You are absolutely correct, Matt. The MyNet devices are overdue for replacement. I like the idea of finding a few newer routers that SudoMesh recommends/supports. However, I also would like to see firmware and scripts that are more modular to avoid this kind of "lock-in" and allow for easier future upgrades.
Also, gonna throw it out there that althea has a pretty good list of router options.
https://github.com/althea-net/althea-firmware#supported-device-targets Their firmware has very similar requirements to sudowrt, if you ignore all the crypto- and incentivized routing stuff :P They also do some interesting stuff with Wireguard, which I know some sudo folks have expressed interesting in supporting. Disclaimer: this is in no way a plug for althea, they just have solid docs.
IMO, GLi.Net's stuff is interesting and not too expensive, for example
GL.iNet GLB1300 is only ~$90 and could certainly perform all the necessary functions of a People's Open Node.
The
Linksys EA6350 also looks promising as a cost effective N600/N750 replacement.
I like your suggestion of the MikroTik hAP ac lite, MikroTik makes cool stuff.
-Grant