Asus AC-R68U (T-Mobil Version) - $59

[Kursah]

The Asus AC68-U is a $150 home-grade router, and is a step up from the AC66U that many of us around here like and use.

The T-Mobil version can be flashed (at your risk) to have the AsusMerlinWRT firmware on it, which would make it a solid AIO home-grade router/wifi option for those that are on a tight budget.

https://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-accessories/t-mobile-wi-fi-cellspot-router

The router is $99, and with CODE: WIFI40, you save $40.

So flash to off of T-Mobil's firmware, look here. There's a lot to read and review but for $59 it is VERY TEMPTING. If I get a decent enough paycheck I'm doing it. I could always use a spare lab router/AP.

Source: https://hardforum.com/threads/rt-ac68u-clone-59-use-code-wifi40-t-mobile-com.1917201/

EDIT: Updated sale link. Own one, have deployed more. All have been successful conversions and for $59 this is an unbeatable deal if you want a solid home-grade router or wireless AC access point on a budget.

 

[Cybrnook2002]

Bah, it's not too bad. Whole process should take about 20 - 30 minutes.

- hold reset button while powering on router.
- while still holding, navigate to 129.168.29.1 to get to mini webserver
- flash (downgrade) to older T-Mo firmware that engineer has linked (to get access to enabling ssh via the gui)
- dump nvram and backup stock cfe (once you enabled ssh and have logged on OS layer)
- modify cfe on home pc and upload back to router (I used WinSCP on SCP protocol)
- flash CFE
- reboot back into mini webserver (holding reset) - navigate to 192.168.1.1 this time as you are now on RT-AC68U CFE
- flash either the recommended firmware to expand rootfs (Not sure his recommended version really works for that)
- flash what you want....... (as an RT-AC68U)


I chose to go straight to johns fork of merlin, and it's looking good.

 

[Kursah]

Good to know. I just picked one up .

I forgot to finish that process...and I took the cheap $5.99 shipping so some point next week hopefully I'll see it and go through this process. Likely it'll be my basement AP, so I can migrate the 66U to the other end of the house for better garage coverage when I'm working on the cars, mowers or motorcycles.

 

[Kursah]

So finally got mine deployed it's on the opposite end of the house in the basement. Any weak spots are null..and I'm going to do some signal strength tuning. Overall a pretty nice device for sixty bucks! I could imagine it being a decent home router too if someone didn't want to go UBNT or PFSense, etc. At that price, it's actually a solid value. And for even just an AC-capable AP, $60 is pretty sweet.

Initially I ran into a problem with going into service mode. But once I learned the trick to accessing service mode with the newer TMobil firmware installed, keep holding reset button because power LED doesn't indicate service mode, the rest was similar to the above. Except after copying over AC68U CFE and clearing NVRAM, I had to load the Tomato VPN firmware, then a specific AsusWRT firmware to allow for larger firmware packages, then I could load Merlin.

So, a couple more things than @Cybrnook2002 did. I may document in more detail anyone runs into issues.

Overall still not bad and absolutely worth $59 for a decent home-grade router or wireless access point. Absolutely recommend it even with the challenges, it was worth it.

The sale is still on too BTW!

 

[Cybrnook2002]

Yes, for $60 running John's fork. This is a super stable set it and forget solution for an AP, home router, or the parents (which I did). So far..... no calls

 

[Maban]

I bought one of these cause my sister was complaining about reception with our el cheapo one. It's pretty nice. At some point I'll get around to changing the firmware but for now it does what it needs to. Not bad for $60.

 

[Kursah]

I bought one of these cause my sister was complaining about reception with our el cheapo one. It's pretty nice. At some point I'll get around to changing the firmware but for now it does what it needs to. Not bad for $60.

Its worth doing the firmware and CFE replacement if only for the improved security and loophole fixes that can allow folks on the network even if its secured. They are solid units for the price to say the least. If you need help let us know!

 

[Kursah]

This deal is still going and worth every penny!

Get a $150 router for $59, spend a little time flashing it to ASUS ID and firmware, and have an excellent budget home solution!

 

[Cybrnook2002]

You got that right! My mind is still blown from this..... Likely will never recover

I got the parents household setup on one of these with Johns fork, and you know how many calls I have gotten over the past month.......? NONE!

I'm about to setup a coworker with one as well. Helping him get the split tunneling VPN setup so he can mask a few devices on his network.


I ordered 2 x for myself, and I don't even need them. But it's SUCH a good backup router that it's hard to say no.

 

[jboydgolfer]

If it's anything like the AC 66u, youll want to set a static IP before starting the flash

At least that's how I got it to work with the Asus firmware that isn't Merlin friendly using the restoration tool

 

[Kursah]

It's a dual-core version and a little more compared to the AC66U. I now own one of each.

There's a few critical steps to flashing the TMobil AC1900 to an Asus RT-AC68U, but using the restoration tool isn't one of them. Rather using restore mode is, and depending on firmware version there's half a dozen ways to get into it. I had to hold the WPS button with the power LED flashing fast with the initial shipped with my router TMobil firmware version, then hold the reset button until slow blink with the older firmware that allowed enabling SSH and Telnet to do the CFE ID migration.

Overall not a bad process...especially for saving $100 off of current pricing on Newegg and Amazon for an AC68U.

 

[SimpleTECH]

Same price at Tanga. Comes with some free magazine subscriptions.

 

[stinger608]

Every time I click the link @Kursah I get this on the browser: "www.t-mobile.com unexpectedly closed the connection."

Not sure what's going on there.

 

[Cybrnook2002]

Every time I click the link @Kursah I get this on the browser: "www.t-mobile.com unexpectedly closed the connection."

Not sure what's going on there.

Was going to post you the link, but seems the tmobile page for this is down. Perhaps the golden days are over...?

https://www.t-mobile.com/accessories/t-mobile-wi-fi-cellspot-router.html

It's here at the top right, but again, dead page:
https://www.t-mobile.com/TMOsearch/...design&i=1&page=1&q=&x1=category&q1=accessory

 

[Kursah]

Every time I click the link @Kursah I get this on the browser: "www.t-mobile.com unexpectedly closed the connection."

Not sure what's going on there.

Was up yesterday and earlier today. I'm sure it'll be back soon enough and I truly hope the sale is still on!

 

[Nordic]

I was tempted by this. That is a really good price and a step up from my ASUS RT‑AC56U which has merlinWRT. I don't really need wifi performance, but the extra range would be nice but not necessary. Awesome deal for those who want it though.

 

[jsfitz54]

Question: stock firmware = 3.0.04.376.2827
Trying to downgrade firmware.
Downloaded tm-ac1900_2.1.2.1_q2.bin (this is not a .trx file so it will not downgrade)

I'm having a hard time following the directions on https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=73690012&postcount=3895

What am I doing wrong?

 

[Cybrnook2002]

Question: stock firmware = 3.0.04.376.2827
Trying to downgrade firmware.
Downloaded tm-ac1900_2.1.2.1_q2.bin (this is not a .trx file so it will not downgrade)

I'm having a hard time following the directions on https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=73690012&postcount=3895

What am I doing wrong?

Here you go buddy, this is the T-Mobile firmware you need to downgrade to in order to enable telnet (ssh):

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7bql5t2xxu3cuc1/FW_TM_AC1900_30043761703.zip?dl=0

EDIT: Let me know once you got it, so I can remove the link.

 

[jsfitz54]

EDIT: Let me know once you got it, so I can remove the link.

Thank you. Got it.

 

[Kursah]

Fixed the link in the OP so that it goes to the updated URL, sale is still on folks! Get it while you can.

If you have issues, I'm sure @Cybrnook2002 and I would be more than happy to help!

 

[jsfitz54]

Deal is still going on, with WIFI40 promo code.

 

[Good3alz]

https://www.t-mobile.com/accessory/t-mobile-wi-fi-cellspot-router?color=black
still available!
$49.99 - $10 w/ promo code CPOROUT (applied in cart) = $39.99

Any issues ordering it, go incognito mode using Google Chrome.. and do not check the box for credit check, this is a 'cash sale' not a finance.