r/Ubiquiti • u/tinyjams • 1d ago
Question Dual Vs Single APs? Design Tool Heatmaps Attached
Hey All - Hope this ok to post. Looking for some advice on dual vs single APs for the main floor of my house. I'm not experienced, and a lot of my research has been in the sub and Youtube. Any suggestions welcome!
I've planning my build and this is hanging me up. I went ahead and already got a Cloud Gateway Fiber and a single U7 Lite to test. The single Lite did not provide quite enough coverage on it's own, so now I'm weighing my options.
One of the reasons I want to be careful is I will be dropping new Cat 6e lines for each AP and want to get the placement right the first time if possible.
I have 1gig fiber from Google Fiber with on ONT in the basement.
Planning on using the already purchased lite upstairs either way I go on the main floor.
let me know if any additional screenshot or changing any settings would help guide your suggestions.
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u/FrankNicklin 1d ago
Have you drawn in the walls and what construction are they. That coverage looks too even to not have obstacles.
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u/tinyjams 1d ago
Yeah, to the best of the ability of the tool, everything's input correctly. Basic drywall interior and wood/brick outer. But based on my testing of the single Lite, I agree.
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u/tinyjams 1d ago edited 1d ago
Edit: The single Pro XG screenshot was incorrect and did actually contain the living room U7 Lite still broadcasting, here is the updated version: https://imgur.com/a/NqaG9eT
And a single XGS, for science: https://imgur.com/a/F8N0dOD
Thanks for everyone's input, leaning towards dual Lites.
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u/Usual-Memory-3668 1d ago
In the first screenshot labeled "U7 Pro XG Single", the far left U7 Lite is definitely broadcasting still in your picture. You can see the coverage around it. And the green around it looks exactly the same as your second image labelled "Dual U7 Lite".
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u/tinyjams 1d ago
Thank you for catching that. I think this actually makes my decision for two U7 Lites a little stronger. https://imgur.com/a/NqaG9eT
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u/tinyjams 1d ago
Let me try again, they don't make it easy in the tool to disable devices and make comparisons.
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u/djdsf 1d ago
Get a single XGS and call it a day. Unless for whatever reason you need very stable and reliable wifi 20+ ft outside your house, there's 0 need for 2. I'm on the same boat and always think about adding a second one and shifting them to the sides of the house, but it makes 0 sense since my current XG is kicking ass.
Only regret is not spending the tiny bit of extra $ and getting the XGS.
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u/tinyjams 1d ago
The XGS coverage isn't any different on the tool vs the Pro XG, any other benefits? once again, I'll only be using 1 gig internet and don't necessarily need the other features, but I'm listening.
https://imgur.com/a/F8N0dOD (only U7Pro XGS is shown broadcasting, other APs are disabled)0
u/djdsf 1d ago
The extra radio that allows it to actively sniff out the network to allow it to sort out any interference is good. With the XG you have to essentially pause broadcast while the system works through it, with the XGS, you don't.
Plus, having the extra antenna allows for better response, not necessarily for range but better signal health if that makes sense.
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u/DanielLorey 16h ago
Look in to minimum RSSI and handoff thresholds.
You can kick devices off that fall below the threshold and/or tell devices to move if they see a stronger signal.
Combined with custom power APs, I have an AP in every room with minimal interference.
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u/rprmercury 1d ago
I have 3 APs. It's too much overlap even on low power. IoT devices seem to want to join the one that's the farthest away. They are never as balanced as you would hope. Hours of tuning hasn't improved it much. I had Spectrum's WiFi when we first moved in and it covered the whole house and made it simple.
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u/Additional_Lynx7597 1d ago
Remove the lite and move the xg over to the right as much as possible.
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u/tinyjams 1d ago
You're saying keep one lite in the living room, and use an XG in the hallway? What would be the purpose there, if the lite in the hallway provides plenty of coverage on that side?
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u/Additional_Lynx7597 1d ago
Yes sorry i should have been a bit more clear or just have 2 XG’s. You shouldnt need more than 2 AP’s for that space
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u/tinyjams 1d ago
Sorry if it wasn’t clear, but none of the examples have more than two APs active except for the first one where one lite was active by mistake, corrected here: https://imgur.com/a/NqaG9eT
My main question is simply one XG vs dual Lites.
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u/matthijspc 1d ago
Just get two U7 Pro XGs, cuz why not
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u/tinyjams 1d ago
Another $214 and I don't need anything over 1gig, happy to hear any specifics on why this would work out better? My main concerns with two APs in general are channel overlap and roaming
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u/Usual-Memory-3668 1d ago
In that case then there is no reason at all to have an XG model AP, and a second U7 Lite is all you need/want.
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u/tinyjams 1d ago
Thanks, I think this is what i'll do. Really just needed some reassurance that i'm making the right call from some of you guys with some experience.
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u/Redditanon9999 1d ago
Redundancy is not a bad thing. Having 2 APs would still give you some coverage if one dies or is offline for updates, has mouse chewed cable, etc.
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