Alternative to GL.iNet E750v2? - mobile router with OpenWrt

Hardware Questions and Recommendations
1

I’m currently using mobile router from GL.iNet which uses their own fork of OpenWrt which works well but is quite slow and built modem Quectel EM060K-GL is not always perfect, especially there is no management of operator selection what is important when i’m roam. But other functionalities - wifi client, vpn support - all openwrt functionality is very good!

Now im looking maybe there is an alternative for this device? I know there will be new Mudi - Mudi 7 but this probably will take a while to release…

Anybody knows something similar that can be used with OpenWrt and will have 4g/5g modem with global frequencies?

2

install vanilla openwrt on it ?

if not, AW1000.

no idea about global frequencies, then it's better to tether a "localized" cell phone with any router running openwrt.

3

Arcadyan AW1000 it’s a beast compared to E750.

I have one and it’s a chunk of about 1kg of metal and plastic with a cylindrical shape.

Surely not a pocket or transportable router.

4

I’m thinking about something mobile - with battery and i can have in a backpack or even in a pocket. Now i’m using this traveling mostly that way - on phone i have mobile data off, im connected via wifi to the router and have vowifi of for calling, vpn on for private or company data access and so on… in hotel im connecting router to hotel wifi but my mobile or laptop still connects via router….

5

Don’t think there’s anything with vanilla openwrt like what you’re seeking

6

GL.iNet GL-XE3000 or GL-XE300 ?

1 Like
7

XE300 i had before Mudi v2.

XE3000 is not mobile - antennas attached...

8

they look very detachable to me.

if you don't provide must not haves, you will receive suggestions that doesn't match your mental image of the dream device.

1 Like
9

Yes, you have right. Antennas are detachable - i was testing it, this is very good device but not suitable for traveling.

I provided - i think - this router will not fit in any pocket :wink:

10

depends on the size of the pocket.
backpack should be fine, I guess.

you don't have any kangaroo blood in the family ?

but I don't think you'll find anything smaller than what's already been suggested, with openwrt support.

the only small device I can think of is the Huasifei WH3000, but it'd be DiY (it got a slot), no modem and antennas, battery would have to be external.

1 Like
11

I found device Acer:

https://www.acer.com/us-en/networking/5g/acer-connect-m6e-5g-mobile-wifi/pdp/FF.G2VTA.001

and it is android powered:

adb shell getprop | grep "cpu"
[ro.product.cpu.abi]: [arm64-v8a]
[ro.product.cpu.abilist]: [arm64-v8a,armeabi-v7a,armeabi]
[ro.product.cpu.abilist32]: [armeabi-v7a,armeabi]
[ro.product.cpu.abilist64]: [arm64-v8a]
[ro.product.cpu.pagesize.max]: [4096]
[ro.system.product.cpu.abilist]: [arm64-v8a,armeabi-v7a,armeabi]
[ro.system.product.cpu.abilist32]: [armeabi-v7a,armeabi]
[ro.system.product.cpu.abilist64]: [arm64-v8a]
[ro.vendor.product.cpu.abilist]: [arm64-v8a,armeabi-v7a,armeabi]
[ro.vendor.product.cpu.abilist32]: [armeabi-v7a,armeabi]
[ro.vendor.product.cpu.abilist64]: [arm64-v8a]

adb shell getprop ro.hardware
mt6878

Specification from manual:

obraz
obraz894×167 11.8 KB

And i’m thinking if changing firmware to openwrt would be possible of course after customization… i don’t have experience with this but i think this can be interesting for many people…

12

I can list a ton of devices not supported and likely unsupportable by openwrt.
the Acer would most probably make that list.

2 Likes
13

if you're willing to use two devices, instead of one; ZTE F50 (no antennas) or U50 (comes with own battery) and a small router, like the GL-MT3000, TR3000 or the already mentioned Huasifei WH3000.

you need to check the U50 can be tethered, the F50 def can.

14

Thanks, that can be used of course but ZTE F50 or U50 are region depended and don’t have global version modems as i see, other is for EU other for NA - so looks that’s for now there is nothing better than Mudi v2… LTE for travelling now is sufficient im looking how this will look in the future.

I found this:

Looks interesting.

15

What's your usage case, are you looking for something to use whilst walking about, or will the mobile router be stationary in a vehicle?

The Mudi 7 is almost here, x72 5G modem included.

16

Yes, Mudi 7 looks promising, x72 modem sound’s very good if it will be global variant.

My usage case is diverse:

  • Use in a backapack as mobile router wirh vpn - vpn connected to my server and some traffic from my phone will go via vpn some directly via mobile operator.
  • Use in hotel - connect to hotel wifi/lan and my laptop/phone will connect to the router with vpn.
  • Use at home as backup connectivity

All this functionalities are now covered my Mudi v2 which i currently have.

I think that Mudi 7 can be very expensive - if you look at specification shared already - almost all is top! So i would like to see on the market about competitors.