So many ASUS routers, so little time .....

[edsyl]

Sorry for the cryptic topic title.

We are a point in time where there are a number of routers coming down the ASUS pipe. I could use the sewer analogy instead of a 'pipe' for some of the things I have read recently about the newer products. But lets flush that thought away for the time being.

Here is where I am coming from:

1. Using an N66 for many years, solid as a rock.
2. More and more streaming devices in the household. Starting to see some issues with the NAS, Roku, Netflix....you get the idea.
3. Have been reading the posts about many of the routers that I would consider for an upgrade: 68, 87.3200, 88, and the 3100. All from ASUS. My experiences with the 66 makes me loyal I guess. Or gullible.
4. Reviews of the 68 are generally good. Stable and a good upgrade
5. The 87 is a horror story to be avoided from what I can tell.
6. 3200 the jury is still out
7. The 88 looks like it might be a good fit, but too early to tell, although the Merlin f/w is done AFAIK. I like the 8 ports as well.

With all that being said, I would like to open the floor to the learned audience to see if my gut telling me to go 68 is right or not. Up time for me is tantamount.
I have a leaning towards the 88U but it is an unproven commodity at this time.

Thanks in advance for opinions/guidance in this matter.

Regards
Ed

 

[thiggins]

If you want something that works and has been wrung out, and want ASUS, go with the AC68.

The Broadcom-based AC3100 and AC5300 are too new to be reliable. If past experience shows, it will be a year or so until they are stable. Besides, you're paying a pantload for 4x4, which provides no benefit.

 

[joegreat]

If you want something that works and has been wrung out, and want ASUS, go with the AC68..

Confirm! And use your good old N66U as I do (see below)!

 

[L&LD]

If you're not in a hurry to buy a router today, I would be looking at a 'final' RMerlin firmware for the RT-AC3100 (and if the 8 ports of the RT-AC88U are as interesting to you as they are to me, that router too if it is at the same stage then).

Buying an RT-AC68U or even an RT-AC3200 is not an option at this point, even if they are still better than the old N class king. The RT-N66U I have is more than sufficient to allow me to wait for a proper upgrade for the next 3 or 4 years (six months ago, one of those routers would have been enough, but alas, no cash).

Yes, there is some risk taken when buying a new product at introduction, but return policies are meant to be used if the product is really unusable for specific situations.

If the RT-AC88U and the RT-AC3100 continues to perform as RMerlin has outlined in the links below, buying an RT-AC68U today at anything over $100 would just be wrong.


http://www.snbforums.com/threads/alpha-builds-for-rt-ac88u-and-rt-ac3100.28024/#post-215688

http://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ac88u.27704/page-4#post-216198

 

[cmillar6]

Perhaps I am a little cheap but the newer models are getting a little too expensive. At this rate Asus will be releasing $500 routers in 2017. I'm sticking with my AC68p until it dies of old age or Merlin quits supporting it.

 

[System Error Message]

If you want something that works and has been wrung out, and want ASUS, go with the AC68.

The Broadcom-based AC3100 and AC5300 are too new to be reliable. If past experience shows, it will be a year or so until they are stable. Besides, you're paying a pantload for 4x4, which provides no benefit.

lol too new to be reliable. I went with the asus ac68u when it was new and was happy with it. The asus ac88u is a better promise than the ac87u because of a better architectural design and better chips however they all use the same broadcom ARM CPU so your choice is really down to wifi and hardware accelerated chips. The problem with the ac87u was the poor architectural design and the accelerator chips it used werent really good.

 

[Puppa]

I wouldn't go lower than a 68P. The 800MHz clock rate on the 68U will be showing its age soon, so with a 25% faster clock at 1GHz, it's likely to age better. Just my 2 cents because it sounds like you keep your routers around for a while. The 3200 is also a good choice if the price is right, say $250. It's worked great for me and I've got 28 active clients on my network, 24 of which go 24/7 and the firmware, especially in the past month, is very stable.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[nagle3092]

If you can deal with being a beta tester so to speak then I would look into the newer devices. If you dont want to deal with the headaches that can sometimes come with a new device then the 68 would be a good option.

You could always wait it out for a month as well and by that time there should be enough user reports to make a decision on the new devices.

 

[willyburz]

AC3200 is the way to go. Turn off smart connect and stress test away...best and most solid router I've used, or have recently had access to. Love it!! PS. Strength at distance has been rock solid as well.

 

[edsyl]

AC3200 is the way to go. Turn off smart connect and stress test away...best and most solid router I've used, or have recently had access to. Love it!! PS. Strength at distance has been rock solid as well.

How long have you had it running reliably? Care to share more of your experiences? Running Merlin?
Thanks

 

[Puppa]

I've been running with Smart Connect off as well. 28 devices, mix of Android tablets, iPads, Xbox 360, Xbox One (wired), PS4, WiiU, Wii, 3DS (slow wifi), 4 Dual band AC laptops, Zigbee/Zwave hub, Garage door controller, OnHub as access point, WN3500R repeater (for the OnHub access point), and more. I haven't had a single crash since going to FW 9135 and above. Usually run stock FW, but gave the Merlin 378.56_2 a few days while waiting for yesterday's ASUS FW release to fix a RAM eating log bug. Prior to 9135, would crash every 2-7 days (usually 2), with DHCP stopping. Since 9135, haven't even had a hiccup, which was frequent enough to interfere with Hulu streaming to 3 devices simultaneously at least once per night. Some of the prior hiccups were the OnHub's fault, but that too had a really great FW update that's made it much more stable.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[alarsen77]

I just picked up an RT-AC3100 at Best Buy this morning. Exchanged my RT-AC87R for it as a matter of fact. I had an RT-N66U that was a great router and served me well, but with the recent internet upgrade to 155/15 the RT-N66U was lagging a bit over wifi. The RT-AC87R was a great improvement, but it was just not reliable enough. So since Best Buy got the RT-AC3100 I grabbed it this morning, I will post my thoughts on it in a couple days after I get a chance to test it out a bit.

 

[willyburz]

How long have you had it running reliably? Care to share more of your experiences? Running Merlin?
Thanks

I purchased the AC3200 about 2 months ago, and am just running the latest firmware, with smart connect off. I have multiple chromebooks, chromebook pixel, pc, tvs, cell phones, blu ray players, nest, 2 xbox ones"hardwired in to it through house connections" etc. and It does everything fine. THE only thing I notice is one of the 5ghz bands tests lower in strength signal by a smidge. "Prolly firmware as usual" Turned off smart connect for now, and basically I ran wi fi analyzer to see what I was dealing with for channels/interference, and locked in the best channels on 2ghz, and both 5 ghz. Then just connect, OR make three different access names, and spread out the love. I just don't have any issues with it...I also know that no matter what new router I buy, it's at minimum a year before firmware really gets where it needs to be...sad, but the norm.



PS. Here's the problem I had with smart connect...I didn't get drops like some are saying, but the router would NEVER switch off of channels with high interference all the time, and it would change at random to a more interfered channel, or for some crazy reason dump my Pixel to the 2ghz line with a solid 5ghz signal?!...IF the firmware with smart connect on would allow a person to hard set the channels they wanted locked in, WHILE adjusting demand/bandwidth across the right areas automatically, we'd be rocking! Using my android wifi analyzer app makes things a breeze for hard locking where you need to be, and avoid the messy interference. Also helps to dial in placement, and whatnot of the router.

PPS I have the antennas all straight up, NOT in a donut shape, or half moon like the booklet says. I get the most gain with slower drop off in signal putting all 6 straight up. This was true for me with location upstairs, or downstairs.

 

[Darcy]

I have the RT-AC66R and never had a problem with it. Bought a 87U but still have it sitting unopened in a box because I'm nervous about setting it up after reading all the negative posts.

 

[alarsen77]

I have the RT-AC66R and never had a problem with it. Bought a 87U but still have it sitting unopened in a box because I'm nervous about setting it up after reading all the negative posts.

I did the same thing and bought the AC-87R based off of my dad having one and saying it had worked great for him. But I had nothing but issues with the 5GHz side. I ended up returning it for the AC-3100. Now that the AC-3100 and AC88U are out. I would go for one of those over the AC-87U. I was upgrading from an RT-N66U.

 

[Darcy]

Wonder if I should just sell my new 87U and my used 66R for the 88U.

 

[alarsen77]

Wonder if I should just sell my new 87U and my used 66R for the 88U.

Do you have the option of returning your 87U?


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[Darcy]

No, had it for a while.

 

[Darcy]

Any ideas on where to sell them? How much do you think I could get for them?

 

[jontalk]

Since I didn't see anyone mention the AC56U I thought I'd chime in and say I picked up a brand new one on Ebay for $55 and it has the same hardware as the 68U minus the external antennas. I don't have any AC enabled devices and am getting 70% of my WAN speed on the 5 gHz band with it. Depending upon what your needs are the value is clearly there unless you NEED the highest speed AC band. I'm pretty darned happy given the small price and big performance.