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

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Groves look a little bit 80s and outdated, the smooth one is a bit sleeker.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

Holberk · 2022-08-25T03:22:31.211Z

I have the Beryl and Flint and am happy with your products - great job!

Some improvements I’d like to see:

Travel router: make the switch on the side (it being programmable is awesome btw) better. Right now, it doesn’t click into place and feels a little cheap.
Gli Net GUI: generally clean and good nfunctions. For the VPN policy, I’d like to see custom lists (IPSET) or top level domain exemption, as I live in China and VPN significantly slows down Chinese websites like wechat or online shopping to the point of becoming unusable.
Travel router: make a travel case that’s inexpensive and fits perfectly. I’ve seen some on Taobao, but the price is too high for what you get.
Travel router: give the LED a (software) on/off switch. It’s so bright that it illuminates the hotel room at night.

Thanks!

razor225 · 2022-08-25T09:27:46.332Z

A MT7986A would be so much better and all ports should be 2.5gbps

elorimer · 2022-08-25T13:00:37.215Z

razor225:

and all ports should be 2.5gbps

Not where I would put money for a travel router, until we get WG speeds past 1gbps. I haven’t been in a travel location where the internet service was above 500mbps either.

SmurfonToast · 2022-08-25T23:45:59.400Z

It seems to me, looking at the original query and the subsequent comments (which include many suggestions for what people, really really want (apologies to the Spice Girls), that if GLiNET are serious about soliciting feedback and suggestions for a “Travel Router” from their (mostly existing) customer-base (here), they would do better asking about (or polling) “What do you want in a Travel Router” rather than whether the thing has grooves or not.

Essentially “grooves/no grooves” is a cosmetic issue and whilst “the aesthetics” (with potentially a ventilation function) certainly plays a part in the design, in my view asking folks “select in order of preference, your top 5 attributes of a travel router from this list of ten items”, provides a far higher level of customer engagement.

I was reminded the other day about a Steve Jobs (no affiliation ) speech in which he (paraphrasing) says start with what the customer WANTs and then “Engineer” the product to match, not the other way around.

Here is an example list, culled from the feedback above: Size, Weight, Shape (here’s looking at you LupusE…), Power Brick Size, Ruggedness, Fan/No-Fan (like TP Link’s AC750), Wifi Speed, # of Ethernet Ports, Ease of Setup in Hotel Environments, User-Defined Buttons, (Easily) Customisable Lights (not necessarily using LUCI, but in the standard menu) etc…

I would not include items such as customisable fan cut-in and cut-out temperatures as this may affect the warranty.

Just my observation on any given Friday…

k.