looking to upgrade router, must be able to use asuswrt merlin, suggestions?

[Netbug]

Hi,

Not been here in quite sometime so not totally upto date with everything, i currently run RT-AC86U with merlin firmware, looking to upgrade due to EOL and to just future proof, i've done loads of searching and reading on the forums but hope to get some clear feedback.

I'm in UK and looking at the asus wifi 7 routers, on the asus uk site i don't see any of the asus wifi 7 routers are supported by merlin firmware except for the us versions. Am i missing something or are there asus wifi 7 routerrs in uk compatible with merlin firmware? i assume it's to do with 6GHz band and regulations still be debated in uk i believe although could be wrong.

On merlins site i see these are the currently supported wifi 7 routers GT-BE98 PRO, RT-BE86U, RT-BE88U, RT-BE96U.

I don't see any of these models on asus uk site or available in uk except for RT-BE88U which is available from amazon uk, oddly if you search RT-BE88U in google there is a page on asus uk website for that model but if you go direct to asus uk select wifi 7 routers RT-BE88U doesn't show nor on it's uk store, not sure why. I notice the RT-BE88U has wifi 7 but does not support the 6GHz band. But can be used with asuswrt merlin firmware. From what i can tell if a uk user wants an asus wifi 7 router that supports merlin our only option is RT-BE88U?

Looking to upgrade and future proof but merlin firmware is essential for me, i was considering RT-AX86U Pro or RT-AX88U Pro both are on the latest 3006 codebase on asus original firmware but not merlin currently still on 3004, i did search and read threads so kind of know why this is the case for now at least. But in all honesty i rather buy a wifi 7 router at this stage as the AX models been out for approx 3 years now, i am aware of the bugs and issues with the latest wifi 7 routers seeing they are relatively new to the market.

looking for suggestions, feedback.

Thank you.

 

[Tech9]

GT-BE98 (non-Pro) is supported by GNUton's official Asuswrt-Merlin fork:

GitHub - gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng: Extends the support of Merlin firmware to more ASUS routers

Extends the support of Merlin firmware to more ASUS routers - gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng

github.com

 

[Netbug]

GT-BE98 (non-Pro) is supported by GNUton's official Asuswrt-Merlin fork:

GitHub - gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng: Extends the support of Merlin firmware to more ASUS routers

Extends the support of Merlin firmware to more ASUS routers - gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng

github.com

Hi,

Yeah i did notice but it's got a hefty price tag tbf for a consumer router, also gnuton didn't do any updates for months until november 26th currently alpha. Rather stick to merlin, i know gnuton is a fork of merlins but merlin is regulary updating in this regard no offense to gnuton of course, i know they do it for free in their own time etc.

rite now unless i am missing the obvious it's either GT-BE98 (non pro, uk model) supported by gnuton (fork of merlins firmware) but costs a bomb lol or RT-BE88U which can be bought in uk and merlin supports that model but no 6GHz band, i don't believe there is any other asus wifi 7 router in uk that is supported by merlin.

Seems such a mess this time around lol, dunno what to do rite now, could just get RT-BE88U at least it using 3006 firmware is wifi 7 but no 6ghz band which kinda sucks but not seeing any choice other than what i mentioned.

Merlin i've used for years, i use openvpn server and 3 clients, kill switch, i also use other scripts amtm, diversion, skynet and few others, vlans is something i wanted for years, 3006 support vlan and guest network pro i believe.

I could get AX86U Pro or AX88U Pro but feel it's not worth it at this stage in their life cycle even though they do have 3006 firmware from asus official but 3004 on merlin and at this moment in time that is not going to changet based on searching and reading the forums trying to play catchup.

anyone else in uk in similar dilemma at the moment? be interested to hear other peoples feedback etc.