procrastinate paying for 802.11ac

 

[toyz72]

thx for the advice and it is a two story. i'm using an asus 56u right now,but its just not enough for this house or the traffic.

3 desktops and 2 are for heavy gaming.
2 laptops
3 tablets
1 smart tv
xbox

it just go's on and on. i was hoping a newer router like the 68u or nighthawk would be able to handle this load a little better.

i plan to run all new cat6 lines up the road. i would just like to have a good router to start this project with. thx again for the help

 

[Sig]

Toyz72 I am using the Nighthawk in a 1800sq ft house and it does a great job.There is generally anywhere from 10 to 15 devices hooked to it at a time. I bought the Nighthawk and the AC68U at the same time from Best Buy. I ran one for a week and then the other the Nighthawk had the better reception using my phone as a meter with WiFi Analyzer and has not dropped signal in a month of use . The Asus on the other had dropped signal once in the week I had it and The signal was weaker at distance with the phone and a laptop as a gauge .

 

[L&LD]

Sig,

Curious what firmware version you were running during your week long test with the RT-AC68U?


Toyz72,
Depending on where the router will be placed in your new home (central, at one end, etc.) a Netgear R7000 or an Asus RT-AC68U may be all you need.

Running the cables is still the best route to take long term (will also help with setting up AP's as needed), but 2600 SQFT over two floors should be easily within the capabilities of these AC 1900 class routers.

 

[Sig]

L&LD I bought both routers around the 10th of December and ran the Asus first and im not sure what firmware was on it it was the newest availabe cause I remember upgrading it. The Netgear was the 1.0.2.164 firmware that was on the Nighthawk the first week I ran it and it was a few days later that I upgraded to the 1.0.2.194 and its been on ever since .

 

[L&LD]

Sig,

Thanks for your reply. December 10, 2013? Oh, another century (in terms of Asus firmware versions/fixes)! Thanks for the data point!

 

[Sig]

I decided Id give them both a fair test and I ran all kinda speed and distance test's everyday for a week with 3 different Laptop's and 2 Phones. The Nighthawk come out on top in all the tests. I was amazed at the distance it got and still had a good signal .

 

[toyz72]

sounds like i cant go wrong with either one. the nighthawk comes with a free modem if i order it from newegg, which is a pretty good deal.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122581
good deal?

i do have my worries about netgear though as far as support and firmware go's. where the asus seems to support a lot more choices on firmware and support.

my e panel is located dead center in my upstairs master bedrooms closet.

this has become a really tough choice to make. thanks alot for time everyone.

 

[Sig]

If you read the reviews on amazon be careful wit ones you read on the Asus the 66u and the 68u are in the same reviews you have to look at each persons and see which one there talking about .One thing I didnt like about the Asus was how hot it ran the nighthawk runs lukewarm compared to it

 

[TonyH]

I decided Id give them both a fair test and I ran all kinda speed and distance test's everyday for a week with 3 different Laptop's and 2 Phones. The Nighthawk come out on top in all the tests. I was amazed at the distance it got and still had a good signal .

Hi,
Likewise, our house is almost 3000 sq. ft. 2 story. Computers every where from
basement to top floor loft. ASUS covered all level of the house reasonably well.
Now Netgear running with Kong's dd-wrt, latwest version definitely has better coverage with better signal strength. IMO, between this two, it's a toss up. One more thing Netgear definitely runs cooler.

 

[L&LD]

For the heat issue? I don't think it's an issue (it was designed to run like that).

Did you read the current headline article?

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-features/32320-is-ac1900-worth-it


My take is that the RT-AC68U router is still the better one to bet on, going forward. Especially if we consider the steady improvements the rapid firmware release cycle Asus and RMerlin are providing us.

 

[toyz72]

i'm leaning toward the asus right now because of firmware and support. i'll make sure i purchase it from somewhere i can return it if im not happy.

wish i had the funds to try them both out but the wife wouldn't be happy about that one.

thanks a lot guys for all the help. i found this forum to be friendly and helpful.

 

[KGB7]

If you dont mind waiting for firmware to mature then get the AC68. In my experience running 2x ac68's, it has been a roller coaster ride from firmware to firmware.


But if you wont be doing media streaming or heavy files transfers, then get the N66U.

When AC87 comes out, sell the N66 and get AC87.

 

[toyz72]

wanted to stop back and tell you guys about my 68u. i pretty happy with it so far. i havent had any drops or resets yet and my wifi coverage has doubled on the 2.4 side of things.

my son has been running his gaming rig on the 5 ghz wireless with no complaints so far.....but hes only 2 rooms away from the router.

i wish i could give you guys more detail about the router, but it isn't really my thing. so being a average user i'm more than happy. thx again for the help

 

[L&LD]

Thanks for the update. Even these non-technical reports help.

As for the 'my wifi coverage has doubled on the 2.4 side of things', what was the previous router you were using?

 

[toyz72]

hey L&LD, i was using an asus 56u . its also a great little router. the 56u was doing a good job in my two story,but i just wanted a little more.

so far moving to the 68 has been a great choice for me. i couldn't ask for better wifi coverage. i haven't really tested on the ac side of things yet. but we have been able to use the 2.4 and 5 ghz anywhere in the house.

if anyone is curious to what wifi adapters i use...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320089

i use these in two pc's.( gaming,surfing,streaming,homework)