"Best" new router that supports Merlin?

[Viktor Jaep]

The expression on your avatar says - okay... hmm... whatever... The moment you realized how ugly this thing is.

LOL I personally really don't give a @$*!$ what it looks like when it's sitting in a dark closet on top of my rack as long as it's doing what it was designed to do...

 

[Viktor Jaep]

Thanks everyone for the help!

It looks like I have $250 in gift cards for BestBuy to help knock the price down, so before taxes I'm looking at $149 for the GT-AX6000. Sound like a good deal? I've had this RT-AC68U now for going on 9 years, so it kinda shows that I don't like updating routers all that often. lol

Personally, I would probably wait until closer to the xmas season... you might see some more savings around that time. $399USD is too much. It has shown to be at least $100 cheaper when it goes on sale.

 

[AppleBag]

USD400? This router was CAD380 on sale or USD282 just few weeks back here in Canada. Too expensive if in USD.

Which store did you buy it from at that price?

 

[Viktor Jaep]

Which store did you buy it from at that price?

I purchased the GT-AX6000 from Newegg at $272 just last Friday...

ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 Wireless Router - Newegg.com

Buy ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 Dual-Band WiFi 6 (802.11ax) Gaming Router, Dual 2.5G ports, enhanced hardware, WAN aggregation, VPN Fusion, Triple-Level Game Acceleration, free network security and AiMesh support with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

Right now it's at $329... not a bad deal at all compared to many other vendors who are listing it around $399.

 

[Tech9]

Which store did you buy it from at that price?

I will never buy this face hugger. It was at this price at BestBuy and Canada Computers. AX86U was CAD300 (USD223), AX86S CAD200 (USD149).

 

[AppleBag]

I will never buy this face hugger. It was at this price at BestBuy and Canada Computers. AX86U was CAD300 (USD223), AX86S CAD200 (USD149).

"face hugger" lmao

 

[Keenan]

Which store did you buy it from at that price?

It was at $310 just a few days ago on Amazon. Wait for the price to come down and then have Best Buy price match Amazon so you can use your BB reward points. That's how I bought mine; I had about $295 in rewards and had them price match at Amazon's price of $325 which is what it was at the time of my purchase.

If you don't have to have it now, wait for the price to come down.

 

[Donga120]

Either 128K or 192K (I don't remember which models got upgraded to 192K a few weeks ago beside the GT-AXE16000).

Mine is 192K. I upgraded from AC86U to the GT-AX6000 a week ago, first impression was it's a lot bigger. Other than that very happy with it. Only upgraded as I wanted 388...for no specific reason

 

[laracroftonline]

Coming from an rt ac5300 what would you advice me?

 

[Tech9]

Do you need tri-radio router? Is your AiMesh wired or wireless?

 

[Sonyrolfy]

I have no fear for missing out, but to play along I can upgrade to an AX router and not only watching this forum but also play with it. When the support timeline is approx. 5-7 years, (according to Merlin’s post). The AX86U (non-Pro) is 2+ years old with BCM4908. The GT-AX6000 is newer with the BCM4912. The AX86 Pro will have the same BCM4912 as the GT-AX6000. ( With some small enhancements ) So, to be future proof at the time I bought my AC-86U, there is no new router (chip) from Asus bringing the huge leap coming from a AC68 to a AC86 with VPN’s working EAS, rather then the BCM4912 with 200 MHz more and some small enhancements. Right?

 

[RMerlin]

When the support timeline is approx. 5-7 years, (according to Merlin’s post)

Note that if I said that, it was just an observation based on Asus' previous support. They never publicly announced any official support timeframe.

 

[Sonyrolfy]

Note that if I said that, it was just an observation based on Asus' previous support. They never publicly announced any official support timeframe.

Point taken. I was more aiming on today’s BCM chips for more power when running VPN’s EAS and still playing/working with your great FW. Just trying to find a reason to upgrade where no features will come to our AC86U anymore.

 

[Tech9]

RT-AC68U and variants was a unique case for exceptionally long firmware support. Newer models won't get this including current RT-AX86 series.

Your reasons to upgrade is bad AC86U reliability history and unresolved bug in firmware. If it doesn't give you issues though - an excellent performer.

 

[laracroftonline]

Do you need tri-radio router? Is your AiMesh wired or wireless?

Wireless

 

[Tech9]

I would get GT-AX11000 Pro. Newer hardware, tri-radio for your wireless AiMesh, all bands useable today, longer expected support.

 

[capncybo]

I would get GT-AX11000 Pro. Newer hardware, tri-radio for your wireless AiMesh, all bands useable today, longer expected support.

IDK... it still kinda looks like it might Hug-A-Face, LOL

 

[Tech9]

@laracroftonline has a face hugger already. She overcome the associated with it nightmares, I guess. The new face hugger is the closest replacement. Another tri-radio option is ZenWiFi series, but way overpriced for what they are. And no RGB - very important in home routers.

 

[Keenan]

^

 

[Tech9]

This is a killer router. If you trip and fall on top of this one - dead instantly. No firmware updates needed - it has great stab-ility already.