The only thing I've read is that the LR seems to have a higher failure rate.
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- Thread starter RoyMi6
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How many 2.4ghz devices have you actually got and are they likely to materially impact the performance of a 2x2 set up if anything you are using accidentally drops on to it? E.g. tons of wireless 2.4ghz cameras.
Presumably you’ve already got 5ghz coverage everywhere?
If not, I’d be more focused on multiple APs to get better 5ghz coverage than what’s going on with 2.4ghz these days.
Presumably you’ve already got 5ghz coverage everywhere?
If not, I’d be more focused on multiple APs to get better 5ghz coverage than what’s going on with 2.4ghz these days.
I have about 8 smart plugs, couple of Nest Protects, Printer, Washing machine, Dyson Fan, couple of kids smart speaker things, smart watch, bike computer, older firestick.
Using the BT Smart Hub at the moment.
iperf doesn't really give real world results, it just shows what the network is capable of, which is what Wifiman does.
Soldato
I got rid of my U6-LR. Was having massive issues with connectivity across so many devices... data flow would just stop for no reason and then takea a while to restart. Like you, I then read that the chipset in the U6-LR wasn't that great, swapped to a U6 Enterprise and I've not had any issues since.
So no is the answer to that. Other than the fire stick, all of those devices use near zero bandwidth.
The fire stick is going to want what 10-15mb when streaming?
If you want better coverage you’ll probably be better off with 2x U6+, otherwise a single U6 Pro is more than fine.
Is there something specific you are attempting to achieve with is upgrade?
Soldato
Surely bandwidth does not equate to concurrent connections? Even devices using zero bandwidth occupy time on channel because they remain awake and, especially with 1x1 devices, more channels gives better overall performance. I do understand folks saying this and that about the 5GHz performance on the U6-LR but in my experience folks often either leave them on AUTO config with nightly ‘optimisation’ or set them on wildly inappropriate settings they found on the internet somewhere. If you don’t like the U6-LR and you can get one, go straight to the U7-Pro because it’s as good as the U6-Pro for WiFi6 and it also does well on 6GHz if have any suitable clients.
One huge benefit of the negative campaign against the U6-LR is they’re dirt cheap on the used market. They regularly go for £100-ish on the UniFi for sale group on Facebook.
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I get it, but the number of devices listed at not exactly a concern for a 2x2 on 2.4ghz. I have no beef with the U6LR, but given the above, I didn't see the benefit of spending the extra £30. Now if you can get a used one cheap, happy days or as you say go straight to U7 Pro.
However, it is not entirely clear what the motivation is to buy a single access point, that's not really the USP of buying unto a system like Ubiquiti or its competitors, hence the follow up question.
As you well know, you'd need to ceiling mount a U6 LR/Pro in a central location (say on a landing celling) to get your money's worth out of it over a standard ISP router. The main benefits come when you get into multiple access point territory. If coverage is the motivation then 2X U6+ for the similar money may be a better buy, if you want speed then the U7 Pro may be a better buy in the long term.
The only downsides I see of the U6LR is its a tad more expensive and that it is massive. Unless you have high ceilings, you are going to notice it.
However, it is not entirely clear what the motivation is to buy a single access point, that's not really the USP of buying unto a system like Ubiquiti or its competitors, hence the follow up question.
As you well know, you'd need to ceiling mount a U6 LR/Pro in a central location (say on a landing celling) to get your money's worth out of it over a standard ISP router. The main benefits come when you get into multiple access point territory. If coverage is the motivation then 2X U6+ for the similar money may be a better buy, if you want speed then the U7 Pro may be a better buy in the long term.
The only downsides I see of the U6LR is its a tad more expensive and that it is massive. Unless you have high ceilings, you are going to notice it.
Soldato
If your ultimate aim is to optimise 2.4GHz traffic per access point then more channels simply is better, even with OFDMA, you just can’t beat double the capacity on 2.4GHz. Most IoT devices are built using really crappy 1x1 chipsets that destroy WiFi5 2.4GHz performance and WiFi6 does really help because it no longer drops everything on that channel back to 1x1 speed. And every device you add has to get its 5ms of ‘chatter’ with the access point and that’s dealt with better on 4x4 than 2x2. And it’s the 1x1 IoT rubbish that folks notice when it doesn’t alert them that someone has rung the doorbell or that the cat has just left via the cat flap. Even with OFDMA, WiFi is still a never-ending queue of devices nagging the access point for attention.
You absolutely can get the same (actually better) effect by adding a second access point - two 2x2 access points is the same number of channels as 1 4x4 access point but split over two chipsets and two connections to the router but even 2 U6+ are more than one U6-LR and you need 2 cables and two PoE ports or injectors. You are absolutely correct that more access points is a better solution and also gives enhanced coverage.
I know it’s not fashionable to say it, and it’s only my very humble opinion, that the U6-LR is a better access point than the U6-Pro in UK homes with current clients and it’s worth the extra £30. With the advent of the U7-Pro the U6-Pro is a dead duck product. It literally has no distinguishing feature to select it over the U7-Pro for the same money.
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You mention wifi6 helps, and then that 4x4 is preferred but the LR which is 4x4 isn't wifi6, the pro is 2x2 but it's WiFi 6.
I might wait for the u7 Pro to be available then. I'm more than happy to put more axes points in at a later date as well.
To answer the other question about my motivation.
Home network overhaul
Been wanting to overhaul my network for ages now. Main things i want to acheive is increased security especially concerning IOT/Smart Devices, ditch the ISP routers, im often changing ISP and constantly changing everything is annoying, and make use of the 2.5Gbe some of my devices can now do...
forums.overclockers.co.uk
Soldato
Well I missed the UniFi Express for the UK store, will have to wait until the next stock lands.
I have a u6-Pro unit and wish I’d stuck with the two U6+/U6-lite setup. WJA96 certainly knows what he’s talking about.
I have a u6-Pro unit and wish I’d stuck with the two U6+/U6-lite setup. WJA96 certainly knows what he’s talking about.
Soldato
You mention wifi6 helps, and then that 4x4 is preferred but the LR which is 4x4 isn't wifi6, the pro is 2x2 but it's WiFi 6.
I might wait for the u7 Pro to be available then. I'm more than happy to put more axes points in at a later date as well.
To answer the other question about my motivation.
Home network overhaul
Been wanting to overhaul my network for ages now. Main things i want to acheive is increased security especially concerning IOT/Smart Devices, ditch the ISP routers, im often changing ISP and constantly changing everything is annoying, and make use of the 2.5Gbe some of my devices can now do...
U6-LR is WiFi6 on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Just be aware that you are compromising on 5GHz performance for 2.4GHz optimisation. In a perfect world, fit multiple access points to spread the load. If you join the UK UniFi for sale thread there is someone (not me) selling U6-LR access points for £100. U6-LR and U7-Pro both use the same mounting point so you can swap them out. If you buy from some retailers online you could buy both, try them out in your location and return the one you liked least. Just a thought.
Not what it says here.
And here in small print at the bottom.
Access Point U6 Long-Range - Ubiquiti Store
Ceiling-mounted WiFi 6 AP with 8 spatial streams and extended signal range.
eu.store.ui.com
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I bought from the EU store and bought an Anker USB-C charger and cable.
Soldato
Not what it says here.
And here in small print at the bottom.
Access Point U6 Long-Range - Ubiquiti Store
Ceiling-mounted WiFi 6 AP with 8 spatial streams and extended signal range.
WiFi6 isn’t a specific “thing” in the way that WiFi6E and WiFi7 are specific wavebands. WiFi6 is a collection of technologies that help in many ways beyond just specific WiFi6 clients. So where it shows all those WiFi4 devices they’re actually still benefitting from WiFi6 features - especially OFDMA - so thebU6-LR definitely is a WiFi6 on 2.4GHz access point.
You should tell Ubiquiti then because they seem to disagree. Not saying your wrong but that's how I see it and I'm guessing many others that aren't sure.
Soldato
If you think about it, no WiFi4 or WiFi5 client can operate in WiFi6 because they’re not WiFi6 clients. That doesn’t mean the chipset doesn’t operate technologies like OFDMA on the 2.4GHz frequency. It does.
Associate
Hi, any chance you can link to the £100 U6-LR? Cant seem to find any on there? My dining room old UAP is running constantly at 80-90% PCU utilization with 16+ 2.4GHz clients, which will be helped by switching to a U6-LR i feel.
Try Ubiquiti for sale (uk) on Facebook. Loads of decent sales on there. That's where WJA96 pointed me to. Someone selling the U6 LR just now for £90.
Soldato
Ditto. TJ Harvey decent seller too