Substitute Unifi Wifi6 LR for Wifi6 Pro?

[HCHTech]

I cannot seem to source Wifi6 Pros anywhere. In the past, I have substituted a LR model for the Pro in a single AP setup, turned the power down a bit and it has worked just fine. Now, I've got an 8 AP setup I'm trying to get APs for and the Pros are OOS everywhere other than the amazon scalpers selling them for $280 ea.

Would it be workable to use the LR models (which I can get) for the Pros if I turn the output power down? Has anyone done this in a multi-AP setup? I don't really want to go down this road, but it seems the only way to move forward on this install. What do you think?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Back when the UAP-AC-Pro was the "go to model"...I always went with those, versus the "Lite" and the "LR". The Pro just had advantages back then, 3x3 on both radios, plus the secondary ethernet port...which came in handy a lot of times.

Then the nanoHD became the standard, sorta replacing the Pro, even though it just has a 2x2 2.4 radio...the 5 is 4x4.

But with the new 6 Pro...it doesn't seem like a "pro" model to me anymore, the 2.4 radio is just 2x2 (5 is 4x4). And no secondary ETH port.
The 6 LR...both radios are 4x4.

The MU-MIMO rate is important (2x2, or 3x3, or 4x4)

Anyways, with the LRs...so many people take the approach of designing a WLAN thinking "less APs....more range". I don't like that approach...just so many degradations to overall performance when you do that. 1/2 of the equation is range of the client. And...there is this thing called "airtime"...which drags down the performance of all users (even those with a good connection)....when a client (or more) have a weak connection.

So yes, when tuning the network...you'll have a bit more work to do dialing down TX power...as you walk around reading signal strength from room to room. In denser environments I drop the 5 channel to 20 wide instead of default 40, and I often disable the 2.4 radio on every other, or every third...AP.

I'm also really enjoying the Flex (toilet paper tube) style APs...the FlexHD is on the way out, the Mesh6 replaced it. Get the ceiling mounts for 'em. They really..really work well.

 

[HCHTech]

the FlexHD is on the way out, the Mesh6 replaced it.

Can the Mesh6 be used in a non-mesh setup? I'm sure it can, but I don't want to fight an uphill battle if I end up going with them.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Can the Mesh6 be used in a non-mesh setup? I'm sure it can, but I don't want to fight an uphill battle if I end up going with them.

Yes, like a normal AC. I'm not sure why they used the word "mesh" in there...really any/all of the Unifi APs support meshing uplinking/downlinking. All the ones I've deployed are done with the old ethernet cable plugged in, no wireless links. They're outdoor rated also.

 

[HCHTech]

Ok, I put the following together by pulling info from the individual datasheets for our in-shop reference - others may find it useful:

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Unifi Wifi 6 Options
10/22

Unifi 6 Lite - SKU: U6-Lite-US - $99 – currently in-stock at store.ui.com

• Saucer-shaped (160mm), ceiling mount
• 2.4GHz radio is 2x2 MIMO
• 5GHz radio is 2x2 MIMO
• Max Power Consumption: 12W
• Max throughput = 300Mbps @ 2.4GHz, 1.2Gbps @ 5GHz
• 300 concurrent clients

Unifi 6 LR (Long Range) - SKU: U6-LR-US - $179 – currently Sold Out

• Saucer-shaped (220mm), ceiling mount
• 2.4GHz radio is 4x4 MIMO
• 5GHz radio is 4x4 MIMO
• Usable in "normal" installations with correct implementation (basically de-tuning the “long range” features)
• Max power consumption: 16.5W
• Max throughput = 600Mbps @ 2.4GHz, 2.4Gbps @ 5GHz
• 300 concurrent clients

Unifi 6 Pro - SKU: U6-Pro-US - $149 – currently Sold Out

• Saucer-shaped (197mm), ceiling mount
• 2.4GHz radio is 2x2 MIMO
• 5GHz radio is 4x4 MIMO
• Max power consumption: 13W
• Max throughput = 573.5Mbps @ 2.4GHz, 4.8Gbps @ 5GHz
• 300 Concurrent clients

Unifi 6 Enterprise – SKU: U6-Enterprise-US - $299 – currently in-stock at store.ui.com

• Saucer-shaped (220mm), ceiling mount
• 2.4GHz radio is 2x2 MIMO
• 5GHz radio is 4x4 MIMO
• 6GHz radio is 4x4 MIMO
• 2.5GbE NIC
• Power consumption: 22W
• Max throughput = 573.5Mbps @ 2.4GHz, 4.8Gbps @ 5GHz, 4.8Gbps @ 6GHz
• 600 concurrent clients
• Note that this is the only unit that currently supports the very latest wifi, 801.11ax, a.k.a “Wifi 6E”

Unifi 6Mesh – SKU: U6-Mesh-US - $179 – currently n-stock at store.ui.com

• Cylinder-shaped (48.5mm x 159.5mm), table-top, wall or ceiling mount
• Ceiling mount = FlexHD-CM3, $49 for 3 – in-stock at store.ui.com
• Designed for “mesh” setup (wireless backhaul), but can be used in a “normal” setup with wired homeruns.
• 2.4GHz radio is 2x2 MIMO
• 5GHz radio is 4x4 MIMO
• Max Power consumption: 11.4W
• Max throughput = 573.5Mbps @ 2.4GHz, 4.8Gbps @ 5GHz
• 300 concurrent clients

Unifi 6 In-Wall - SKU: U6-IW-US - $179 – currently in-stock at store.ui.com

• Mounts to a standard in-wall low-voltage box
• Rectangular (96mm x 140mm), slightly larger than a standard outlet cover
• 2.4GHz radio is 2x2 MIMO
• 5GHz radio is 4x4 MIMO
• Max power consumption: 15.4W
• Max throughput = 573.5Mbps @ 2.4GHz, 4.8Gbps @ 5GHz
• Includes 4 ethernet port switch in the design
• 300 concurrent clients
• Meant for single-room coverage. Propagation lower than ceiling mounted options due to positioning

NanoHD – NOT WIFI6, but listed to compare – SKU: UAP-nanoHD-US - $179

• Saucer-shaped (160mm)
• 2.4GHz radio is 2x2 MIMO
• 5GHz radio is 4x4 MIMO
• Max power consumption: 10.5W
• Max throughput = 300Mbps @ 2.4GHz, 1.7Gbps @ 5GHz
• 200 concurrent clients

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

For the past 2 years...we've done OK with Ubiquiti stock....generally maintaining a decent roomful of it.
For the first time...we're hurting for stock. Getting ready to find a "plan B" for something similar.

 

[Go-To Gordon]

I've deployed several 6 LR's lately and they have been rock solid! Great range unlike the old "LR".