Completely stable and strong signal at 2402Mbps on the ax160MHz channels. Not sure of the range yet since my AX58BT adapter antenna is very close by the router at present. Recommended that you get an AX adapter if this is paired with your PC since there may be compatibility issues between particular AX routers and AC adapters, although the router can be set to transmit AC as well. Be sure to update to the latest firmware for the router and the driver for the adapter in any case.
This build may not be quite as robust as I first expected, but it still does have a quite solid construction and plenty of ventilation to dissipate heat. It's very light and doesn't have a particularly large footprint so suited to desktop or a handy shelf. The socalled gaming LAN port isn't anything that standard QoS doesn't provide for; it's just made outstanding among the "special" features supposedly for marketing to gamers. In fact, changing one means the effect is established on the other setting, albeit with less means of control. It appears that this model has a very similar configuaration to both the ASUS AX3000 and the RT-58U. If you're not an enthusiast, and extral geeky at that, it's unlikely you'll be able to tell the differences, if any. Basic and fundamental parameters are very closely aligned if not identical. I believe there may be some differences among chips serving the 2.4G radio among other things.
There is a host of additional features available though if you like to play around with settings. Upgraded to the latest ASUS firmware which provided some extra features such as "profiles" that allow you to set up the router to connect directly to your NBN HFC (fibre) port (there is no need for an integrated modem with NBN). That relieves the need to set up a VLAN ID value which may not be known, and is often hidden among the many settings within ASUS and like branded routers.
Although this model does not yet have a Merlin-WRT firmware release, that seems to be in the pipeline to be delivered shortly, speaking in August 2022. I recommend upgrading to that firmware as soon as it becomes available since it will add layers to the kinds of manipulaions that can be performed on ASUS routers. Some of them are actually immediately useful or will serve to future-proof your network!
Something of note though. Along the bottom of the array of LAN/WAN ports there is a narrow ridge which appears to be giving structural strength to the router body. However, since this ridge is very close to the bottom of the WAN port, for one, it becomes difficult to remove an ethernet cable to the point that it seems to be firmly stuck. I'm using recently purchased, good quality Cat8 cables and with modern quick-release cables this shouldn't normally be a problem, but the placement of the ridge just doesn't allow a firm or easy grip on the release snip with fat fingers. A flat-bladed screwdriver placed at an angle to gently lever the release snip upwards using the ridge as a fulcrum usually resolves the issue.
Overall then, and at the price this router has been available lately, it appears to be a genuine value buy and captures some of the best new technology into the bargain. Excellent product for all users with plenty of potential for the techically gifted.
Update Sep 28
Workng very well on the 160MHz band for more than 6 weeks now at full speed. Never misses a beat. Signal is very strong and reliable within a single room but obviously available on different levels of a multi-storey dwelling across multiple barriers. Biuld actually more robust than first thought. It would be disingenuous to claim this router is anything but a top quality product providing the latest technology at a reasonable price. Very highly recommended.
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