Which Ubiquiti Access Point should I get.

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Which Ubiquiti Access Point should I get.

3puttssuck

744 posts

Ultimate Geek

#218062 24-Jul-2017 12:20

I have a 220 sm home. I will be connecting 2 iPhones, 4 iPads, 3 Apples TV's, & a Surface Pro 3. Other things in house will be hard wired. I have done some searching myself but have only managed to get confused. Any help offered up is very much appreciated.

Dynamic

3867 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1828316 24-Jul-2017 12:34

The original UniFi device (UAP) does 300mbps Wireless N which for basic wireless would be fine. If you need higher performance then the UAP-AC-LITE gives Wireless N speeds of 300mbps or Wireless AC speeds of up to 867mbps as it has dual radios (2x2). The UAP-AC-PRO has three radios (3x3) so can give Wireless N speeds of 450mbps or Wireless AC speeds of up to 1300mbps. These are theoretical speeds and typically you only see 50-75% of these speeds.

Connected equipment with only 1 radio transmitter of course won't transfer data as fast as a device with 2 or 3 transmitters.

There are also LR versions (long range) which have a higher transmit power. Just because your Access Point is gruntier and can transmit further, this does not mean your wireless client equipment (e.g. iPhone) has the wireless horsepower to transmit back the same distance.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

Referral links to services I use, really like, and may be rewarded if you sign up:
PocketSmith for budgeting and personal finance management. A great Kiwi company.

michaelmurfy

meow
13243 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1828321 24-Jul-2017 12:41

I've found the UniFi AC-LR to be excellent personally - like @Dynamic said it all comes down to if your device can talk back but you can always add onto the UniFi network if needed with ease.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by subscribing.
Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

Mattmannz

471 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1828322 24-Jul-2017 12:41

Download a wifi scanner app on your phone and see what other networks are present, if N is busy then it's worth spending the extra money and getting AC.

Coverage on a home of that size that is new and well insulated might be a challenge so you might need more than one unit. Have you got cabling in the ideal location for the AP?

davidcole

6034 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1828327 24-Jul-2017 12:50

My house would be about the same size (two story). I have two UAPs. One is a older UAP which has a 100mbps ethernet connection to connect it back to your switch. So I have this near bedrooms which are generally not used much.

I have a newer AC-LITE in the main living spaces, these have a higher ethernet connection (it's pointless having 300mbps usable wireless if the backhaul to your switch is only 100mbps IMO).

I'm contemplating a 3rd for the garage/outside and will get a AC-LITE for this as well.

Previously known as psycik

Home Assistant: Gigabyte AMD A8 Brix, Home Assistant with Aeotech ZWave Controller, Raspberry PI, Wemos D1 Mini, Zwave, Shelly Humidity and Temperature sensors
Media:Chromecast v2, ATV4 4k, ATV4, HDHomeRun Dual
Server Host Plex Server 3x3TB, 4x4TB using MergerFS, Samsung 850 evo 512 GB SSD, Proxmox Server with 1xW10, 2xUbuntu 22.04 LTS, Backblaze Backups, usenetprime.com fastmail.com Sharesies Trakt.TV Sharesight

3puttssuck

744 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1828329 24-Jul-2017 12:52

I have an attic which is 75% floored over complete with stair access, so getting a cable in is no problem.

Thanks for all the reply's guys, very helpful.

davidcole

6034 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1828330 24-Jul-2017 12:55

3puttssuck:

I have an attic which is 75% floored over complete with stair access, so getting a cable in is no problem.

Thanks for all the reply's guys, very helpful.

I have the UAP in my attic, didn't feel like punching a hole in the ceiling to mount it.

3puttssuck

744 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1828336 24-Jul-2017 12:59

davidcole:

3puttssuck:

I have an attic which is 75% floored over complete with stair access, so getting a cable in is no problem.

Thanks for all the reply's guys, very helpful.

I have the UAP in my attic, didn't feel like punching a hole in the ceiling to mount it.

Does the heat of summer affect it?

Wise

Send money globally for less with Wise - one free transfer up to NZ$900 (affiliate link).

davidcole

6034 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1828339 24-Jul-2017 13:01

3puttssuck:

davidcole:

3puttssuck:

I have an attic which is 75% floored over complete with stair access, so getting a cable in is no problem.

Thanks for all the reply's guys, very helpful.

I have the UAP in my attic, didn't feel like punching a hole in the ceiling to mount it.

Does the heat of summer affect it?

It didn't last summer. But thankfully it was $50 trademe jobbie. The attic is insulated, and it's below the insulation in some dead space. So it's not really enclosed but I can't imagine there much actually airflow around it.

Mattmannz

471 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1828414 24-Jul-2017 14:03

Putting it in the attic will shorten it's life - we have just completed a job for a client which had a lot of gear in the ceiling and it shortened it's lifespan a lot and started causing regular failures so we ended up pulling everything out and redoing it all.