New Flint 2 Vs GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) Wireless Range

Routers
1

I have a GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX),
my problem is Wi-Fi Range, will the “Flint 2” give me more Wi-Fi Range (distance from the router) than my current GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX)?

I just need a little bit more “Range” when I’m over at another apartment less than 75 ft from me.
(It’s Line of Site in Range)

TIA

2

GL GUI → Wireless. Try matching the settings between the two devices as best possible.

… otherwise you’re probably looking at the direct result of the differences in the device’s antenna.

3

I have both devices and get about 5dBm better coverage with the GL-AXT1800, which is a real surprise.

To be clear, that’s better coverage with the small travel router than the large, high spec Flint 2 (GL-MT6000).

At close range, the Flint 2 has better throughput, but at the limits of the range I’m getting significantly better speeds from the GL-AXT1800. As my office is far from the router, I have opted to put the Flint 2 back in its box and am back to using the GL-AXT1800.

4

Both set to the same country code?

5

Both were ordered directly from the GL.iNet EU store: https://store-eu.gl-inet.com/

I don’t see anywhere to change the country code in the GUI, and I haven’t made any modifications to /etc/config/wireless directly. Both are set to max TX power, and same bandwidth.

The Flint 2 is now sitting back in its box and I have gone back to using the GL-AXT1800 to cover my home.

edit: This is on 5Ghz.

6

That is not significant since the country code isn’t set beforehand.
You have to change it using luci

7

Why would I want to change the country code? What benefit would that provide?

8

To meet the legal requirements of your country.

9

What does that have to do with coverage range? (The topic of this thread)

10

Let me quickly summarize it by using ChatGPT:

The WiFi country code setting in a device impacts the coverage range primarily due to regulatory differences in various countries. These regulations govern the allowed frequency bands, transmit power, and channels that devices can use. Here’s how this relates to coverage range:

  1. Frequency Bands and Channels: Different countries permit different frequency bands for WiFi use. For example, the 2.4 GHz band is almost universally available, but the 5 GHz band may have varying availability and channel restrictions. Some countries may also have access to additional bands like 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E). Devices set to a specific country code will only use the frequency bands and channels allowed in that country.
  2. Transmit Power: Countries have different legal limits on the maximum transmit power of WiFi devices. A country code that allows higher transmit power could potentially offer a larger coverage range, as the signal can be broadcast more strongly.
  3. Interference Management: In densely populated areas or places with many wireless devices, certain channels might be overcrowded, leading to interference and reduced range. Country-specific settings help manage channel usage to minimize interference.
  4. Compliance with Local Regulations: Adhering to the local regulations is crucial for legal reasons and to ensure that the device doesn’t interfere with other services like radar operations, which might be using adjacent frequency bands.

If you compare devices against each other, the basic requirements must be identical. That’s why I asked whether both routers use the same country codes.

It may be that this is not a “standard setting” - but you still need to check it before making a comparison.

11

Both were using the same channel (44 in this case), though not both active at the same time of course.

12

So you should check in luci if they use the same transmit power.

13

Both were set to “Max” in the GUI. Does luci give additional values for max?

14

Yes, that’s why I wrote it :wink:

1 Like
15

@admon I pulled the Flint back out of the box and tested the luci setting:

Both devices are set to be 23 dBm which is the maximum. Both devices have the same country code DE.

I will say that in close range to the device, the Flint 2 gives better throughput. But when you are near the limits of the range, the Slate performs better. Perhaps this will be improved in a firmware update.

16

Hmm, can’t confirm that for my Flint2 or Flint. Using both with ‘DE’ as well.
Flint2 is a bit stronger most of the time.

Do you use the DFS channels?

But when you are near the limits of the range

About what distance do we talk here? :smile:

17

-80dBm as measured by my phone, and -85dBm for the Flint 2.

Must be unlucky I guess! The Slate performs perfectly so I’m happy enough. And thanks to you suggesting I check out Luci (which I didn’t know about before), I’ve now made some nice security improvements to my network. So thank you :+1: