AX1800/AX1500 Compatibility and AP/Extender Modes

[ZtuNZeeD]

We purchased a Nighthawk AX1800 (MK62)(MR60) router with 1 (MS60) satellite extender back in August 2020 and just this year we installed a surveillance system that required a direct connection to a router or access point. So we did the most obvious thing we could think of and hooked up our satellite to it. It works great, but now we have a dead zone in the area where we used to have the satellite. 

I've been shopping around for extra satellites and I finally found a decent deal on a Nighthawk AX1500 (MK6W-100NAS)(MR60) with 2 (MS60) satellite extenders, thinking they would be compatible, but now I'm starting to have second thoughts about whether or not they are. The respective product pages on Netgear.com make it seem like these are all going to be the same models and the User Manual URLs bring up the identical document(s): 

AX1800 (MK62):

• Mesh WiFi 6 Router (MR60) : Dimensions: 4.8 x 4.8 x 2.5 in, Weight: 0.63lb
• Mesh WiFi 6 Satellites (MS60) : Dimensions: 4.8 x 4.8 x 2.5 in, Weight: 0.63lb

AX1500 (MK6W):

• Mesh WiFi 6 Router (MR60) : Dimensions: 4.8 x 4.8 x 2.5 in, Weight: 0.63lb
• Mesh WiFi 6 Satellites (MS60) : Dimensions: 4.8 x 4.8 x 2.5 in, Weight: 0.63lb

I also wanted to ask about how I would go about using the extra (MR60) router as an Access Point or an Extender.

[michaelkenward]

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@ZtuNZeeD wrote:

I also wanted to ask about how I would go about using the extra (MR60) router as an Access Point or an Extender.

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Access Point might work, but not extender or repeater mode.

• Advanced Setup
• Wireless AP

MK Mesh routers don't have a wifi repeater (bridge) mode.

The MS60s should just connect to the existing MR60, although you may have to get them on the same firmware for the connection.

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I've been shopping around for extra satellites and I finally found a decent deal on a Nighthawk AX1500 (MK6W-100NAS)(MR60) with 2 (MS60) satellite extenders, thinking they would be compatible

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Is MK6W a typo? The two satellite model should be MK63.

[FURRYe38]

https://kb.netgear.com/000063029/Which-Nighthawk-Mesh-products-are-compatible-with-the-Nighthawk-Tri...

https://kb.netgear.com/000061709/Where-should-I-place-the-Mesh-WiFi-satellite-of-my-Nighthawk-Mesh-W... 📡 ‌‌🛰️
https://kb.netgear.com/000063027/Can-I-create-separate-2-4GHz-and-5GHz-SSIDs-on-my-Nighthawk-Tri-ban...
https://youtu.be/UR0viMLISz4
https://kb.netgear.com/000064360/How-many-satellites-can-I-add-to-a-Nighthawk-Mesh-WiFi-system

[schumaku]

MK6W and AX1500 are not typos.

A retail MK6x system does have a AX1200 5 GHz radio plus a AX600 2.4 GHz radio, both 2x2.

To offer some discounted model variant of the MK6x system, Netgear created a slightly stripped version with an AX1200 5 GHz Radio (2x2) plus an AX300 2.4 GHz radio only (my guess it's 1x1) for offering in the department store channels like Walmart (this is where the "W" is coming from, again my uneducated guess from overseas) - without upsetting the standard distribution and retail channel.

Otherwise, technically identical and fully interoperable (my wild guess - never seen or touched an MK6W system), as long as the wireless backhaul can operate on 5 GHz, and even more if the wired backhaul is used.. For some IoT access usage, the AX300 2.4 GHz radio is perfectly sufficient.

As of writing (December 12, 2023), Walmart is offering the NETGEAR Nighthawk Dual-Band WiFi 6 AX1500 Mesh System 1.5 Gbps Router + 2 Satellites (MK6W-100NAS) for 139.99 USD, the NETGEAR - Nighthawk AX1800 Mesh WiFi 6 System with Router + 2 Satellite Extenders,1.8Gbps (MK63S) at 149.99 USD.

Reviewing Netgear Support pages, shows the exact same firmware for the MK6W as for the MK63 and MK62 is used, it points to the very same ZIP archives for the MR60 and the MS60.

[michaelkenward]

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@schumaku wrote:

MK6W and AX1500 are not typos.

A retail MK6x system does have a AX1200 5 GHz radio plus a AX600 2.4 GHz radio, both 2x2.

Ah, one of those "own brand" devices. BestBuy was/is famous for those.

Good point about the firmware. In the past some of those boxes didn't accept the standard firmware.

[michaelkenward]

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@schumaku wrote:

Reviewing Netgear Support pages, shows the exact same firmware for the MK6W as for the MK63 and MK62 is used, it points to the very same ZIP archives for the MR60 and the MS60.

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Same manuals too.