Sharing experience of Tenda AC18

[africatwin]

Just bought a Tenda AC18 from Taobao to test out.

Look of it is nice and it is dual band.

Speed is pretty decent.

http://www.tendacn.com/en/product/AC18.html

Of course , i wanted to find a cheap and useful router to replace my current one.

I happily unpacked the box and plug it in, steps are pretty simple and all the wording and menu are english. i would say it is better than TP Link from Taobao.

After hooking up and setting up the wifi, i realised something is wrong, the router is forever connecting to WAN even thought i have set to DHCP.
SIGH

It is gone, there goes my SGD100.

I tried updating the firmware and reset the router but it is of no use.

Too bad, just my luck but hope to warn other that wanted to try this router out.

Don't touch it but it might be my luck to get a lemon set.

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

but what the things u did while trying to solve the issues?

 

[Ah-Pin-Kor]

Are you using Singtel broadband?

 

[Mecisteus]

No customer support at all? That's it? Just buy and throw away?

I think there are many cheapskate and copycat routers out there. I don't think they are worth trying.

I rather pay a little more for a peace of mind especially for some equipment that supposed to last at least 1 to 3 years.

 

[africatwin]

but what the things u did while trying to solve the issues?

Issue not solve. Still searching for solution.

 

[africatwin]

No customer support at all? That's it? Just buy and throw away?

I think there are many cheapskate and copycat routers out there. I don't think they are worth trying.

I rather pay a little more for a peace of mind especially for some equipment that supposed to last at least 1 to 3 years.

Well TP Link from China is good. I have 2 thought of trying out Tenda. Will not try those 400 and above routers as i am not a gamer and i do not require those functions. A normal AC router is enough.


On the other hand , yes i am cheap skate haha

 

[africatwin]

Are you using Singtel broadband?

Nope i am on starhub. So a simple auto dhcp should do the job but ........

Now reading on merlin firmware as this router seems to be copying AC68 so might be able to burn another firmware and see if the problem will be solved.

 

[Mecisteus]

Well TP Link from China is good. I have 2 thought of trying out Tenda. Will not try those 400 and above routers as i am not a gamer and i do not require those functions. A normal AC router is enough.


On the other hand , yes i am cheap skate haha

TPlink is a reputable brand. This one is like ...

But bro a router is meant for long term usage. So why not pay for a good model that can last for a few years?

 

[africatwin]

I can't judge if Tenda cannot be used for a few years, the price for Tenda AC18 is more expensive than the TPLINk i have from China.

I wanted to try out different router from China after reading their TB review.

 

[commach]

Just bought a Tenda AC18 from Taobao to test out.

Look of it is nice and it is dual band.

Speed is pretty decent.

http://www.tendacn.com/en/product/AC18.html

Of course , i wanted to find a cheap and useful router to replace my current one.

I happily unpacked the box and plug it in, steps are pretty simple and all the wording and menu are english. i would say it is better than TP Link from Taobao.

After hooking up and setting up the wifi, i realised something is wrong, the router is forever connecting to WAN even thought i have set to DHCP.
SIGH

It is gone, there goes my SGD100.

I tried updating the firmware and reset the router but it is of no use.

Too bad, just my luck but hope to warn other that wanted to try this router out.

Don't touch it but it might be my luck to get a lemon set.

Nope i am on starhub. So a simple auto dhcp should do the job but ........

Now reading on merlin firmware as this router seems to be copying AC68 so might be able to burn another firmware and see if the problem will be solved.

Which router are you using before this Tenda?

I've not use Tenda personally, one friend bought the AC15 from TB and couldn't get it to work as well, I went there to take a look at the setting and seem nothing wrong.

Call up 1633 and ask for Direct ONT, problem solve.

IMHO, the AC15 is a decent set, meet the requirement of most users with the lowest possible price for an AC router, not as bad as you described.

 

[lian_hock]

bro,

did you try flash the firmware to merlin? i read from some said able to compatiable to asus ac68 merlin firmware hope this help http://bbs.kafan.cn/thread-2047361-1-1.html

I can't judge if Tenda cannot be used for a few years, the price for Tenda AC18 is more expensive than the TPLINk i have from China.

I wanted to try out different router from China after reading their TB review.

 

[||||||||||]

maybe you plan is with Vlan tagging?

 

[lian_hock]

nope, i dont have this router with me. my router is a stand alone type no wireless function, i use ruckus zf7363 as my access point. router with 4 ports running pfsense x64 version so far no major problem for me.

maybe you plan is with Vlan tagging?

 

[africatwin]

bro,

did you try flash the firmware to merlin? i read from some said able to compatiable to asus ac68 merlin firmware hope this help http://bbs.kafan.cn/thread-2047361-1-1.html

Tried AC68 Merlin firmware on Tenda AC 18, it cannot be used , error in flashing it.

Called Starhub , nothing can be done as usual.

 

[africatwin]

Which router are you using before this Tenda?

I've not use Tenda personally, one friend bought the AC15 from TB and couldn't get it to work as well, I went there to take a look at the setting and seem nothing wrong.

Call up 1633 and ask for Direct ONT, problem solve.

IMHO, the AC15 is a decent set, meet the requirement of most users with the lowest possible price for an AC router, not as bad as you described.

Was using TP-Link from TB as well.

Mine is AC18 Not AC15.

Called starhub, i am already on Direct ONT but they cannot do anything on their side.

I really the signal on the router became stable when i connect it to port 2 of the ONT but starhub say they cannot switch the signal to port 2 on the ONT and give me bla bla bla........

 

[hk7310]

do you switch off your ONT and Tenda Ac18 together, than switch them on again?

 

[lian_hock]

capture some screen shot of your router setting it is easy than talk.

Was using TP-Link from TB as well.

Mine is AC18 Not AC15.

Called starhub, i am already on Direct ONT but they cannot do anything on their side.

I really the signal on the router became stable when i connect it to port 2 of the ONT but starhub say they cannot switch the signal to port 2 on the ONT and give me bla bla bla........

 

[Mecisteus]

do you switch off your ONT and Tenda Ac18 together, than switch them on again?

This is really a basic step to do.

Something I don't understand.

TPlink router was fine. Changed to Tenda then not working. How about change back to TPlink?

 

[africatwin]

do you switch off your ONT and Tenda Ac18 together, than switch them on again?

Well done that numerous times.

I brought it to my in law place to try as their ONT is another brand. Same thing it is not working.

 

[africatwin]

This is really a basic step to do.

Something I don't understand.

TPlink router was fine. Changed to Tenda then not working. How about change back to TPlink?

Using TPLINK now so it is fine. I bought it to try and if it good i will replace the TPLINK.

Dun even expect it to fail just lidat