Need advice: Asus BQ16 vs BT10 vs BT8 ?

[stilessm]

Again, thanks. I think what I'm hearing is that the U6LR may actually be "too strong" for the job at hand here as my base downstairs router? My thinking was that it would provide the strongest possible link to the upstairs mesh node and also get me the 2.4 I need to the other end of my Garage Nest cam (2.4ghz). The more I'm reading though, the more I'm getting the sense that there can be "too much" near-field signal.

Basically a higher quality, more modular version of my ax11000/ax86u.

 

[Tech9]

U6-Mesh has similar range to RT-AX86U (Pro) router, if this helps. I wouldn't buy U6-LR since it's older first gen U6 AP based on MediaTek hardware with somewhat limited Wi-Fi 6 capabilities. With UniFi you start with minimum number of APs and add more if needed. The system works best wired, on low power, local zones with about -60dBm signal level, switch to the next AP at about -70dBm. If you ask about mesh stability - I have two UX units (UniFi Express) used as wireless bridges, they use the hidden wireless uplink (the same for meshed APs), never dropped for a second since installed. Two wirelessly meshed APs can be uplinked to single parent AP. The parent AP can be wirelessly uplinked to another, etc. The more hops though - less throughput to clients.

 

[stilessm]

You'll be fine with UCG-Ultra and 2x U6-Mesh. This is all you need and it's very compact size equipment, almost invisible. The gateway can do Gigabit WAN, the wired AP can do >800Mbps on Wi-Fi, wirelessly uplinked AP can do about 400Mbps, you'll have 3x extra LAN ports for wired devices. I have one exactly this system in another location, but both APs are wired. Uptime - since installed.

Total cost as per Ubiquiti Store US - $487

Thanks. my ax11000 gives me pretty broad range for things like the garage camera. Do you think the little U6-Mesh has roughly the same range as my ax11000? They are very cute, and the power supply is a plus. That other thread is gold, thank you.

BTW I just mocked up our house floorplan in the Unifi design app and was able to approximate coverage with the different AP options.

The "net" of it, if I were to utilize a single AP in our first floor at the same spot as my ax11000. Comparing the U6LR, U6Pro, U6Mesh
- The painting of our first floor (~1500sq-ft) is about the same
- Where it gets interesting is out in our detached garage. The farthest wall where I have my external nest cam is about 80' away and goes through a few walls. The U6LR shows -79db, the U6 Pro shows 81 and the U6Mesh has zero signal. Of course if I add another U6 Mesh at the halfway point the garage signal is great regardless of the "primary" 1st floor node.

The good 'old ax11000 has some pretty great range

 

[Tech9]

As I said earlier, planning single AP with maximum coverage is a wrong approach and I don't recommend it. No client can match the AP power and this creates false sense of good Wi-Fi. The clients will see the AP, but will struggle to get back to it through the same obstacles. Signal level -79/81dBm is at the very edge of usable connection.

 

[stilessm]

Thanks. Given only the "main" ap will be wired, anything else is going to be wireless meshed. I think I'm going to need a mesh node out by the garage (again, wireless) to boost signal to the nest cam on the other end of the garage (about 80' from the gateway and one "wired" AP.

So, I'm now thinking two U6-Meshes as the two "wirelessly meshed nodes" -- one upstairs like my AX86U and another near the garage (where I just added my spare AC86U to try out the signal). I really appreciate the push that "no matter how strong the signal, theconnection depends on the client on the other end being able to repeat back". Makes a bunch of sense.

So now I'm considering replacing the "wired U6 LR" with either the U6 Pro or U6 Mesh. I'm guessing you're going to recommend 3x U6 Meshes -- just checking to see if that would hold if two of them were to be wirelessly meshed for the forseeable future.

The Unifi tools to map things out are pretty cool!

And, Asus content; That old AC86U of mine is doing a great job driving the nest cam on the other side of the garage and my sprinker system head unit in the garage. Seems happy. Now I'm: Main: AX11000, plus a AX86U and AC86U mesh

 

[Tech9]

You never mentioned what other "the necessary bits" you have purchased. Wirelessly uplinked APs in UniFi system are Plan B. It works, with your ISP speeds you may not even notice, but the performance won't be optimal. My suggestion is to start with 2x APs and add more later as needed. Also work on wired infrastructure- the best upgrade and makes a difference.

 

[stilessm]

You never mentioned what other "the necessary bits" you have purchased. Wirelessly uplinked APs in UniFi system are Plan B. It works, with your ISP speeds you may not even notice, but the performance won't be optimal. My suggestion is to start with 2x APs and add more later as needed. Also work on wired infrastructure- the best upgrade and makes a difference.

Current order:
- Cloud Gateway Max
- Switch Lite 8 POE (for the U6 LR)
- U6 LR (will be wired to the POE Switch)
- U6 Mesh (to be wireless meshed from upstairs -- great wifi signal)
- Unnecessary POE Injector (I didn't realize the U6 Mesh had one included)
- Some cables

500/40 Comcast Business

I will eventually get around to running wire up through the floor. Other projects at the moment. In the meantime I need it to run well meshed.

Things I'm considering:
- Replacing the U6 LR with U6 Pro or possibly Mesh. Mesh seems to have lower coverage than the Pro
- Adding another U6 Mesh (to put out by the garage -- again with a great wifi backhaul connection)

PS. Ordered directly from them. No obvious way online to modify the order before processing/shipping. Any experience modifying orders? I know, i should probably go find that Unifi forum.

 

[Tech9]

You're good for now, perhaps overpaid for some items. Had to do some homework before purchasing.

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