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Not the cheapest I guess but a very good deal - Great reviews..
ASUS RT-AC68U Wireless-AC1900 Dual Band Gigabit Router - $180 + $15 Delivery (Free with eBay Plus) @ Computer Alliance eBay
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Great router, have had mine for a few years now running ASUS firmware. Great for blocking kids wifi access by time
I went for the Modem equivalent recently as I just got FTTN, somewhat frustratingly as I was having dropouts prior, and Aussie BB suggested they couldn't see when I had a Modem in Bridge Mode to a Dedicated Router… but now it's stable after multiple NBN visits….
I actually had several of these Routers years ago, but Ai-Mesh wasn't a thing at the time, so I moved them on… much to my dismay!
What caused your NBN dropouts?
@nfr: Hard to say, I was on constant calls with Aussie BB, the first month or so was perfect, no issues at all. Than it got really really bad. Initially had an NBN 'tech' come out, suggest nothing wrong and left… he even had the audacity to tell me I shouldn't use Ethernet (in a double story house mind you) and stick to wireless everything… also had no idea what the box next to it was (My NAS) and what it's used for…
So I replaced my Modem, for the third time, trying different chipsets in the unlikely event that fixed the issue, still had issues. They sent out another tech, this time he was a Telstra worker… and he not only replaced my internal fittings he also swapped the copper line I was on, apparently they have a few they can use…
Regardless, speeds went from around 70/27 to 77/37 with very minimal drops since… so can't complain :)
I was having around 10mbps drops from outside to the inside point, so maybe the internal wiring was at fault, I've had nothing but issues with this House, was built in 2010 and I'm the third owner.
Aussie BB to their credit were great, it was just the initial NBN tech guy that was awful. Lesson to be learned, don't give up and keep pushing. I never had ADSL at the address, was previously on Nuskope Wireless so was yet to experience what it may be like.
@scuderiarmani: Haha wtf everyone knows ethernet is superior to wireless when available.
I guess I'll keep pushing then, not going to let Optus non-support wear me down.
@nfr: Yeah fingers crossed you get luckier with NBN when/if they send someone out. I had 3 visits, though the first one didn't come to my house and went to the Node instead.
As soon as that idiot suggested I use wireless I was just like GTFO mate… I'm not an idiot, and clearly you aren't gonna fix my problem.
If they suggest you aren't getting enough dropouts for them to investigate… just pull out the ADSL line :) NBN may just ignore your request if one day seems ok by their standards (5 and under dropouts).
I have one of these modems and if power goes off to the device and I turn it back on it always takes a call to TPG to solve, what have you noticed changed when you installed Merlin ? Thank you for your help
No I haven't had that problem. I am using HFC NBN via internode. I mainly changed to Merlin to get more control over my VPN connections (it lets me map one device to be VPN but lets the rest be non-VPN). So my Roku is "in the US" but the rest of my devices are local!
That's a good reason to do so, thank you for sharing that I'll definitely try that when/if we get the NBN
Modem? This is a router without modem. Or, you meant if you turned this "router" off and then back on, it doesn't re-connect? What exactly did TPG do each time? I used to be with TPG ADSL2+ using this router. Never had an issue with the router. I did have a problem with a modem after 5-6 years. Replacing the modem fixed the problem.
Port locking issue. You must have the DSL model.
Easily fixed.
This has been much cheaper before right?
Yes, I got it for $125 last year. Great router, abundance of functionality.
Where from? The t-mobile versions have been that low but haven't seen official AU stock below $145.
Yeah you're right, I got it from Wireless1 for $158 plus the earphones, then I sold the earphones on gumtree https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/386668
Awesome router - very solid. Getting a bit long in the tooth though. These come down to ~$150 during some previous eBay sales so probably worth holding out for a better price.
You are right - I'm keen to check if there are other great offers
Just stay away from the many overseas models listed on eBay, I believe they have reduced Wifi functionality… not to mention the lack of proper warranty too.
I have an RT-AC87U which is a Chinese import. Rock solid WiFi and everything else, have had no issues and paid about $140 for it with free shipping from Sydney (via an eBay seller). Have it set up with a cheapo TP-Link modem in bridged mode.
Not sure what WiFi issues you've had but maybe it's isolated to the 68U?
@bargainshooter: Only my eBay history. Cheapest one I can see now is $170.
https://i.imgur.com/95pYYm9.jpg
It currently doesn't support aimesh, scroll about half way down the page and the guy with the Chinese writing in his signature is an official Asus employee. https://www.snbforums.com/threads/asus-rt-ac87u_9-0-0-4_384_…
He's saying there's no plans to support it but his language is a bit like a politician, anything could happen in the future.
@bonezAU: Yeah I checked that out. Not currently supported on that model. I found one on ebay for about $140. Great price but I need one to compliment my ac68 with aimesh.
@bonezAU: Going off others on Whirlpool, I've read they don't have all Wifi Channels available.
I believe that's a standard across all overseas models.
Can't say anything from first hand experience how this relates with day to day use, maybe it's more of an issue when you are surrounded by other people's networks.
@scuderiarmani: The reduced channel # mainly applies to US products. FCC limits the peak power output of some channels and ban one outright. https://www.howtogeek.com/402142/why-wi-fi-channels-12-13-an…
In the suburban detached standalone dwellings when neighbours are of reasonable distance the reduced number of channels won't have any impact at all. It would matter more in apartments where many wireless network devices are located close to each other.
@scuderiarmani: I haven't noticed anything different really. I have plenty of channels available, mind you I don't live in an apartment in the Sydney CBD with 15 million other WiFi networks around me, so it has never been something I have cared about. There's a couple of my neighbours networks that I can detect but nobody is close enough to interfere.
What HW is this? I believe HW version C1 is not compatible with Tomato firmware.
You can get it for $176 (including delivery) from Sydneytec ebay. Use the coupon code PTECHSALE for 20% off.
****PLEASE NOTE: THIS PRODUCT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH 'FTTN' NBN CONNECTIONS****
Please note: This model does not have a built-in modem
It depends, if you are under NBN HFC then NBN will provide you with a modem. You just need a wireless router.
True - wouldn't it be better to buy 1 modem\router?
@smiles: Not necessarily, most Modem/Router combos are often poor at one or both functions. Ideally it's better to have one dedicated device for Modems. Also opens you up to far better routers/mesh devices too….
Also, why did you bring up it's not the Modem Model? Neither is this post? The DSL-AC Models are the Modem Equivalents… the RT-AC Models are just Routers.
@smiles: If you can, it is better to have a separate modem and a router. Most modem router combo don't actually come with stronger CPUs, so essentially, you are using 1 CPU to do both sets of tasks. Also, modem router combo, you generally don't get the latest WiFi technology. Virtually no custom firmware for modem router combo.
Separate devices allow you to pick the best of both worlds. Back in ADSL2+ dates, I found that each modem chipset has its strengths and weaknesses. It could come down to the choice of speed vs reliability (and if you have a decent connection, you might want to push for a bit more speed). Same goes for routers. This router is popular, but its CPU is a bit dated.
@smiles: Combo modem\router cannot run custom firmware such as Merlin. The driver for the modem chip is generally closed-source and not accessible.
A few $ cheaper from https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-AU-Asus-RT-AC68U-Dual-Band-W…
With 20% off PTECHSALE
I have one of these and it's been great. Flashed firmware to Merlin.
I've had some issues with getting signal at the back of the house (highset brick) and the AC68U is in the front of the house in the garage.
Would I be better off getting another one of these and meshing them together or getting the Netgear Orbi's since it has newer tech (but essentially meshing similarly)?
Thought it's already WIFI6?
None of your devices are Wifi 6 capable… unless you have an S10….
So it's probably not worth spending several times more for it yet… and more so, it's new tech, it's buggy as hell.
Price seems higher than most of the deals seen here.
Probably the only Router (and it's Modem equivalent) in the ASUS range I haven't had issues with at all…. The higher end gear is great when working, but awfully buggy.
Should be good with AI-Mesh too, but I have little experience with that.