RT-AX86 Pro - Stock v Merlin firmware

[TheLyppardMan]

I've just purchased an RT-AX86U Pro to replace my RT-AX88U (I didn't realise until later that I had actually purchased the pro version).

The ASUS website lists an update for the software, thus:

ASUS RT-AX86U Pro Firmware version 3.0.0.4.388.22525
Version 3.0.0.4.388.22525
51.71 MB
2023/03/15
1.Fixed CVE-2022-46871
2.Fixed Client DOM Stored XSS.
3.Improved AiMesh backhaul stability.
4.Fixed AiMesh topology UI bugs.
5.Fixed the reboot issue when assigning specific clients in VPN fusion.
6.Fixed the VPN fusion bug when importing the Surfshark WireGuard

As this is pretty recent, does this mean that there is likely to be a new Merlin firmware update as well in the near future? Also, are there any disadvantages to using Merlin firmware for this particular model?

 

[bbunge]

Merlin 388.2 beta1 should work well for the pro version. There is also an Asus beta next gen firmware.

 

[TheLyppardMan]

I've decided to send the RT-AX86U Pro back and stick with the FRITZ!Box 7530 AX supplied by my ISP. The 5 GHz Wi-Fi with the ASUS router was weaker and less stable than the FRITZ!Box according to side by side comparison's with InSSIDer, so I can't justify spending so much money on a device I don't really need. Bye bye ASUS.