All time low on this travel router for those interested.
edit: further reduced to $84 21/4.
CamelCamelCamel.
I think it’s more for extra security and convenience when connecting to less secure networks when travelling in hotels etc.
That’s a hot take on the USB-A cable. I don’t think it’s a stretch to imagine some people still use USB-A to USB-C cables to charge/connect their devices.
I can't see how much more security it can bring. Your data go through the public network anyway.
When I need a secure connection (i.e. internet banking etc), I just connect my laptop to my phone via hotspot.
In terms of convenience, many hotels' wifi network require re-login every 12/24 hours or so. I don't think it can bypass that.
The router itself is 200g and it's a bit larger than a phone. Not very convenient to me.
USB cables, All my laptop, mobile, powerbank and earphones are charged with USB-C. So I only need to bring a travel adapter charger and 2 USB-C cables. Sometimes with an extra HDMI cable to connect my laptop with the TV in hotel room.
Not sure why Asus still choose an USB A port for a year 2024 product.
Travel routers typically don't include 4g/5g modems.
In your case, you could plug a travel router in at the hotel, connect it to the hotel Wifi and then all your other devices can automtatically connect to the known Wifi on your travel router.
You could have your travel router automatically connect to a VPN so that all your connected devices' traffic are using the VPN. On a Gl.inet travel router (not sure about ASUS) you can even have your travel router using something like Tailscale so that you can connect to devices back on your home network, or even make your Internet traffic appear is though it is coming from your home network (which is useful in some cases).
There's a lot you can do with a travel router, but perhaps you don't fit into the target market.
@soymeat: Thanks for explaining. I agree that it may be useful when the whole family is in the same room for multiple days.
For connecting home network, what I do is connect my Desktop at home via Google Remote desktop.
That's more convenient to me as I can use my Android phone or laptop to control my desktop anytime around the world, even on a bus or subway.
If you have a VPN you can set it up on the router so any devices connected to the router are going through the VPN. Some people also use these to tunnel back into their home networks if they have media servers etc.
If you have multiple devices eg. partner and kids have phones, tablets, laptops. You only need to connect to this router once, if you go to another hotel, you only need to connect the router then all the other devices will connect back to the router again automatically. If you need to refresh a portal every 12 hours, you only need to do it on the router, not each individual device. If you are in a place where you have to pay per device to use the internet (common on cruise ships) you can use the router as your 1 paid connection but share it amongst multiple devices.
I don’t know why they chose USB A either. Seems to be a standard on travel routers though. Manufacturers might think it’s still the more common connection for external storage?
I’m with you, I hotspot my phone and use USB-C cables. Just because it doesn’t fit our needs, doesn’t mean others won’t find it useful.
@Wet Fantasy: After reading more info, I guess they keep the USB-A for connecting an external 2.5' HDD / USB drive/ or a USB modem.
Although to me they are all things from the past. Haven't touched them for 5 years.
@Raj09: I haven’t done it myself so I’m not comfortable giving advice. If you search online, google, YouTube, reddit, you’ll find plenty of guides that should explain the process step by step.
I think some NAS boxes have the software to do this build in, you just need to dig around to find and enable it. Other options are a private VPN or Tailscale like @soymeat mentioned. Usually running on a Raspberry Pi or NAS. Maybe they can provide more info.
@Wet Fantasy: I have a Gl.inet Flint 2 (my home router) that I setup as a Tailscale exit node. Setting it up as an exit node is not officially supported, but it was still easy. I also don't think you need to set it up as an exit node unless you want your remote Internet traffic to be routed through your home network (so that eg. devices connected to your travel router in another country connect to the Internet via your home network).
Then I setup Tailscale (and connect it to the same Tailnet) on my Gl.inet travel router. With this solution, I can be in another country, but anything connected to my travel router can access devices on my home network as though they are all on the same Wifi/LAN network. Edit: and the traffic between your travel router and home network inherently uses a Wireguard VPN as part of the Tailscale solution, so it's secure.
I think its designed to plug your phone into the USB port and use it as a mobile hotspot.
Wouldn't you just use your phone as the hotspot? I don't see the value in this device.
Agreed, many Android phones can share either 5G / WiFi via hotspot.
If you want a standalone modem router, GL.inet might be one of your few choices with good band coverage:
https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-e750/
https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-xe3000/
Because you're not the target market. Some people want a better signal and that's why they buy these devices.
If you use your phone as hotspot for many devices it will drain the battery quickly. We haven't mention the extended features and controls that you have on a router like this vs phone hotspot.
I have a gl.inet Beryl AX, I plug that into the hotel ethernet port turn on one click VPN and all the family devices auto connect to it when we get back into our hotel room.
Goddamn it bought GL.Inet a few months ago
while my home setup are in Asus routers
I am really satisfying with GL iNet travel router
Been using gl for a couple of years, very happy with it. Great OS
Gl.inet was a better choice (IMO)
100% agree. Bought a little Opal (GL-SFT1200) for around $50 and very impressed. Took it overseas and installed a VPN on the router and was able to watch Kayo. Also has the ability to install other apps like an ad block that run on the router. There is a library of add-ons. This was connected to ethernet from the router in the room. Recently went to Vietnam and the room didn't have an ethernet port to plug into - but that doesn't matter - it can connect wirelessly to the hotel internet and still broadcast its own wifi to connect. for the price the Opel is amazing. For me it really is only to watch Kayo overseas. :)
Has anyone had recent experience of travel routers on cruise ships? Interested to know whether they can detect and block travel routers
Might wanna find out for the specific cruise company you're using, as it can be hit or miss depending on whether they have cracked down on travel routers or not.
Why do they crack down on them?
Because they want to charge a fee per device connected to their Wifi. The travel router can bypass this, by allowing you to pay for just one device, but having multiple devices connected to their Wifi in reality.
ordered, thanks OP, Mesh extender at home and travel ready for the world
Cheers, just noticed myself.
When it's named as a "Travel Router", I first thought it has a sim slot but it doesn't.
So it's just a smaller size version of a regular home router, will less ports but powered by USB-C.
I also don't like it can only connect with a phone with USB-A.
I don't know who on earth still carry an USB-A cable when traveling.
The RRP $229 must be a joke. For $99, I think it's still too expensive as it can't do much without a sim slot.