ASUS XD5 firmware - Merlin compatible?

[Just Plain Dave]

The new ASUS XD5 mesh system (3 pack) that I just bought for my daughters new condo, is supposed to be Merlin firmware compatible, but I don't see it named in the compatibility list as such. Am I correct in believing that the XD5 is hardware identical to the AX3000 (v1 or v2?) Seems to be from the many posts I have seen, but no one has stated it out loud so I'm still hesitant. I run Merlin on all my home routers and would like to give hers the same stability but don't want to brick new $200+ routers in error. Can someone help a new member out? TIA. Dave

 

[Tech9]

No Asuswrt-Merlin support for this model.

 

[morden]

I am using 2 XD5's meshed with my AX86U router, the XD5 have the latest stock firmware installed while the AX86 is running the latest Merlin firmware. So far no I have had no issues with the setup for quite a while now.

 

[jksmurf]

I have two XD6 Ethernet wired as AIMesh nodes off an RT-AX86U Pro. Working very well.

Would recommend this usage over trying to set up one of the pair as a router with the other as a node attached to it (especially wirelessly), read so many stories of flakiness with these setups.

 

[Tech9]

Working very well.

This setup with Asuswrt 4.0 nodes means new Asuswrt 5.0 features only on the main router. Has firmware differences limitations.

 

[jksmurf]

This setup with Asuswrt 4.0 nodes means new Asuswrt 5.0 features only on the main router. Has firmware differences limitations.

Of course; this is understood, But for my needs at the time I bought them, and now, it works exactly as I want it to.

If at some stage down the track, probably when Wifi7 devices and their FW mature, I can sell the XD6’s if they are worth anything by then and keep the RT-AX86U as an Asuswrt 5.0 node on which I am very much looking to forward to having all guest wifi SSIDs being propagated to.

But for now, the speed, coverage and stability of this particular setup is “just right” for my needs.

 

[Tech9]

But for my needs

Someone may have different needs or expectations. The reason I mention the limitations of such setup.