Recommendations for long-term use

Hardware Questions and Recommendations
1

Hello, I'm new to OpenWRT and want to buy max f/p product within my budget. I want to use it long-term because I don't want to spend much money. I have 100mbps internet and an ISP modem/router TD-W9970. I searched multiple routers within my budget. These are:

  • TP-Link Archer AX23 (Almost over my budget) - 1500 TL -> 50 USD
  • Xiaomi A4 Giga - 1000 TL -> 33 USD
  • Mercusys MR70X - 1000 TL -> 33 USD
  • TP-Link Archer A6 - 1000 TL -> 33 USD

I want it to be easy to set up and use. Which one should I buy?
If you have any recommendations, I would appreciate any other suggestions.

2

I would avoid the Xiaomi because you can't always be sure it's flashable.

The MR70X, AX23, and A6 because of the small flash size - 16mb

TL = Turkish Lira ?

3

Yes, it is Turkish Lira. 16mb is not enough?

4

Which is more true:
Long term.
Cheap.
Both.

5

Probably both, because I don't have much money right now.

6

Well, 16 is not enough for long term and I do not know what else is in your budget.

Look around for something that meets your wants and come back with something with >16Mb and is on this list.

1 Like
7

Might be smarter to buy an used AC2600 device.

1 Like
8

resim
resim1024×582 43.7 KB

resim
resim1124×847 68 KB

resim
resim1594×715 71.1 KB

resim
resim1576×709 61.1 KB

Zyxel-Nbg6617 is okay? This is a good price after all.

9

warning

You are trying to access from outside of Turkey.

Please sign in to access sahibinden.com. Sign up for free if you do not have an account.

If you think you should not see this, please inform us.

10

I added the pictures.

11

Not a simple install. Look the page over and see if it is too demanding.


### OEM easy installation

**Note:** The OpenWrt [snapshot](https://openwrt.org/releases/snapshot) comes without a preinstalled web interface. You'll have to [connect with ssh](https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-quick-start/sshadministration) to the device for administration and to [install the web interface](https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/luci/luci.essentials) if required.

* Download current OpenWrt snapshot [factory firmware](https://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/targets/ipq40xx/generic/openwrt-ipq40xx-zyxel_nbg6617-squashfs-factory.bin) from the [download](https://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/targets/ipq40xx/generic/) section

* Open web interface of the router ([http://192.168.1.1](http://192.168.1.1/)) and login

* Click *Expert Mode*, *Maintenance*, *Firmware Upgrade*

* Select *Choose File* and upload the previously downloaded OpenWrt firmware

* Wait for the reboot (some minutes)

* Ssh to root@192.168.1.1
12

Actually, I think you can do it if Google does not trash the translation.

And delete the webpage picture: it has too much information for the wild.

13

OEM easy install is quite easy I think. If something does not go wrong. Unless you think there is a much better choice?

14

if you're keeping the ISPs modem, you could get a VR2600, and use it as an AP.
seems there's a couple of those on sale at sahibinden.

still only 16mb flash though.

15

That is over my budget. :melting_face:

16

then I'd get the AX23.

easy to flash, flash size isn't great, but it should still last you a couple of years/releases, unless you decide to start adding functionality to it.

17

I'm gonna try the Zyxel model. That does not seem too hard.
Thank you so much, Both of you.

2 Likes