Renew with PlusNet Unlimited Fibre Extra or move to...?

fifthofwhisky

Has anyone jumped to HyperOptic? They seem to offer a lot of bang for the buck on fibre only deals, including excellent upload speeds. Reality or hype(roptic)?.

matelodave

They are probably OK but only where they offer a service. I've got BT FTTP but Hyperoptic dont offer a service where I live

JJ_Egan

As above not many areas covered compared to BT / OR FTTP .

fifthofwhisky

Thanks for everyone's inputs. I just ordered BT Full Fibre 100. Was really tempted by VM though cannot take a risk on unknowns around congestion/latency. Will look again at my next renewal. 

fifthofwhisky

Currently, I'm using an Asus RT-AC66U router and would like to upgrade when my BT fibre is installed early next month. I've been looking at the Asus RT-AC68U as an option. As I understand this router can run VPN quite well and there are also various firmware options available to flash upgrade (which I tend to do). I have a preference for Asus routers though will consider other options. More gig ports are always better for me. Not wanting to spend 'hundreds' though I do tend to keep such equipment for several years so want something that will go the distance (reliability and performance). Any suggestions, please? 

[Deleted User]

fifthofwhisky said:

Currently, I'm using an Asus RT-AC66U router and would like to upgrade when my BT fibre is installed early next month. I've been looking at the Asus RT-AC68U as an option. As I understand this router can run VPN quite well and there are also various firmware options available to flash upgrade (which I tend to do). I have a preference for Asus routers though will consider other options. More gig ports are always better for me. Not wanting to spend 'hundreds' though I do tend to keep such equipment for several years so want something that will go the distance (reliability and performance). Any suggestions, please? 

The RT-AC68U is an excellent router, it is however a bit long in the tooth at 5 years old now but probably still powerful enough for slow broadband up to 100 mbps. It won't have some future proof features like Wifi 6 and is only 3x3 MIMO which probably doesn't matter right now but when you get your next round of mobile phone / laptop upgrades it might feel a bit behind the times.

One good thing with sticking with Asus is that you will be able to repurpose the RT-AC66U as an Aimesh node with your new router - as long as it is the B1 model.

Also the Merlin firmware and other open source options are available.

Personally I'd go for at least the RT-AC86U if you want to spend a little extra - much better performance and only £130 ish.

fifthofwhisky

Thanks. I think I meant to type 86 and not 68! Is there merit with the 88 over the 86? I can stretch on budget.

[Deleted User]

fifthofwhisky said:

Thanks. I think I meant to type 86 and not 68! Is there merit with the 88 over the 86? I can stretch on budget.

Hard to say, I do know a bit about them because I'm a Asus Router fanboy but I'll defer to a good review online comparing them:
https://www.mbreviews.com/asus-rt-ac86u-vs-rt-ac88u/

Pro's for the 86:

• The 86 actually has a newer more powerful chipset than the 88 so better if using features like VPN, AiProtection and QoS
  
• The 86 is 2 years newer
• £70ish cheaper than the 88
• Takes up less 'desk' space - vertical box instead of the horizontal of the 88

Pro's for the 88:

• 8 ethernet ports instead of 4
• Faster wifi than the 86 at the top end achieving 1Gbps vs about 800mbps in test but might about the same for "real world" usage
• 4 external aerials
• Can wall mount if required

Both really good, but being a Money Saving forum I probably therefore should advise the 86 and invest the money saved in your pension or property   

fifthofwhisky

[Deleted User] said:

fifthofwhisky said:

Thanks. I think I meant to type 86 and not 68! Is there merit with the 88 over the 86? I can stretch on budget.

Hard to say, I do know a bit about them because I'm a Asus Router fanboy but I'll defer to a good review online comparing them:
https://www.mbreviews.com/asus-rt-ac86u-vs-rt-ac88u/

Pro's for the 86:

• The 86 actually has a newer more powerful chipset than the 88 so better if using features like VPN, AiProtection and QoS
  
• The 86 is 2 years newer
• £70ish cheaper than the 88
• Takes up less 'desk' space - vertical box instead of the horizontal of the 88

Pro's for the 88:

• 8 ethernet ports instead of 4
• Faster wifi than the 86 at the top end achieving 1Gbps vs about 800mbps in test but might about the same for "real world" usage
• 4 external aerials
• Can wall mount if required

Both really good, but being a Money Saving forum I probably therefore should advise the 86 and invest the money saved in your pension or property   

Thanks. The 8 ports of the 88 are appealing though overall the 86 is probably the better choice.

fifthofwhisky

Deleted_User said:

One good thing with sticking with Asus is that you will be able to repurpose the RT-AC66U as an Aimesh node with your new router - as long as it is the B1 model.

It is the B1 model. Will look into this potential. Thanks again.