- GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Portable WiFi Travel Router, Mini VPN Wireless Router for Fiber Optic Modem, Mobile Internet WiFi Repeater, Dual Band Openwrt Computer Routers, Home/Business/RV/Cruise

Sometimes things just delight you. This is one of the products. On a recent trip to Europe, I stayed at many hotels. It was nice to connect one device and share the connection instantly with all devices. Easy to connect to, easy UI, fast, reliable, takes little power from USB-C so you can even power it with a small power bank. USB drive to stream own media. Built in VPN. …. Wow wow wow. It even saved me one time. I was at a nice small cozy hotel but their WiFi only worked outside my door (in the hall). No problem. I simply connected the router to a small battery bank and left it outside of my door. My devices connected to it and the router was closer to the hotel WiFi transmitter so I could use internet in the room. I know it’s not a topical example but it was so awesome to be saved this way. I use it each time I work from a coffee shop too. Why not. One WiFi connection, VPN, all my devices go online and are safe (VPN).

Solid basic travel router. A bit slow when using VPN's, but otherwise great. Works like a wee charm. Super easy to set up Open-WRT compliant.

If you like Openwrt and are looking for a travel router in this price range get this one!! I've been using and loving Openwrt on my home's wifi routers for years now and this thing is running Openwrt out of the box. Its got a nice web admin interface but you can install Luci if you want. It even has an advanced option in it's web interface where you can point and click to install Luci and all the other hundreds of Openwrt packages. I just took it on a cruise and it worked fantastic. If you are a geeky Linux dude like me, 1000% this is the one to get and even if you aren't it's web interface is very simple and easy to use while at the same time having all the normal features you'd want without Luci or any extra Openwrt packages. You can even ssh into it. The only negative I will say is a default configuration item which is easily changed... by default it monitors if your internet connection is up by pinging google and cisco and a couple other sites almost continously. Its super simple to turn off or change the frequency of pings though. The funny thing is the GL-SFT1200 isnt a supported device on the actual Openwrt website, I think because the actual Openwrt site doesnt have acess to the network drivers this is using. Its sort of using a proprietary Openwrt in a way. I mean it IS Openwrt but its using network drivers the actual Openwrt site doesnt have access too.

I purchased the GL.iNet GL‑SFT1200 (Opal) Portable Wi‑Fi Travel Router and it does exactly what most travelers need: compact, lightweight, easy to use, plug‑and‑play, and dependable. Out of the box it was straightforward to set up with a very simple interface, and it connected quickly to devices without hassle — perfect for hotels, cafes, airports, or on the go. However, I ended up sending this one back and upgrading to the GL.iNet Slate, which I got on sale at the same time. The main reason was performance and VPN capability. While the Opal is solid for basic routing and travel Wi‑Fi extension, it has some limitations: • VPN performance is limited — OpenVPN speeds on the Opal are relatively slow compared to more advanced GL.iNet models. This is because the Opal uses hardware that isn’t as powerful for encryption, so if you stream through a VPN or need fast secure connections, it will lag behind. • WireGuard is noticeably better than OpenVPN, especially when used with a wired connection, but still not as fast as on higher‑end units like the Slate. Many other users note the same thing: Opal is excellent as a travel companion — small, unobtrusive, and simple — but if you want high‑speed VPN, advanced features, or more throughput, the pricier models from GL.iNet (like the Slate) perform much better. That said, for what it is, the Opal does its job well. Its size and ease of use make it an ideal choice for travelers who want reliable Wi‑Fi sharing, basic guest network setup, or a simple hotspot to router solution. It’s also built with the same trustworthy software and decent hardware quality that GL.iNet is known for, so it does deliver as advertised — just within its performance class. If you travel light and just need plug‑and‑play connectivity, the Opal is a good and affordable choice. But if you plan to use it with VPNs heavily or for higher throughput over longer periods, consider investing in a more advanced model.

The GL.iNet Opal is a gem like it's namesake says. Bang for your buck, this is one of the best value in routers that exists. That said, it is an older router with limitations. Know before you buy: Look, this is NOT a power router with huge throughput for OpenVPN, WireGuard, or your favorite commercial VPN. It will work just great if you need to do normal day-to-day work, but if you're trying to move large files or backhaul multiple video streams via VPN, there are limits to its throughput. The reason is simple: VPNs use a lot of CPU and memory for the overhead of encryption. At this price-point you're not getting a huge processor or a lot of memory. If you need a lot of VPN throughput, then look at GL.iNet's higher-end travel routers for the same form factor and the throughput performance you are looking for. For everyone else, this is the travel router you want. It is an OpenWRT router (though not capable of the newest builds) and will support all of the features you would expect on a router 2-4x the price. Very easy to setup and administer to share an internet connection through tethering to your cell phone or sharing a public WiFi. This device is also easily setup as a VPN server behind your typical NAT primary router by port forwarding. Range is good for the travel form-factor and power consumption. It doesn't hold a candle to the range of my primary router at home, but it still covers the entirety of our 6,000sf home, just at lower signal & throughput a the furthest distances.

It works very good I set it up as a wired access port in my shed. It took me a while to figure out how to do it a couple of good videos on utube,look at the short videos the long ones are only confusing.

I am quite pleased with the product. Compact enough size for travel. Works great with almost any type of usb power source. Easy to set up, with a lot of features. The VPN functionality is especially straightforward.

I recently purchased the GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router for my travels, and it has exceeded my expectations. This compact router is packed with features that make it ideal for anyone needing reliable internet access on the go. The AC1200 dual-band WiFi provides fast and stable connections, and I appreciate the gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections when I need them. One of the most convenient features is the ability to purchase a single WiFi access (such as in a hotel or airport) and share it securely with multiple devices via the router. This is a huge time-saver, especially when you’re dealing with limited access or want to avoid connecting several devices directly to a public network. The router creates a private, secure connection for all your devices, so you don't have to worry about security issues on shared WiFi networks. The security features are a standout, offering secure connections even on public networks. It's easy to set up in Repeater, Bridge, or Access Point modes, providing flexibility depending on the situation. The 128MB RAM ensures smooth performance, even when multiple devices are connected. I’ve found it especially useful in hotel rooms where WiFi is spotty, allowing me to create a personal, secure network with ease. The MU-MIMO support is also a nice touch, ensuring that multiple devices get good bandwidth without interference. The GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) is a powerful and secure travel router that makes it easy to stay connected wherever I am. Highly recommended for frequent travelers!

Ik heb het kort getest, want ik krijg het pas met kerst. Maar ziet er heel goed uit. Ik wil op vakantieverblijf gebruiken om meerdere apparaten over een wireguard tunnel naar mijn thuis internet verbinding te laten lopen. Mijn internetverbinding thuis is niet de snelste, dus deze goedkope variant is voor mij snel genoeg, en goedkoper dan een zelfgebouwde op basis van een raspberry pi. En deze werkt meteen.

Good product Delivery is good Item is good and doing what is expected