What's new

Best version for N66U?

  • SNBForums Code of Conduct

    SNBForums is a community for everyone, no matter what their level of experience.

    Please be tolerant and patient of others, especially newcomers. We are all here to share and learn!

    The rules are simple: Be patient, be nice, be helpful or be gone!

BuTTuS

Regular Contributor
I use no "special" functions in my N66U, just routing and wifi. I'm only looking for best wireless coverage and fastest WIRED performance. What version should I go for? I'm currenly on .42
 
I'd also like to hear peoples suggestions as I plan to swap out my RT-N16 for a 66U this weekend. Appears like the last build using the previous version driver (5) may offer best overall range and stability. Is there a specific load one should grab?
 
For the best wifi range you want sdk5 driver as none of the sdk6 builds can match it.

Last version merlin built was 3.0.0.4.374.35_4-sdk5 which is in the SDK5 driver folder.

It is the version I am running and may stay with until the time comes I get rid of the router as all sdk6 driver builds cause me connection issues.

What you are using now (42) is sdk6 driver.
 
I'll give that one a go. Thanks for the help. BTW, readings through the forum I see discussions re a EM build which gives similar performance with the new driver. Which would perhaps be the "best" em build (if there is such a thing), assuming one were to try the newer driver?
 
Last edited:
Even the EM builds do not have as good of wireless range as the sdk5 driver.

Plus the fact that there is question about if the driver was ever in the builds.

The EM builds were to try and come close to the sdk5 plus fix connection issues that were happening with the standard sdk6 builds.
 
I'm currently running 374.41 (sdk6) which, for me, has comparable range to 374.35_4-sdk5 (the last sdk5 build) but benefits from more recent bug fixes/security updates. So far, the range of more recent builds (374.42, 374.43, 376.44 betas) has been sufficiently poorer to be problematic for me, but hopefully that will change soon.

Just remember to do a full restore to factory defaults (and then re-enter settings manually) after switching between sdk5 and sdk6 versions.
 
Ok guess its time to bring some rf test gear home from work and actually test both of these loads in-house. Idea is to migrate all of the high b/w multimedia devices to 5.8 Ghz 40 Mhz chl (SONOS system and ROKU3 boxes). 66U is still virginal so good time to play.

psk31
 
Ok guess its time to bring some rf test gear home from work and actually test both of these loads in-house. Idea is to migrate all of the high b/w multimedia devices to 5.8 Ghz 40 Mhz chl (SONOS system and ROKU3 boxes). 66U is still virginal so good time to play.

psk31

That would be very interesting!
 
Ok guess its time to bring some rf test gear home from work and actually test both of these loads in-house. Idea is to migrate all of the high b/w multimedia devices to 5.8 Ghz 40 Mhz chl (SONOS system and ROKU3 boxes). 66U is still virginal so good time to play.

psk31

Did you ever test this?
 
For the best wifi range you want sdk5 driver as none of the sdk6 builds can match it.

Last version merlin built was 3.0.0.4.374.35_4-sdk5 which is in the SDK5 driver folder.

It is the version I am running and may stay with until the time comes I get rid of the router as all sdk6 driver builds cause me connection issues.

What you are using now (42) is sdk6 driver.

Where can I get 35_4-sdk5?

Skickat från Samsung Galaxy S3 via Tapatalk Pro
 
I get slow upload speed with sdk5 :-( back to .43 again!

Skickat från Samsung Galaxy S3 via Tapatalk Pro
 
I get slow upload speed with sdk5 :-( back to .43 again!

If you went from .43 to sdk5 the it is mandatory to do a complete reset and manually input all setting again.

Reason is .43 is using a SDK6 driver and SDK5 is of course SDK5 driver.
 
I am sticking with 374.43. For me it gives me the best range. The new "improved" version with the reduced power really sucks with the range. Range on 5Ghz is more important then having the newest features.
 
If you went from .43 to sdk5 the it is mandatory to do a complete reset and manually input all setting again.

Reason is .43 is using a SDK6 driver and SDK5 is of course SDK5 driver.

I know you can do a reset in the GUI but isn't doing a reset holding down the button or clearing the NVRAM better? I could never get that hold down button to work right so I do resets in the GUI.
 
If you went from .43 to sdk5 the it is mandatory to do a complete reset and manually input all setting again.

Reason is .43 is using a SDK6 driver and SDK5 is of course SDK5 driver.

I did that, still that problem!

Skickat från Samsung Galaxy S3 via Tapatalk Pro
 
I know you can do a reset in the GUI but isn't doing a reset holding down the button or clearing the NVRAM better? I could never get that hold down button to work right so I do resets in the GUI.

Hold down wps button not the reset button.

Turn power button off > hold down wps button > power on router while still holding wps button and continue to hold wps button for about 10 seconds then release
 

Similar threads

Support SNBForums w/ Amazon

If you'd like to support SNBForums, just use this link and buy anything on Amazon. Thanks!

Sign Up For SNBForums Daily Digest

Get an update of what's new every day delivered to your mailbox. Sign up here!

Staff online

Top