Is Unifi worth the upgrade?

[conflictednetworks]

Just to eliminate the obvious ... all these APs were running the same firmware version, right?

yep, updated the moment it appeared on the network management console.

 

[tgl]

The game changer is definitely the u7 pro wall.

[ scratches head... ] Makes no sense at all. Should be largely the same hardware as the u7 pro saucer AP. And I've not seen any traffic on Ubiquiti's own forums suggesting that there's a major performance difference.

Grasping at straws: UI's saucer APs are typically made to have max signal strength around 45-60 degrees off-axis, because they are intended to be put on the ceiling of a room that is probably quite a bit wider than it is high. The in-wall APs do not have a similar bias against clients directly in front of them (cf radiation patterns documented here). I wouldn't expect that to translate to a major performance difference for nearby clients ... but I'm running out of other ideas.

 

[conflictednetworks]

[ scratches head... ] Makes no sense at all. Should be largely the same hardware as the u7 pro saucer AP. And I've not seen any traffic on Ubiquiti's own forums suggesting that there's a major performance difference.

Grasping at straws: UI's saucer APs are typically made to have max signal strength around 45-60 degrees off-axis, because they are intended to be put on the ceiling of a room that is probably quite a bit wider than it is high. The in-wall APs do not have a similar bias against clients directly in front of them (cf radiation patterns documented here). I wouldn't expect that to translate to a major performance difference for nearby clients ... but I'm running out of other ideas.

yeah I'm not sure to be honest. Asthetically more pleasing for the u7 pro wall as the design is much more minimalistic. The crazy thing is that they cost MORE than even the u7 Pro XG so that's a bit of a letdown. Was truly hoping for a cheaper more cost effective solution but I guess form factor does play a part in the cost. Looking at the UI store for Canada the u7 XG wall is $400! Newer more modern design language that aligns more with the UCG Fiber chassis look and a 10GBE port on it. Fanless design from the looks of it too but beyond that, I'm not sure that's worth $100 more for those minor differences.

I will hook up my u7 pro xg that I was going to return tomorrow to the in wall wiring and power it using the POE ++ switch I have and see if that makes any difference. I doubt it would b/c the ceiling XG AP was plugged straight into the POE + port of the UCG Fiber that has enough power to properly power it so I doubt plugging into my POE++ switch will matter much.

 

[Tech9]

I know little about the testing methodology and can't tell where the measured performance difference is coming from. The specifications of U7-Pro, U7-Pro-Wall and U7-Pro-XG are very close with minor differences. In my opinion U7-Pro-Wall looks nicer than the rest for home setup. Whatever the issue was as I understand it is resolved now and @conflictednetworks is happy. This is what matters.

 

[Tech9]

my POE++ switch

I just purchased a TPlink 5 port POE++ 2.5 GBE switch for $140 CAD

I would get USW-Flex-2.5G-5 for CAD65 with 2x UACC-PoE+-2.5G adapters for CAD54 instead. Comes cheaper, integrated in Network application and with individual port VLAN configuration options. If more ports are needed just add another USW-Flex-2.5G-5. Still not sure why you need 10GbE Gateway. It only increases the project cost. If you get >2.5Gigabit ISP service you have to replace what's behind this Gateway anyway.

 

[conflictednetworks]

I know little about the testing methodology and can't tell where the measured performance difference is coming from. The specifications of U7-Pro, U7-Pro-Wall and U7-Pro-XG are very close with minor differences. In my opinion U7-Pro-Wall looks nicer than the rest for home setup. Whatever the issue was as I understand it is resolved now and @conflictednetworks is happy. This is what matters.

Happy I am indeed! I would wholeheartedly agree that the wall APs look nicer. That being said I am reluctant to return the u7 pro XG because I know that my basement will need a ceiling AP where I can mount it properly on the ceiling. Decisions decisions… lol. It’s addictive to want unifi equipment though I feel like a traitor to the well performing says rt-be96u as it did exceptionally well as a stand alone router that coveeed 99% of our home and 6Ghz range on that was incredibly crazy. Not sure how it did it but wife still grumbles at the cost of unifi.

 

[Tech9]

Not sure how it did it but wife still grumbles at the cost of unifi.

I'm pretty sure your wife doesn't care about MB/s and Mbps. What she'll most likely appreciate is set-and-forget reliable home network running common these days learn-from-home, work-from-home, entertainment, etc. None of it requires equipment with 10GbE ports. Your chasing of ISP speed, investing in speed test numbers and perhaps the itch for something new are the factors increasing the cost. And it doesn't directly translate into user experience improvements. I guess the entire upgrade idea started with simple ISP plan upgrade with "savings". The rest was all your... decisions, decisions.

 

[conflictednetworks]

I'm pretty sure your wife doesn't care about MB/s and Mbps. What she'll most likely appreciate is set-and-forget reliable home network running common these days learn-from-home, work-from-home, entertainment, etc. None of it requires equipment with 10GbE ports. Your chasing of ISP speed, investing in speed test numbers and perhaps the itch for something new are the factors increasing the cost. And it doesn't directly translate into user experience improvements. I guess the entire upgrade idea started with simple ISP plan upgrade with "savings". The rest was all your... decisions, decisions.

lol absolutely true on all accounts

 

[Tech9]

Don't ask how do I know and with much more expensive products.