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Edited September 30, 2021
at 07:25 PM
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I saw the previous deal, so I know it's not the better deal. I was in the market for one, so I was browsing around last night. I almost pulled the trigger, but slept on it and woke up to see this deal. I was going to buy the GL.iNet GL-AR750 (Creta) which is priced at $49.90 and this was priced at $69.90, so I wasn't sure if I wanted to pay $20 extra for some differences. Now I'm going to get this thanks to the deal.
GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext Travel Router:
[OPEN SOURCE & PROGRAMMABLE] OpenWrt/LEDE pre-installed, backed by software repository.
[VPN CLIENT & SERVER] OpenVPN and WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers.
[LARGER STORAGE & EXTENSIBILITY] 128MB RAM, 16MB NOR Flash, and 128MB NAND Flash, up to 128GB MicroSD slot, USB 2.0 port, three Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN and 2 LAN).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product..._qh_dp_hza
Previous Deal:
https://slickdeals.net/f/14836483-gl-inet-gl-ar750s-ext-gigabit-ac-vpn-travel-router-54-90-fs?src=SiteSearchV2Algo1
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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 The RPI4 can also handle wireguard up to a gigabit and openvpn @ 300mbps so you get way more performance than these outdated overpriced travel routers.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
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.
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What speeds are you getting with the mango as at home vpn server with wireguard?
I'll be staying in an apartment overseas and I bought an Asus ax1800 which I plan to configure as VPN client router to connect back to my home in US (to this or the mango as VPN server)
Edit: You think the mango will do? I can connect it via wire to my nighthawk 7500.
Do you have links for those MT7621 USB for $20 each and the RPI4 for $35? I assume those are old prices before chip shortages b/c I can't find them or if I do it's expensive.
Just make sure the USB chip is MT7612U. Whatever brand generally isn't that big of a deal. I like the thinner ones so they both fit on the jam packed close raspberry pi usb ports.
Finding a $35 rpi4 2GB should be easier. I'm actually a Canadian and had to order through Newark/Element14, but you Americans have a much easier time ordering these things. I know Microcenter has them for $35. Newark/Element14 will charge you shipping if your order isn't a few rpis so if you're just buying one probably don't do that. Canakit charges shipping, Sparkfun is on backorder, chicagodist is sold out. So maybe pay Element14/Newark for shipping 😂
Just make sure the USB chip is MT7612U. Whatever brand generally isn't that big of a deal. I like the thinner ones so they both fit on the jam packed close raspberry pi usb ports.
Finding a $35 rpi4 2GB should be easier. I'm actually a Canadian and had to order through Newark/Element14, but you Americans have a much easier time ordering these things. I know Microcenter has them for $35. Newark/Element14 will charge you shipping if your order isn't a few rpis so if you're just buying one probably don't do that. Canakit charges shipping, Sparkfun is on backorder, chicagodist is sold out. So maybe pay Element14/Newark for shipping 😂
Microcenter doesn't have any in stock. No backorder date or ability to order.
Newark is backordered until 2/14/22.
Canakit is backordered until 12/14/21.
Unless you're buying used or as part of an expensive kit, they're few and far between, at least quickly or affordably.
Microcenter doesn't have any in stock. No backorder date or ability to order.
Newark is backordered until 2/14/22.
Canakit is backordered until 12/14/21.
Unless you're buying used or as part of an expensive kit, they're few and far between, at least quickly or affordably.
I plan to experiment on this.
Can you link to a few adapters that you have experience with?
I prefer the thin MT7612U ones for $20 on aliexpress posted a few comments ago.
Yes, it can. In theory, it can do so a few different ways. One way is to login using a device with the ability to login (I.e. a phone) and then clone that MAC address of that devices to this router. The hotel WiFi sees the phone and router as the same device.
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Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Snuupy
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DCFBV3H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_7N3QT3Q7Y1KW6H58JAH3?tag=slickdeals&asc... [amazon.com]
or https://www.amazon.com/GL-iNet-GL-MT1300-Wireless-Pocket-Sized-Repeater/dp/B08MKZXGBY?ref_=ast_sto_d... [amazon.com] ?
I find the mvebu drivers to not be as good but I don't have first hand experience of this. MT7621 drivers are the best especially with hardware offloading. Personally I think the sweetspot is the MT7621 right now because the drivers are in a great state and the mvebu ones aren't as good but you're paying more for the performance.
I find that routers are replaced every 2-3 years anyway so I don't like the value proposition of the MV1000W unless for some reason you specifically need ~300mbps over ~200mbps on wireguard, or 80mbps over 20mbps on openvpn.
Personally, I'd rather take the better drivers so you run into less edge cases with bugs. Also happens to cost less. If you needed a better CPU, you shouldn't be using a small travel router, or you should be using a rpi4/cm4 anyway.
Really depends on your needs here with regards to performance and cost. Chart should help you determine that.
Just make sure the USB chip is MT7612U. Whatever brand generally isn't that big of a deal. I like the thinner ones so they both fit on the jam packed close raspberry pi usb ports.
Finding a $35 rpi4 2GB should be easier. I'm actually a Canadian and had to order through Newark/Element14, but you Americans have a much easier time ordering these things. I know Microcenter has them for $35. Newark/Element14 will charge you shipping if your order isn't a few rpis so if you're just buying one probably don't do that. Canakit charges shipping, Sparkfun is on backorder, chicagodist is sold out. So maybe pay Element14/Newark for shipping 😂
Saving that link to the USB dongle... gonna be fun to build this
Do you have links for those MT7621 USB for $20 each and the RPI4 for $35? I assume those are old prices before chip shortages b/c I can't find them or if I do it's expensive.
edit: the vendor that starts with a V and is 6 letters on the RPi website.
edit: the vendor that starts with a V and is 6 letters on the RPi website.
You really have inspired a build in me... may not be super soon, but I've already begun reading up. I can't do too soon b/c I have a massive list of house projects I've already committed to, or started:
- Upgrade old Sump Pump to Dual sump pump, battery powered, wifi (did my research and all parts at home waiting)
- Cut the cord and doing HDTV Antenna OTA, got 60+ channels on my Plex DVR and all firesticks in the house capable of full blown free OTA HDTV!
- Driveway seal
- Replace ceiling sheetrock in dining room (suffered a leak from old AC unit that was already reeplaced)
- Replace driver side leather seat in my car (it's torn, and I have a new leather wrapper for it)
It's a MASSIVE list, so obviously going from the top down as far as priority. The OTA stuff is in a good place now, so that's moving down the list as far as perfecting it.
I probably should have bought this travel router to hold me down b/c it'll be a bit before I get into RPi.
If only our lives were 3-4 day weekends every week!!
Thanks again! I'll send you a PM
edit: the vendor that starts with a V and is 6 letters on the RPi website.