ASUS RT-N66U - my review
- Thread starter Geraner
- Start date
- Status
Using Tomato-K26USB firmware on RT-N66U
Thanks man!
I flashed my unit with this firmware and configured the router and wireless as I have it.
Running it now for about one hour. What can I say so far:
- Wireless speed in 5 GHz seems to be a bit slower than with ASUS origin firmware
- Wireless strength is the same as with ASUS firmware (Afterburner under advanced wireless not activated) I just kept it on default.
WLAN settings N-Only + 40 MHz for both 2,4 & 5 GHz. (same settings as I have in ASUS firmware)
- Upload speed still not the same as with my old DIR-825.
- ShieldsUp! test sucessfull.
So fare I'm pleased with this firmware. It has a lot of statistics functions included and a lot of other functions. FTP-Server, MediaServer, Bittorrent_Client for devices connected via USB. But I didn't tested it because I don't use the USB port on this router.
Functions missing in this firmware:
- Guest WLAN
Will continue testing this firmware now. Doing some online gameing (BF3) and Teamspeak.
Thanks man!
I flashed my unit with this firmware and configured the router and wireless as I have it.
Running it now for about one hour. What can I say so far:
- Wireless speed in 5 GHz seems to be a bit slower than with ASUS origin firmware
- Wireless strength is the same as with ASUS firmware (Afterburner under advanced wireless not activated) I just kept it on default.
WLAN settings N-Only + 40 MHz for both 2,4 & 5 GHz. (same settings as I have in ASUS firmware)
- Upload speed still not the same as with my old DIR-825.
- ShieldsUp! test sucessfull.
So fare I'm pleased with this firmware. It has a lot of statistics functions included and a lot of other functions. FTP-Server, MediaServer, Bittorrent_Client for devices connected via USB. But I didn't tested it because I don't use the USB port on this router.
Functions missing in this firmware:
- Guest WLAN
Will continue testing this firmware now. Doing some online gameing (BF3) and Teamspeak.
Cool. In the main menu of tomato, does your 5Ghz setting show a rate of 13.5mbps and not 450mbps? If I reboot the router it will say 450mbps, it will go drop to 13.5mbps if there is a 5ghz host on it. But if you look a the hosts where it shows the RSSI and TX/RX, mine shows up as 150mbps which what my 5ghz host is suppose to be. I wonder if the main page is just a cosmetic issue and not really affecting the speed.
I'll be trying Toastman's lastest firmware this weekend a report back.
you are awesome
Greg_Elite
Regular Contributor
For $200 I would want to use their firmware. Not some third party.
sorry to hear that. good luck!
I would use the Asus's firmware if they release one that had a lot features that can take adavantage of the hardware.
you're missing out. Asus firmwares are terrible. You don't buy their routers for the firmware.
Greg_Elite
Regular Contributor
No their not. It even has a built in VPN PPTP server. What more do you want?
not sure if this guy is serious or just a troll?
Greg_Elite
Regular Contributor
I'm not a troll at all. State your case.
Last edited:
Greg_Elite
Regular Contributor
Oh I did. I'm fine. The firmware does everything I need it to.
Thanks for this report. Could you check if this firmware has a VLAN tagging functionality (802.1Q) and / or LACP (802.3ad)?
Thank you very much!
There are indeed definitely affordable routers (RT-N16, Amped R10000 ~ $120, E4200 v1 mfr refurb. with warranty for under $100) that perform well and would satisfy many users, especially if the desired wifi coverage area is not overly large. The one caevat in the examples above the lack of IPv6 support on the Amped. There are other alternatives too; this is just a list of a few examples.
From even a 2.4 GHz range standpoint (which is one of my requirements):
One of the amazon reviews for the RT-N66U says "...The range is a lot better than my asus rt-n16 that it replace using toastman's tomato firmware... "
If money is not a concern and if you want the ultimate router in terms of both features and overall routing performance, in my experience and testing the RT-N66U is the current leader of the pack in SOHO routers.
This is based both on my own tests comparing it to the top-rated E4200 v1 and Amped R1000, both of which I owned / own, and on other reviews (SNB, amazon, pcmag etc.) of the WNDR4500, E4200 v1 and v2 among other competitors.
The Zyxel NBG5715 I returned was nothing special (no better than my E4200 v1 and more expensive, but I wonder if the new firmware (no release notes) helped it since reviews online are better than I expected.
To sum it up, I think it all depends on each individual's needs and desires.
I would certainly not advocate getting the RT-N66U if it is overkill for your needs.
I personally need long range wifi and also like having a solid router with plenty of processing power.
My obscure Netflix missing cover art issue was immediately resolved by switching to this router so I know it is performing its duty and / or designed well and that means a lot.
It has vlan tagging and trunking. I don't think it has LACP.
Update on how it has performed after two days:
No wireless disconnects that I know of (Netflix had to buffer at one point but pretty sure it was a server issue on their end since that would not be the first time, albeit very infrequent).
Great wifi performance (already noted in 'test results' post Wednesday).
It runs warm (but not alarmingly so by any means - it just is not cool).
This is with the stock Asus firmware (updated version ending in '90' - I am not at home now).
It supports all my needs - multiple guest networks, transmit power adjustments etc. and then some given all the USB features I may or may not use and, if I ever need it, the unique built-in
PC-less downloading feature etc.).
So far it provides amazing wifi performance and rock solid stability and all the features I need and could want.
No wireless disconnects that I know of (Netflix had to buffer at one point but pretty sure it was a server issue on their end since that would not be the first time, albeit very infrequent).
Great wifi performance (already noted in 'test results' post Wednesday).
It runs warm (but not alarmingly so by any means - it just is not cool).
This is with the stock Asus firmware (updated version ending in '90' - I am not at home now).
It supports all my needs - multiple guest networks, transmit power adjustments etc. and then some given all the USB features I may or may not use and, if I ever need it, the unique built-in
PC-less downloading feature etc.).
So far it provides amazing wifi performance and rock solid stability and all the features I need and could want.
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