RT-AC86U Pricing??

[Sammy2]

Why is this going for $200+ right now? Is it all that much better than the RT-AC3100 I just picked up for $130?

Thanks. Just wondering if I should upgrade and why.

 

[Adamm]

Why is this going for $200+ right now? Is it all that much better than the RT-AC3100 I just picked up for $130?

Thanks. Just wondering if I should upgrade and why.

Its quite a big CPU improvement, meaning significantly better VPN/File Sharing speeds (as-well as any custom scripts you intend to use). Also being the first device on the HND platform so you can expect a long shelf life. Wireless between the newer devices is pretty similar, but if money isn't a concern its definitely a nice improvement.

 

[maxbraketorque]

The AC86U is comparable or better at wireless performance than the AC3100, and the AC86U CPU is much faster which helps for things like setting up the router as a VPN server or client. $130 is a great price for an AC3100 though.

 

[Sammy2]

Thanks!

I don't do File Sharing but do get the full speed of my ISP on downloading. Most LAN stuff is merely streaming which works quite well.
As far as VPN goes, I'm looking into doing that. Comparing the two what kind of speed differences are we talking about here? The AC3100 is 1.4Ghz vs 1.8Ghz on the AC86U but am I missing something else?

I got the AC3100 a couple of weeks ago refurbished directly from Newegg's eBay Store. Came the next day (I'm close to them in SoCal) in plain box with the fold-able cardboard and plastic insert. Works great and seems it was most likely just stock Asus wanted to clear out. They're going for $30 more now. I'm pretty happy with it in AiMesh mode with my other two AC68U's as nodes.

 

[maxbraketorque]

Its not just the clock speed, the AC86U CPU has a hardware encryption/decryption engine, so its much faster at VPN than the AC3100 when the engine is utilized. There is a discussion on it with some data in the security section of this forum.

 

[gamesbrainiac]

It depends on your needs whether you need to get an ASUS RT-AC86U. In case you need a simple wireless router with a lot of bandwidth, then I don't think the 86U is something that you need, but something that you might want.

However, the main feature of the 86U is its hardware accelerated crypto engine. This means that the CPU will not be a bottleneck when it comes to using OpenVPN, meaning that you will be able to get the full speed that your VPN provider can give you.

Furthermore, another feature I would say is that the 86U has regular merlin firmware updates, and is one of the core devices supported by the firmware. Therefore, if you buy it you will always have good software to go with it.

Lastly, I would say that the 86U is a much loved router, with many people who have bought it. Therefore, should you have any trouble with it in the future, you will be able to get good support from the community.\

Hope that helps.

 

[Klueless]

Why is this going for $200+ right now? Is it all that much better than the RT-AC3100 I just picked up for $130?

Street price (e.g., Walmart, Best Buy) for the 3100 is usually around $249 so the question is usually something like, "is the 3100 worth the extra fifty bucks?"

You got a refurb but it's working out fine so don't second guess yourself, enjoy the money you saved! (I did the opposite, was thinking about the 86U but when the 1900P went on sale for less that a hundred I got that instead. Cost is always part of the value equation.)