asus router from taobao

[Legend2127]

Dont bother with China model, almost no support and unable to have custom firmware like Merlin.

My primary use for it is to run it as node for Aimesh as well as future exploration multi gig using ethernet backhaul.

 

[Legend2127]

If it is China specific version with different FW, it is not that recommended. I was hopping it to have the same FW as TUF-AX6000.

Better to get more expensive model like RT-AX86U Pro at RMB1299 plus fees. It is also well supported by Merlin.

On the other hand, if you do not care much about FW differences and HW warranty, but just more focused on wireless performance and HW spec, I tend to think it is still a good buy.

Haven’t really got the time to explore on Merlin fw yet.

On Asus china’s website, they did indicate the hardware as TUF-AX6000 under specs section so fingers crossed.

as for hw warranty, I seriously don’t expect much from paying under $130 all in. Since a local TUF AX6000 cost $3XX, I’m paying less than 1/2 the price for same hw specs.

when I was setting up my ROG GT-AX6000 as main and AX86U as node using wired backhaul, I only access the Asus app using the main’s profile while AX86U shows up as node to see what devices are connected.

 

[jowy_ham]

anyone got experience with a China exclusive model TX-AX6000?

After sale it’s about $140 with free shipping.

spec wise I found it similar to TUF AX6000 but slightly different hardware cover and OS overlay.

How U get $140 (which seller), I got mine (on the way, shipping) for RMB$799.

As this TX-AX6000 is running with MediaTek FiLogic processor, thus I think Merlin support wont be available/at least so easily.


Around 7.45mins, the above video got a very summarized of the router processor brands

I read the reviews, seems good or on par with GT-AX6000, which cost >$400 so I'm willing to give it a try.

 

[Legend2127]

I got it at 749rmb, free shipping offer + free service fee promo coupon.

In fact I got another $11 off due to exchanging some gold beans from daily check in redemption.

I don’t think it’s on par with GT-AX6000 as it runs on 1gb ram as compared to 512mb of TX-AX6000. Same spec as TUF AX6000 thou, maybe Chinese overlay.

Using as a mesh node, so fw doesn’t really matter to me. At least for now.

For the specs and coverage, at this price point it is a no brainer even with no warranty support.

 

[xiaofan]

I got it at 749rmb, free shipping offer + free service fee promo coupon.

In fact I got another $11 off due to exchanging some gold beans from daily check in redemption.

I don’t think it’s on par with GT-AX6000 as it runs on 1gb ram as compared to 512mb of TX-AX6000. Same spec as TUF AX6000 thou, maybe Chinese overlay.

Using as a mesh node, so fw doesn’t really matter to me. At least for now.

For the specs and coverage, at this price point it is a no brainer even with no warranty support.

I agree that this is a good buy.

Once you get the unit, please help to check if it has Singtel VLAN profile built-in or not. Thanks.

LAN--IPTV

 

[Legend2127]

I agree that this is a good buy.

Once you get the unit, please help to check if it has Singtel VLAN profile built-in or not. Thanks.

LAN--IPTV

Sure!

Was it present in your other China RT-AX sets?

With 3 routers in my household supporting 2.5g, I’m seriously pondering if I wan upgrade to a 2gbps connection…

But then again I don’t need NAS for now…

 

[xiaofan]

Sure!

Was it present in your other China RT-AX sets?

With 3 routers in my household supporting 2.5g, I’m seriously pondering if I wan upgrade to a 2gbps connection…

But then again I don’t need NAS for now…

Yes it is present on my RT-AX86U and RT-AX82U China set. I took the screenshot just now from the RT-AX86U.

For the model which is sold both in China and Singapore, the HW is the same, the FW is the same, just the country code is different. Example: RT-AX82U, RT-AX86U, RT-AX86U Pro, GT-AX6000, GT-AX11000, GT-AX11000 Pro, etc.

Minor behaviour differences between China sets and local sets
1) default Web UI is Chinese, but you can change to English to be the same as local set
2) default wireless region is China, but you can change to Asia to be the same as local set
3) WAN monitoring feature -- default will ping Baidu, but you can change to ping Google or Microsoft or others
4) It is said that you can set the wireless region to Australia and then boost the TX power. But please do not do that because of local regulation.

 

[lzr1984]

Just to check for routers brought from Taoabo, just use adaptor or change to 3 pin plug?

Any recommendation for wifi 6, just need a simple one. AX 3000M TP is it ok?

 

[xiaofan]

Just to check for routers brought from Taoabo, just use adaptor or change to 3 pin plug?

Any recommendation for wifi 6, just need a simple one. AX 3000M TP is it ok?

I just use a plastic adapter.

As for simple one, I will not recommend cheaper TP-Link ones which the HW configuration keeps changing and the performance is not good.

In fact, no point buying from Taobao either, as you can get TP-Link Archer AX72 AX5400 BNIB from Carousell, at around S$75 to S$80.

If you want to buy higher end TP-Link routers from Taobao, you can check out this thread.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/tl-xtr7880.6722433/

Asus ones will be more suitable as the HW/FW is the same for the common models, yet the China version is much cheaper than Singapore models.

If you are not using Singtel ONT (need to use Singtel VLAN), then it is also okay to choose other cheap routers. The following Youtube Video recommends a few models.
1) Xiaomi AX3000T seems to be the low cost (about RMB189) yet good one. TP-Link XDR-3001 is not bad but not as good as Xiaomi AX3000T.
2) Asus TX-AX6000 天选路由器 is a China specific model with very good price-peformance ratio, similar to TUF-AX6000 in terms of HW spec but with some FW differences.
3) Asus TUF 小旋风Pro is another China specific model, similar to TUF-AX3000 v2.

Reference:
No 1 -->Asus TX-AX6000 天选路由器 (about RMB 899)
No 3 --> TP-Link XTR8488 (about RMB 1199)
No 5 --> Asus TUF 小旋风Pro (about RMB 699)
No 11 --> XIaomi AX3000T (about RMB 189)

 

[xiaofan]

Low end -- MTK Filogic 820 chipset is recommended.
Mid end -- MTK Filogic 830 chipset is recommended.

11.11: Chinese Youtuber Recomemndation:

1. Asus TX-AX6000 天选路由器 (high end)
4. TP-Link XDR8488 (high end)
6. Asus TUF 小旋风Pro (mid end)
9. TP-Link XDR6078 (mid end)
12. TP-Link XDR6088 (high end)
13. Xiaomi AX3000T (low end)
16: Xiaomi 10000 (high end)
17. TP-Link XDR3001 (low end)
18. TP-Link XDR6086 (high end)
20: Redmi AX6000 (mid end)

 

[xiaofan]

Low end -- MTK Filogic 820 chipset is recommended.
Mid end -- MTK Filogic 830 chipset is recommended.

11.11: another Chinese Youtuber recommendation
Low end (<RMB300):
Xiaomi AX3000T (RMB189)

Mid end (RMB300-699):
Asus TUF 小旋风Pro (about RMB 699)
Redmi AX6000 (RMB 300+)
TP-Link XDR5480 (about RMB 500 or lower)

High end (RMB700-999):
Asus TX-AX6000 天选路由器 (about RMB899)
TP-Link XDR6088
Xiaomi AX7000 (about RMB799)

Flagship (RMB1000 and above)
Xiaomi 10000 (about RMB1799)
Asus GT-AX6000 or RT-AX88U Pro depending on offer

 

[lzr1984]

Thank guys for your recommendation. will be going for Xiaomi AX3000T.

 

[stephantsen]

Would like to ask that currently i have one asus router RT AX3000 from isp. can i buy Asus TUF 小旋风Pro from taobao to create mesh network?

 

[Legend2127]

I just use a plastic adapter.

As for simple one, I will not recommend cheaper TP-Link ones which the HW configuration keeps changing and the performance is not good.

In fact, no point buying from Taobao either, as you can get TP-Link Archer AX72 AX5400 BNIB from Carousell, at around S$75 to S$80.

If you want to buy higher end TP-Link routers from Taobao, you can check out this thread.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/tl-xtr7880.6722433/

Asus ones will be more suitable as the HW/FW is the same for the common models, yet the China version is much cheaper than Singapore models.

If you are not using Singtel ONT (need to use Singtel VLAN), then it is also okay to choose other cheap routers. The following Youtube Video recommends a few models.
1) Xiaomi AX3000T seems to be the low cost (about RMB189) yet good one. TP-Link XDR-3001 is not bad but not as good as Xiaomi AX3000T.
2) Asus TX-AX6000 天选路由器 is a China specific model with very good price-peformance ratio, similar to TUF-AX6000 in terms of HW spec but with some FW differences.
3) Asus TUF 小旋风Pro is another China specific model, similar to TUF-AX3000 v2.

Reference:
No 1 -->Asus TX-AX6000 天选路由器 (about RMB 899)
No 3 --> TP-Link XTR8488 (about RMB 1199)
No 5 --> Asus TUF 小旋风Pro (about RMB 699)
No 11 --> XIaomi AX3000T (about RMB 189)

Live testing results are truly more promising than theoretical results published by manufacturers.

Days are gone where more expensive promises better performance. Now a middle end can provided superb price vs performance ratio that may even beat their pricier counter part.

Most of the time we don’t even get to to experience the full potential of the high end specs.

I really look forward to the TX-AX6000’s performance after the video review shared.

Envy that they have true 2gb fibre speeds while ours like half baked.

 

[Legend2127]

Would like to ask that currently i have one asus router RT AX3000 from isp. can i buy Asus TUF 小旋风Pro from taobao to create mesh network?

Yes, you can. They form Ai mesh. Depending on your budget choose the hardware which fulfil your needs and wants.

provided your place already have lan ports wired in all your rooms, then it will be fully beneficial.

 

[edmwing]

Thank guys for your recommendation. will be going for Xiaomi AX3000T.

Look forward to your FR.

 

[Legend2127]

Yes it is present on my RT-AX86U and RT-AX82U China set. I took the screenshot just now from the RT-AX86U.

For the model which is sold both in China and Singapore, the HW is the same, the FW is the same, just the country code is different. Example: RT-AX82U, RT-AX86U, RT-AX86U Pro, GT-AX6000, GT-AX11000, GT-AX11000 Pro, etc.

Minor behaviour differences between China sets and local sets
1) default Web UI is Chinese, but you can change to English to be the same as local set
2) default wireless region is China, but you can change to Asia to be the same as local set
3) WAN monitoring feature -- default will ping Baidu, but you can change to ping Google or Microsoft or others
4) It is said that you can set the wireless region to Australia and then boost the TX power. But please do not do that because of local regulation.

I just received and setup the TX-AX6000 yesterday. Guess what? The fw version number is exactly the same as TUF AX6000 from Asus English website.

Yet to check the iptv settings for you. Will check when I get home.

I finally sign up MR 24mths 2Gbps gamer plan with friend referral for $54.99 with the GT-AX11000 pro router.

All that is left is setup dual wan load balancing and sell off the bundled router to offset the plan cost.

 

[xiaofan]

I just received and setup the TX-AX6000 yesterday. Guess what? The fw version number is exactly the same as TUF AX6000 from Asus English website.

Yet to check the iptv settings for you. Will check when I get home.

I finally sign up MR 24mths 2Gbps gamer plan with friend referral for $54.99 with the GT-AX11000 pro router.

All that is left is setup dual wan load balancing and sell off the bundled router to offset the plan cost.

Wonderful. Thanks a lot for the info.

I am pretty sure it will has the IPTV settings for Singtel VLAN profile as well (for SIngtel ONT) since you say the FW version is the same as TUF-AX6000.

 

[Legend2127]

Wonderful. Thanks a lot for the info.

I am pretty sure it will has the IPTV settings for Singtel VLAN profile as well (for SIngtel ONT) since you say the FW version is the same as TUF-AX6000.

What’s left is to wait for Merlin fw to support TUF AX6000 then I can start exploring the benefits…

 

[xiaofan]

What’s left is to wait for Merlin fw to support TUF AX6000 then I can start exploring the benefits…

I do not think Merlin will support MTK chipsets. The main focus for Merlin is Broadcom chipsets.
https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/

Rather OpenWRT has snapshot release for TUF-AX4200 and TUF-AX6000 already.
https://openwrt.org/toh/views/toh_available_16128_ax-wifi