Speed-wise, C1200 max out around 200-300mbps. While Tenda AC18 can get around 400-500mbps.

The following routers below should be able to exceed 500mbps:

Smallnetbuilder router rank

Intel AC 3165 is too old and only 1x1, max around 200 mbps.

I also use intel AC 9260. It supports MU-MIMO and 160 MHz channel width, which is beneficial with upcoming AX routers

Mine yesterday unable to detect external HDD/SSD. Then I disconnect a device connected via cable, reboot, and it works again. I guess it might not be able to provide enough power to the USB port when more than 1 LAN ports are used. FYI the device uses USB Gigabit LAN adapter and I'm using stock Tenda firmware if that matters.

Anyone experiences the same problem?

I may have to connect that device via Wifi, or buy a cheap Gigabit switch, or try using a powered USB Hub.

No firmware download from Tenda Malaysia's website, but there's one firmware update from Tenda Global's website:

https://www.tendacn.com/en/product/download/AC18.html

No idea weather it will solve your problem. There's no changelog at all

This post has been edited by taqu: May 13 2019, 07:50 PM

Managed to get USB HDD working again. I think it's faster than other routers in similar price range, which is one of the reason why I bought Tenda AC18. 50MB/s read speed & 30MB/s write speed

Unplug my Windows tablet from the router (previously connected on Port 2 I think). Then I plug the HDD. Then reboot. I did this 2-3 times before the HDD finally works. Test via SMB.

I just noticed that Tenda AC18 finally has a Tomato build, albeit in beta:

https://www.linksysinfo.org/index.php?threa...19-09-29.74917/

Who knows if Tomato-powered AC18 may perform even better than my current Tomato-powered D-Link DIR868L? Highly tempting to try out

This post has been edited by taqu: Oct 15 2019, 07:07 PM

1. Disable Wifi on VR1200v

2. On Tenda AC18, don't setup Internet Settings, just setup Wifi, and put a fix IP

Great. Tons of features.

Probably true for Tenda AC18 as the beta Tomato still new. My D-Link DIR-868L also has slightly reduced Wifi strength but CTF works.

Merlin/Koolshare is more popular but there's risk of brick & legality issue running Asus-based firmware on non-Asus router.

I believe the main reason Wifi strength on Tomato firmwares always weaker is bcoz Broadcomm doesn't provide source for their Wifi drivers, so Tomato developers have to work with binary drivers, meaning guessworks & unable to find things like how to properly turn on the Wifi power amp. But still as router, I really like what they have done. Plus most features can be done in simple GUI without needing CLI. CTF, iptables, dnsmasq, DNSSEC, DNS over TLS, dual WAN, syslog to remote server, adblock, QOS, VLAN, wide DDNS support, Samba server, 4G USB modem support, access restriction, basic bandwidth/ network monitoring, VPN server (on some models), features you can already find in SOHO routers eg Mikrotik/Ubiquiti. Kudos to them for providing these for free.

I don't use my router as Wifi AP so weak Wifi is not an issue.

I believe Merlin has access to Asus source code for Wifi drivers, hence great Wifi performance on Merlin firmwares.

This post has been edited by taqu: Nov 2 2019, 10:27 AM

So many Merlin users here, anyone use Fresh Tomato firmware?