Asus RT-N66U vs Asus RT-AC66U; +3rd party firmware (tomato/dd-wrt/etc)

[KingGheedora]

I want to replace my older router with one that will last me the next 4 or more years. This is for a home network with high speed internet (50mbps, possibly faster in the future).

Two people in the house, so several devices connecting over wifi:
2 laptops
2 phones (one of which claims to support 802.11 ac, the other supports N)
gaming console
printer
2 ebook readers

(+ a handfull of wired devices)

We are in an apartment so the range doesn't have to be super amazing.

I also want to be able to VPN into this from outside, and I have wanted to try out Tomato or DDWRT for years but my old router didn't support it so I never got the chance. I want the new one to support one of these.

So it looks like the N66U fits the bill, but i was thinking the AC66U might be more future proof, as well as faster. The downside is the support for the AC66U on tomato and ddwrt is limited right now (I think 5ghz band isn't supported, or something). It's still being worked on, but it looks like with that device there is a risk that it might ever be fully supported.

There seem to be also be more complaints about the AC66U in the small net builder forums. Some people claim issues with Android devices, and specifically with the Galaxy S series (one of which I have).

What do you think I should get?

 

[airosah]

I have played around with both of these models with both DD-WRT and Tomato and the RT-N66U Tomato is hands down a better more stable unit. The AC66U is really in experimental mode and not functional enough to be a gateway for most people especially in regards to VPN. It seems DD-WRT cracks VPN every other build.

Tomato on the other hand I have never had a VPN issue, OpenVPN actually works and I really prefer the interface and general ease of use.

I did the flashing myself but my cousin just bought a RT-N66U pre-flashed with Tomato. He said he had an issue with VPN setup, sent them a message and they pretty much answered it in minutes which is nice to hear. I remember when I used to try and call Cisco in the old days for support. They just kept telling me to reset it like that fixes their buuggy, garbage firmware.

Hope that helps you out.