Client wants UniFi AP with "rabbit ears"

[mdownes]

This may be one for someone who does a lot of WiFi installs using UniFi gear.

I put an all-UniFi setup into a client's large house, but he later found access in the garden was patchy and he wanted an extra AP for his electrician brother to install outside (brother is setting up IOT everywhere as that's his hobby). So, I sent over a UAP-AC-PRO (like those inside). But he now tells me his brother would prefer one "with rabbit ears" for outside. I don't mind swapping it out for the UAP-AC-M, but from what I can see, this is lower spec than what I've given and I can't think of any reason the electrician would prefer this. Am I missing something?

 

[Sky-Knight]

It sounds like they've done some digging and are after the UAP-Outdoor, since the UAP-AC-PRO isn't for outdoor applications nor is the UAP-AC-M for that matter.

The UAP-Outdoor was replaced by the UAP-flexHD, which has several mounting options.

I'd find out if they want the thing to actually be outside, because if they do sell them an exterior WAP.

 

[mdownes]

It sounds like they've done some digging and are after the UAP-Outdoor, since the UAP-AC-PRO isn't for outdoor applications nor is the UAP-AC-M for that matter.

The UAP-Outdoor was replaced by the UAP-flexHD, which has several mounting options.

I'd find out if they want the thing to actually be outside, because if they do sell them an exterior WAP.

I'm confused. The Unifi Store defines the UAP-AC-PRO as being "indoor/outdoor" - I thought that's what the silicone insert was for (the rubbery part that you can insert into the cavity where the NICs are)...

Access Point AC Pro

Dual-band, 802.11ac Wave 1 access point designed to support high-density networks and critical system applications. The Access Point AC Pro (UAP AC Pro) is a high-performance, indoor/outdoor, 802.11ac WiFi access point that utilizes Wave 1 technology to reach an impressive 2+ Gbps aggregate...

store.ui.com

It says the same about the UAP-AC-M

Access Point AC Mesh - Ubiquiti Store

Compact, indoor/outdoor WiFi 5 AP with 4 spatial streams and optional external antenna support for directional coverage.

store.ui.com

I have suggested it be fitted beneath the house soffit, to help ward off the worst of the weather.

 

[SAFCasper]

AC-PRO's are more like "weather resistant" rather than "weather proof." They don't come with any IP rating (eg. IP65 or IP66) which a full outdoor model would have.

Fitted somewhere reasonably sheltered like under a soffit or on a wall with an overhanging roof they will be absolutely fine. I've done several like this over the years and never had any fail due to water damage. However, I wouldn't trust putting one up high on a chimney or mast completely exposed to the elements.

Same deal with the UAP-AC-M but between the two I would trust this more in exposed environments. Mostly opinion here... but it feels like the AC-M was built for outdoor use whereas the AC-Pro is an internal AP modified to work outdoors.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Did I hear someone say "Ubiquiti"? Pull up a chair and hand me the mic!

The UAP-Outdoor (and Outdoor+) was disco'd a long time ago...a really long time ago...only manageable on old versions of Unifi controller, which we still keep 1x running at Linode to manage some of those for clients we did like...15 years ago...and they haven't spent the money to upgrade yet.

It was replaced by 2x outdoor APs...a small/medium one, and a larger one.
the UAP-AC-M is the rabbit ear one you have a picture of. Under a hundred bucks (US). Good for light to medium use.
And...the UAP-AC-M-Pro...which is a big flat rectangular one, yet omni directional. We mostly do these. I don't use the rabbit ear one much. My outdoor deployments and campgrounds and marinas, and outdoor school yard areas...I need more horsepower...so I use the Pro model.

I'll skip the big XG Basestation.

I've deployed a few FlexHD models....they're OK. I'd put them on par with the UAP-AC-M.....but not the Pro.

The outdoor APs...try not to mount them too high. 12-14' above ground is the sweet spot. Else...their stronger signal just zooms over everyones head...unless you're doing a tilt on the mount...but then you lose the 360* omni that way.

The UAP-AC-PRO is weather "resistant"...since it's a saucer, it's designed to be installed flat/horizontal...on a ceiling. Thus..they work fine for overhangs, so you're installing them protected UNDER a roof, they're not getting direct rain/etc. It's not meant to be directly out getting drenched in heavy rain like the two Mesh models...but since it's meant to mount "hung" from a ceiling...you can't really get it out directly in the weather. Unless you're one of those who mount them vertical on walls. lol. Uhm....no! And they come with that rubber boot in there to keep the spiders 'n light spray 'n stuff out of the ETH port area. They can handle some moisture. A bit better performance than the little rabbit ear Mesh model. But the UAP-AC-Pro is sorta phasing out, replaced by the nanoHD...which is MU-MIMO, Has a weaker 2.4 radio though. And no second ETH port. But price point and 5.0 performance are great.

Another option, get the rabbit ear Mesh model...remove the rabbit ears, and add on the paddle directional UMA-D dual band antenna...you can focus this at a targeted area and REALLY get some pretty good range. Of course it takes away the omnidirectional signal.

AC Mesh Dual-Band Antenna - Ubiquiti Store

An optional mesh antenna for AC Mesh.

store.ui.com

 

[mdownes]

Did I hear someone say "Ubiquiti"? Pull up a chair and hand me the mic!

The UAP-Outdoor (and Outdoor+) was disco'd a long time ago...a really long time ago...only manageable on old versions of Unifi controller, which we still keep 1x running at Linode to manage some of those for clients we did like...15 years ago...and they haven't spent the money to upgrade yet.

It was replaced by 2x outdoor APs...a small/medium one, and a larger one.
the UAP-AC-M is the rabbit ear one you have a picture of. Under a hundred bucks (US). Good for light to medium use.
And...the UAP-AC-M-Pro...which is a big flat rectangular one, yet omni directional. We mostly do these. I don't use the rabbit ear one much. My outdoor deployments and campgrounds and marinas, and outdoor school yard areas...I need more horsepower...so I use the Pro model.

I'll skip the big XG Basestation.

I've deployed a few FlexHD models....they're OK. I'd put them on par with the UAP-AC-M.....but not the Pro.

The outdoor APs...try not to mount them too high. 12-14' above ground is the sweet spot. Else...their stronger signal just zooms over everyones head...unless you're doing a tilt on the mount...but then you lose the 360* omni that way.

The UAP-AC-PRO is weather "resistant"...since it's a saucer, it's designed to be installed flat/horizontal...on a ceiling. Thus..they work fine for overhangs, so you're installing them protected UNDER a roof, they're not getting direct rain/etc. It's not meant to be directly out getting drenched in heavy rain like the two Mesh models...but since it's meant to mount "hung" from a ceiling...you can't really get it out directly in the weather. Unless you're one of those who mount them vertical on walls. lol. Uhm....no! And they come with that rubber boot in there to keep the spiders 'n light spray 'n stuff out of the ETH port area. They can handle some moisture. A bit better performance than the little rabbit ear Mesh model. But the UAP-AC-Pro is sorta phasing out, replaced by the nanoHD...which is MU-MIMO, Has a weaker 2.4 radio though. And no second ETH port. But price point and 5.0 performance are great.

Another option, get the rabbit ear Mesh model...remove the rabbit ears, and add on the paddle directional UMA-D dual band antenna...you can focus this at a targeted area and REALLY get some pretty good range. Of course it takes away the omnidirectional signal.

AC Mesh Dual-Band Antenna - Ubiquiti Store

An optional mesh antenna for AC Mesh.

store.ui.com

Some great advice here - thanks!

This guy's brother is adamant about his rabbit-ears, so that's what they're getting (UAP-AC-M). I'll make sure they mount it directly under the soffit. <sarcasm> we don't get that much rain in Ireland anyway </sarcasm>

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

The rabbit ear model is fully weatherproof...don't worry about where you mount that.

 

[trevm999]

The rabbit ear model is fully weatherproof...don't worry about where you mount that.

Just not upside down, it is not waterproof upside down.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Yeah you'd probably want to McGuyver it with some silicon