GL.iNet GL-MT6000 or Asus RT-AX8800U

[cjake]

Howdy all. I'm at the point of replacing our Asus RT-AC86U due to it being EOLed.

I'm familiar with and run Merlin's Asuswrt on the RT-AC86U. I've used OpenWRT less, but have put it to use on a couple of the GL.iNet mango routers.

The replacement choices for the RT-AC86U have have been narrowed down to one of these: GL.iNet GL-MT6000 or Asus RT-AX8800U.

Details:
* We're on a gigabit fiber connection (doesn't use PPPoE at this time, our previous provider did).
* Maybe 10 wireless connections max at any time.
* I do some IRL streaming and have a server at home for use, so I do need it to handle incoming and outgoing traffic for that with minimal latency and minimal buffer bloat.

Regarding the GL-MT6000:
1) How mature is the the vanilla version of OpenWRT for it (as opposed to the one that GL.iNet offer) ?
2) Will there be more work or hassle using the router with the vanilla version?
3) Are issues of buffer bloat more of a problem with it than say what Asus offers?
4) Any particular standout issues with it that would be good to know?

Other Questions:
1) I've looked up the power consumption figures a bit for both routers, but I'm curious if any of you know better information on how much each might consume at idle and at load?

General

Thanks in advance.

 

[Piotrek]

We're on a gigabit fiber connection

Are issues of buffer bloat more of a problem with it than say what Asus offers?

Buffer bloat problem is only in your head.

 

[sfx2000]

The replacement choices for the RT-AC86U have have been narrowed down to one of these: GL.iNet GL-MT6000 or Asus RT-AX8800U.

The MT6000 is nice, but if you're comfortable with AsusWRT, the answer is fairly clear...

 

[cjake]

Buffer bloat problem is only in your head.

Fair enough. Mainly I knew it used to be something people discussed as an issue, didn't know how relevant it was or not these days.

 

[cjake]

The MT6000 is nice, but if you're comfortable with AsusWRT, the answer is fairly clear...

Thanks for the reply. I'm not unwilling or afraid of configuring OpenWRT, however I did wonder how much of a chore it might be at the moment compared to where it is within its current development. More importantly is if a) there are any show stoppers or items to be concerned about, and b) if the "vanilla" version of OpenWRT (for lack of a better description) is as capable currently as the version offered by GL.iNet themselves.

 

[Piotrek]

something people discussed as an issue

People discuss this because of BS tests.

these days

It's not about the present days but the speed of the connection. If you had 10 Mbps connection the problem could occur, but not when you have gigabit fiber connection.

I did wonder

Asus = EoL in a few years.
OpenWrt = EoL doesn't exist.
In GLiNet website is a Community Forum - there you will find information about problems with their routers.

Technical Support for Routers

Technical Support for GL.iNet routers. If you prefer private support, please send email instead.

forum.gl-inet.com

 

[KGB7]

MT6000 is a great router. Glinet have stable firmware for Openwrt 21 and openwrt 24. Router has great support by openwrt community as well if you don't want to use Glinet firmware, but requires more tinkering. Even out of the box GL router works great and has a ton of customizations because you still have full access to the openwrt/luci on the router. GL GUI is very light weight, clean, simple to use and navigate, has all the basic functions.

It has 8Gigs of storage for you to install a hundred of packages and ARM8 cpu can handle a lot of work load with ease.

Very easy to jump between firmwares via UBoot, which is their version of "recovery mode" and easy to access which requires no software to be installed on a computer.

Ive been using the router for two weeks now and its has been a great learning experience because im new to Openwrt.