Lingering whether to purchase RT-BE86U?

[muffintastic]

Hello.

Can someone from the UK confirm that this router; https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dual-band-...-comprehensive/dp/B0D9Y14YDF?tag=smallncom-21 - Is compatible with Merlin FW before I drop £300?

 

[bennor]

See the list of Asus-Merlin supported routers at the following link. It indicates the RT-BE86U is supported (3006.102.3).

Home | Asuswrt-Merlin

www.asuswrt-merlin.net

https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/about

 

[muffintastic]

See the list of Asus-Merlin supported routers at the following link. It indicates the RT-BE86U is supported (3006.102.3).

Home | Asuswrt-Merlin

www.asuswrt-merlin.net

https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/about

I'm aware of the list, but wanted to make sure hardware inside of this model are compatible. And just wanted to know if anyone from the UK purchased this one and installed Merlin.

 

[Tech9]

I'm sure RMerlin installed Asuswrt-Merlin on it before listing it as supported. The firmware is global and your location doesn't matter.

Asuswrt-Merlin - Browse /RT-BE86U/Release at SourceForge.net

Alternative firmware for Asus wireless routers

sourceforge.net

 

[zd59]

I'm aware of the list, but wanted to make sure hardware inside of this model are compatible. And just wanted to know if anyone from the UK purchased this one and installed Merlin.

Hi.

I'm from Slovenia.
I've replaced EOL RT-AC86u with RT-BE86u this winter.
After first boot I did not configure the new router, instead I installed firmware from Merlin (version 3006.102.3), waited 1/2 hour to settle then configured as it was AC86u.
All went flawless and believe me, it is worth the money spent.
Have fiber connect to ISP 1GB/200MB and from my Linux notebook I get this result on 5Ghz WiFi:

That was not possible on my previous router.
And most important, you have to disable "power save" setting on your WiFi card on a clients devices. Else the speed will bi much lower.

 

[Tech9]

That was not possible on my previous router.

This is possible with much cheaper RT-AX86U Pro though. Common 2-stream AX client can reach about 850Mbps on 80MHz wide channel and a client with 160MHz channel support can reach 1.7Gbps.

 

[maxbraketorque]

It seems the primary issue with the BE wifi routers is connectivity issues with some 802.11n IOT devices. That aside, the RT-BE86U appears to perform really well.

 

[Tech9]

The primary issue with dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers is actually limitations on 5GHz band - exactly the same as with Wi-Fi 6 routers. Expected Wi-Fi performance is about the same as a result. User experience improvement to mobile devices - close to zero.

 

[W3Wilkes]

Performance may be about the same, but more function. Isn't there support for VLANS which I think can be used better than "guest networks" on the AX devices to isolate groups of devices that can communicate with each other but not devices on other VLANS.

 

[Tech9]

Isn't there support for VLANS

There is, starting from RT-AX86U Pro in stock 3006 Asuswrt. Asuswrt-Merlin for AX devices is still on 3004.

but more function

...with more bugs. Asus left on users to discover themselves what works in a mix of 3006 and 3004 AiMesh.

 

[ducky124]

There is a reason that Merlin posted a supported hardware list. This is so every person doesn't come here and ask this question, and "clog up" the forum.