In general I like the upcoming NetMetal ax and L23UGSR-5HaxD2HaxD, as an alternative in Mikrotik's "custom LTE router" lineup...

But some feedback based on specs...

1. Any reason it does not support USB 3.0? This kinda limits it for use with high-speed LTE networks because of the USB bus speed with USB 2.0 (since CPU looks like it can handle CAT18+). And the LtAP, wAPacR, M33 all support USB 3.0 via miniPCIe, while these newer AX model don't. Perhaps the SoC doesn't have USB3 controller, dunno. But USB 2.0 is limiting (and annoying since often modem modules like Sierra/Telit come in USB 3.0 mode, so have to be switched before use)

2. Surprised it doesn't have an M.2 slot since that's what's need for most 5G modem modules these days. There just not a lot of newer LTE/5G modems in miniPCIe FF.

3. Voltage specs is <30 volts, so yet another model without 48V PoE. Dealing with all the different PoE specs is PITA, and since can't often mix 24V passive for uplink with 48V 802.11at APs on same switch (certainly not in Mikrotik's switch products, and mixed voltage switches rare elsewhere too).

4. A 2nd SIM slot like LtAP would have been nice. Or some eUICC/eSIM hardware on board be even better...

Summary: In my LTE use cases, we use wAPacR (with 16M flash) today, so IPQ-5010 on these models still be an upgrade... but just that it's annoying replacing those we lose 48V and USB 3.0, but get more flash, better processor, and AX. (And current LtAP and RBM33 for LTE are MIPS, so no BTH/ZT/container/etc, unlike the ARM).

Lack of 48V support is crazy, especially as the NetMetal ac2 does support 24-57V!

1. Any reason it does not support USB 3.0?

USB3.0 can kill 2.4GHz WiFi. USB2.0 can do up to (realistically) 400Mbps, which is not that bad either.

1. Any reason it does not support USB 3.0?

USB3.0 can kill 2.4GHz WiFi. USB2.0 can do up to (realistically) 400Mbps, which is not that bad either.

Fair point. But annoying since always some compromise to upgrade. I still have quite a few RB953s I'd like to upgrade, and still no decent replacement board. And the wAPacR have the 16MB flash problem and slower CPU, but do support USB 3.0 miniPCI modems.

I think more just bad combo of USB2 & miniPCIe, instead of having an M.2 slot. Higher category LTE/5G miniPCIe modems ship with USB3, and theoretically need USB3 speeds. And there not a lot of miniPCIe modems that support PCIe, most use the USB lines on miniPCIe header. While M.2 LTE/5G typically DO support the PCIe bus offered NetMetal-ax / L23 – in which case the USB port speed wouldn't matter.

So perhaps my bigger grip is the lack of the M.2 slot.

My only question is Wi-Fi power. I can't find if is still 30dbm.

Regards.

In my opinion, this is a TERRIBLE release by MikroTik. I've emailed them and have nearly mirrored these concerns with support. I'm vocal, and we all should be.

I've been asking them to create a "Pro" version of outdoor AX access points.

@normis

Also -- the 5Ghz radio in these appeared to be nerfed, or a typo... I've also asked MikroTik to review.

Wireless 2.4 GHz Max data rate 574 Mbit/s
Wireless 2.4 GHz number of chains 2
Wireless 2.4 GHz standards 802.11b/g/n/ax
Wireless 2.4 GHz chip model IPQ-5010
Wireless 2.4 GHz generation Wi-Fi 6
Wireless 5 GHz Max data rate 1200 Mbit/s
Wireless 5 GHz number of chains 2
Wireless 5 GHz standards 802.11a/n/ac/ax

The included Wireless chip - QCN-6102 should support bidirectional 2400Mbit/s.

Given that the previously released NetBox AX and mANTBox AX have the same QCN-6102 chip...
NetBox AX - L11UG-5HaxD-NB

@strods

and @normis

@normis

Lastly, this passive 24v-30v input makes us cry. This is not a direct replacement for existing NetMetal AC2's -- as they support 802af/at standard.

What happened to the days MikroTik allowed multiple powering options. We can pick either low voltage [24v], or just use standard 802af/at POE...

Their competitors no longer use 24volts.

This also limits network switching options, as we will need dedicated POE switching hardware to power these Access Points.

Perhaps MikroTik is looking to sell more of their own POE Switches. That is okay, however -they need to have the appropriate hardware. Chicken and egg scenario.

We are considering moving to alternative vendor for specific clients.... MikroTik fits niche market verticals. We only use MikroTik Wireless for specific use cases.

We need a NetMetal ax with m.2 slot/USB3.0 support and af/at PoE!!!

no we need any AX outdoor client

no we need any AX outdoor client

I'd imagine some wAPax is in the works. Technically, the NetMetal AX could be AX client FWIW.

Mainly wanted to highlight the lack of 48V PoE – that be a deal killer on some future outdoor AX client IMO, where standard 802.3at/af PoE be common.

And, if new routers are going to have some internal modem interface, in 2024, M.2 makes more sense - which avoid discussion of USB 2 vs USB 3 problem.

And no info about radio power...

1. Any reason it does not support USB 3.0?

USB3.0 can kill 2.4GHz WiFi. USB2.0 can do up to (realistically) 400Mbps, which is not that bad either.

Side note: as far as L23UGSR-5HaxD2HaxD is concerned, this is a non-issue.
Only 5GHz wifi.

2. Surprised it doesn't have an M.2 slot since that's what's need for most 5G modem modules these days. There just not a lot of newer LTE/5G modems in miniPCIe FF.

.
#metoo

... maybe ... a tremendous "MiniPCI-e-circuit-board-connector-leftover"
... or ... ... policy ... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
.

... maybe ... a tremendous "MiniPCI-e-circuit-board-connector-leftover"
... or ... ... policy ... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
.

Good find, that seems like good news. Perhaps they just compromised, for now(?), so they could get the AX part of a newer NetMetal / "RouterBoard" out. Placing a connector is different problem, than designing a whole board. And M.2 might require more testing on software side... Hopefully that's the story.

While my needs are LTE, the miniPCIe does mean it work with the LoRaWAN modules. And those modules are only miniPCI, so M.2 kinda screw you if you wanted LoRaWAN. Case for both, I guess.

Finally output power published. 27dBm for 2.4Ghz and 28dBm for 5Ghz. I expected 30dBm.

Regards.