I need a good outdoor net connection.

[mikehende]

Hey guys, my router is inside of my house, I need a solid wifi connection in my yard for my laptop to have strong signal to the net. Someone told me an outdoor antenna should work but I am thinking maybe a range extender would be good too, anything anyone can recommend please?

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Ubiquiti Picostation M2HP is what I recommend. It's designed for outdoor use with 360° coverage at a range of up to 500 m. If you want AC speeds we'll have to choose another model.

 

[mikehende]

Thank you very much but some reviews show that is a great unit BUT according to the reviews, I am scared to purchase this.

http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Pico...&qid=1455060219&sr=8-1&keywords=picostation+m

 

[AnonymouseUser]

It's rated 4.5 stars with 249 reviews. What is it about the reviews that scares you?

 

[RadiclDreamer]

They make good gear, nothing to be scared of honestly.

 

[mikehende]

It's rated 4.5 stars with 249 reviews. What is it about the reviews that scares you?

3 of the first 5 reviews:

1] Note: These aren't consumer-grade access points, if you know nothing about networking, don't buy them, they will just frustrate you because they aren't simple like consumer-grade routers/APs

2] There are two issues to be aware of, though. 1) The manual that comes with this thing is NOT good - as a matter of fact, it's useless. You will need to go to their blog to be able to configure it for operation (I'm a network engineer and I had trouble getting it to work without the use of the entries in their blog). 2) The power supply provided is VERY SENSITIVE to lightning in the area! You need to make SURE you have great grounding or it will blow as soon as you have high lightning in the vicinity.

3] Pro: Super long distance throw for point to point application
Con: Amplification has to be set to max causing overheating and rapid failure.

 

[mikehende]

Also our house has Aluminum siding and the router is located in the room at the front of the house.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

3 of the first 5 reviews:

1] Note: These aren't consumer-grade access points, if you know nothing about networking, don't buy them, they will just frustrate you because they aren't simple like consumer-grade routers/APs

2] There are two issues to be aware of, though. 1) The manual that comes with this thing is NOT good - as a matter of fact, it's useless. You will need to go to their blog to be able to configure it for operation (I'm a network engineer and I had trouble getting it to work without the use of the entries in their blog). 2) The power supply provided is VERY SENSITIVE to lightning in the area! You need to make SURE you have great grounding or it will blow as soon as you have high lightning in the vicinity.

Those reviews are dated March and September 2012, they are much easier to configure now. Here's an Amazon review from earlier this month:

5.0 out of 5 starsSet up was easy enough but I did watch several youtube videos
ByW. Mickon March 2, 2016
Verified Purchase
A quality product. I use it as an access point to get coverage outdoors on my 20 acre property. I mounted it on the roof of my house which sits up high. I can get a solid connection (no speed loss) at about 200 yards and a fair connection at 300 yards. This is line of site through many trees (its winter now so no leaves). I'm using the stock antenna. Set up was easy enough but I did watch several youtube videos. I've set up many routers before but I'm not an expert by any means. The web interface is very nice and actually easier to navigate than others. It does have more settings than the average wireless router but only a few need changing for use as an access point. Based on experience so far, I'd buy it again.

3] Pro: Super long distance throw for point to point application
Con: Amplification has to be set to max causing overheating and rapid failure.

See the comments to that review. It is not necessary to increase amplification.

 

[mikehende]

Thanks. Do you know if it will also work as far as inside of my garage, the yard is between the house and the detached garage, the garage is about 25' from the back of the house, right now I am using a powerline adapter inside the garage to get net access on my desktop, would prefer wireless if it can connect to the router inside the house or in this case to that unit in the yard.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

That should work as long as the Picostation is mounted outside.

Watch a fairly recent youtube video before you buy to make sure you understand the setup process. If that is way over your head then we'll find something else.

 

[mikehende]

I like everything I am seeing about that device [thanks!] and the range is super but still I would prefer a plug and play equivalent as first option as I am not all that network savvy.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

You could try a TP-Link or Engenius access point. The biggest distinction between Ubiquiti, TP-Link, and Engenius is that Ubiquiti is geared toward Enterprise use while the others are geared towards Consumer use. That is why Ubiquiti doesn't focus on ease of use like the others, so the TP-Link and Engenius should be easier to configure.

That said, the TP-Link AP is only 150Mpbs capable but can function as a router. The Engenius may also function as a router. Some customers complain about difficulty with setup for all three APs. All three APs are priced similarly and the Ubiquiti is the highest rated by customer reviews.

 

[mikehende]

I use tp link nano adapters, it works great and plug and play but for this purpose I am thinking it will be best to have the best so the Ubiquiti would be the best option, don't they offer phone support for technical issues?

 

[AnonymouseUser]

I like my TP-Link networking equipment as well, but realize they are a value solution. I'm not sure they offer phone support, but they do offer email support.

 

[mikehende]

I will call them to find out, get back to you when I do, thanks!

 

[kevnich2]

Ubiquiti gear is rock solid, across the board. However, the setup and configuration process is not for non-tech people. At the same time though, you can't want top notch solid gear, but that is "plug and play", it doesn't work that way. Technology gear like this can't be plug and play and be rock solid at the same time. That's why network admins/engineers get paid what they do.

On a positive note, with a little self education of the product and instruction manual, you should be able to configure it without a problem. Their setup is very straight forward and upon initial configuration, it is wizard based and guides you through all the setup with only a few things that need customized for your usage case.

 

[mikehende]

Very well put. I have someone who is network savvy to help with this plus I have emailed to them to ask if they can provide phone support if needed, just waiting on their answer, will let you guys know when I get a reply from them but yes, that unit from what I've seen in the video which AnonymouseUser linked me to, that will definitely be my first option.

 

[mikehende]

Just got word from their support, they said they offer chat support 24/7 so that settles it, I will get this unit as soon as the weather lifts here and will report on everything then, till then thanks again guys and take it easy.

 

[mxnerd]

Youtube got some tutorials

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=+Picostation+M2HP

 

[mikehende]

Ok thanks.

 

[mikehende]

We bought and received the unit 2 weeks ago guys, just waiting for the weather to lift to try it out, will let you guys know, thanks!

 

[sonitravel09]

The solution to your problem is going to tie you to one of the major cellular players. Sprint and Verizon offer the fastest service, both have unlimited for around $60 per month. AT&T has a $60/month plan, but it's no longer unlimited.

 

[mikehende]

Sorry I am not understanding your post?