ASUS TM-AC1900 Wireless-AC1900 Dual-Band Gigabit Router $38.75 + Free Shipping (Tax for some states)

DTN107

DTN107

Supreme [H]ardness
Joined
Jun 30, 2008
Messages
4,846
Source: Slickdeals

T-Mobile has ASUS TM-AC1900 Wireless-AC1900 Dual-Band Gigabit Router (Rebranded RT-AC68U) for $84.99 - 25% Off with promo code CUSTOMER25 - $25 with promo code ROUTER = $38.74. Shipping is free. Tax for some states.

***If you intend to flash it back to the stock ASUS firmware or some after-market firmware (DD-WRT, Merlin, Tomato, etc), be sure to read the guide in advance. Do not connect the stock router to the internet or it will auto-update to the latest T-Mobile firmware.
 
Great router. I got it alittle cheaper on slickdeals some time ago. Haven't tried to flash the firmware as it looks to be a tedious procedure.
 
Nebulous said:
Great router. I got it alittle cheaper on slickdeals some time ago. Haven't tried to flash the firmware as it looks to be a tedious procedure.
Click to expand...
the flashing isn't that tough, and the other firmwares are WAY better.

Will confirm: Have 2 of these from ~ a year ago, and it's a friggin tank.
 
Nebulous said:
Great router. I got it alittle cheaper on slickdeals some time ago. Haven't tried to flash the firmware as it looks to be a tedious procedure.
Click to expand...

You manage to get it cheaper that $38? Was it new or a refurb?
 
Guarana [BAWLS] said:
the flashing isn't that tough, and the other firmwares are WAY better.

Will confirm: Have 2 of these from ~ a year ago, and it's a friggin tank.
Click to expand...

I don't think its possible any longer to udpate these. However the stock firmware has been damn stable for me in bridge mode and even as back up router when I used it for a few days. I had it flashed prior and upgraded to latest ASUS firmware and the latest Asus firmware reverted me back to tombile firmware. So sort of a back stab, looks like ASUS f'ed over people. When that happened I was no longer able to revert back, I put it in recovery mode to downgrade firmware to flash again and nope! it was blocked as well. So I believe its no longer possible to downgrade these if they have or get flashed to latest stock firmware. I hated the fact that ASUS didn't fail the firmware update, but instead updated and I had no knowledge but flashed the latest tmobile firmware. T-mobile no longer supports these either so I am not sure why they would go out of their way to make sure these get flashed back if you update to latest asus firmware. I wanted to use the ASUS firmware to put this in Ai_mesh mode and needed latest asus firmware for that, suckers got me lol!
 
jmilcher said:
It's not so tedious actually. And it's a very solid router.
Click to expand...

latest firmware seems to brick the flashing process. Can no longer downgrade to flash older firmware. Also ASUS and Tmobile have screwed people, if you already have it flashed and update to latest Asus firmware you are screwed. Shit updates you to latest T-mobile firmware and you can't even downgrade. Happened to me. I didn't know it was the case, I had it flashed last year and it had been sitting there, decided I would use it as mesh router so updated to latest asus firmware and shit reverted me back to Tmobile firmware and recovery mode wont let you downgrade to older tmobile fimrware. But it still works good in bridge mode so I am using that for now.
 
NKD said:
latest firmware seems to brick the flashing process. Can no longer downgrade to flash older firmware. Also ASUS and Tmobile have screwed people, if you already have it flashed and update to latest Asus firmware you are screwed. Shit updates you to latest T-mobile firmware and you can't even downgrade. Happened to me. I didn't know it was the case, I had it flashed last year and it had been sitting there, decided I would use it as mesh router so updated to latest asus firmware and shit reverted me back to Tmobile firmware and recovery mode wont let you downgrade to older tmobile fimrware. But it still works good in bridge mode so I am using that for now.
Click to expand...
Yea I was just reading this before I pulled the trigger. The few I bought last year flashed easily. But I'll pass now, too risky.
 
jmilcher said:
Yea I was just reading this before I pulled the trigger. The few I bought last year flashed easily. But I'll pass now, too risky.
Click to expand...

Yea I ended up using it as a bridge. Its weird it plays much better with ASUS router in bridge mode then it did with netgear. I bought the x8 from amazon and it would disconnect here and there requiring reboot. The netgear router would shut off wireless portion randomly too, I did some research and looked like it was known issue with that model. But the Bridge mode disconnected with my older router too that finally died. Decided to send it back to amazon and grabbed the ROG AC_5300 router from frys, its a beast and apparently been 2 weeks now and its been working great in bridge mode without any drops. Have to admit the ROG AC 5300 with quad core processor, 1gig or ram and 8 ports is a beast in its own.
 
NKD said:
latest firmware seems to brick the flashing process. Can no longer downgrade to flash older firmware. Also ASUS and Tmobile have screwed people, if you already have it flashed and update to latest Asus firmware you are screwed. Shit updates you to latest T-mobile firmware and you can't even downgrade. Happened to me. I didn't know it was the case, I had it flashed last year and it had been sitting there, decided I would use it as mesh router so updated to latest asus firmware and shit reverted me back to Tmobile firmware and recovery mode wont let you downgrade to older tmobile fimrware. But it still works good in bridge mode so I am using that for now.
Click to expand...


Awshit. I was d/ling all the needed files to flash, but after this I ain't messing with it. Works great out the box tho for my needs. I'll just buy an official Asus router for my next upgrade.
 
Nebulous said:
Awshit. I was d/ling all the needed files to flash, but after this I ain't messing with it. Works great out the box tho for my needs. I'll just buy an official Asus router for my next upgrade.
Click to expand...

Yea if you are using it as a router. Honestly I felt that T-Mobile firmware had much better signal. I had the ASUS firmware flashed and when I update and it reverted back to T-Mobile firmware I noticed the signal strength had improved when i used it for a few days when my old router had died. I am just lucky it allows bridge mode, working solid with my new router. So made use of it otherwise it was sitting there anyways lol.
 
NKD said:
Yea if you are using it as a router. Honestly I felt that T-Mobile firmware had much better signal. I had the ASUS firmware flashed and when I update and it reverted back to T-Mobile firmware I noticed the signal strength had improved when i used it for a few days when my old router had died. I am just lucky it allows bridge mode, working solid with my new router. So made use of it otherwise it was sitting there anyways lol.
Click to expand...


Ahh, gotcha. yeah it works great with my LG & Samsung TV's along with the Amazon Fire Stick. No issues with my son's lappy either. Guess I'll just have to ride it as is ;)
 
It works okay as long as you flash Merlin instead of the stock Asus firmware. Newer versions of Merlin just take out the mesh part of the firmware. There are ways around it to make it stay as an Asus router. Merlin has been solid for me.
 
kirbyrj said:
It works okay as long as you flash Merlin instead of the stock Asus firmware. Newer versions of Merlin just take out the mesh part of the firmware. There are ways around it to make it stay as an Asus router. Merlin has been solid for me.
Click to expand...

Yea but as I mentioned its impossible to even flashback to the older tmobile firmware to get to merlin or asus firmware. If the routers have the newest firmware you are SOL. I haven't seen any new workarounds last I checked.
 
NKD said:
Yea but as I mentioned its impossible to even flashback to the older tmobile firmware to get to merlin or asus firmware. If the routers have the newest firmware you are SOL. I haven't seen any new workarounds last I checked.
Click to expand...

I believe there is a workaround to avoid getting the newest T-Mobile firmware. However once you get the T-Mobile firmware you are screwed.
 
Ocellaris said:
I believe there is a workaround to avoid getting the newest T-Mobile firmware. However once you get the T-Mobile firmware you are screwed.
Click to expand...

exactly thats my point. IF you udpate to the latest ASUS firmware you are screwed. Asus reverts you back to latest tmobile firmware automatically. Kinda fucked up. So if they ship with latest firmware or someone updates it, no going back.
 
NKD said:
exactly thats my point. IF you udpate to the latest ASUS firmware you are screwed. Asus reverts you back to latest tmobile firmware automatically. Kinda fucked up. So if they ship with latest firmware or someone updates it, no going back.
Click to expand...

Yeah I gotcha, I stopped using one of these as a router (wired only) when this started happening. I switched over to a ER-X from Ubiquiti and it’s freaking great, so at least I can thank ASUS for that...
 
les_garten said:
Can you just get it and put DD-WRT on it and be done with this nonsense?
Click to expand...

read the thread. Not that easy. Depends on what firmware it comes with. If they are on the latest fimware you are SOL
 
NKD said:
read the thread. Not that easy. Depends on what firmware it comes with. If they are on the latest fimware you are SOL
Click to expand...

I read it twice. So, it is likely that it comes with the latest firmware?
 
les_garten said:
I read it twice. So, it is likely that it comes with the latest firmware?
Click to expand...
not sure. As a router its fine, actually gives better range then asus firmware. But if you want to put third party firmware not sure if its risk worth taking. I had it flashed but I never used it. I plugged it in to update to latest asus firmware thinking I would get AiMesh functionality but Asus firmware flashed me back to latest tmobile firmware. Assholes!!! lol! This happened when I plugged it in to use it as back up for a few days while I researched what router I wanted next after my router took a dump. So I am using this as a bridge with ASUS ROG AC5300 router. If the stock tmobile fimware didn't allow bridge mode I would have no use for it.
 
NKD said:
not sure. As a router its fine, actually gives better range then asus firmware. But if you want to put third party firmware not sure if its risk worth taking. I had it flashed but I never used it. I plugged it in to update to latest asus firmware thinking I would get AiMesh functionality but Asus firmware flashed me back to latest tmobile firmware. Assholes!!! lol! This happened when I plugged it in to use it as back up for a few days while I researched what router I wanted next after my router took a dump. So I am using this as a bridge with ASUS ROG AC5300 router. If the stock tmobile fimware didn't allow bridge mode I would have no use for it.
Click to expand...


Is the customer25 code for T-Mobile customers only? I couldn't get it to add on?
 
I got this router but the Asus version.is this a bad router ? It's way better than my old Asus at least the range and it seemed to help alot with speeds of anything connected to Wi-Fi vs my old router..
 
Pivo504 said:
I got this router but the Asus version.is this a bad router ? It's way better than my old Asus at least the range and it seemed to help alot with speeds of anything connected to Wi-Fi vs my old router..
Click to expand...

Actually as a router this actually had a better range then asus firmware. I was pleasantly surprised. Using it as a bridge right now since I am a router whore and gotta have the best every few years lol.
 
DTN107 said:
You manage to get it cheaper that $38? Was it new or a refurb?
Click to expand...

i got the non t-mobile version for 19.99 on newegg last year (thanks to a pricing error). it was actually unsearchable on the site but still came up if you just clicked "wireless routers". the router it's self is a beast though, have had zero issues with it streaming 4k to my tv upstairs.
 
NKD said:
Yea but as I mentioned its impossible to even flashback to the older tmobile firmware to get to merlin or asus firmware. If the routers have the newest firmware you are SOL. I haven't seen any new workarounds last I checked.
Click to expand...
It is still possible afaik. Bought one 6 months ago and downgraded to install merlim.
 
panda70s said:
It is still possible afaik. Bought one 6 months ago and downgraded to install merlim.
Click to expand...

Trust me. It’s not. I have been to the boot menu and tried flashing back. It denied me. This was a month ago.
 
panda70s said:
Did you follow something like this?
https://www.bayareatechpros.com/ac1900-to-ac68u/
Click to expand...

Yep. Been around the block for a good while! lol, I don't know what else to say when the recovery menu literally said sorry can't flash back or something of that sort. Pretty much blocked me from flashing back. Not sure if its just my router or what, but certainly wont work for me so I am basing it off my experience. I had it flashed before until i tried updating to latest asus firmware which flashed me to latest tmobile firmware instead without warning me lol.
 
Last edited:
Ocellaris said:
Yeah I gotcha, I stopped using one of these as a router (wired only) when this started happening. I switched over to a ER-X from Ubiquiti and it’s freaking great, so at least I can thank ASUS for that...
Click to expand...

I did the same - mostly just because I wanted to mess around with the EdgeRouter a bit.

I use the Asus routers (I have an Asus one and a T-Mo flashed one) as APs now.

Sucks to hear these can't be easily flashed anymore. The process wasn't what I would call basic or easy, but it was doable.
 
MavericK said:
I did the same - mostly just because I wanted to mess around with the EdgeRouter a bit.

I use the Asus routers (I have an Asus one and a T-Mo flashed one) as APs now.

Sucks to hear these can't be easily flashed anymore. The process wasn't what I would call basic or easy, but it was doable.
Click to expand...

Yea was very doable before but now its too much crap. I am using mine as a bridge lol. Been working good at that.
 
I don't get router but how can you have a better router than this if your internet is called at 100 mega? I really only use my router when I'm at home to Wi-Fi thru my phone and tablet but the speeds are really good with this one compared to my asus old router
 
Pivo504 said:
I don't get router but how can you have a better router than this if your internet is called at 100 mega? I really only use my router when I'm at home to Wi-Fi thru my phone and tablet but the speeds are really good with this one compared to my asus old router
Click to expand...

I always said its a solid router whether you flash it or not. The tmobile stock fimrware actually has better range then asus stock firmware.
 
NKD said:
Yep. Been around the block for a good while!
Click to expand...
Dang, there are 650+ comments on that page. I'm sure you're sick of tinkerering with it but i saw this post...

JJ Wang says

2018/06/25 at 9:59 PM

I unboxed one today with 3108 firmware. Set out to install DD-WRT on it, but the instructions in the how-to failed to bring it into rescue/restoration mode. Holding down the reset button during power-on would not enable TFTP access. Editing the HTML in the GUI also would not enable telnet access. What finally worked was 1) holding down three buttons- reset, WPS, and wifi on/off – all at the same time 2) powering on 3) waiting a few seconds for fast blinking lights 4) releasing the WPS and wifi buttons, but still holding down reset, 5) as soon as 192.168.29.1 started answered pings, quickly visiting http://192.168.29.1/ to open the mini CFE uploader, 6) submitting the 1703 firmware, and waiting for upload success message 7) finally releasing the reset button. The rest of the how-to worked just fine.

T-Mobile has made it harder to modify the router, but it’s still possible.
 
Jim Kim said:
Dang, there are 650+ comments on that page. I'm sure you're sick of tinkerering with it but i saw this post...

JJ Wang says

2018/06/25 at 9:59 PM

I unboxed one today with 3108 firmware. Set out to install DD-WRT on it, but the instructions in the how-to failed to bring it into rescue/restoration mode. Holding down the reset button during power-on would not enable TFTP access. Editing the HTML in the GUI also would not enable telnet access. What finally worked was 1) holding down three buttons- reset, WPS, and wifi on/off – all at the same time 2) powering on 3) waiting a few seconds for fast blinking lights 4) releasing the WPS and wifi buttons, but still holding down reset, 5) as soon as 192.168.29.1 started answered pings, quickly visiting http://192.168.29.1/ to open the mini CFE uploader, 6) submitting the 1703 firmware, and waiting for upload success message 7) finally releasing the reset button. The rest of the how-to worked just fine.

T-Mobile has made it harder to modify the router, but it’s still possible.
Click to expand...


I actually got to that part where I submit the upload it gave me error no cant do. I got to cfe uploader part and it wont flash to old firmware. Haha. I don't need it though I am using it as a bridge. I have the ASUS AC_GT5300 as main router. This has been rock solid in bridge mode so far.
 
I've flashed 4 of these in the past week with the latest firmware that came out this month from asus. If you follow the guide exactly from Bay area tech pros you won't have any problems. I'm currently running them in a mesh network.
 
munkle said:
I've flashed 4 of these in the past week with the latest firmware that came out this month from asus. If you follow the guide exactly from Bay area tech pros you won't have any problems. I'm currently running them in a mesh network.
Click to expand...

Link to Bay are tech pros

I just skimmed read their guide and now I wonder about the last dozen of flashes I did a year ago with Merlin. Hopefully I can still apply the fix for the md5 partition.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top