Router recommendation for OpenWRT?

[raaron773]

Hi,

I own an old TP-Link AC1200 gigabit router and it doesn't support OpenWRT. I am looking for a decent WiFi gigabit router under Rs.3000/- which supports latest stable OpenWRT.
Any recommendations ?
I have checked the forums and all I see is that TP-Link A6 and TP-Link C6 are the most recommended ones.
Can someone explain the difference between these two and if there's any new router in the market which offers better specs and has openwrt support? I would really appreciate it. Thank you!

 

[MrGordon]

Mi Router 4A Gigabit @ Rs 1499 or less, same hardware as the Archer C6/A6.

Supports OpenWRT and flashing is easy.

 

[raaron773]

Will it work though?
The openwrt website says that it has various models with different cpus and also has a v2 which don't work from here
Xiaomi website says their firmware is already based on openwrt does it mean I won't have to flash the firmware?

 

[nishantt6969]

Flashing is not easy.

 

[raaron773]

It's not? I mean, How difficult is it compared to flashing custom roms on cellphones?

 

[nishantt6969]

Go through van tech corner's YouTube video once and decide yourself.

 

[MrGordon]

Indian version is pretty easy, I did the other day. Piece of cake.

You basically run a script, which enables telnet and after that just download and flash OpenWRT. Hardly takes 15-30 min.

 

[raaron773]

This is it right? Looks pretty straight forward imho. clone the repo, run the python program, add details, start ftp and telnet sessions and run a couple of commands. I already use Linux so I guess I don't have to worry about using windows and the warning for it. The website even has a video guide which is pretty cool neat ngl.
Considering the cost of the router i.e. Rs,1,499/- I honestly wouldn't mind playing a bit with it and even if it gets bricked permanently it won't be a huge loss and I would be okay with it. Thank you for warning me though @nishantt6969

 

[MrGordon]

Yep, that’s the one. For the Indian version, FTP may not work but you can either directly download to the router or should be able to just SCP it if SSH works.

There’s a more detailed guide in the OpenWRTInvasion repo for firmware version 3.10.18 (Indian firmware)

 

[Deleted member 83050]

@MrGordon I am planning to get Mi 4A router. You said that it's hardware specs are same as archer c6. How's the stock performance when comparing both routers side by side? I have read that openwrt has a lot of range issues with archer c6.