Hi all,
I've been reading a lot of helpful charts and threads here. Just wanted to get a little direct advice. Sorry if this is long, but I want to give details so I can get the best advice. THANKS!!!
SHORT VERSION:
It's time to replace N66U, which gives excellent signal in home. Want device with equal or better WiFi signal strength and improved USB speed for simple USB HDD setup. Don't need real NAS. Tried AC68P/AC1900P, but USB sucked. Familiar with ASUS and leaning toward AC86U (about $160 on Amazon), but willing to consider other devices/brands in same or lower price range.
LONG VERSION:
I've had an ASUS RT-N66U since 2012, It's rock solid on the latest Merlin build, but Merlin no longer supports it. Also, a couple of weeks ago, the physical power button failed. It won't stay clicked in the down/ON position anymore. I have a toothpick jammed into it to keep the router ON. Otherwise it still works great. But maybe it's time for an upgrade...
Here's my setup:
3 story house. About 2400 sq. ft. total split roughly evenly among floors, so a good compact footprint. Router on middle floor. Mostly devices use 5GHz with excellent signal throughout. Even out in the garage or yard is good, and I'd like whatever I get to be as good or better in terms of signal strength.
1TB USB3 portable HDD connected to USB2 port on router. I get about 17MB/s read over FTP using 5GHz WiFi in the house. I know that this is slow by modern standards, but it's perfectly adequate for all of my needs, including streaming media to FireTV, etc. and copying files to phone or PC. But I would like to get more speed if possible. I know a real NAS would be faster, but I have no need for a full setup. I'm just a typical home user with a backup drive and no need for anything fancy or expensive.
I tried an ASUS RT-AC68P, aka AC1900P, as a replacement. Signal strength and general internet speed were equal or better than N66R, but the USB performance (both USB2 and USB3) over WiFi were garbage. I maxed out the USB3 at 5 MB/s on 5GHz over FTP. This is less than 1/3rd the performance of the N66U, a much older device. I read reports and found that this is a known problem with the AC68P. I tried reboots, factory resets, different firmware, and a lot of different settings, but it never improved, so I returned it.
So, the simple question: What should I get that will equal or improve the WiFi performance of the N66U while also improving the USB performance? I'm very familiar with ASUS firmware and I like the Merlin builds, so I'm leaning toward another ASUS. To save money, I'm considering the AC66U-B1. But I don't know about its USB performance. It's also an older device, and I think I may be better off getting something a lot newer to keep up with future demands. I'm also considering the AC86U ($160 on Amazon), which I have read has excellent USB3 read/write over WiFi. It's a little more than I wanted to pay, but I'm totally fine with the cost if it's as good as people say and will last many years. I have, however, read a few complaints of failing radios, so I'm open to other suggestions. I welcome all suggestions, including other models and/or brands in that price range.
I've been reading a lot of helpful charts and threads here. Just wanted to get a little direct advice. Sorry if this is long, but I want to give details so I can get the best advice. THANKS!!!
SHORT VERSION:
It's time to replace N66U, which gives excellent signal in home. Want device with equal or better WiFi signal strength and improved USB speed for simple USB HDD setup. Don't need real NAS. Tried AC68P/AC1900P, but USB sucked. Familiar with ASUS and leaning toward AC86U (about $160 on Amazon), but willing to consider other devices/brands in same or lower price range.
LONG VERSION:
I've had an ASUS RT-N66U since 2012, It's rock solid on the latest Merlin build, but Merlin no longer supports it. Also, a couple of weeks ago, the physical power button failed. It won't stay clicked in the down/ON position anymore. I have a toothpick jammed into it to keep the router ON. Otherwise it still works great. But maybe it's time for an upgrade...
Here's my setup:
3 story house. About 2400 sq. ft. total split roughly evenly among floors, so a good compact footprint. Router on middle floor. Mostly devices use 5GHz with excellent signal throughout. Even out in the garage or yard is good, and I'd like whatever I get to be as good or better in terms of signal strength.
1TB USB3 portable HDD connected to USB2 port on router. I get about 17MB/s read over FTP using 5GHz WiFi in the house. I know that this is slow by modern standards, but it's perfectly adequate for all of my needs, including streaming media to FireTV, etc. and copying files to phone or PC. But I would like to get more speed if possible. I know a real NAS would be faster, but I have no need for a full setup. I'm just a typical home user with a backup drive and no need for anything fancy or expensive.
I tried an ASUS RT-AC68P, aka AC1900P, as a replacement. Signal strength and general internet speed were equal or better than N66R, but the USB performance (both USB2 and USB3) over WiFi were garbage. I maxed out the USB3 at 5 MB/s on 5GHz over FTP. This is less than 1/3rd the performance of the N66U, a much older device. I read reports and found that this is a known problem with the AC68P. I tried reboots, factory resets, different firmware, and a lot of different settings, but it never improved, so I returned it.
So, the simple question: What should I get that will equal or improve the WiFi performance of the N66U while also improving the USB performance? I'm very familiar with ASUS firmware and I like the Merlin builds, so I'm leaning toward another ASUS. To save money, I'm considering the AC66U-B1. But I don't know about its USB performance. It's also an older device, and I think I may be better off getting something a lot newer to keep up with future demands. I'm also considering the AC86U ($160 on Amazon), which I have read has excellent USB3 read/write over WiFi. It's a little more than I wanted to pay, but I'm totally fine with the cost if it's as good as people say and will last many years. I have, however, read a few complaints of failing radios, so I'm open to other suggestions. I welcome all suggestions, including other models and/or brands in that price range.