Question Need Wifi Expert help choosing between UniFi Access Points

[iramalvarez]

Hello,
At an RV Park I have restrooms scattered through out and currently I have a single AC Mesh Professional's installed on each of them but I see only about 33 max users can connect to them, when in reality there is about 150 people in their vicinity.
I am looking to replace the AC Mesh Pro's but need help deciphering between the U6 Mesh, U6 Long-Range, or the U6 Enterprise. For the saucers I can install them in Wi-Fi translucent boxes because I don't think they are weatherproof.

 

[kanewolf]

Hello,
At an RV Park I have restrooms scattered through out and currently I have a single AC Mesh Professional's installed on each of them but I see only about 33 max users can connect to them, when in reality there is about 150 people in their vicinity.
I am looking to replace the AC Mesh Pro's but need help deciphering between the U6 Mesh, U6 Long-Range, or the U6 Enterprise. For the saucers I can install them in Wi-Fi translucent boxes because I don't think they are weatherproof.

Yes the only truly outdoor rated unit is the U6 Mesh.
BUT, you will be better off with the AC-Mesh-Pro.
How high up are these APs? The AC-Mesh Pro does have poor signal level below the unit. Look at the radiation pattern graph -- https://help.ui.com/hc/article_atta...P-AC-M-PRO-Overall_-_Summary_Plot_-_5GHz2.png
Notice that the signal directly below the unit is poor.

Additionally, 150 users on one AP is too many. What you need is not a replacement, but more APs, IMO. Maybe look at getting the original AC-Mesh with directional antenna. You could then put up multiple units facing different directions. https://store.ui.com/us/en/pro/cate...-dual-band-antenna-for-uap-ac-m?variant=uma-d
Even adding additional AC-Mesh Pro units, as long as they are on unique channels can work in one location.

Have you done any tuning to your APs? UniFI AP hardware is not optimal to run in "Auto" mode. This is an old tuning guide -- https://community.ui.com/questions/New-Starters-Basic-Settings/124afadc-3e30-4e25-9121-7387fc3dc912 With the UI changes, you need to heed the "CLASSIC SETTINGS". But it still has a lot of useful info. In your situation, you probably want to run 5Ghz in 20Mhz bandwidth to prevent your WAN bandwidth to be overwhelmed.

 

[iramalvarez]

Yes the only truly outdoor rated unit is the U6 Mesh.
BUT, you will be better off with the AC-Mesh-Pro.
How high up are these APs? The AC-Mesh Pro does have poor signal level below the unit. Look at the radiation pattern graph -- https://help.ui.com/hc/article_atta...P-AC-M-PRO-Overall_-_Summary_Plot_-_5GHz2.png
Notice that the signal directly below the unit is poor.

Additionally, 150 users on one AP is too many. What you need is not a replacement, but more APs, IMO. Maybe look at getting the original AC-Mesh with directional antenna. You could then put up multiple units facing different directions. https://store.ui.com/us/en/pro/cate...-dual-band-antenna-for-uap-ac-m?variant=uma-d
Even adding additional AC-Mesh Pro units, as long as they are on unique channels can work in one location.

Have you done any tuning to your APs? UniFI AP hardware is not optimal to run in "Auto" mode. This is an old tuning guide -- https://community.ui.com/questions/New-Starters-Basic-Settings/124afadc-3e30-4e25-9121-7387fc3dc912 With the UI changes, you need to heed the "CLASSIC SETTINGS". But it still has a lot of useful info. In your situation, you probably want to run 5Ghz in 20Mhz bandwidth to prevent your WAN bandwidth to be overwhelmed.

Hi Kanewolf,
Thanks for the thorough reply. I have been on different forums looking for a wifi expert to help me design a UniFi/UISP wifi replacement for a small RV park. Would you be interested in helping me? You seem very knowledgeable. If so I can either open a new posting or use this same posting to provide the park details. Your help would be greatly appreciated