Wifi Router Recommendations
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Hello All
I currently have a Linksys EA7500 in use for my wifi traffic. I've had it for 4 years and it may be time for an upgrade.
The problem with this one is that it has no ability to adjust the power and boost it. I sit on 1/3 acres and want to have a solid wifi connection anywhere on on my property. I have tried extenders but they are working as expected.Any recommendations on wifi routers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
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I think you may be looking for an Access Point, not a router.
I like the Unifi APs. In my case the POE makes them easy place. There are extenders to push POE quite far if you want to put one in a barn...
The software is reasonably easy to use and they can appear as one SSID allowing roaming between the APs with no disruption.
If you want to get fancy they also support VLANs, allowing you to separate guests. -
@andyrh
I'd love to spend the money to get them, however now is not the time. Is there other APs you and anyone could recommend? -
@sgt_spike With Wifi6, there are a lot of last gen AC 2.4/5ghz unifi access points on ebay well under $100 each. If you aren’t needing the latest and greatest, this is a frugal way to migrate to unifi. I had an eero kit but when I went to add vlans, they offered no support. Fortunately they had great resell demand on the used market. pfsense paired with unifi has been a great combination.
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@jpvonhemel Also the U6 lites have great power and coverage and are way below 100$ to buy. So see no real reason to buy 2nd hand devices.
I'd love to spend the money to get them, however now is not the time. Is there other APs you and anyone could recommend?
Why is it "not the time"? What gives? They are affordable, controller can be installed on a PC for initial setup and depending on your setup isn't needed afterwards - so what? Find it dazzling that people go for 100+$ all-in-wonder-routerAPs but already running routers like pfSense just for a "good WiFi AP" when there are real APs that don't do unnecessary stuff but WiFi that even cost less. :)
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@jegr said in Wifi Router Recommendations:
Why is it "not the time"? What gives? They are affordable, controller can be installed on a PC for initial setup and depending on your setup isn't needed afterwards - so what? Find it dazzling that people go for 100+$ all-in-wonder-routerAPs but already running routers like pfSense just for a "good WiFi AP" when there are real APs that don't do unnecessary stuff but WiFi that even cost less. :)
@JeGr Funny I don't see where I told everyone what my budget is? Your argument is to insult people into buying something you (your opinion) think is great product. Not very convincing! You don't know my situation and I find your assumptions unprofessional
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@sgt_spike Hello, your use case was coverage for 1/3 acre with control of radio power as extenders do not help. Curious to know how you are using pfSense, ie vlans, openvpn, pfB?
Are you able/willing to share your budget? Do you have any new wifi routers you are currently considering? I don't think any one has any intention to insult you, just to provide you with good recommendations that help you meet your goals. If you are not interested in Unifi/Ubiquiti, which are relatively affordable, functional, popular and great to provide tailored coverage, please update us with what you are considering and what you eventually choose. I am always interested in options.
I live on 2.6 acres and have sufficient coverage in the yard with 3 unifi AC APs. Good luck with your hunt.
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@sgt_spike You are in a pfSense forum so it should be no surprise that the recommendation is going to be:
- a pfsense router/firewall
- a separate AP or more than one. If you don't like Unifi pick another brand.
You didn't mention budget, but the Unifi AP U6 Lite with WiFi 6 support seems like a bargain to me. Maybe in combination with a U6 LR.
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@sgt_spike said in Wifi Router Recommendations:
@jegr said in Wifi Router Recommendations:
Why is it "not the time"? What gives? They are affordable, controller can be installed on a PC for initial setup and depending on your setup isn't needed afterwards - so what? Find it dazzling that people go for 100+$ all-in-wonder-routerAPs but already running routers like pfSense just for a "good WiFi AP" when there are real APs that don't do unnecessary stuff but WiFi that even cost less. :)
@JeGr Funny I don't see where I told everyone what my budget is? Your argument is to insult people into buying something you (your opinion) think is great product. Not very convincing! You don't know my situation and I find your assumptions unprofessional
Huh? What's your beef?
I didn't say ONE word to insult anyone. Don't see where exactly you read that. I just asked why it "is not the time" as I simply don't understand why it's a matter of time. The other thing I assumed is money as you yourself mentioned the linksys system. That still goes for around 150€ around here in Europe. So I simply don't understand the line I quoted, why you thought it isn't the time for Unifi APs as neither them being available, their price (being lower then the device you already own) or their function is a show-stopper IMHO.The other remark wasn't pointed to you in particular but as we are asked about WiFi APs in the forums a lot, very often it's about some super-duper router-box like Netgears new XY UFO that alone costs way over 200$ - while the same person runs pfSense as their firewall/router. That's the other thing I don't get, why I would spend money on functions I don't need - e.g. a WiFi Router that does only function as an AP later and costs way more than two or three pure APs. Unifi is only an example of course but it's a popular choice and as it was mentioned by @jpvonhemel I just added some information.
Can't see where I was "unprofessional" or "inuslting", I was just direct. I'm no marketing guy and don't like sales BS. Just wanted to point out, that there is a relatively cheap AP (U6 lite or U6 LR when you have that big of an area to cover) that goes well with pfSense' core features. If that was enough to insult you - sorry.
Cheers
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What is your budget then?
I would not expect to be able to cover that area with a single access point.
I am also using a Ubiquity AP (UAP-AC-LR) though I loaded OpenWRT on there some time ago and never looked back.
Steve
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S stephenw10 locked this topic on
