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expired Posted by noobiebuyer • Sep 29, 2021
expired Posted by noobiebuyer • Sep 29, 2021

Prime Members: GL.iNet Gigabit Travel AC VPN Router

+ Free Shipping

$56

$70

20% off
Amazon
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Deal Details
GL Technologies via Amazon has for Prime Members: GL.iNet Gigabit Travel AC VPN Router (GL-AR750S) for $55.92. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member noobiebuyer for finding this deal.

Includes:
  • GL-AR750S-Ext (Slate) router
  • Power adapter
  • USB cable
  • Ethernet cable
  • User manual
Features:
  • CPU: QCA9563, @775MHz SoC Memory: DDRII 128MB
  • Memory: DDRII 128MB
  • Storage: Dual Flash 16MB Nor + 128MB Nand Flash
  • Interface: 3 WAN/LAN Ports: 10/100/1000 Ethernet, 1 USB2.0, 1 Micro USB (power), 1 Reset Button, TF Card Slot (128GB Max.)
  • Customizable mode switch
  • Foldable dual-band external antennas
  • High speed AC750 Wi-Fi: 433Mbps(5G) +300Mbps(2.4G)
  • Three customizable LED lights

Editor's Notes

Written by CChoiVA
  • About this deal:
    • This price is $13.98 lower (20% savings) than the list price of $69.90.
  • About this product:
    • Rated 4.5 stars out of 5 over all based on 2,400+ reviews on Amazon.
  • About this store:
    • Seller at Amazon - GL Technologies - has a 99% rating from over 1,300 customer reviews.
    • Amazon Return Policy: Details here.
    • Don't have Amazon Prime? Students can get a free 6-Month Amazon Prime trial with free 2-day shipping, unlimited video streaming & more.
    • If you're not a student, there's also a free 1-Month Amazon Prime trial available

Original Post

Written by noobiebuyer
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
GL Technologies via Amazon has for Prime Members: GL.iNet Gigabit Travel AC VPN Router (GL-AR750S) for $55.92. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member noobiebuyer for finding this deal.

Includes:
  • GL-AR750S-Ext (Slate) router
  • Power adapter
  • USB cable
  • Ethernet cable
  • User manual
Features:
  • CPU: QCA9563, @775MHz SoC Memory: DDRII 128MB
  • Memory: DDRII 128MB
  • Storage: Dual Flash 16MB Nor + 128MB Nand Flash
  • Interface: 3 WAN/LAN Ports: 10/100/1000 Ethernet, 1 USB2.0, 1 Micro USB (power), 1 Reset Button, TF Card Slot (128GB Max.)
  • Customizable mode switch
  • Foldable dual-band external antennas
  • High speed AC750 Wi-Fi: 433Mbps(5G) +300Mbps(2.4G)
  • Three customizable LED lights

Editor's Notes

Written by CChoiVA
  • About this deal:
    • This price is $13.98 lower (20% savings) than the list price of $69.90.
  • About this product:
    • Rated 4.5 stars out of 5 over all based on 2,400+ reviews on Amazon.
  • About this store:
    • Seller at Amazon - GL Technologies - has a 99% rating from over 1,300 customer reviews.
    • Amazon Return Policy: Details here.
    • Don't have Amazon Prime? Students can get a free 6-Month Amazon Prime trial with free 2-day shipping, unlimited video streaming & more.
    • If you're not a student, there's also a free 1-Month Amazon Prime trial available

Original Post

Written by noobiebuyer

Community Voting

Deal Score
+67
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Top Comments

I don't think this is a great price. I've done lots of hours of research on routers, so please let me explain before you downvote me:

The only reason this router is being on sale is because the new router (GL-MT1300) was released, at a similar price to the old AC750S-Ext. ($74.90) https://store.gl-inet.com/product...-gl-mt1300

The chipset on this router is quite dated at this point, it's single core QCA9563. I don't have this specific router, but I do have a TP-Link router with the same SoC. On that router, I get ~20mbps on openvpn and ~80mbps through wireguard.

It's not bad, but it's certainly not as fast as I'd prefer.

Of course, being an older model it also has micro USB, whereas the newer one has usb-c.

My personal recommendation if you're going to spend $60-70 anyway on a travel router is as such:

Raspberry Pi 4 (2GB): $35
2 x MT7612U USB adapters (AC1200 x 2): $20 x 2 - from aliexpress/amazon

Total cost comes down to $75, and you can upgrade the components individually down the road when wifi6/6e comes out on usb sticks.

You can put OpenWRT on the raspberry pi and it will have dedicated backhaul/connection to your hotel's wifi instead of halving the bandwidth available to your client devices. The RPI4 can also handle wireguard up to a gigabit and openvpn @ 300mbps so you get way more performance than these outdated overpriced travel routers.

Even if you don't like the RPI4 DIY, the newer GL-MT1300 has a dual core MT7621A SoC which is significantly faster than the QCA9563. Wireguard speeds of 200mbps are to be expected vs ~70mbps. https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-us...erformance

For $20 more the GL-MT1300 is the better buy if you care at all about performance and I find more and more that hotels have fiber or at least >100mbps connections now.

Otherwise the AC750 at $55 is /acceptable/ but not hot by any means - just warm.

For context, a fully saturated wifi5 connection should hit 500-600mbps in real world use. QCA9563 wireguard caps out at ~75mbps, MT7621 wireguard caps out at ~200mbps.

I've stayed in hotels with gigabit symmetric connections, others with terrible 10/1 connections. If you're downloading and uploading stuff, you'd cap out the CPU at 100/100 for example on the MT7621 CPU and 40/40 on the QCA9563 CPU.

In addition, if you want to power one of these things as you travel so you have it as a repeater for all your devices, and be able to plug it in to the wall at your convenience (so it doesn't reboot the router as you move it around) you can get a power bank/battery pack that supports passthrough charging.

Notable powerbanks that support passthrough charging include: ZMI Ambi 10k ($25), zendure x6 ($$$$) , Voltaic V50 USB Battery Pack ($$$), etc. That way you can keep your travel router running without reboots as you get to the hotel or move away from the hotel and keep it in your bag or something.

I had to do a lot of digging to find/build my optimal travel router, hope this helps someone.

A final thing to note: if you plan on using any device as a wireless repeater, you should have 2 separate radios, otherwise you will halve the throughput due to the frequency/channel space. For example, 2 clients both using channel 36 will mean the theoretical throughput will be halved. Because both the AC750 and MT1300 only have ONE radio, your throughput is halved. By having 2 separate radios on the DIY RPI4, you can make sure you have this issue by setting up the connection on 1 channel and the AP (access point) on a separate channel. That way your clients will not experience throughput halving.

Edit: corrected model number because I don't have photographic memory
Don't do it regardless as there's likely a policy against any such connections. The consequences are too high (career and data exposure).

It does increase the risk for other servers that are connected similarly which can increase the risk even inside the firewall depending on how things are configured, etc. Too many variables that can cause trouble.
Many times. Step 1: Power on the router and, if wired, connect to Ethernet. Step 2: Connect your phone or other device to the router's SSID. Step 3: From your device, connect to the management interface of the router (or use the glinet app) and configure the router to connect to the hotel's network either via wire or by scanning for and connecting to the hotel's SSID. Step 4: Open a browser on your device, attempt to access an Internet website, get prompted and login to the hotel network. To the hotel's network, this will appear to come from the router, not your device. Now any traffic that passes through the router will benefit from the login you just did. Step 5: Connect your other devices to the router's SSID and browse away!

192 Comments

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Sep 30, 2021
450 Posts
Joined Oct 2014
Sep 30, 2021
Logster99
Sep 30, 2021
450 Posts
Agree that this is a nice form factor with USB power and good specs but the base functionality is nothing new - you can put dd-wrt on any old supported router (I use a 20 year old Linksys) and get the same functionality (albeit at 54Mbps, which is still usually faster than the lower tiers of internet access at most public/hotel wifi).
1
Sep 30, 2021
3,244 Posts
Joined Jul 2013
Sep 30, 2021
madmax718
Sep 30, 2021
3,244 Posts
Quote from sdcpa :
I love this thing. But personally I don't touch the 1000mbps for wireless internet repeater (which is what I use it for). Even in my home next to the router, I only get 50mbps via speed test (travel router connected to home router via 2.4ghz, my phone connected to travel router via 5ghz).

It's normally 200mbps via speed test when I connect to my home router directly from my phone.

Still great and more than I would usually need. But FYI. I think this is just a limitation of the small/low powered processor
Have this, same problem. The wifi can't handle that speed from a single connection. Try using 2 to 3 devices at the same time.
Sep 30, 2021
3,244 Posts
Joined Jul 2013
Sep 30, 2021
madmax718
Sep 30, 2021
3,244 Posts
Quote from DzzDave :
Don't do it regardless as there's likely a policy against any such connections. The consequences are too high (career and data exposure).

It does increase the risk for other servers that are connected similarly which can increase the risk even inside the firewall depending on how things are configured, etc. Too many variables that can cause trouble.
He can do wireless bridge mode. However as he wrote, there is no way you can make a connection and not expose your network to a certain degree. Unless he has some wifi security procedures on the other side that prevent those on the network from seeing each other. I have it that way on my guest network.
Sep 30, 2021
880 Posts
Joined May 2014
Sep 30, 2021
JamesW2650
Sep 30, 2021
880 Posts
Quote from ViperDaSnake :
TOTALLY off topic but related.

I recently moved from a Note 4 to a Note 9.
I used the Foxfi app to use my Note 4 as a hotspot when on the road.
The Note 9 doesn't allow that.
I have the original unlimited internet plan, and can't make changes without signing up to a new plan.
Anyone have suggestions on a workaround?


Or maybe a device similar to this that I could move my SIM card to when I needed a hot spot?
I use VOIP (Google Voice) for calls/ texts, so my phone only needs wifi.
A removable battery would be a plus too...

Thanks in advance!

Who is your carrier?
Sep 30, 2021
300 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
Sep 30, 2021
reebzz
Sep 30, 2021
300 Posts
Quote from SamirPD :
For a situation like yours, it's worthwhile to look into real IPsec vpn tunnels that enterprises use and those firewalls that are more made for this stuff. IPsec tunnels are a bit harder to set up, but they are seriously robust and once you nail one up, it's up.

Plus, when you do this, you can simply remote into your computers from overseas and work, view, whatever as if you were home. This makes your device that you carry less important too as a simple thin client will suffice to connect.

Tunneling everything back through to the other side's internet will take some routing rules and tricks, but nothing that's out of the ordinary for enterprise gear that's used to having all Internet funneled thorough a single site anyways.

Normally, the enterprise gear would have been too expensive, but with how expensive consumer gear is getting and some of the deals you can find on nearly new enterprise gear (fortigate 50f is a good one), it's actually cheaper to go the enterprise route.

Some food for thought. Peace
Thank you so much! I'll be there for 30 days and will try the cheaper solution. If it doesn't work, I'll come back to research this
Sep 30, 2021
1,826 Posts
Joined Dec 2005
Sep 30, 2021
FLTURD
Sep 30, 2021
1,826 Posts
Would I be able to plug in a USB key with movies on it and then stream the movies from tablets connected to the Wi-Fi? If so is that done with their own app or would I need to configure something like vlc?
Sep 30, 2021
5,595 Posts
Joined Jul 2006
Sep 30, 2021
g0dM@n
Sep 30, 2021
5,595 Posts
Quote from Snuupy :
I don't think this is a great price. I've done lots of hours of research on routers, so please let me explain before you downvote me:

The only reason this router is being on sale is because the new router (GL-MT1300) was released, at a similar price to the old AC750S-Ext. ($74.90) https://store.gl-inet.com/product...-gl-mt1300

The chipset on this router is quite dated at this point, it's single core QCA9563. I don't have this specific router, but I do have a TP-Link router with the same SoC. On that router, I get ~20mbps on openvpn and ~80mbps through wireguard.

It's not bad, but it's certainly not as fast as I'd prefer.

Of course, being an older model it also has micro USB, whereas the newer one has usb-c.

My personal recommendation if you're going to spend $60-70 anyway on a travel router is as such:

Raspberry Pi 4 (2GB): $35
2 x MT7621 USB adapters (AC1200 x 2): $20 x 2 - from aliexpress/amazon

Total cost comes down to $75, and you can upgrade the components individually down the road when wifi6/6e comes out on usb sticks.

You can put OpenWRT on the raspberry pi and it will have dedicated backhaul/connection to your hotel's wifi instead of halving the bandwidth available to your client devices. The RPI4 can also handle wireguard up to a gigabit and openvpn @ 300mbps so you get way more performance than these outdated overpriced travel routers.

Even if you don't like the RPI4 DIY, the newer GL-MT1300 has a dual core MT7621A SoC which is significantly faster than the QCA9563. Wireguard speeds of 200mbps are to be expected vs ~70mbps. https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-us...erformance

For $20 more the GL-MT1300 is the better buy if you care at all about performance and I find more and more that hotels have fiber or at least >100mbps connections now.

Otherwise the AC750 at $55 is /acceptable/ but not hot by any means - just warm.

For context, a fully saturated wifi5 connection should hit 500-600mbps in real world use. QCA9563 wireguard caps out at ~75mbps, MT7621 wireguard caps out at ~200mbps.

I've stayed in hotels with gigabit symmetric connections, others with terrible 10/1 connections. If you're downloading and uploading stuff, you'd cap out the CPU at 100/100 for example on the MT7621 CPU and 40/40 on the QCA9563 CPU.

In addition, if you want to power one of these things as you travel so you have it as a repeater for all your devices, and be able to plug it in to the wall at your convenience (so it doesn't reboot the router as you move it around) you can get a power bank/battery pack that supports passthrough charging.

Notable powerbanks that support passthrough charging include: ZMI Ambi 10k ($25), zendure x6 ($$$$) , Voltaic V50 USB Battery Pack ($$$), etc. That way you can keep your travel router running without reboots as you get to the hotel or move away from the hotel and keep it in your bag or something.

I had to do a lot of digging to find/build my optimal travel router, hope this helps someone.

A final thing to note: if you plan on using any device as a wireless repeater, you should have 2 separate radios, otherwise you will halve the throughput due to the frequency/channel space. For example, 2 clients both using channel 36 will mean the theoretical throughput will be halved. Because both the AC750 and MT1300 only have ONE radio, your throughput is halved. By having 2 separate radios on the DIY RPI4, you can make sure you have this issue by setting up the connection on 1 channel and the AP (access point) on a separate channel. That way your clients will not experience throughput halving.
Good post. I don't think your suggestion is for everyone bc many folks aren't comfortable with IT DIY, but you did peak this IT geek's interest. I'm just finishing up my OTA DVR on Plex project. Maybe this can be my next.

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Sep 30, 2021
3,830 Posts
Joined Jul 2005
Sep 30, 2021
corazones
Sep 30, 2021
3,830 Posts
What y'all think of Invizbox preconfigured vpn? I like it for not having to mess around w the settings. The price is quite high. It was mentioned on Michael Bazzell privacy podcast.

https://www.invizbox.com/products/ib2/
https://www.amazon.com/InvizBox-R...B08DG362P8
Last edited by corazones September 30, 2021 at 09:25 AM.
Sep 30, 2021
3 Posts
Joined Aug 2012
Sep 30, 2021
pwndit
Sep 30, 2021
3 Posts
My router died after two uses in one year. For this price just buy a normal sized router with more capability. Also, the range was terrible.

I had to buy a new router because my 8 year old Asus was lagging a bit. I'm using the Asus router as a bridge and it is much better then this travel router. I was using this as a wireless bridge in my camper.
Last edited by pwndit September 30, 2021 at 07:08 AM.
2
Sep 30, 2021
103 Posts
Joined Nov 2016
Sep 30, 2021
manojbapuni
Sep 30, 2021
103 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank manojbapuni

Quote from Snuupy :
I don't think this is a great price. I've done lots of hours of research on routers, so please let me explain before you downvote me:

The only reason this router is being on sale is because the new router (GL-MT1300) was released, at a similar price to the old AC750S-Ext. ($74.90) https://store.gl-inet.com/product...-gl-mt1300 [gl-inet.com]

The chipset on this router is quite dated at this point, it's single core QCA9563. I don't have this specific router, but I do have a TP-Link router with the same SoC. On that router, I get ~20mbps on openvpn and ~80mbps through wireguard.

It's not bad, but it's certainly not as fast as I'd prefer.

Of course, being an older model it also has micro USB, whereas the newer one has usb-c.

My personal recommendation if you're going to spend $60-70 anyway on a travel router is as such:

Raspberry Pi 4 (2GB): $35
2 x MT7621 USB adapters (AC1200 x 2): $20 x 2 - from aliexpress/amazon

Total cost comes down to $75, and you can upgrade the components individually down the road when wifi6/6e comes out on usb sticks.

You can put OpenWRT on the raspberry pi and it will have dedicated backhaul/connection to your hotel's wifi instead of halving the bandwidth available to your client devices. The RPI4 can also handle wireguard up to a gigabit and openvpn @ 300mbps so you get way more performance than these outdated overpriced travel routers.

Even if you don't like the RPI4 DIY, the newer GL-MT1300 has a dual core MT7621A SoC which is significantly faster than the QCA9563. Wireguard speeds of 200mbps are to be expected vs ~70mbps. https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-us...erformance [openwrt.org]

For $20 more the GL-MT1300 is the better buy if you care at all about performance and I find more and more that hotels have fiber or at least >100mbps connections now.

Otherwise the AC750 at $55 is /acceptable/ but not hot by any means - just warm.

For context, a fully saturated wifi5 connection should hit 500-600mbps in real world use. QCA9563 wireguard caps out at ~75mbps, MT7621 wireguard caps out at ~200mbps.

I've stayed in hotels with gigabit symmetric connections, others with terrible 10/1 connections. If you're downloading and uploading stuff, you'd cap out the CPU at 100/100 for example on the MT7621 CPU and 40/40 on the QCA9563 CPU.

In addition, if you want to power one of these things as you travel so you have it as a repeater for all your devices, and be able to plug it in to the wall at your convenience (so it doesn't reboot the router as you move it around) you can get a power bank/battery pack that supports passthrough charging.

Notable powerbanks that support passthrough charging include: ZMI Ambi 10k ($25), zendure x6 ($$$$) , Voltaic V50 USB Battery Pack ($$$), etc. That way you can keep your travel router running without reboots as you get to the hotel or move away from the hotel and keep it in your bag or something.

I had to do a lot of digging to find/build my optimal travel router, hope this helps someone.

A final thing to note: if you plan on using any device as a wireless repeater, you should have 2 separate radios, otherwise you will halve the throughput due to the frequency/channel space. For example, 2 clients both using channel 36 will mean the theoretical throughput will be halved. Because both the AC750 and MT1300 only have ONE radio, your throughput is halved. By having 2 separate radios on the DIY RPI4, you can make sure you have this issue by setting up the connection on 1 channel and the AP (access point) on a separate channel. That way your clients will not experience throughput halving.
You are awesome in this analysis.
1
Pro
Sep 30, 2021
1,006 Posts
Joined Nov 2008
Sep 30, 2021
hydrocynus
Pro
Sep 30, 2021
1,006 Posts
I love GL.inet routers. I have two travel routers (GL-AR150 with antenna) that I use with a larger 15dbi antenna and they are great as repeaters or also to distribute by USB tether my internet from my phone that only allows one tether at a time at a meager 5mbps. When you use OpenWRT and configure it right, then you get good speeds.
Sep 30, 2021
554 Posts
Joined May 2010
Sep 30, 2021
dealwxy
Sep 30, 2021
554 Posts
Quote from MightyPez :
Definitely a great travel router. It can be powered via USB, has OpenVPN and Wireguard built in, extensible through OpenWRT for power users, and a very simple interface with lots of options.
For the vpn to function, does it still need a vpn service subscription?
Sep 30, 2021
71 Posts
Joined Jun 2016
Sep 30, 2021
KSmooove
Sep 30, 2021
71 Posts
Quote from slipdeal :
yes. and if you dont have an ethernet "plug in" at the hotel, it can connect to the hotel wifi and then serve you your own network.
Does that mean I can bypass paying for the shitty hotel network too?
Sep 30, 2021
15,688 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
Sep 30, 2021
80is
Sep 30, 2021
15,688 Posts
Quote from Horace :
You do you, but that kind of advice is like saying:
  • Installing an antivirus software seems like a lot of work. I don't use antivirus software, and I've never had a virus.
  • Backing up my important files seems like a lot of work. I don't backup anything, and haven't lost any data.
  • Getting insurance seems like a lot of work. I don't have insurance, and haven't been injured, in an accident, or had any large damage to my home or belongings.
While connecting to a public network is by no means going to guarantee that something bad will happen, it does open your connected device(s) up to additional risk that could at least be partially mitigated with a device like this.
you missed one "condom, a lot of work - faster to just pullout"

everything you described above is just a marketing gimmick to scare you so that you can part with your $. buy less stuff and you would not need to be paranoid about loosing it. istead of buying an expensive phone + insurance, buy one at half the price with no insurance and you can sleep better at night.

if you tell me that this device is great because you can connect it to wifi and all your other devices are automatically connected too, i would say it's a great - efficient. but if you tell me that hackers are spying on people in hotels, i would say it's it's time for you to check yourself in.
3
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Sep 30, 2021
15,688 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
Sep 30, 2021
80is
Sep 30, 2021
15,688 Posts
Quote from KSmooove :
Does that mean I can bypass paying for the shitty hotel network too?
you can even bypass paying for a shitty hotel too, by paying for a none shitty hotel.
3

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