I believe the setting up process of AiMesh should be similar with stock AiMesh setup process. Furthermore, I didn't have any asus router in spare to test the feature out in merlin mode.

Great!
Now using stock firmware because of AiMesh.

Im gonna flash Merlin on both my Asus later

Enjoy boss.

How was the latest Merlin firmware?

So far ok?

Planning to flash it too

just got my chinese unit of RT AC86. took me a while to setup because i missed the IPTV setting... so far so good yet, not sure if i should use to merlin firmware.

As for my use, it is stable.

If you're happy with the stock firmware, I mean, if it serves well, then you can stick with the stock firmware bro. If the stock is honda, then the merlin is bmw.

Merlin added some features which may be handy for some. But I stick with official firmware as it is slightly more stable to me.

There’s better VPN support and I found the temperature reading to be handy.

Merlin also comes with better fq_codel QoS but it is irrelevant for Unifi unless you’re still on Streamyx.

Of course, you can go full hardcore with ad block and many other features.

that bmw ride sounds interesting ok i try with stock firmware and observe longer first.

Sure mate. Enjoy with you new toy.

i like the idea of use phone app to turn off the wifi before going to sleep, and then next morning turn on the wifi by pressing the button. if i flash merlin will i able to do this?

The answer is yes. You can use the wireless scheduler to do this.

Go to wireless > professional > Enable wireless scheduler <<Click on time scheduling>>

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Then drag/select the time you wish the wireless band (let it be 2.4GHz or 5GHz) to be automatically turned off during the configured time. And yes, it works well.

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nice, the GUI actually very similar with asus stock firmware.

Yes. and as bro blacktubi quoted, asus-merlin allows to customize your router according to your own preferences. It also supports scripting and diversion & pixelserv (router level adblocking). The stock firmware is good. But merlin offers you over the edge to do anything you want with your router. I am quoting, "Merlin tend to fix and release security patches earlier than ASUS's engineer does".

now i am lazy to do too much customization to the router if it goes unstable then very likely i will flash to merlin

The stock firmware is good tbh. No worries. It is still secure compared to its competitor brands.

Wondering if anyone encounter setup issue with routers bought from Taobao?

I tried to setup mine, but it doesn't have the normal setup scree, the page with the "Quick Internet Setup"... only have the Automatic/Manual Setting etc.

Mind to show how the page looks like with the firmware version?

Was there a good 11.11 deal for this or nothing special ? Didn't really check

China set RMB 769

Anyone manage to setup NordVPN for AC86U router? Do i need flash to Merlin firmware? Thanks