Description
The UAP-AC-LR-US 802.11ac Long Range Access Point from Ubiquiti Networks is ideal for long‑range deployments. This access point offers simultaneous, dual band operation with 3 x 3 MIMO in the 2.4 GHz band and 2 x 2 MIMO in the 5 GHz band. The innovative antenna design provides a long range, symmetrical link coverage area. The antenna gain of this access point performs better than what one way, high transmit power does for connecting distant clients.
Bushranger –
I didn’t need faster internet, I needed better wifi.Let me start by saying that everything you have read is true; this access point requires some knowledge to set up. But just like everything else, there are plenty of resources online to help. I bought this because I had very slow internet. My service includes a modest 15 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up. We are a family of 5: two parents and three kids, all connected at the same time. We stream videos and browse online mostly, but occasionally play xbox live also.The problem was that my old modem/wifi router was placed on the main floor of our 1300 sq ft home but located on an outside wall and mounted behind our LCD tv thanks to my wife’s ‘design choices’. This essentially put the router outside and was causing severe dead spots everywhere except the main floor living room. I really noticed the problem upstairs in the bedroom where my Apple TV couldn’t stream Netflix, and I couldn’t browse on my iPad without constant delays, lagging and loss of wifi signal. At first I thought I needed to upgrade to a faster service until I did some wifi speed testing. Turns out I was getting less than half of the speed I was paying for right in the living room (about 6 Mbps) and when I measured upstairs, I was getting less than 1Mbps (sometimes only about 100 Kbps. At one point, I thought I could hear the old dial-up modem sounds coming from my iPad. But I digress). I phoned my ISP to see if the problem was at their end and they assured me that I should have been getting the speeds that I was paying for.The solution was this Ubiquiti access point. I put up some temporary ethernet cables and placed the Unifi AP up high on a central wall. Once it was configured and running, I did the same speed tests. I could not believe that I was getting in excess of my 15 Mbps everywhere in the house, from top floor far corner to basement. My house was bathed in delicious wifi. Now all five of us can use our devices without issues. Two of my kids stream Netflix, the littlest one watches YouTube, my wife shops Amazon and I download files legally all at the same time. What a time to be alive!Because the access point does not require an electrical outlet, there are plenty of mounting options. I decided to mount it inside a hall closet on the main floor (see pic). The result: can’t see the device (which made my wife happy) but still strong reliable wifi throughout the house. I can even keep a wifi signal in the front garden or backyard. Awesome.TL:DR, I was prepared to pay for faster internet in order to solve my wifi problems. This access point solved the problem at a reasonable cost. I couldn’t be happier.
Moonrunner –
Not for the non-technical typesPlease note that these are for the prosumers and small businesses. They will not replace your existing ‘wireless router’ (typical, home-use, all in one device that acts as a router, gateway, switch and wireless access point). You will need to use them with an existing router.Another thing to note is that the ceiling mount is only if you have removable ceiling tiles. I resolved that issue by using strong, silicone-based double-sided tape that has 3lbs/inch hold (3 pieces) but removes cleanly. Ceiling mounting is the best solution for optimal wireless coverage.You will need to install their controller software, but don’t have to run it 24/7. Only during initial setup or when doing additional configuration changes/diagnostics. My coworker didn’t have issues with installing it on a Windows PC, but I ran it on a Debian server. There is no official CentOS support, and even on Debian, there were some weird dependencies that took a bit of googling to sort out.2 of these WAP’s are giving us great coverage across a pretty spacious home and in the backyard. We can literally bring out a TV with an Amazon Fire stick and watch 4K content on the patio. One of them is directly connected to the pfSense router/gateway/UTM appliance, while the other one had to be deployed via PLC’s (still iperfing at 300Mbps each way, while my Internet connection is 150 symmetrical, so the backbone is more than adequate).P.S. If my review left you scratching your head, Amazon has lots of regular consumer-oriented wireless access points and mesh bundles, at great rates.
Amazonaholic –
Wow! What a difference!I live in a area that is flooded with WiFi networks. At any time of the day on my computer I can see 35-45 networks. Of those, my computer is receiving 25 or more at full strength. On weeekend evenings when everybody in the neighbourhood was online, my 40/10 network which ran at 38/8 on WiFi during the day dropped to 4/0.5 or less. (Not a typo. 1/10 it’s speed or less) Sometimes the WiFi became so bad that I couldn’t even run a speed test. On top of that, the latency on my cable Internet connection was all over the map. Even on Ethernet, the speed might look okay but Netflix would buffer all over the place, web pages would time out while loading, Skype and FaceTime calls would drop, and my VOIP phone adapter would loose its sync for days at a time.So first I installed a Ubiquiti Edgerouter X. That took care of latency problems and improved the speed of my wired connections about 10%. So my 40/10 connection was now delivering 44/12 at its best and 42/10 during peak periods. So with my TV on Ethernet, Netflix didn’t buffer anymore and video chats worked without a problem on Ethernet. But not surprisingly, wireless performance was still in the crapper. So then I bought this, the AC LR. Now even at the worst times, when my old WiFi stopped functioning all together, the very worst I ever see is 40/10 on WiFi, even with everyone in the neighbourhood online.Basic configuration wasn’t difficult but I had done my research on setup before purchasing. You can do simple setup from the mobile app on your phone, but if you want to setup more than one SSID (WiFi network name) or use more advanced features like the guest portal, you’ll have to run the Unifi Comtroller software. It isn’t overly difficult if you’re at least somewhat technically inclined, it it definitely isn’t like buying a consumer grade router from your local Best Buy.You’ll need Java installed on whatever you install the Controller software on (Windows, macOS, Raspberry Pi, Ubiquiti Cloud Key) but you’re only required to have it running for initial setup, although some advanced features do require it running all the time.In short, in a heavily congested area this access point is @#$#&& amazing!!!!Highly recommemded.
Tony –
Excellent access point!This is an excellent access point! The signal is strong, and the performance is great. It is powered by PoE so you can easily mount it somewhere should you choose to do so. Just know that this is an *access point*, NOT a wireless router. You still need a router attached to handle packet routing. I personally use a Ubiquiti Edgerouter-X which is an excellent combo for home use with this AP. My only complaint is that the configuration UI software can be janky, requiring a java webserver on your computer to manage the AP. I’d have preferred if I could have just set the whole thing up over SSH like I can with the edgerouter. Other then that, it works and has many features. PRO-TIP: You can have it broadcast different networks based on the VLANs so you can have seperate networks for your devices, and shady IoT stuff you may want to firewall on a router.
Stormygsd –
Stellar WAP for home or small to large business. Clusterable for expandability.Great expandable access point. Fast throughout, great signal. Super easy to set up with the mobile app.. but if you want to cluster a few of these together you will want to run the server.Integrated PoE as the sole power source cleans up your life, fewer wires or bricks to deal with. Just run some cat6 to wherever you want and install and forget… But make sure you do some signal testing with an app like wifi analyzer to make sure you have your positioning half decent! There are lots of reviews that mention that this isn’t a router/firewall, and no it’s not. This is a purpose built wireless access point ONLY… So you just turn wireless off on your modem/router and deploy this one instead. If you don’t disable the. You are just muddying the wireless waters even further, fyi.Big house? Lots of floors? Want signal in your garage too? Buy a couple more and run the server to cluster your network. The software enables smooth client handoff as you roam around with your laptop or phone.My only complaint is by default both 5ghz and 2.4ghz are on the same SSID, and lots of devices have issues switching from one to the other (not a problem with the access point).. so just run your default and default5 networks. Connect your 5ghz capable devices for fast throughoutput and everything else to 2.4 for longer range albeit slower wireless… And by slower I’m talking 500mbit real world on 5ghz and 15-30mbit real world on 2.4ghz thanks to the noise on the 2.4 band.
Dave –
Worst customer Service/Technical Support that existsI read the review and thought it would be a good buy for my situation. I have a detached house with 2 storeys..My modem is on one side on main floor and my bedroom is on the other side on the second floor.The AP blue light stopped working after 3 months. But signal was still ok, so i did not report it.Then after 2 months, signal started to drop, i contacted tech support, and waited for 52 minutes to have a chat with some that was useless.I spoke to amazon, who was nice enough to accept the return because there was already an RMA that i opened when the light wet off.Wasted my time. Please don’t buy this product.So disappointed!
spoli –
WiFi AP with a good range and stabilityA bit disappointed that the product is not the latest version that is silent: mine generates an annoying “scratching” noise from its internal voltage regulator that you can hear in a quiet room. Ubiquiti knows about the problem – try RMA-ing the product if you find the noise to be unacceptable. Search Google for reports about the noise issue.Otherwise, this WiFi AP seems to be stable and deliver a fairly decent signal. Be aware that signal strength and interference is specific to your own installation and environment. As consequence, find a central location in your home to install the device (ceiling of the main floor preferred).Physical installation is relatively simple if you plan ahead. The ideal moment to install this AP is when you renovate your home and you can run the LAN side Ethernet PoE/data cable (Cat 5E) in the walls from your modem/router to the UniFi AP. If you cannot do that, you may need to improvise depending on your situation. For example, in a 2 story house you can place the device on the second floor as close to the center as possible (not on the edges); be aware that there is a signal strength loss on the main floor because of absorption by the construction material (this is much worse if the floors are made of concrete). In the worst case try to find a way to run a cable between floors and use two APs.Setting up the device for the first time may be challenging if you try to use the desktop application from the manufacturer’s website. In standalone device installations, it may be simpler to use the phone app. For example, with an Android phone search for UniFi and install it. Then you can change device settings on the fly, even change IP(s) of WiFi AP(s). I also recommend using a WiFi Analyzer app to check the strength of the signal and possible interference in different areas of your home (and, subsequently, adjust the location of the device, and channel settings). I suggest starting with most settings on Auto or Default before anything else. If you have a mixture of wireless devices in your home, enable both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios and use the same WLAN settings on both.Interference can be especially problematic in the 2.4 GHz band. With the WiFi Analizer, I see around 15..25 sources (more in the evenings). Because not everybody has a the knowledge or professional help to configure their WiFi networks, the band can be really crowded and your results disappointing. If you can work with your immediate neighbors, try allocate channels in such a way that you are surrounded by WiFi networks using different channels than yours. Try to convince your immediate neighbors to use only two of the 1, 6 and 11 channels while you use the remaining. Don’t be tempted to use intermediate channels if you don’t know exactly what your are doing because they overlap with the above mentioned channels. The realistic speed in the 2.4 GHz band can reach 1…10 Mbps (decreases with distance and interference).5 GHz band is less crowded and the signal drops dramatically outside of your house. In addition, not too many devices in your home use 5 GHz band. The main advantage is speed that realistically can reach 10…50 Mbps or even more if you are close to the AP.In my home, after trying three different WiFi routers, I found UniFi AP giving me the best results. I can finally watch movies on Netflix with a Google Chromecast device that’s placed behind my TV not in a great location to begin with. Smartphone works fine in the whole home, even in the basement.Please note that LR (long range) doesn’t necessarily mean that you will reach your detached garage on the other side of your back yard with a decent signal. In such cases you may need to use devices with directional antennas especially designed for such applications.I recommend UniFi APs as a good solution for a typical house with the main floor area of below 1000 sqft even if (like me) buy just one device. If one device is not enough, adding one of two more could offer you the coverage that you may need.Good luck!
Malu –
Is on the way to be end-of-life; great range and performance for limited usersPlease for the love of god get a Ubiquiti brain of some kind: preferably the UDM-Pro. Just get it so that gateway router can be the brains and manage the devices, otherwise you will likely need multiple versions of the UniFi Controller software in order to manage the legacy devices… Sheesh.The network this unit is intended for will never have more than half a dozen WiFi devices demanding internet at any one time, which is good as the unit is NOT designed for MU-MIMO. This is about *range* and covering as much square footage of the building with as few access points as possible.I’ll be buying a few more of these before they disappear forever and deploy them in some rural sites for clients (as the singe indoor WAP).Another reminder: the device is meant to be placed onto a wall or -most ideally- the ceiling. Some clients demand the unit sit on a desk or in a closet: no! The whole area of coverage and direction of the WiFi signal is meant to be on a ceiling. Do whatever you must to get it up there and then be happy with the awesome coverage you have after all is said and done.
Amazon Customer –
Fantastic AP!Most people do not know that Wi-Fi Issues in their house is caused by their Router/Modem Setup. Almost everyone I know always use the ISP-provided modem/router/access point combo unit and leave it as that. And even if you Pay more for speed, its not going to fix wifi. Getting an external Router or Access Point (in this case) is the best method to solve wifi coverage/speed/latency issues.Now this wont give you faster speeds. But a much more reliable connection with little to no latecy as possible.With 2 of these AP’s I am able to get almost 100-200mbps (out of my 300mbps internet) anywhere in the entire house with
Jim B –
Impressive Range and reasonably easy setupLove the size of this AP. I’ve mounted mine midway down a hallway in the centre of the house. The entire floor has 5G connectivity now. Quite impressed with the range. I also found the start initial startup to be a bit confusing and only managed to get connected to the AP after I found a good tutorial.EDIT: As it turns out, there is very helpful and complete guidance under the Support portion of their website. I had went directly to Downloads for the Controller Software and the manual available there was not up to date at all.