Recommend Me a Router

EightImmortals on 27/11/2019 - 08:03

Dammit. Woke up this morning to a dead router, checked the PSU and was getting voltage so I guess it's game over for old faithful. It was an ASUS RT-N66U with Merlin FW and was about 6 years old. Consequently I haven't been keeping too much of an eye on what's what these days. Can anyone recommend a good replacement? We have FW NBN. I was looking at another Asus, maybe the AC-68U or the 88U (is it worth the extra money for an extra antenna? :) ) Or if anyone can suggest another good reliable router that has similar features to the 66U, wireless scheduling and not too hard for dummies.

Thanks

Computing Modem Router

Comments

  • stephenharrington on 27/11/2019 - 08:35
    +4

    Asus RT-AC68U would be fine most probably for your needs, especially NBN FW, but it is at least a 4-5 year old design now, known as very reliable.
    Look for a deal but have been going for well less than $200.

    Asus RT-AC86U if you want more CPU grunt for VPN throughput etc - running one of these myself and has been great.

    Asus RT-AX88 is latest greatest AX / Wi-Fi 6 model, still expensive and probably overkill unless you have money to burn and Wi-Fi 6 devices that need the speed, and on NBN FW probably useless anyway :-)

    Note that RT-AC88U you mentioned is older slower model than RT-AC86U (despite the numbering) and would tend to avoid unless you get one at a great price.

    All are supported by Merlin FW, which is yet another reason to stay Asus, and will mean next to no learning curve.

  • EightImmortals on 27/11/2019 - 08:50

    Cheers, I was homing in an AC68U but can't find them under $200 atm. Isn't it black Friday sales this week? I can probably manage for a couple of days if so.

    (edit: there's a couple of OEM ones on ebay but not sure what that entails..)

    • ESEMCE on 27/11/2019 - 08:56

      Yeah, they come up pretty regularly for a little under $170 on eBay sales.
      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/product/asus-rt-ac68u
      Would be surprised if you can't grab one at that price on Friday.

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 27/11/2019 - 09:05

      $199 but as scubacoles said, they regularly come on sale. Think I bought my second one from Bing Lee for ~$175 delivered.

      • EightImmortals on 27/11/2019 - 09:11

        Cheers, yep checked umart first at that price plus delivery, usually $15 or so. Might wait until Friday and see what pops up.

    • Bargain80 on 27/11/2019 - 10:43

      Bought it for $194 from Amazon AU June last year.
      Surely it has dropped the price by now.

      • geech on 27/11/2019 - 10:52

        Surely it has dropped the price by now.

        You'd think so - I bought my first one for $176 in June 2016, and another one a year later for $188. So the prices have been pretty steady for a while now.

        • Bargain80 on 27/11/2019 - 10:58
          +2

          wow, apparently it's a high yield investment.
          :)

  • geech on 27/11/2019 - 09:46

    I also run the AC68U (2 of them actually) and have had no issues with them. There's also an OEM version - TM-AC1900 which can usually be had for around $100 on Amazon. You'll need to re-flash the firmware to unlock it. Once you change the firmware on it I don't think there's any major differences between it and the Asus, but it might be worth researching to confirm.

    Edit: See here for further details on the reflashing of them - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/353403

    • myusername on 28/11/2019 - 11:11

      awesome was wondering what the"oem' ones were

  • Skramit on 27/11/2019 - 09:47

    Just bought a TP-Link AX Wifi Router for $159.

    Good value and supports the new Wifi AX.

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TP-Link-Archer-AX10-AX1500-Next-…

    • wittyusername on 27/11/2019 - 22:49

      I think that one only comes with a 1/4 inch collet. I'd definitely recommend spending a bit more and getting a 1/2 inch as it can be sized down if necessary.

  • EightImmortals on 27/11/2019 - 15:15
    +1

    So anyway, started having a play with the dead router this arvo and turns out it was the power switch had stopped latching down. Tried some blutac and electrical tape but it kept popping up and turning itself off again. So I ripped the unit open, removed the spring from the power switch THEN taped it down and we're back in business. :) Only catch is to use the wall switch to turn it on and off but I can live with that. Might keep an eye out for the next RT0AC68U sale anyway.. So problem solved and cool story.

    cheers

    • ESEMCE on 27/11/2019 - 15:20

      Weird.
      Presume that a little bit of plastic finally gave up against the mighty strain of the spring?
      Or is the router (and switch) in a position that someone might have abesnt-mindedly knocked it last night?

      • EightImmortals on 27/11/2019 - 16:35

        Nope router is out of the way, I'd say the latch just gave out after 6 years. Easy ghetto fix. :)

  • myusername on 28/11/2019 - 11:11
    +1

    here's hoping the AC68U turns up somewhere on a black friday sale

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