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GL.iNet Flint 2 (GL-MT6000) Wi-Fi 6 Router, 2x2.5GbE, AU Plug $220.15 Delivered @ GL.iNet Amazon AU

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My GL.iNet GL-AR750S-EXT (Slate) has been a GOAT travel gadget. Best features for me are NextDNS integration, Wireguard, and iPhone USB tethering.

I am going to give their offering for the home a shot.

Pretty detailed review of this thing here: https://www.cnx-software.com/2024/01/15/gl-inet-flint-2-rout…

Previous post: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/812219

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.

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closed Comments

  • +2

    Beast of a router, best - I have ever owned.

    • Why is it minimum?

  • Bought one from previous post. Zero issues so far. Very happy. OpenWrt.
    WiFi up to around 60m outdoors through 2 brick walls to Pixel 8.
    WiFi indoors across 2 internal walls to cheap PCI WiFi card @ 600/400.

  • Can we set separate vlans on it?

    • +3

      you have to do it via the openwrt ui. create new interfaces like eth0.10, eth0.20, etc.

      • +1

        Will that require flashing the firmware to vanilla openwrt?

        • +8

          nah, you get full access to the openwrt ui on the original firmware

  • +1

    I have 2 of the Xiaomi Redmi AX6000 based on the same CPU running in Mesh configuration. Whilst these are supported via OpenWRT, I would have got these in a heart-beat in preference to the Xiaomi.

    SideNote: I am running the Chinese firmware on the Redmi and its rock solid.

    • +3

      Yes but 2xRedmiy ax6000 costs the same as one of these. You can do openwrt on Redmi as you mentioned and it's pretty good.

      Not really comparing these two because one is half the cost and a very similar performance experience

      • +1

        Not trying to compare… Saying the CPU makes both the GL.net and the Redmi a beast.

        I paid 163 each so definitely not half price when I got mine.

        • +1

          paid 700rmb ish+shipping (total 150aud) for my TP-Link xdr6088

          same soc, also dual 2.5g, also official openwrt supported(albeit lots of effort to exploit the firmware and teardown and TTL )

          but that's way before I can get this model

          • @OMGJL: Yes that looked good. Same reason I've ended up with the Redmi - first one with that SOC. They replaced M5 mesh from Tplink

      • Doesn't have 2.5GbE ports, which may be worth the difference for some. Not really relevant for the uplink in Australia, though, at least not for the foreseeable future.

        NVM, looks like there is at least one 2.5GbE port according to the OpenWRT link.

    • Link to Xiaomi Redmi AX600 guide. I have a pair of Xiaomi AX3600 which are running OpenWRT with no complaints.

      • +1

        I've been following that for a few months - the snapshots make me nervous as seems they break alot. Even the release caused bricking with uboot issues. Once its stabilised, I'll do it.

  • Someone told me to get this
    https://amzn.asia/d/d35lPXa

    Would this be just as good for a family in a 350sqm single storey.

    On fttp nbn.

    Thanks

    • Will depend how central the router will be placed. We are slightly bigger and run 2 Ax6000 in Mesh configuration and coverage is amazing on fttp but 100/20 (not 1gbps). Where our router is located, I probably could have got away with 1 but with inverter in the garage as well as Meross door opener as the furtherest devices (both 2.4ghz),i wanted strong connection.

      Personally I'd go Tplink at half the price to Netgear - I have had Tplink in the past and they do a better job of upgrading their firmware than Netgear IMHO

      • +1

        Funny you mention about TP-Link having better firmware upgrades - I have a TP-Link router and it has never got a single firmware update automatically. All manual updates from the website fail.

    • +1

      Personally, I've had horrible experiences with Netgear routers, would suggest TP-Link, or better an ASUS.

      • +1

        I just grabbed this deal as my Netgear Nighthawk (R8000) as it is suffering from a very well known DNS issue and nothing I have tried seems to fix it.. My brother had the same Router and same issue, plenty of people online across multiple models reporting the same issue on NG forums for years and no fix yet. NG have really dropped off their support and firmware fixes over the last couple of years and I could not in good conscious recommend anyone by NG.

  • +3

    I have this and an Asus GT-AX6000. I grabbed this when it first came out and they have cheap prices. I think it was about $130…

    That aside - The Asus can't do VLANs and really if that's what you need you are looking in the wrong part of town. Was running Merlin on it with Diversion, Skynet and the Guest wifi that comes with Merlin and it has like 3 options with guest wifi so thats as close you would get to VLANs.

    The Glinet variation doesn't have the Range I felt of the Asus. Does have Adguard (the Asus did too), VPNs (as does the Asus). But the biggest downer on these Glinet routers is the lack of Mesh. If I could, I would buy 2 of these if they would run mesh… but dual band… I might as well just grab the other one and run as a repeater.

    I did like with the Asus you could set up like 6 different VPNs. You could allocate different things on your network to use a particular VPN. Cool feature… do I need it no. I find running the VPN on the device as opposed to on the router always gets you better speeds.

    After that I am considering selling on the Asus, keeping this and run it as a drop-in gateway and go back to using my trusted rooted Gen 3 router. Has 4G backup, wireguard server in built, a lot simpler DDNS, Adguard built in if I needed, speed test and grab a gen 3 wifi booster and move on with my life.

    • Thanks for your comment. Interested to know you managed to retain the 4G backup after rooting Telstra Gen 3? Can you use any telco now ?

      • +2

        Yeah… so I can chuck in a Vodafone or Optus sim and run off that if I like. You'll lose features though like DDNS obviously and Wireguard because it's CGNAT, but once NBN is back on it's good.
        Have a few White Gen 2s (DJA0231 not the LH1000 models (they can't be rooted)) on hand that I do it too. Great when clients dont want telstra but a good modem/router thats simple to use and if they want home phone as well.
        Grab some of the wifi boosters if range isn't great… (only the one lan port though).

        If you have a wired backhaul in your home you can run a number of the Gen 2s (DJA0231 or even the LH1000 as an access point) and run them as a wired (need to be wired to the main unit) wifi booster. Can use all the lan ports to. So Wan to main unit and use the other 4 ports.

        They can be used as a VLAN also. Set one up at my parents for their granny flat running a wifi extender (long distance) and then the router was used as an access point. Meant that normally in double nat the tenant could access the main modem, this way it blocked access and gave my parents (me) a bit more control.

        • Would you be able to share the steps you followed to root the gen 3. I've seen parts of the process floating around but never something detailed enough to follow start to end

        • Thanks!

    • Odd, I thought the Asus now supports VLAN?

      • Its very much in Beta testing stage. And only on non merlin devices… wanted merlin over Vlan… again if it's something you grab prosumer gear from TP link or Ubiquiti.

      • +1

        Assuming robocfg is still in the firmware, merlin firmware or asus firmware can do VLANs. The main issue is it is much easier for most people to do it with a GUI page.

        Below is an example of someone setting up VLANs on RT-AC68U. However, DO NOT attempt this unless you know linux and network well.
        https://www.snbforums.com/threads/adding-ip-networks-to-the-…

        There is quite a lot you can do with these WRT based routers if you are comfortable with linux and know a bit about networking, especially if you connect a storage device to the router's USB port.

        If VLAN is really important, it might be better to get a managed switch (aka smart switch) since that's one of the key features of a managed switch. However, if you much prefer router and managed switch in one, then yeah, get one of those routers that offers VLAN support. Only some Asus routers officially support VLANs via the Web interface (or get professional grade network gears). Merlin indicated years ago that he had zero intention to add VLAN GUI config to merlin firmware.

        • I remember reading about it and that was very much my thoughts on it. Id rather look else where than go down that rabbit hole… and for a majority of people I would advise against it… just not worth the hassle and drama.

    • This has 2.5Gbe, main difference

  • i'd buy it if they bring price down again to pre sale amounts

    but atm not really worth it for me

    • Can't see that happening to be honest. But at the price listed its only a little bit more of a cost.

  • IIRC this isn't working too well presently - problems with wifi range (can't remember if 2.4 only or not), scheduling and a few other bits. Got issues upstream at OpenWRT but nothing fixed and released yet AFAIK. At this pricing (cf the pre-release) I'd wait until folk say the niggles are ironed out before buying.

    Starting point to see if its for you or not:

    https://forum.openwrt.org/t/gl-inet-flint-2-gl-mt6000-discus…

    • Yeah don't always read into the forums… that could be "past" problem and Gl.Inet are great with their updates.
      Try it from Amazon… if you aren't happy… just return it.

      • Just checked with my bro and he says wifi performance still shit on current firmware. Might be fixed in the next (gl.inet) release by including proprietray Mediatek drivers apparently. No dea what this would mean for people wanting to run OpenWRT.

        • Other options out there… I currently dont run this set up.. so cant comment on the current wifi… and typically run the 5ghz…

        • Thanks for the info. So, the current firmware doesn't use proprietary driver from Mediatek yet? That's one of my main gripes with OpenWRT. If you just use it as it, without proper customisation, you won't get the best performance. Without proper accelerated driver, the network performance is degraded (especially NAT). Hopefully, that will address the issue.

          I was under the impression GL.iNet is well aware of that and that's why GL.iNet provides its own customised OpenWRT firmware. Looks like on some of their new routers, it will take a few firmware updates to get that included. It's good that GL.iNet routers are getting popular so the community is getting bigger and these things get ironed out.

      • +3

        I was a big fan of Gl.Inet and have many of their other products. Loved them. But this device is not up to their previous quality. Wifi has a low range, seem to periodically start dropping packets, speed issues and requires rebooting at least once a week.
        Their current fix is to include proprietary drivers in a downgraded version of OpenWrt, which has broken a lot of different things. I have kept with an older firmware version until this mess is sorted out. Do not recommend at this point, and it is probably why it has gone on sale

        • They do go on sale reguarly.

          But luckily they are very active in the gl.inet forums and I feel they actually appreciate getting notified of issues so they can fix it.

          I found even compared to the Gen 3 Telstra modem, the range was not as good. Have got their Brume 2 which I might try as a drop in gateway…

  • +2

    I love everything this company does, it should be the norm. Epic firmware

  • I've got wifi issues with this router with intermittent connectivity on some devices which will be fine using other routers.

  • -1

    if a shame its not wifi 7 or at least Wifi 6E

  • This or the ASUS RT-AX86U Pro AX5700 Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 Router or the Xiaomi BE7000 Wi-Fi Router?

    • +2

      Asus RT-AX86U Pro if you intend to use AiMesh (but you need another Asus router).

      GL-MT6000 if you are geeky and can take advantage of the 4GB EMMC (though with the other 2 routers, you could just add an SSD via USB3).

      Xiaomi BE7000 if for some reason you think a WiFi 7 router that implements only a small subset of WiFi 7 features is good enough. Basically, all the great bits that make WiFi 7 great are missing. Also, right now, Intel has blocked their WiFi 7 card from working with AMD system (or it could be AMD systems not actually supporting the WiFi slot properly). If this is how router makers is going to do with WiFi 7 routers, it is really dodgy. It does have a 2.5Ghz switch (on all 4 ports), but it is designed for Chinese market so it has 2 5Ghz bands, rather than 1 5Ghz + 1 6Ghz band.

      Can't decide and really want to get one? Ask a friend who knows you and computer networking. No bargain deal on any of them right now to be honest (I guess the price of this router is decent enough, but I don't own one so don't really know how good it is, for most people, real wifi coverage is probably the most important).

      • +1

        I have the GT-AX6000 and this… personally the Gl inet is half the price roughly. Unless you need Mesh I would go this.

        Not the biggest fan of Xiaomi routers so id pass personally. Read my comment above.

        • Thank you netsurfer and kfp187 - looking for something to upgrade my Telstra Smart Gen 2 (Technicolor DJA0231)

          • @prodnus: Telstra can't give you a Smart Gen 3 for free? I think when I had Telstra NBN for a month last year (less than $10), they sent me a Gen 3. I had to return it though. Not saying don't get another router, but get Telstra to give you a Gen 3 free first if possible. All these NBN providers only offer good deals to new customers…. sigh…

            • @netsurfer: I agree… grab a Gen 3 Telstra modem…
              That’s what I’m running.
              I would get say a Beryl AX if you need a VPN client.

        • +1

          I am not a fan of Xiaomi routers either. This Gl inet router, I am not a fan of the CPU nor the WiFi chipset. I am not a big fan of OpenWRT either. It relies on the router maker to put in proprietary code to get the best performance. The other issue is that you indicated its WiFi range is inferior.

          I use both repeater and mesh. Honestly, mesh is better for most people (my family members use mesh, only I use repeater). However, I did read a forum post that someone managed to get mesh going with 2 of these GI inet routers (I think maybe running some other firmware, can't remember). Also the WiFi range matters (even for a mesh or repeater setup, but if the house is wired up, then it is not an issue).

  • F#&% me, bought this 2 days ago for $260.
    Don't know if it's worth returning and getting another at sale price 🤔

    • Through amazon? Buy and return?

    • Contact amazon support. They don't price match, but if you bitch enough, they might give you some promotional credit.

      Up to you whether it's worth doing that or buying one on sale and returning the other one. $40 isn't a lot of your time these days.

  • Such an odd 2.4Ghz (aggregated) PHY rate. Never seen anything like it.

  • Hey guys
    Can someone please help me with this. I'm in the market for a router and want to know if this is what I should pull the trigger on (and what else I need).
    I have a double story house (new build) with my NBN in the garage with 6 ports going directly into the house. Still using a shitty Optus modem from one of the ports to go to the rest of the house. Can I buy this plus a splitter - then I can connect some sort of Mesh somewhere in my house to shoot it upstairs?
    Thanks

    • +1

      Based on the comment above, it is hard to recommend it. The router may have the raw hardware power, but if the WiFi stability currently is iffy, you really need to think whether it is worth the trouble.

      • Sorry do you mind elaborating? I am a complete noob when it comes to this. Nervous about pulling the trigger on the wrong thing. To clarify, currently have nbn plugged in to wall in garage, and modem in a small room. Am I correct in getting this product in the garage with one switch - then all I need is one mesh in an upstairs room by one of the data points to extend the wifi?

        • Someone who owns it and is generally a fan of Gl.Inet wrote on a comment earlier:

          Wifi has a low range, seem to periodically start dropping packets, speed issues and requires rebooting at least once a week

          Also regarding your question:

          Am I correct in getting this product in the garage with one switch - then all I need is one mesh in an upstairs room by one of the data points to extend the wifi?

          In short, that's incorrect. If your idea is to run mesh, within this router, you need to buy a separate mesh kit. If you do get this, then access point makes more sense in terms of cost saving. However, "requires rebooting at least one a week" is a big enough no for me to recommend it. Unless, your intention is to only use the non-wireless part of this router (because you love extra and RAM and eMMC so much) and you will get a complete set of mesh kit for the WiFi.

          However, there was a comment on the forum I saw with someone running a different OpenWRT firmware to use mesh with two of these. You need to do your own research.

  • Can anyone recommend a good 5G Sim router to use with Telstra that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg?
    Need wifi to cover a small home with about 5-10 connections

    • Look on FB Marketplace - Nokia Fastmile ($129) or Sagemcom Fast 5866T Modem($70) or Telstra AW1000 5G modems($150) - prices in brackets are what I see Brisbane Northside but I've seen Nokia and Sagemcom for as low as $25

    • The one you get with Telstra is very good. There is a high price if you buy the 5G modem of around $400, or it is free for 24 months on Telstra. Is signing up as a new connection an option for you?

    • Why not NBN?

  • Thank you OP.

    Lightning strike today killed my trusty $70 ozbargain AC68u, it had a good life though so may it RIP.

    I stupidly gave away a spare Xiaomi that I had lying around a few weeks ago so needed something urgently.

  • +1

    i still have the previous model.
    one downstrairs and one upstairs as an A.P
    both rock solid.

    just wish the power cord was a bit longer

  • Question: Does openwrt support mesh? I mean if 2 or more routers are running openwrt. Can they form a mesh network via simple configuration?

  • I have 3 of these(GEN 1). Ask away

    • Also has Adguard home inbuilt.

      "AdGuard Home is network-wide software that blocks ads and tracking. Once set up, it will cover ALL the devices on your home network, there is no need for any additional client-side software. This page gets statistics through the API provided by AdGuard Home. When AdGuard Home is enabled, the router will force the use of DNS servers provided by AdGuard Home."

  • Got mine up and running quickly and easily. Early days yet but far out it was a rigmarole to get OpenWRT on my last router so plug and play is nice.

    Can’t and won’t be able to comment on Wifi because I use APs and have the radios off.

  • I fully recommend this. I have one and it’s amazing. I like how it has ad guard built in

  • My house is undergoing renovation and will have Fibre to the premises (FTTP) upgrade done this week.
    Is this what I need to connect to the NBN box inside my house to connect to the internet?

  • Thanks OP, just ordered one and paid the $12.99 express delivery. My Asus carked it today and Amazon refunded me no questions asked and told me not to return it.

    This looks like an awesome unit, will be here tomorrow.

  • Deal is back on at $220 a piece. Very good deal, thanks OP

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