We need your opinion for the next generations of our travel router

Blobbie01 · 2022-08-04T08:47:11.336Z

I personally like the grooves, it adds some character😄

However, most people will rarely even see the router. Making it fully flat is more practical, easier to clean, ability to add labels etc.

If the grooves doesn’t add anything except for style, they have no real purpose & would only be a (mild) annoyance to some users.

jdub · 2022-08-04T13:41:25.101Z

Frame this a different way - what’s cheaper? As an aesthetic it’s fine either way, but I certainly wouldn’t pay any extra to have the grooves.

LupusE · 2022-08-04T14:35:49.704Z

A lot of people in my daily environment are not able to abstract the function from the layout. It starts with a newsletter for our customers (layout and text), goes over marketing material (item and color) and ends somewhere nearby strategy questions about the business application (database and front end).

If I’d be asked ‘what design is better?’, than I think the person is trying to design a portable case, that big enough for much power and small enough to fit.
I don’t think 'this person is responsible for my 5 GHz WIFI drop, when I stand 5 m away at 270° from the front of the router … Maybe this particular issue, and other routing related questions, will be asked later. I hope by the responsible person.

As far as I know, in the manufacturing process it won’t be a impact to print something easy on the surface. Design pattern or company name. So I believe it is just ‘what is nicer to see’.

Maybe someone can imagine a dildo-shape would be better, because the cigar box design is too clumpy in the luggage?
Maybe a standing tube design can get 4 antenna for better MIMO behavior (if this will be supported by the WLAN card).

If the question about the ‘grooves’ doesn’t groove, why can we discuss about other form factor, but instead demand zero bugs?

Please, GL.iNet folks, don’t take my comment too serious. I don’t know how I should explain a dildo shaped electronic device with antennas to the TSA.

panpan · 2022-08-04T17:30:02.861Z

We will make decision based on the voting result by the end of this week. If you haven’t voted yet, please act fast. The reason that we come out with the poll for the two designs is we don’t want the new router looks “boring”. It really depends on user’s preference, and at the end, we want the new look to boost more sales.

defibos · 2022-08-04T21:32:56.528Z

simpler is better, flat surface with no grooves
and easier to clean the dust

him · 2022-08-05T02:49:31.002Z

I like that the groves differentiate it as next generation. Maybe using a “subtle” colour on the inside of the antenna or just a logo/decal for example could be an idea if you want to differentiate different generations…

I am not really fussed about design but more about the software and fixing bugs though

tjkent88 · 2022-08-05T02:55:01.223Z

I would like to see a more rugged travel router, something that could withstand high ambient temperatures, possibly waterproof. Like a toughbook but in travel router form.

gjames · 2022-08-05T15:42:04.268Z

Groves look a little bit 80s and outdated, the smooth one is a bit sleeker.

beniamin · 2022-08-07T01:49:09.481Z

Agreed. The smooth looks so much better / cleaner.

lama · 2022-08-07T13:23:19.307Z

i like any Fanless router design with more of built-in Heatsink

You guys should stress test router and at the same time, still keep it Cool (temperature-wise). Now that will be cool cool

onebag · 2022-08-08T06:11:38.432Z

Echoing mostly the same.
Went from Slate to Opal, but less weight/volume would be great.
Slim, sleek, light.
Little ports and no pattern if it doesn’t serve any function.

panpan · 2022-08-08T06:40:55.620Z

panpan:

Design A - No pattern on the top

We made our decision. Thanks for the opinions!
More details about this new product are yet to come! Stay turned!

panpan · 2022-08-08T06:41:36.706Z

beniamin · 2022-08-08T22:34:29.614Z

Do tell. What did you pick?

LupusE · 2022-08-09T07:37:13.113Z

“We” picked Design A.
Since this is my vote, too, did I won?

asdffdsa1122 · 2022-08-09T12:41:43.734Z

just got my new axt1800 and here are my constructive comments.
that travel routers should

— run cool.
the axt1800 runs VERY hot, perhaps too hot.
as a result, might not be suitable for continuous use as a home router, unless i add ventilation.

— small size.
my ar750s-ext, is about a large as a travel router should be.
but with the axt1800, about the size of my raspberry pi4, with case, and ssd,

— small power supply size.
the provided power supply is way too large for the given output.

— lightweight.
the axt1800 is much heavier than ar750s-ext and then add weight for power supply.

so will make it difficult to travel with axt1800,
i think i will be forced to continue to use my old ar750s-ext.

panpan · 2022-08-09T13:39:00.689Z

We decided Design A - no pattern.

panpan · 2022-08-09T13:41:24.340Z

We modify the fan settings in the new firmware, and theoretically it will significantly help ventilation.

asdffdsa1122 · 2022-08-09T13:50:45.982Z

@panpan, thanks for the quick update.

— so the axt1800 has an internal fan?
— which firmware version has the fix?
— is there a way to tweak the fan speed, without having to install firmware?
perhaps very the command line or luci?

LupusE · 2022-08-09T14:10:57.199Z

Yes, the Slate AX (ATX1800) got a internal fan. My Slate AX goes handwarm, nothing to worry.

There is /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone[0-5]/ …
You can get the temp with cat /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone[0-5]/temp and there are more files. When I remembering right one for the fan threshold …
But be aware that a wrong setting can lead to a permanent damage. Take a look at the values first, don’t expect the displayed °C are accurate. Sometimes there is a offset needed.