Outdoor Access Point Advice

[valve90210]

At the end of my garden, the internet access is terrible; wifi struggles to connect and mobile internet is strangely bad too; and I'm considering getting an outdoor access point for simple browsing and music/video playback while in the garden.

For ease of use I'm thinking a poe access point would be best so I can just run a long network lead down the garden and connect the access point via that. I'd need one that injects poe as I don't currently have anything poe capable.

I don't want to spend too much as it'll only get limited use during the summer but for those times when it is used, I'd like it to be reliable. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations?

 

[Demon]

At the end of my garden, the internet access is terrible; wifi struggles to connect and mobile internet is strangely bad too; and I'm considering getting an outdoor access point for simple browsing and music/video playback while in the garden.

For ease of use I'm thinking a poe access point would be best so I can just run a long network lead down the garden and connect the access point via that. I'd need one that injects poe as I don't currently have anything poe capable.

I don't want to spend too much as it'll only get limited use during the summer but for those times when it is used, I'd like it to be reliable. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations?

I started with a cheap (£75) TP Link EAP225 outdoor unit.

This doesn't need a 'controller' or anything fancy, you can just configure it like any other Access Point, and even comes with a PoE injector.. so no more cost.. (It is good for 50-60M, if you want 100M you can get the TPLink Po160s injectors for £17)

Its part of their business range of access points and mine has been running for 18 months with zero issues.

The other option is the Ubiquiti 'Swiss Army Knife', this is £78 and would need a PoE injector on top (£17 as mentioned above would do).. it too can be configured easily and seem reliable being Ubiquiti.. It doesn't come with external antennae (sold separately if you want them)

Ubiquiti is a very respected brand, it's just a little more money..

 

[ChrisD.]

I have a UniFI FlexHD mounted on my soffit, it covers the whole garden, no issues at all and no subscription cost.

 

[Armageus]

Likely you don't need to run a cable down the garden, just moving to an outdoor access point on a wall outside your house will likely improve things no end.

(By removing the attenuation of walls)

 

[valve90210]

I started with a cheap (£75) TP Link EAP225 outdoor unit.


The other option is the Ubiquiti 'Swiss Army Knife', this is £78 and would need a PoE injector on top (£17 as mentioned above would do).. it too can be configured easily and seem reliable being Ubiquiti.. It doesn't come with external antennae (sold separately if you want them)

That's really helpful, thanks. The TP Link sounds like quite a decent option as I just want something simple.

I have a UniFI FlexHD mounted on my soffit, it covers the whole garden, no issues at all and no subscription cost.

Thanks I've ha da look and it's more than I want to spend really.

Likely you don't need to run a cable down the garden, just moving to an outdoor access point on a wall outside your house will likely improve things no end.

(By removing the attenuation of walls)

That's actually a very good point, my current router and access points are all located indoors and the house is a 40s build, so solid walls everywhere which causes me some grief.