Looking for $100 Wireless AP suggestions

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Looking for $100 Wireless AP suggestions

Taubin

557 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#214347 8-May-2017 08:03

My current setup is a DrayTek Vigor 130 > Edgerouter Lite > Netgear Prosafe GS108E Plus > TP-Link N600 in AP mode.

Unfortunately my TP-Link seems to be dropping connections on my devices quite often. I initially had DD-WRT on it first acting as a router before getting the ERL, then as an AP, however I flashed stock after having isues with it dropping devices, thinking it was related to DD-WRT. I tried switching channels to less unused channels around me, unfortunately it's been just as bad and getting worse, so I'm looking to replace it. I have about $100 NZ to use for the purchase of a new AP and I'm looking for suggestions.

I live in an apartment with about 9 other wireless networks around me, and will not be able to ceiling mount the AP unfortunately. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

ZL2TOY/ZL1DMP

1 | 2

1162 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1777505 8-May-2017 08:38

I would see if you can get an Unifi AC lite. You wont get one for $100 though.

You can probably get something 11n easily for $100. Or try get an AC unit from trademe. Whatever you find you will want to get something with dual band 5Ghz.

Have you tried having less devices on the TP Link. To see if the drop outs stop? Firmware update?

Taubin

557 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#1777514 8-May-2017 08:56

darylblake:

Have you tried having less devices on the TP Link. To see if the drop outs stop? Firmware update?

I only have 6 devices on it full time, with 7 on it rarely. It has the latest firmware, I updated a couple of months ago when I switched from DD-WRT back to stock.

There's an AC Lite on Trademe for $150, I'll see if I can stretch the budget a bit, however it doesn't include a POE adapter, so that may be a bit of a deal breaker.

ZL2TOY/ZL1DMP

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1777559 8-May-2017 10:18

If your budget stretches slightly further the TP-Link's are a very good deal.

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-AC1200-Wireless-Wi-Fi-Access/dp/B01LLAK1UG/

sonyxperiageek

2958 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1777605 8-May-2017 11:36

It isn't the best AP with only single band and 11n but it's only $36 and it has a PoE adapter.

Sony

olivernz

497 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1777609 8-May-2017 11:40

https://www.gowifi.co.nz/routers.html

Look at the Mikrotik stuff or similar. Start at $50

sonyxperiageek

2958 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1777627 8-May-2017 11:55

olivernz:

https://www.gowifi.co.nz/routers.html

Look at the Mikrotik stuff or similar. Start at $50

I think OP is looking for a new AP, not router.

Sony

Taubin

557 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#1777752 8-May-2017 13:30

Well, I'm not really sure who to blame, but I am sure my wife is going to kill me.

Does anyone know how long they generally take to provision using a Raspberry Pi3 as a controller? Cheers.

ZL2TOY/ZL1DMP

Sharesies kids

Free kids accounts - trade shares and funds (NZ, US) with Sharesies (affiliate link).

darylblake

1162 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1777764 8-May-2017 13:51

Taubin:

Well, I'm not really sure who to blame, but I am sure my wife is going to kill me.

Does anyone know how long they generally take to provision using a Raspberry Pi3 as a controller? Cheers.

If you are already running unifi controller. it takes a few minutes. If you dont have controller running then you have to install it and the dreadful java. I have 2 of these. They work well. Put it up high, on top of a bookshelf or something if you can't mount it.

Basically if you plug another one in, it automatically configures it within minutes.

Taubin

557 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#1777765 8-May-2017 13:53

I installed the controller after I got the AP, it's been in "adopting" state for an hour now. I'll have to install it on one of my DO droplets and try there I think.

ZL2TOY/ZL1DMP

mdf

3513 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1777769 8-May-2017 13:57

@michaelmurfy's Community Cloud Controller is available too.

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1777788 8-May-2017 13:58

sonyxperiageek:

olivernz:

https://www.gowifi.co.nz/routers.html

Look at the Mikrotik stuff or similar. Start at $50

I think OP is looking for a new AP, not router.

That's the beauty of Mikrotik. You tell it what to do, not the manufacturer.

darylblake

1162 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1777793 8-May-2017 14:03

Taubin:

I installed the controller after I got the AP, it's been in "adopting" state for an hour now. I'll have to install it on one of my DO droplets and try there I think.

it sounds like it might be having trouble finding the controller. If its on the same LAN it should be able to find it reasonably quickly. Can you see the MAC address of the Unifi, when doing an arp lookup?

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1777796 8-May-2017 14:05

chevrolux:

sonyxperiageek:

olivernz:

https://www.gowifi.co.nz/routers.html

Look at the Mikrotik stuff or similar. Start at $50

I think OP is looking for a new AP, not router.

That's the beauty of Mikrotik. You tell it what to do, not the manufacturer.

With no bandsteering Mikrotik is pretty pointless for as a wireless AP these days.

Taubin

557 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#1777801 8-May-2017 14:10

I just threw the controller on my linode server and it adopted it within 30 seconds. Must be an issue with my Pi, I'll look into it later.

Thank you all for the suggestions and help! Cheers.

ZL2TOY/ZL1DMP

sonyxperiageek

2958 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1777802 8-May-2017 14:12

Taubin:

Well, I'm not really sure who to blame, but I am sure my wife is going to kill me.

Does anyone know how long they generally take to provision using a Raspberry Pi3 as a controller? Cheers.

Just tell her it was roughly $100 ;)

Sony

1 | 2