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expiredchaofun posted Mar 4, 2022 10:49 PM

ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 Dual-Band Wireless Router w/ SD Cashback

$80

$180

55% off
+ Free Shippingat Amazon
84 Comments
80.7K Views
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Deal Details
Amazon also has ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 Dual-Band Wireless Router AiMesh on sale for $79.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks Deal Hunter chaofun for sharing this deal.

Best Buy via eBay has ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 Dual-Band Wireless Router AiMesh on sale for $79.99 (add to cart to see price). Additionally, earn Slickdeals Cashback before purchase when you follow the cashback instructions below (PC extension required, before checkout). Shipping is free.

Best Buy also has ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 Dual-Band Wireless Router AiMesh on sale for $79.99. Shipping is free.

Key Features:
  • Fast Wi-Fi Speed Wireless Transmission - Ideal Wi-Fi dongle for voice streaming and online gaming.
  • 300Mbps - Excellent connection and High speed Wi-Fi dongle Secure.
  • Advanced Security - 64/128-bit WEP, WPA, WPA2 WPA3 encryption standards.
  • Simply Insert, Simply Connect- Freestanding transceiver and connecting cable allows easy positioning for the best reception.

Editor's Notes

Written by CChoiVA
  • About this deal:
    • Our research indicates that ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 Dual-Band Wireless Router AiMesh is $19.96 lower (20% savings) than the next best available price from a reputable merchant with prices starting from $99.95 at the time of this posting.
  • About this product:
    • 4.4 out of 5 stars rating at Amazon based on over 10,800 customer reviews
  • About this store:
    • Best Buy via eBay return policy: 14 days returns; Buyer pays for return shipping
    • View Amazon return policy here.
    • View Best Buy return policy 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.
  • Please refer to the forum thread for additional details & discussion. -StrawMan86

Original Post

Written by chaofun
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Amazon also has ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 Dual-Band Wireless Router AiMesh on sale for $79.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks Deal Hunter chaofun for sharing this deal.

Best Buy via eBay has ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 Dual-Band Wireless Router AiMesh on sale for $79.99 (add to cart to see price). Additionally, earn Slickdeals Cashback before purchase when you follow the cashback instructions below (PC extension required, before checkout). Shipping is free.

Best Buy also has ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 Dual-Band Wireless Router AiMesh on sale for $79.99. Shipping is free.

Key Features:
  • Fast Wi-Fi Speed Wireless Transmission - Ideal Wi-Fi dongle for voice streaming and online gaming.
  • 300Mbps - Excellent connection and High speed Wi-Fi dongle Secure.
  • Advanced Security - 64/128-bit WEP, WPA, WPA2 WPA3 encryption standards.
  • Simply Insert, Simply Connect- Freestanding transceiver and connecting cable allows easy positioning for the best reception.

Editor's Notes

Written by CChoiVA
  • About this deal:
    • Our research indicates that ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 Dual-Band Wireless Router AiMesh is $19.96 lower (20% savings) than the next best available price from a reputable merchant with prices starting from $99.95 at the time of this posting.
  • About this product:
    • 4.4 out of 5 stars rating at Amazon based on over 10,800 customer reviews
  • About this store:
    • Best Buy via eBay return policy: 14 days returns; Buyer pays for return shipping
    • View Amazon return policy here.
    • View Best Buy return policy 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.
  • Please refer to the forum thread for additional details & discussion. -StrawMan86

Original Post

Written by chaofun

Community Voting

Deal Score
+41
Good Deal
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Top Comments

Daddio1949
364Comments
516Reputation
In order to convert a TM-AC1900 to a Asus RT-AC68U you had to enable SSH (Secure Shell Protocol) on the router. With SSH enabled you could then install the Asus bootloader (cfe) and the firmware (or an alternative variant, e.g. Merlin ). Unfortunately, only the initial firmware for the TM-AC1900 allowed SSH to be enabled; later versions removed this feature. Consequently, you had to downgrade the firmware on the TM-AC1900.

I have converted 4 TM-AC1900s to RT-AC68Us. One of the TM-AC1900s came with the original firmware and made for an easier conversion.

For all the gory details on how to do this see https://www.bayareatechpros.com/ac1900-to-ac68u/. Of the 24 steps in this procedure, the 1st 10 lead to enabling SSH.
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gerony620
6Comments
14Reputation
I have 2 of these blue caves, set up via the Aimesh for expanded coverage in my 3 story home. Has been working flawlessly for the last 2 years with no issues whatsoever. Love the boxy shape and can be blended perfectly in any setup because you don't have crazy antennas poking out.

I have Fios with Gigabit connections speeds and via WIFI I get 600mbps uploads and downloads, which isn't the best, but for my wireless devices its perfect (my pc is wired so I get the full bandwidth)

4 gigabit ports, usb 3.0 port for cloud storage, super easy setup either via the app or router.asus.com. Cant complain about anything on this router!
Go to Comment
darwinesque
64Comments
38Reputation
Love the aesthetics of this, but I actually just recycled mine at Best Buy in favor of an AX86U. This is an oddball in the Asus lineup because it has an Intel wireless chip. It runs hot and hasn't received a firmware update in ages. I held onto my flashed AC68Us even though they're less capable spec-wise because they continue to receive firmware updates, run cooler and are just as (if not more) stable than the Blue Cave.
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84 Comments

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Mar 5, 2022 1:33 PM
3.3K Comments
Joined Jun 2010
boobolooMar 5, 2022 1:33 PM
3.3K Comments
benefit is child proof design
Mar 5, 2022 1:38 PM
388 Comments
Joined Feb 2018
30packofstrohsMar 5, 2022 1:38 PM
388 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank 30packofstrohs

Have one of these and twice I've lost the 2.4ghz band [not even broadcasting] have to hard reboot/reset to get functional only to happen again. I've updated firmware. added recommend mini fan cooler per forums daily reboots at 3am and still this happens. it worked great for a while then just goes down hill. BEWARE! read/google on forums this thing has inherit problems.
3
Pro
Mar 5, 2022 2:32 PM
364 Comments
Joined Dec 2005
Daddio1949
Pro
Mar 5, 2022 2:32 PM
364 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Daddio1949

Quote from RcketScientist :
To get past the anti firmware one you had to flip some bits if I recall. I wouldn't recommend sitting on an old version of firmware for a router.
In order to convert a TM-AC1900 to a Asus RT-AC68U you had to enable SSH (Secure Shell Protocol) on the router. With SSH enabled you could then install the Asus bootloader (cfe) and the firmware (or an alternative variant, e.g. Merlin ). Unfortunately, only the initial firmware for the TM-AC1900 allowed SSH to be enabled; later versions removed this feature. Consequently, you had to downgrade the firmware on the TM-AC1900.

I have converted 4 TM-AC1900s to RT-AC68Us. One of the TM-AC1900s came with the original firmware and made for an easier conversion.

For all the gory details on how to do this see https://www.bayareatechpros.com/ac1900-to-ac68u/. Of the 24 steps in this procedure, the 1st 10 lead to enabling SSH.
4
2
Mar 5, 2022 2:43 PM
122 Comments
Joined Nov 2015
ais5006Mar 5, 2022 2:43 PM
122 Comments
Quote from ovybox :
I have a strong suspicion that it's actually the ISP dropping my connection and not the Asus mesh. The AC-68u and AC 1900 have a connection monitor menu.
Have this same question TM routers on aimesh are solid but would appreciate better download or range if this provides it.
Pro
Mar 5, 2022 3:11 PM
11.4K Comments
Joined Dec 2007
boosterjm
Pro
Mar 5, 2022 3:11 PM
11.4K Comments
Quote from Friendlyx :
I'm looking for a router to replace my mesh system which is the TMobile router right now. It constantly drops but want something solid that will last
I have modem + wifi router single box from AT&T who is my internet service provider. Can you explain how can this work with it? I don't have any other set up at home other than that AT&T.
Mar 5, 2022 3:11 PM
1K Comments
Joined Aug 2014
MBisMar 5, 2022 3:11 PM
1K Comments
How is this vs the t-mobile router in terms of range?
Mar 5, 2022 3:14 PM
80 Comments
Joined Aug 2010
hector12tMar 5, 2022 3:14 PM
80 Comments
been working great in AP mode for YEARS. great WiFi 5 device.

uses intel processor also

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Pro
Mar 5, 2022 3:15 PM
11.4K Comments
Joined Dec 2007
boosterjm
Pro
Mar 5, 2022 3:15 PM
11.4K Comments
Quote from Flpennstater :
I have the tp link and regardless of the fact the Costco price is amazing, the deco is awesome. Great coverage and literally sets up in a couple minutes with an app. I don't regret paying more for it, but at $200 it is a no brainer for a 3 pack
I have modem + wifi router single box from AT&T who is my internet service provider. Can you explain how can Costco deco work with it? Do I replace that entire AT&T box with TP link Deco or it works in conjunction with it ?
Mar 5, 2022 3:18 PM
9.6K Comments
Joined Aug 2018
TodayOnlyMar 5, 2022 3:18 PM
9.6K Comments
Quote from boosterjm :
I have modem + wifi router single box from AT&T who is my internet service provider. Can you explain how can Costco deco work with it? Do I replace that entire AT&T box with TP link Deco or it works in conjunction with it ?
you should be able to turn off DHCP on the att modem/router unit therefore putting it into 'bypass' mode and plug in a second router which will have DHCP on to assign LAN IP addresses.

if you do not turn off DHCP on the modem/router unit, then both it and the second router will assign LAN IP addresses to devices plugged/wifi connected to each, but each unit will be its own entity and devices connected to unit1 wont be able to communicate with unit2 and vice-versa. essentially each unit will consider the other an 'enemy'. ex: unit1 will assign LAN IP 192.168.1.x and unit2 will assign LAN IP addresses 192.168.2.x
Last edited by TodayOnly March 5, 2022 at 10:58 AM.
Pro
Mar 5, 2022 3:39 PM
11.4K Comments
Joined Dec 2007
boosterjm
Pro
Mar 5, 2022 3:39 PM
11.4K Comments
Quote from TodayOnly :
you should be able to turn off DNS on the att modem/router unit therefore putting it into 'bypass' mode and plug in a second router which will have DNS on to assign LAN IP addresses.

if you do not turn off DNS on the modem/router unit, then both it and the second router will assign LAN IP addresses to devices plugged/wifi connected to each, but each unit will be its own entity and devices connected to unit1 wont be able to communicate with unit2 and vice-versa. essentially each unit will consider the other an 'enemy'. ex: unit1 will assign LAN IP 192.168.1.x and unit2 will assign LAN IP addresses 192.168.2.x
Thanks. In short, can I remove the AT&T provided Modem-Wifi combo box and replace it with one of the 3 Decos ?
Mar 5, 2022 4:09 PM
9.6K Comments
Joined Aug 2018
TodayOnlyMar 5, 2022 4:09 PM
9.6K Comments
Quote from boosterjm :
Thanks. In short, can I remove the AT&T provided Modem-Wifi combo box and replace it with one of the 3 Decos ?
most likely not as it has the att modem that you need to connect to atts network.

when you put the router part into 'bypass' (turn off DHCP) and connect a second router this will give you greater control over your LAN settings.
Last edited by TodayOnly March 5, 2022 at 10:57 AM.
Mar 5, 2022 4:20 PM
163 Comments
Joined Feb 2013
sicnjMar 5, 2022 4:20 PM
163 Comments
Quote from boosterjm :
I have modem + wifi router single box from AT&T who is my internet service provider. Can you explain how can this work with it? I don't have any other set up at home other than that AT&T.
The standalone WiFi router has better functions than the all in ones. But if you don't need it, like VPN, AI cloud and QOS you might not need it at all.
Mar 5, 2022 5:09 PM
88 Comments
Joined Jul 2018
FlpennstaterMar 5, 2022 5:09 PM
88 Comments
Quote from boosterjm :
I have modem + wifi router single box from AT&T who is my internet service provider. Can you explain how can Costco deco work with it? Do I replace that entire AT&T box with TP link Deco or it works in conjunction with it ?
You would need to buy a modem compatible with your internet company and then the deco works as the router and wifi. No more equipment fees
Mar 5, 2022 5:16 PM
307 Comments
Joined Apr 2010
americanadianMar 5, 2022 5:16 PM
307 Comments
I had this for a couple of years but eventually upgraded to a more modern TD-link Deco mesh. Works well enough but it was showing its age and kept dropping signal for various internet devices in a 1400 sq ft house.

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Pro
Mar 5, 2022 6:28 PM
11.4K Comments
Joined Dec 2007
boosterjm
Pro
Mar 5, 2022 6:28 PM
11.4K Comments
Quote from TodayOnly :
most likely not as it has the att modem that you need to connect to atts network.

when you put the router part into 'bypass' (turn off DNS) and connect a second router this will give you greater control over your LAN settings.
Please let me know if I understood correctly, In the AT&T modem-wifirouter combo box, I turn off DNS so that it stops working as a wifi router. Then I connect the Deco cylinder into the AT&T box as the wifi router.

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