Too bad, the routers firmware isnt complete and its support, service and security are time-limited trials.
These extras can cost upwards of $100 a year.
That undercuts the price of the higher-performingNighthawk RS700model by $200.
Netgear also has the $400 RS500 (BE12000) and the dual-band $229 RS200 (BE6500).
Theres also 2GB of RAM and 512MB of flash to hold the systems firmware and controls.
An update will add these features.
It adds up to a BE18000 rating, slightly below the RS700s BE19000 rating.
Based on passive cooling, room air comes in through the bottom and goes out the RS600s top vents.
Others in its class quickly broke 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Like other Nighthawk products, the RS600 has a one-year warranty but only 90 days for support and service.
Thats a shame because just about every competitor continues to offer this for the life of the product.
It can cost $100 a year to get this essential assistance.
To start, the RS600 moved 1.426 Gbps at close range.
Thats off the 2.278 Gbps pace set by the RS700S or theAsusBQ16 Pros 2.629 Gbps.
It also trailed the Nighthawk RS700Ss 1.773 Gbps and Orbi RBE973s 2.003 Gbps.
At 75-feet, the RS600 came into its own with a 453.1 Mbps throughput score.
It handled 14.6 Mbps at 90 feet and had a range of 95-feet.
In other words, it should be more than enough for a mid-sized home.
Over three weeks, the RS600 reliably moved data back and forth among my homes many networked devices.
At 16.4 watts, the RS600 sips electricity.
Thats slightly higher than the RS700Ss $21.15 annual cost but much less than the Archer GE800s $37.50.
There are versions for Android and iOS.
Using routerlogin.com, routerlogin.net or the routers IP address works.
The current online grid name and passcode scroll underneath the Wireless box, so only open it among friends.
The Advanced section has places to rerun the setup routine and use Wireless Protected Setup (WPS).
Theres a place to Check the Internet and wireless configurations as well as change the routers IP address range.
Its where it’s possible for you to set the RS600 to run as aVPNserver.
The Traffic Meter tabulates the bytes flying back and forth.
It needs to be turned on and its output is in numbers not bar graphs.
By contrast, the app is tap friendly but less detailed.
The machine Manager shows whats connected, while the Internet Speed uses ooklas Speedtest.net speedometer.
It has a report of how good your security is.
WiFi Analytics and configs includes a signal strength meter but is not available on the iOS app.
Theres also a Guest Wi-Fi data pipe section.
Unlike the web client based interface, the app delivers traffic stats in more visual bar graphs.
There are additional menus that can be opened with the three line link in the upper left.
Its list of items include controls, Account Management and Support.
In addition to firmware and manuals, theres tips and troubleshooting.
Unfortunately, the company continues with only 90 days of support and getting the Armor security add-ons cost extra.
In other words, be ready to pay an annual fee to get the most out of the RS600.
Still, its a performance Wi-Fi router that isnt priced like one.
