Will 376 firmware range/speed ever catch up to 374?

[Deleted member 27741]

I have been using the 374 fork (N66U) because I get better range (and therefore speeds for computers at a distance from the router).

Currently, the download speed of 376 firmware is approximately 2/3-3/4 as fast as 374 firmware (at 5 GHz frequency) for my computer that is furthest from the router.

I'm not sure if this is a dumb/obvious question, but will 376 and above firmware ever catch up to the 374 firmware, or is it impossible for 376 to achieve that range after the lawsuit?

 

[jim769]

I have been using the 374 fork (N66U) because I get better range (and therefore speeds for computers at a distance from the router).

Currently, the download speed of 376 firmware is approximately 2/3-3/4 as fast as 374 firmware (at 5 GHz frequency) for my computer that is furthest from the router.

I'm not sure if this is a dumb/obvious question, but will 376 and above firmware ever catch up to the 374 firmware, or is it impossible for 376 to achieve that range after the lawsuit?

Great question all i can say is i doubt it. The 376 and above seem to have capped routers at 80 mw max. Thats why i hope John keeps doing what he is doing with his fork bulds. With Johns fork i can cover my whole house with no issues the newer 376 and that is no longer the case in fact my roku box using 5 ghz loses so much signal i have to use 2.4 ghz to cover it. No thanks i will stick with the fork full 5 ghz signal and speed.

 

[Deleted member 27741]

For people like myself that need a bit more range, John's fork is phenomenal. It is a pity that the new firmware will (likely) never be as good in that sense. Big thanks to John!

 

[kvic]

a myth worth debunking

I can't comment specifically on N66U's wireless performance since I don't have the router. Based on my experience with AC56U, I don't see any observable difference on wireless range and speed between 374 and 376 branch firmwares.

Specifically I was on 374.43_2 and is now on 376.48_1. By default, both version blast out about the same amount of tx power. Don't see any degrade on speed or range in 376.

"374 defaults output to 200mW. 376 defaults output to 80mW." I would assert neither statement is true.

There are two catches on 376 though. First, never touch the power adjustment slider on the WEBGUI. Always leave it at 100%. If you adjust the slider anywhere below 100%, the tx power is much worse than the slider may imply! Second, tx power cannot be adjusted through nvram values without a bit extra effort. There are a few threads telling ppl how to overcome this limitation.

Btw, the freedom to adjust tx power (precisely through nvram values) allows people to bring tx power closer to local regulation allowed. Or allows ppl to lower tx output power for better performance (e.g. in my case). Not to mention also that the GUI slider in 376 is broken!

Asus hires a few more incompetent engineers than you would imagine

 

[Deleted member 22229]

I can't comment specifically on N66U's wireless performance since I don't have the router. Based on my experience with AC56U, I don't see any observable difference on wireless range and speed between 374 and 376 branch firmwares.

Specifically I was on 374.43_2 and is now on 376.48_1. By default, both version blast out about the same amount of tx power. Don't see any degrade on speed or range in 376.

"374 defaults output to 200mW. 376 defaults output to 80mW." I would assert neither statement is true.

There are two catches on 376 though. First, never touch the power adjustment slider on the WEBGUI. Always leave it at 100%. If you adjust the slider anywhere below 100%, the tx power is much worse than the slider may imply! Second, tx power cannot be adjusted through nvram values without a bit extra effort. There are a few threads telling ppl how to overcome this limitation.

Btw, the freedom to adjust tx power (precisely through nvram values) allows people to bring tx power closer to local regulation allowed. Or allows ppl to lower tx output power for better performance (e.g. in my case). Not to mention also that the GUI slider in 376 is broken!

Asus hires a few more incompetent engineers than you would imagine

All you stated is true but for the N66U there is a clear difference in signal and range with John's fork compared to the new builds. This can easily be seen with devices and wifi analyzer. Quick example my Roku box in my bedroom gets 3 out of 5 bars with the new builds going back to John's fork it instantly goes to full signal 5 out of 5 bars. This of course is using the 5 Ghz band.

 

[cofetym]

All you stated is true but for the N66U there is a clear difference in signal and range with John's fork compared to the new builds. This can easily be seen with devices and wifi analyzer. Quick example my Roku box in my bedroom gets 3 out of 5 bars with the new builds going back to John's fork it instantly goes to full signal 5 out of 5 bars. This of course is using the 5 Ghz band.

What settings and transmit power are you using? Definitely might help others to decide on builds to meet a specific need.

 

[Deleted member 22229]

What settings and transmit power are you using? Definitely might help others to decide on builds to meet a specific need.

My settings are simple as i just use the router for routing and not much else. As far as power settings i have it set to 120 mw.

2.4 Ghz- 20 mhz channel 6- 120mw, N only

5 Ghz- 40 mhz channel 44- 120mw, N only

All other settings are default.

 

[mavack]

This has been discussed a little in the other threads. They really need to work out a way to control the regulatory domain so it is correct for your region and can't be overwritten. I don't know where you are but although the 374 firmware is better for you, the 376 firmware might be correct for your region and as such you might be exceeding the limits imposed by your local authority.

Gives you great wireless performance, however its RF pollution to everyone else. If it becomes to much of a problem then the authority will put tighter controls on the manufacturer, which will result in them locking the firmware and preventing custom firmwares from existing.

 

[Deleted member 22229]

This has been discussed a little in the other threads. They really need to work out a way to control the regulatory domain so it is correct for your region and can't be overwritten. I don't know where you are but although the 374 firmware is better for you, the 376 firmware might be correct for your region and as such you might be exceeding the limits imposed by your local authority.

Gives you great wireless performance, however its RF pollution to everyone else. If it becomes to much of a problem then the authority will put tighter controls on the manufacturer, which will result in them locking the firmware and preventing custom firmwares from existing.

Not sure if your reply was for me but if it was i can say for certainty i am not trying to break regional laws or regulations and setting any router in the US to 120mw is perfectly legal.

 

[kvic]

All you stated is true but for the N66U there is a clear difference in signal and range with John's fork compared to the new builds. This can easily be seen with devices and wifi analyzer. Quick example my Roku box in my bedroom gets 3 out of 5 bars with the new builds going back to John's fork it instantly goes to full signal 5 out of 5 bars. This of course is using the 5 Ghz band.

Fair enough. Some other issues in 376 at play for N66U.

 

[mavack]

Not at you specifically, i'm just saying in general this is why it's changing the power outputs. I don't know all the regional limits, the other thing to note transmitter power isn't so much a concern more EIRP (Equivalent isotropically radiated power) which is transmitter power combined with antenna gain.

It's not simple when you have different regions, i'm just saying that it's just not as simple as boost the power and you have great wifi or select an unused channel, most people don't know any better.

 

[Jaded]

Asus also hopes to sell more bridges/routers with the current caps... With less coverage you need more WAPS for the same results with 80mW power restrictions.

BUT... Let's be honest... How many of us would have bought their Asus model if they went in knowing wifi signals would be capped at a fraction of their regulatory domain allowance? This bodes very poorly for Asus and it will result in lost revenues. I won't buy another Asus on the principal they are doing this alone.

Furthermore... The "dark knight" never would have given them such a large 802.11n/ac customer base if they didn't have insane coverage... Never would have happened with a 80mW cap.... It's not rocket science or,difficult to have different max powers for different regions which is the funny thing... Very lazy work by Asus IMHO...