ASUS WL-520gC 125 HSM Wireless Router 802.11b/g up to 54Mbps/ DD-WRT Open Source support

Pros: Works exactly like I wanted. Upgraded factory firmware to DD-WRT and everything works, on both units that I purchased. If you want DD-WRT, this is the unit to buy. very low cost and feature-full. (after going with DD-WRT). I have a $496 Sonicwall that does not do what this can do. Praise, praise praise after this point. Dyndns.org works opendns.com works. everything. LOVING IT!!

Cons: Firmware is too 'up to date' so, I had to downgrade ASUS firmware from 2.0.1.1 to 2.0.0.6 in order to get the "dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic.bin" to load via web interface. This took some trial and error, but it did work. To do this, rename the ASUS firmware from "WL520gc_2.0.0.6_EN.trx" to "WL520gc_2.0.1.2_EN.trx". Then, after rebooting, upload the "dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic.bin" and reboot. WORKS!

Overall Review: You will not find a more feature-rich, inexpensive solution to your routing needs than this one... I would compare it to something that would cost me more than $1000 to replace, if purchased at retail. Again, I've done this to 2 of the routers I've purchased from newegg, and both are thriving. Check out the benefits of dd-wrt. You'll be amazed.

Pros: You can flash this router to DD-WRT using the web interface from the standard ASUS firmware! No need to use a third-party software utility. Simple design, removable antenna, looks good. Smaller power transformer than the Linksys I had.

Cons: 2mb of flash ram so you'll need to use the 'lite' version of DD-WRT but not really a con unless you need a LOT of router settings and options. You need to downgrade the firmware that comes on the router in order to flash to DD-WRT. You'll need ASUS 2.0.0.8 or earlier.

Overall Review: Very easy to flash to DD-WRT. 1. Hook Up Router 2. Download 2.0.0.8 or earlier firmware from ASUS and rename it to a later version (2.0.1.2) 3. Flash the router to the 2.0.0.8 firmware (which you just renamed 2.0.1.2) and let it reboot. 4. Download the 'Micro-Generic' version of DD-WRT. 5. Flash the router using the web interface to DD-WRT - the router should reboot by itself. 6. Configure and you're done!

Pros: Easy to set up with standard firmware. Can install DD-WRT (but only the micro version). Very cheap!

Cons: Only has 2 mb of flash memory for the firmware. This means you can't install Tomato, larger versions of DD-WRT, or other larger firmware. I was slightly disappointed by this, but I guess I should have done my research a bit better.

Overall Review: I've only used it for a few days so far, but I wanted to let people know the compatibility with other firmware out there.

Pros: I purchased this to run DD-WRT. Looking at the default ASUS firmware, it wasn't bad, but I didn't leave it on there long. After flashing it, DD-WRT is far superior to any default router firmware I've seen. Graphs of bandwidth used. Ability to define the firewall in any manner you want. Pretty much able to do anything you want.

Cons: DD-WRT-flashed: Doesn't seem to want to update with Firefox, I used Konqueror and that worked. Supposedly, it's only Firefox that has the problem, so I won't mark it down on that. Also, you have to use the micro version of DD-WRT, which isn't bad, but lacks some of the features, if you need those, probably the WL-520gU is what you want.

Overall Review: Flashing DD-WRT Procedure that worked for me: On Asus' site locate firmware 2.0.0.8, download this and change the filename, so that the name would reflect version to 2.0.1.1, then flash the firmware. (Make SURE to get the English version) On DD-WRT, go to the supported hardware, type in asus, then grab the _micro_generic from the listed. I renamed it from .bin to .trx, but you may not have to do this. After it reboots, go to Factory Defaults, and clear it that way. (As newegg's listing claims support for it, I figured I'd elaborate, to help anyone else who buys it for this reason.)

Pros: For non-technical users, stock firmware is adequate. For us techies, DD-WRT option is terrific. Supports a plethora of features; from WDS to RADIUS to advanced filtering to (essentially) ACLs to VLANs to advanced bridging to HTTP redirection to custom scripts to telnet access to, well, need I go on? This router should be far more than adequate for any home network. I would even use it in a business setting (had I the need.) I've had absolutely no problems with dropped connections as others have claimed, this piece of hardware is freaking solid. Above all this, the price is terrific!

Cons: Well, it is restricted to micro DD-WRT. Although I knew that going in, so it just barely registers as a con. Try as I might, I can come up with no other grievances with this product.

Overall Review: Pay no heed to the nubs who either brick the router, can't figure out how to install DD-WRT, or who don't understand the advanced feature set of DD-WRT. (Especially when they claim their tech level as "high".... I mean really?!) You need to be aware that you MUST rollback the firmware to 2.0.0.8 before upgrading the firmware to DD-WRT. I'll also note that firmware updates sometimes have a tendency of failing if you attempt them via wireless, so use a hard-line for this procedure. Simply head on over to SillyChicken for a detailed guide on upgrading the firmware to DD-WRT. The guide on DD-WRT's site is not quite thorough enough for this model. On a side note, I'm happy to see ASUS expanding their market-base to networking hardware, they are a terrific brand offering respectable products at extremely reasonable prices.

Pros: Cheap, Great signal and distance, reliable, removable antenna, 9v, supports wpa2 aes, Flash's to DD-WRT in under 5 min using asus recovery tool.

Cons: none, I guess only uses dd-wrt micro but for the price that is expected.

Overall Review: I flashed these to DD-Wrt then set them up so that they were used as WAP's(wireless acess points). For the price these are much cheaper than most other WAPs, and they have a built in switch. Did not use DHCP, NAT, or routing cabablities of these boxes. I used 10 of these to cover over 150,000 square feet of warehouse space with wifi. Bought $30 9v POE (Power Over Ethernet) adapters (from an online auction site) for these so I did not have to run power to the ceiling of the warehouse. At $60 for the unit and power adapters these were still about $40 cheaper than buying a WAP with POE built in, and DD-WRT provides more features, and has a built in switch. Most people say you have to downgrade the firmware, but if you put he box in recovery mode and use the asus recovery tool you can flash this thing in minutes, which is good because I had to do it to 10 of these.

Pros: runs DD-WRT (micro) semi-straightforward to install DD-WRT inexpensive small / light (good for travel router) makes a *really* inexpensive bridge

Cons: stock antenna not as good as the one that came on the 'U' version of this router. Current version of the firmware needs to be dropped back to an earlier version in order to flash DD-WRT

Overall Review: 1) go to asus.com - get 2.0.0.8 or earlier. 2) rename the "version" part of the filename to be something larger than whatever's currently on your new router 3) firmware update, pointing at the "looks like newer" firmware 4) firmware update, using dd-wrt micro (no need to use the special for-asus TRW file) 5) setup dd-wrt

Pros: Purchased two of these. Loaded DD-WRT on both and setup one as a router and the other as a bridge for the XBox 360 & PS2.

Cons: DD-WRT can be a bit tricky to load. Would be nice if the manufacturer made it easier to use an alternative firmware.