[Maylyn's Review] ASUS RT-AC87U

[nwnewbie]

New Asus AC87U

Got the AC87U last week. New owners may be interested in my experience.

I'm on Starhub, and the Dlink 5402 has run its course for us. Connected AC87U (DHCP & PPnP disabled, Wireless enabled), bridged (LAN port to LAN port) it to the Dlink 5402 (wireless disabled, DHCP & PPnP enabled). Both 2GHz and 5Ghz worked. 2GHz worked on day 1. But after about a day, I got the 5Ghz problems many of you faced - full bars for wireless conection, but no internet connection!

ASUS AC87U original firmware was 3.0.0.4.378.3885
my laptop Intel Centrino N-6235 wireless adaptor driver was 15.10.3.2

I decided to upgrade both the ASUS driver and my laptop driver to the following :

ASUS AC87U original firmware - 3.0.0.4.378.5134
my laptop Intel Centrino N-6235 driver wireless adaptor - 15.16.0.2

So far, I've not gotten any more 5Ghz 'no internet connection' on my laptop. Good signal strength and no drops.

My iPhone 5 switches between the 2Ghz & 5Ghz - when it's near the router, it uses the 5Ghz, when it's further, it uses the 2Ghz. Switching is so far transparent to me.

Am now thinking of calling Starhub to do the direct ONT and get rid off the old Dlink.

 

[ASUS@SG]

whats the latest firmware for the 87 ? which version is more stable/better ( asus /merlin ) ?

Thanks

Dear Godzila,

You may check our official support site for RT-AC87U.

ASUS RT-AC87U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.378.5134 - 2015/04/23
[Important] Because changed the 5GHz chip driver, please press and hold the reset button more than 5 seconds to reset the router when you’re using the fimrware before version 3.0.0.4.378.4950 to avoid compatibility issue.

- Release Note -
- Fixed the Windows Media Player compatible issue in Media Server
- Fixed the WAN Status LED issue

Download: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/RT-AC87U/FW_RT_AC87U_30043785134.zip

Best regard,
JK

 

[ASUS@SG]

Got the AC87U last week. New owners may be interested in my experience.

I'm on Starhub, and the Dlink 5402 has run its course for us. Connected AC87U (DHCP & PPnP disabled, Wireless enabled), bridged (LAN port to LAN port) it to the Dlink 5402 (wireless disabled, DHCP & PPnP enabled). Both 2GHz and 5Ghz worked. 2GHz worked on day 1. But after about a day, I got the 5Ghz problems many of you faced - full bars for wireless conection, but no internet connection!

ASUS AC87U original firmware was 3.0.0.4.378.3885
my laptop Intel Centrino N-6235 wireless adaptor driver was 15.10.3.2

I decided to upgrade both the ASUS driver and my laptop driver to the following :

ASUS AC87U original firmware - 3.0.0.4.378.5134
my laptop Intel Centrino N-6235 driver wireless adaptor - 15.16.0.2

So far, I've not gotten any more 5Ghz 'no internet connection' on my laptop. Good signal strength and no drops.

My iPhone 5 switches between the 2Ghz & 5Ghz - when it's near the router, it uses the 5Ghz, when it's further, it uses the 2Ghz. Switching is so far transparent to me.

Am now thinking of calling Starhub to do the direct ONT and get rid off the old Dlink.

Dear nwnewbie,

Thank you for your feedback.

Long ago you should have remove your Dlink.

Best regard,
JK

 

[thiamhui]

Dear Thiamhui,

I still need more time to do testing.

Mac/ Windows LAN <> Router<>LAN NAS/Server- Windows
After 1 day of testing i still didn't encounter any problem on Windows 8.1 system, but MacOs 10.10.3 / 10.10.4 seems to have to wait for 10 seconds to detect the network drive, when the network drive is idling.

Next testing

MAC / Windows Wireless <> Router <> NAS/Server- Windows

Best regard,
JK

I think no need to waste time on this. I'll see if there's any easier method to duplicate the issue. Thanks...

Dear voltech & thiamhui,

The next official firmware will resolve below issue.

IPTV + AiProtection + USB plugin will occur error.

Thank you for your feedback

Best regard,
JK

Awaiting the new firmware...

Dear Jurong640,

3 letters

Yes. I still trying to create the problem... We exchange another unit still same no problem with wifi.

I think i must go other shop to purchase..

Best regard,
JK

Purchase what? Router or phone?

 

[ASUS@SG]

I think no need to waste time on this. I'll see if there's any easier method to duplicate the issue. Thanks...

Awaiting the new firmware...

Purchase what? Router or phone?

Dear Thiamhui,

We purchase phone to test as you guys feedback Samsung note/S6 got problem with RT-AC87U

Best regard,
JK

 

[chtiong]

I test out router with 4 antennas Netgear R7500 and Asus RT-AC87U, that is wifi speed lag issue. Could be wireless signal not compatible. Note 4 work fine with Netgear R7000 with 3 antennas. And also while using Note 4 playing Android online game connected to AC87U (slower a lot like 2.5G signal), speed is slow responded, using Netgear R7000 no issue.

 

[Jurong640]

Dear Thiamhui,

We purchase phone to test as you guys feedback Samsung note/S6 got problem with RT-AC87U

Best regard,
JK

Oh thanks alot. do some stress test ah. Like loading facebook comments, webpage loading, whatsapp sending photos and messages. These are the problems that i find has lags in it.

then is the dc issues, will fallback 2.4ghz. Thanks a million

 

[ASUS@SG]

Oh thanks alot. do some stress test ah. Like loading facebook comments, webpage loading, whatsapp sending photos and messages. These are the problems that i find has lags in it.

then is the dc issues, will fallback 2.4ghz. Thanks a million

Dear Jurong640,

We did lots of testing and still didn't get any disconnect.

Below chipset is what i found from google search.

Detail of Samsung mobile: Wi-Fi chipset

Samsung Galaxy S6/ Edge
Samsung Electro-Mechanics 3853B5 Wi-Fi Module
BRCM and QCOM Wi-Fi Module < Unknown country

Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Unknown E825B1 Wi-Fi Module

Samsung Galaxy Alpha
Murata E702A7 Wi-Fi Module

Best regard,
JK

 

[thiamhui]

Dear Jurong640,

We did lots of testing and still didn't get any disconnect.

Below chipset is what i found from google search.

Detail of Samsung mobile: Wi-Fi chipset

Samsung Galaxy S6/ Edge
Samsung Electro-Mechanics 3853B5 Wi-Fi Module
BRCM and QCOM Wi-Fi Module < Unknown country

Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Unknown E825B1 Wi-Fi Module

Samsung Galaxy Alpha
Murata E702A7 Wi-Fi Module

Best regard,
JK

Could be the power saving mode they are using, for the phone... I guess...

 

[ASUS@SG]

Could be the power saving mode they are using, for the phone... I guess...

Dear thiamhui,

There is no datasheet for Samsung Electro-Mechanics 3853B5.

Best regard,
JK

 

[Jurong640]

Dear Jurong640,

We did lots of testing and still didn't get any disconnect.

Below chipset is what i found from google search.

Detail of Samsung mobile: Wi-Fi chipset

Samsung Galaxy S6/ Edge
Samsung Electro-Mechanics 3853B5 Wi-Fi Module
BRCM and QCOM Wi-Fi Module < Unknown country

Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Unknown E825B1 Wi-Fi Module

Samsung Galaxy Alpha
Murata E702A7 Wi-Fi Module

Best regard,
JK

Really? weird thing is my other devices like Tab S, Note, Note 3 stays on 5ghz throughout. Only Note 4 and S6 edge.

what about the lagness? After sometime, the speed is like lag. Loading facebook comments, webpages and sending whatsapp messages too. This happens in all devices like Note 3.

 

[ASUS@SG]

Really? weird thing is my other devices like Tab S, Note, Note 3 stays on 5ghz throughout. Only Note 4 and S6 edge.

what about the lagness? After sometime, the speed is like lag. Loading facebook comments, webpages and sending whatsapp messages too. This happens in all devices like Note 3.

Dear Jurong,

We still testing on Samsung Note 4 and S6..

Best regard,
JK

 

[woshi]x]

Dear Jurong,

We still testing on Samsung Note 4 and S6..

Best regard,
JK

Try over a few days, my started well for the first few days, after that the drop in 5 ghz starts.

 

[ASUS@SG]

Try over a few days, my started well for the first few days, after that the drop in 5 ghz starts.

Dear all Samsung users,

Please provide details.

[Model:]
[Settings - About page:]
[Router 5Ghz: settings]
Best regard,
JK

 

[chtiong]

Dear all Samsung users,

Please provide details.

[Model:]
[Settings - About page:]
[Router 5Ghz: settings]
Best regard,
JK

Note 4 (SM-N910S)
Baseband : N910SKSUB0C2
ANDROID 5.01
5g

 

[old3man]

buying new Ac87U

Hi Asus, i have read through the pages and found that AC87U seems to be having lots of issues. I have just subscribed to Singtel Unlimited Fibre, should i risk it by buying this router ? when will your new firmware be out ?

seriously thinking of getting the Netgear R8000

 

[Jurong640]

Try over a few days, my started well for the first few days, after that the drop in 5 ghz starts.

Same. Started well for first few days when you restart router. After a few days, problems occurs.

Will provide the info later in the day. Dont have the router info now

 

[thiamhui]

Try over a few days, my started well for the first few days, after that the drop in 5 ghz starts.

Same. Started well for first few days when you restart router. After a few days, problems occurs.

Will provide the info later in the day. Dont have the router info now

After how many days will the problems occur?

My router's uptime is now 10 days 21 hours 54 minutes 32 seconds. So far no new issue found...

 

[Jurong640]

After how many days will the problems occur?

My router's uptime is now 10 days 21 hours 54 minutes 32 seconds. So far no new issue found...

The dropping issues for 5ghz is for s6 edge and Note 4 right after router starts and get connected. I didnt note how long it takes to dc from 5ghz. I keep my phone aside and maybe 1hr later, its at 2.4ghz.

As for the lags, its like 1 day after router is up running

 

[ho_kuku]

The dropping issues for 5ghz is for s6 edge and Note 4 right after router starts and get connected. I didnt note how long it takes to dc from 5ghz. I keep my phone aside and maybe 1hr later, its at 2.4ghz.

As for the lags, its like 1 day after router is up running

Halo Jurong, you mean your dc happens when you're on 2.4ghz band too?
I experienced the lag before...... it takes a while... when the router is fresh from reboot.. its usually ok. However for me 2.4ghz is ok..... no dc and other funky stuff.

Lag can be quite bad..... for my case.. attaching a pic to whatsapp recipient can take quite long.... somehow I feel the system is still holding to the unused vram or wifi bandwidth without freeing it up.