[Maylyn's Review] ASUS RT-AC87U

[mozzie1992]

hi i just got my ac87u and the firmware is 3.0.0.4.376.2769.. is it advisable to update to the latest firmware?

 

[renfred89]

Maylyn, with all the issues reported, you think it is wise to change from 68U to 87U now?

For normal usage with a fair amount of torrenting and video streaming. Am on VQ also.

hi gloom me, i am not maylyn but may i share my experiences with you regarding ac87u?

I started using ac87u since the launch last year, and over the months the firmware indeed matured alot in terms of firmware bugs and how performance was enhanced. the recent 3885 is by far the most stable firmware, of cos it contains bugs unresolved that are critical in causing service disruption to some users. to me, 3885 is fine for my usage.

However, what i always complain is the 5Ghz keeps dropping on my mobile devices (tab S, iphone 6, note 4, s4). I could be connected but the next moment it can be gone. 5Ghz performance is still subpar, at least for now it is more consistent.

Comparing with AC68U, this model is a champion. Using the same wireless settings and same mobile devices, ac68u can yield me about 400+ DL speed for a 1Gbps M1 fibre. When i replace my ac68u with ac87u, ac87u gives me 400+ DL speed too but its inconsistent. sometimes just less than 100mbps DL.

If you are able to bear with this kind of performance, and is hopeful for the upcoming firmware, get ac87u then. if not, ac68u is cheaper and better in my opinion. right now, no 4x4 clients anyway, so no point getting something so expensive, with deadly bugs and when you have a cheaper option.

hope my experience helps..

 

[renfred89]

hi i just got my ac87u and the firmware is 3.0.0.4.376.2769.. is it advisable to update to the latest firmware?

absolutely... do remember to do a reset after you upgraded it..

 

[mozzie1992]

absolutely... do remember to do a reset after you upgraded it..

Thanks! will upgrade it once i'm home

 

[mozzie1992]

sorry.. a noob question here... do i need to unzip the firmware and upload or just upload it in zip format?

 

[renfred89]

sorry.. a noob question here... do i need to unzip the firmware and upload or just upload it in zip format?

hahas you need to unzip first. upload the .trx file only..

 

[mikengtw]

sorry.. a noob question here... do i need to unzip the firmware and upload or just upload it in zip format?

Yes you need unzip the file ..do let us know how is the performance goes.

 

[mozzie1992]

thanks thanks.. will update once i flash to the newest firmware

 

[maylyn]

hi gloom me, i am not maylyn but may i share my experiences with you regarding ac87u?

I started using ac87u since the launch last year, and over the months the firmware indeed matured alot in terms of firmware bugs and how performance was enhanced. the recent 3885 is by far the most stable firmware, of cos it contains bugs unresolved that are critical in causing service disruption to some users. to me, 3885 is fine for my usage.

However, what i always complain is the 5Ghz keeps dropping on my mobile devices (tab S, iphone 6, note 4, s4). I could be connected but the next moment it can be gone. 5Ghz performance is still subpar, at least for now it is more consistent.

Comparing with AC68U, this model is a champion. Using the same wireless settings and same mobile devices, ac68u can yield me about 400+ DL speed for a 1Gbps M1 fibre. When i replace my ac68u with ac87u, ac87u gives me 400+ DL speed too but its inconsistent. sometimes just less than 100mbps DL.

If you are able to bear with this kind of performance, and is hopeful for the upcoming firmware, get ac87u then. if not, ac68u is cheaper and better in my opinion. right now, no 4x4 clients anyway, so no point getting something so expensive, with deadly bugs and when you have a cheaper option.

hope my experience helps..

Let ASUS SG get back on the "kernel: br0: received packet on vlan1 with own address as source address" in due time

You might want to try the 5GHz lower channel to see whether does it helps in maintaining your 5GHz mobile connection.

I have been using channel 149/161 for 5GHz testing.

 

[renfred89]

Let ASUS SG get back on the "kernel: br0: received packet on vlan1 with own address as source address" in due time

You might want to try the 5GHz lower channel to see whether does it helps in maintaining your 5GHz mobile connection.

I have been using channel 149/161 for 5GHz testing.

I have tried your suggestions, unfortunately none seems to be helping. I'm currently on 161.

 

[Gloom me]

hi gloom me, i am not maylyn but may i share my experiences with you regarding ac87u?

I started using ac87u since the launch last year, and over the months the firmware indeed matured alot in terms of firmware bugs and how performance was enhanced. the recent 3885 is by far the most stable firmware, of cos it contains bugs unresolved that are critical in causing service disruption to some users. to me, 3885 is fine for my usage.

However, what i always complain is the 5Ghz keeps dropping on my mobile devices (tab S, iphone 6, note 4, s4). I could be connected but the next moment it can be gone. 5Ghz performance is still subpar, at least for now it is more consistent.

Comparing with AC68U, this model is a champion. Using the same wireless settings and same mobile devices, ac68u can yield me about 400+ DL speed for a 1Gbps M1 fibre. When i replace my ac68u with ac87u, ac87u gives me 400+ DL speed too but its inconsistent. sometimes just less than 100mbps DL.

If you are able to bear with this kind of performance, and is hopeful for the upcoming firmware, get ac87u then. if not, ac68u is cheaper and better in my opinion. right now, no 4x4 clients anyway, so no point getting something so expensive, with deadly bugs and when you have a cheaper option.

hope my experience helps..

This.

Thanks for sharing your views and experience. It will help me greatly in deciding whether to upgrade or not.

 

[Wolong.]

ac87u cannot support wireless bridge with wpa2 aes encryption together with 5ghz mode?

 

[Wolong.]

in wds mode can't survey 5ghz wifi but in media bridge setup able to.

 

[jeofefforts]

Hi,

I am getting a new router for my new place, 4room HDB. I read the ASUS RT-AC87U seems like there are still bugs even after few rounds of firmware update.
My usage is mainly WIFI though smartphones,one wired connection for desktop PC and anther wireless connection for my laptop. My ISP is ViewQwest 600Mbps.

Any advise should I get ASUS RT-AC68U or stick to RT-AC87U?

Thanks

 

[legolaz]

Hi guys,

1) Have been using Merlins latest firmware. (Not exactly new but the latest.) Anyway, since Sunday, there has only been 3 cases of dc. In comparison, the latest asus firmware would cause a dc at least 5 times a day.

2) Dun think temperature is really the issue here since dc did not coincide with any temperature spikes. It maintained at 60-65 degrees Celsius

3) Asus is a good router after it has matured and stabilized. When the dark knight first came out, I bought it too. Used it for a few months, till I got frustrated with its frequent dcs too. Honestly, I can remember the details but I ended up buying a linksys and retiring the dark knight. All the issues stopped. However, now on reading the many forum posts, issues seem to have gone away for that router. I can only conclude that you should only buy a asus router after it has been launched for more than X period of time after it has stabilized. I am not sure what X is as in my case, the problem with ac87 hasn't been resolved.

4) From a firmware releases standpoint, asus definitely releases way more often than most other routers(I know of and have used). That's a positive. However, on the flip side, someone could also say that it's because they got it so wrong the first time around and we are all their test guinea pigs.

Cheers. Fyi. I have been threatening to get a new router but am still using ac87. Mainly cos I do not know which to get and I need one which can also be configured as an access point easily.

 

[Wolong.]

Those with ac87u can u all check under WDS AP survey got 5GHz signal?

Sent from Outer Space using GAGT

 

[renfred89]

Those with ac87u can u all check under WDS AP survey got 5GHz signal?

Sent from Outer Space using GAGT

I'm not using the ac87u at the moment. But i believe it is there if i remember correctly.

But nevertheless, you might want to refer here.

 

[Wolong.]

mine don't have. Faulty set?

Sent from Outer Space using GAGT

 

[renfred89]

mine don't have. Faulty set?

Sent from Outer Space using GAGT

dunno leh.. i too lazy to check my set since it's sleeping soundly in the box..

 

[htngwilliam]

Hi guys,

1) Have been using Merlins latest firmware. (Not exactly new but the latest.) Anyway, since Sunday, there has only been 3 cases of dc. In comparison, the latest asus firmware would cause a dc at least 5 times a day.

2) Dun think temperature is really the issue here since dc did not coincide with any temperature spikes. It maintained at 60-65 degrees Celsius

3) Asus is a good router after it has matured and stabilized. When the dark knight first came out, I bought it too. Used it for a few months, till I got frustrated with its frequent dcs too. Honestly, I can remember the details but I ended up buying a linksys and retiring the dark knight. All the issues stopped. However, now on reading the many forum posts, issues seem to have gone away for that router. I can only conclude that you should only buy a asus router after it has been launched for more than X period of time after it has stabilized. I am not sure what X is as in my case, the problem with ac87 hasn't been resolved.

4) From a firmware releases standpoint, asus definitely releases way more often than most other routers(I know of and have used). That's a positive. However, on the flip side, someone could also say that it's because they got it so wrong the first time around and we are all their test guinea pigs.

Cheers. Fyi. I have been threatening to get a new router but am still using ac87. Mainly cos I do not know which to get and I need one which can also be configured as an access point easily.

So using Asus latest firmware still get DC many times?