What mesh for my stead?

[WalPOW]

I'm wanting to install a mesh Network for my property. I spend a large amount of my time in my workshop or out back off my house. I would like to be able to connect as far back as possible but I know the connecting devices would likely be the limiting factor.

My property is just over 100x50 yards (91x46M) long with the house setback 70 feet (21M) & the house is 45 feet (13M) long. 

 

I don't game over wifi & prefer the option to go PoE if I put it in certain locations.

 

Tight budget at around $200 US

 

Current Network:

Wired - Ubiquiti Edge router in a closet with a patch panel & 2, 8 port switches, Cat 5/6 throughout the house & garage.

Wifi - old TP-Link wifi router in AP mode & a Ubiquiti outdoor directional antenna.

 

I was considering the TP-Link Deco X20, with the satellites wired to the front & back of my house & 1 in the back of my garage. The problem with this option is it doesn't support PoE.

 

Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks! 

[Aaron_T]

I know it's over your budget, but as you already have some of their devices, you know how awesome ubiquiti devices are. If I were you'd I'd save up for one of these kits. It checks all boxes other than cost.

https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-wireless/products/unifi-building-to-building-bridge

Alternatively, if cost is fixed, and can't be increased over time, then I would maybe consider something like this: 

 

https://www.amazon.com/GearIT-Outdoor-Ethernet-Copper-Direct/dp/B08P2QXQL5

 

Just run a long outdoor cable. Could burry it, or run it along a fence to 'hide' it.

 

I'm suggesting alternatives because I have used mesh systems from Asus and TP-Link, and both were just a boat load of problems. As soon as I switched to ubiquiti my troubles went away.

[Aaron_T]

This may work also, and seems to be in budget:

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Bundle-NanoStation-Outdoor-airMAX/dp/B01EBBKVDE

Edit:

And another ubiquiti option
https://store.ui.com/collections/early-access/products/airmax-litebeam-ac-5-ghz-xr-station-ea

[WalPOW]

26 minutes ago, AaronThomas said:

I know it's over your budget, but as you already have some of their devices, you know how awesome ubiquiti devices are. If I were you'd I'd save up for one of these kits. It checks all boxes other than cost.

https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-wireless/products/unifi-building-to-building-bridge

Alternatively, if cost is fixed, and can't be increased over time, then I would maybe consider something like this: 

 

https://www.amazon.com/GearIT-Outdoor-Ethernet-Copper-Direct/dp/B08P2QXQL5/ref=sxin_14_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?crid=255SUJ8WHBK19&cv_ct_cx=bulk%2Bcat6%2Boutdoor&keywords=bulk%2Bcat%2B6%2Boutdoor&pd_rd_i=B08P2QXQL5&pd_rd_r=f47b99fd-e222-413e-9367-f58369c7e7fe&pd_rd_w=LGYDJ&pd_rd_wg=0LQlR&pf_rd_p=277e850d-e5af-4753-a716-a3e99085c62d&pf_rd_r=DNYQ8RT1WV88K164C80X&qid=1646926952&sprefix=bulk%2Bcat6%2Boutdoor%2Caps%2C163&sr=1-1-a73d1c8c-2fd2-4f19-aa41-2df022bcb241-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzOTJNN1pKS1g5QVlUJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTMyOTY5MUtaV0tMTFBXQ0k0TyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTk0MzQ4TVpZRUs3U1VVSkhSJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3Bfc2VhcmNoX3RoZW1hdGljJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

 

Just run a long outdoor cable. Could burry it, or run it along a fence to 'hide' it.

 

I'm suggesting alternatives because I have used mesh systems from Asus and TP-Link, and both were just a boat load of problems. As soon as I switched to ubiquiti my troubles went away.

Thank you. I'll look into those options at lunch time.

 

btw, If you are interested, looking near the beginning of a long Amazon link you will see /ref. Everything in front of the / is the actual product listing and everything after it is the metadata associated with your account and your search term. You can delete all that if you want shorter links. 

I put the cursor at the /ref, hit enter to separate it, then select it & delete. 

[Aaron_T]

3 minutes ago, WalPOW said:

Thank you. I'll look into those options at lunch time.

 

btw, If you are interested, looking near the beginning of a long Amazon link you will see /ref. Everything in front of the / is the actual product listing and everything after it is the metadata associated with your account and your search term. You can delete all that if you want shorter links. 

I put the cursor at the /ref, hit enter to separate it, then select it & delete. 

Thanks, good tip!

[WalPOW]

30 minutes ago, AaronThomas said:

This may work also, and seems to be in budget:

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Bundle-NanoStation-Outdoor-airMAX/dp/B01EBBKVDE

Edit:

And another ubiquiti option
https://store.ui.com/collections/early-access/products/airmax-litebeam-ac-5-ghz-xr-station-ea

 

1 minute ago, AaronThomas said:

Thanks, good tip!

I think you may have misunderstood my post. I already have CAT5 and Cat6 ran in my house & garage.

I'm looking for a mesh Network to get better coverage in my house, garage, & yard without having to switch which access point I'm connected to.

As for burying cable further out in my property, that isn't an option. I am surrounded by farmland with no fences and my yard gets tilled for a garden regularly. 

[Aaron_T]

Ah, okay, that makes things easier. I use the Pro versions of these, and am extremely happy with them, they are poe, low power consumption, and outdoor rated. Two of these would give excellent coverage:
https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-wireless/products/unifi-ap-6-lite
 

You might even be fine with a single long range version:
https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-wireless/products/unifi-6-long-range-access-point

Also, this channel has some great content on setting up and optimizing ubiquiti devices and mesh networks.

https://www.youtube.com/c/CrosstalkSolutions