What is a good replacement for the ac3200
- Thread starter jerry6
- Start date
Chris313AllNight
Regular Contributor
Why not try the 86U? It seems to be the one most people in the market for a good AC router are going for these days, me included when replacing a wacky N66U
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0752FD3XJ/?tag=snbforums-20
It's even on sale because of recent Black friday deals.
I concur as I just upgraded from my ac3200 to ac86u @ 384.8 beta 2. 802.11ac 5GHz now reaches everywhere in my house. Previously, I had to rely on 2.4GHz further away from the router.
The only thing is that there is no robocfg utility for the ac86u, so I have not been able to figure out how to use the WAN port as a 5th LAN port in Router mode (do not want to use access point mode as I need the VPN features, had this working fine on my ac3200).
The ac86u is cheap enough ($135 in some cases) that you will not have to feel bad about upgrading knowing you will eventually upgrade to an 802.11ax router.
The only thing is that there is no robocfg utility for the ac86u, so I have not been able to figure out how to use the WAN port as a 5th LAN port in Router mode (do not want to use access point mode as I need the VPN features, had this working fine on my ac3200).
The ac86u is cheap enough ($135 in some cases) that you will not have to feel bad about upgrading knowing you will eventually upgrade to an 802.11ax router.
st3v3n
Very Senior Member
jerry6, Agree with you on the 3 radios; our 3200 has been a trooper, and has done all we've asked of it. As for replacements, there are several options depending how much time and money you care to spend. We've been working with the AC86 as primary router, using the AC3200 strictly for wireless access, since we don't want to lose those radios. At some point the PfSense box may become a standby or to run upstairs to extend but we'll keep the 3200 until it dies of old age.
The hidden FW on the AC86 sometimes reappears when loading/updating Merlin, especially on a new unit. The third AC86 replacement we received didn't have that issue and when it's in place as the primary router, it's proven powerful and stable. The CPU on the AC86 easily handles two concurrent OpenVPN configs/tunnels, with a couple of alternate tunnels set up, ready to load/swap different configs, without any of the lag that sometimes happens with the AC3200. If you're lucky to snag an AC86 on sale, it's a bargain. Sad that the AC3200 won't receive further updates, but you might consider keeping it in reserve as a backup, AP or to extend. The newest (most expensive) Asus router has had very good reviews.
For roughly the same outlay as the latest/expensive model, it's easy to re-task an older PC to run PfSense. It's 'free' and not difficult to learn and is a very powerful firewall/router. Older HP boxes are always coming off lease. Many are considered obsolete but make killer router/firewalls which can last several years. We had a router that was only 15 months old fail in the middle of a a transaction. After a few choice words we swapped it out with the backup router and carried on where we left off. Routers don't often so dramatically but if/when it does, if you hang on to your AC3200, you'll be prepared in case of an emergency. Good luck.
Edit/correction: There's no proof nor announcement anywhere, from any entity (yet) that the RT-AC3200 is EOL or won't ever get another update. Historically,FW updates this unit has sometimes lagged behind the other models. Let us hope that another update may soon be forthcoming, and apologies for the misstatement, didn't intend to mislead anyone; color of the day is 'chagrined'
Cheers.
The hidden FW on the AC86 sometimes reappears when loading/updating Merlin, especially on a new unit. The third AC86 replacement we received didn't have that issue and when it's in place as the primary router, it's proven powerful and stable. The CPU on the AC86 easily handles two concurrent OpenVPN configs/tunnels, with a couple of alternate tunnels set up, ready to load/swap different configs, without any of the lag that sometimes happens with the AC3200. If you're lucky to snag an AC86 on sale, it's a bargain. Sad that the AC3200 won't receive further updates, but you might consider keeping it in reserve as a backup, AP or to extend. The newest (most expensive) Asus router has had very good reviews.
For roughly the same outlay as the latest/expensive model, it's easy to re-task an older PC to run PfSense. It's 'free' and not difficult to learn and is a very powerful firewall/router. Older HP boxes are always coming off lease. Many are considered obsolete but make killer router/firewalls which can last several years. We had a router that was only 15 months old fail in the middle of a a transaction. After a few choice words we swapped it out with the backup router and carried on where we left off. Routers don't often so dramatically but if/when it does, if you hang on to your AC3200, you'll be prepared in case of an emergency. Good luck.
Edit/correction: There's no proof nor announcement anywhere, from any entity (yet) that the RT-AC3200 is EOL or won't ever get another update. Historically,FW updates this unit has sometimes lagged behind the other models. Let us hope that another update may soon be forthcoming, and apologies for the misstatement, didn't intend to mislead anyone; color of the day is 'chagrined'
Cheers.
Last edited:
jerry6
Very Senior Member
NOTHING WRONG PER SAY JUST NO fw updates in 6 months security wise not pleased . I JUST BOUGHT A 3RD LAST MONTH. GREAT ROUTER BEEN RUNNING 6 MONTHS NON STOP NOT A HICCUP NO REBOOTS NO DROPS NOTHING , IN THAT 6 MONTHS OVER 2 TB OF DATA WENT THROUGH THE ROUTER BETWEEN STREAMING AND BACKUP TRANSFERS a very stable router justvw wish they woud yupdate , sorry for the caps my keyboard is a bit crazy no control of when they come or go best router i`ve ever had
jerry6
Very Senior Member
not for the 3200 , not included
jerry6
Very Senior Member
It's not the caps lock key , problem with keyboard caps goes on and off at random , not much I can do except get a new keyboard , sorry about that the @ key and question mark were also not working.Be patient and take long, deep breaths (and check your CAP LOCK key; an update will likely come, so think peaceful thoughts, knowing all 3200 owners are waiting with you, and wanting it just as much (bugs and all
st3v3n
Very Senior Member
jerry6, Jesting, no worries. Everyone's keys stick sooner or later not caught or seen until the email, text or post is out of the barn and onto the wide, wild web. Not yet given up on the AC3200, hoping the rumor of an update aren't smoke. They're still selling the heck out of them. Some good things are hard to kill. Glad enough of us got those units made on a Wednesday, not on a hangover Monday, or 'let's slop them together so we can leave,' Friday afternoon to get to the pub. Cheers.
Mutzli
Very Senior Member
If you can afford it get the RT-AX88U. I just got one and it makes the older routers I owned before (AC88U, AC86U and AC87U) look like toys compared to the speed and stability of this new one. I set it up on Monday and haven't seen any issues since. 350MB of free memory reported after loading Endware, Diversion, Skynet. CPU runs cool at around 60C and the signal strength is incredible. WiFi runs stable at every channel, 2.4GHz at 20/40MHz and 5GHz at 20/40/80/160MHz.
st3v3n
Very Senior Member
The top of the line is always give one much rave about, but it does tend to be a wee more expensive compared to the AC3200 or AC86. Suspect it will be a big seller over the next 5 years. I keep tell Wife I want the new Ferrari, but have to keep driving our old Vette (ha). Cheers.
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