UniFi question -- use non-UI Wi-Fi routers as APs?

[MRFraff]

I currently have two Linksys Velop Wi-Fi routers in my home. They are working well but 1) I want to expand coverage to a room that lacks decent signal, and 2) I'd like to transition to a setup that offers more flexibility. To these ends I'm leaning towards Ubiquiti's UniFi equipment.

I've seen advice to "start small and expand", and am thinking about a Cloud Gateway Ultra coupled with a U6-Pro, U6 In-Wall, or U6 Mesh AP for the coverage-lacking room (to which I'm running Ethernet). To save money, can I keep the 2 Linksys Wi-Fi routers I already have and use them as simple access points with the UCG-Ultra, or do I need to replace them with new Ubiquiti APs (in which case I'd have to buy 3 new APs instead of just 1)? If in fact I can keep using the Linksys routers as simple APs, how much configuration and/or management functionality do I sacrifice compared to using Ubiquiti APs?

Separately, how directional are Ubiquiti's APs? As far as I can see the U6-Pro, U6 In-Wall, and U6 Mesh have very similar performance specs and prices but very different shapes (disc vs. rectangle vs. cylinder). Is there any difference in the directionality of the signal transmission from one vs. the other? How do I determine which one is best for my needs? (I don't care about any aesthetic considerations)

 

[seggy]

Dont do that. If you're going Unifi, go Unifi.

Indoor and you have no issues with the saucer being visible up on the ceiling or on wall, go Pro.

Why three AP's in particular? Have you mapped coverage?

 

[MRFraff]

1. Thanks for the advice, though that's kindof obvious. I would immediately jump into an all-UniFi setup if money were no object. Instead, if possible I'd prefer to convert over time, so for the 3 AP's I need: start with 1 new UniFi AP and my 2 existing Linksys routers, and then eventually replace the Linksys routers with UniFi APs. What I would like to know is if this is doable.

2. Why do you recommend the Pro over the Wall or Mesh versions of the U6 AP? Are there any specific advantages?

3. Yes, I've roughly mapped coverage. The signal in one room (that happens to be at the periphery of my home) is very weak, thus the desire for an additional, third AP.

 

[seggy]

"though that's kindof obvious."

I know. Starting to see the problem?

You're assuming the Unifi AP will have the same coverage. Get one, test it first. Then supplement. Don't bother with trying to integrate the Linksys.

The Pro is the catch-all product. The others are intended for specific uses that is either outlined in the name or product description. If you want to get into technical aspects, the Pro is also the most capable in terms of radio performance.

 

[Ifti]

At home I use two Ubiquiti Amplify Alien routers, meshed.
Has worked perfectly well for years now, no issue at all.

At work I installed a Unify Cloud Key Gen 2 in order to run 30 U6-LR Access Points in a mesh configuration.
All access points hard wired to PoE switches.

The system is great. Everything was awesome for the first year.
After the first year though, the U6-LR units just started failing.
Cables checked, network checked, switches checked - everything else on network is fine - its just these U6-LR access points.

What happens is they start to disconnect for a few minutes and then reconnect again. This happens more and more often, and for longer periods, until they just die completely.
Some power up and just wont adopt - but most of the time they are completely dead and do not power up any longer.

I'm now switching them across to U6+ access points instead, which are smaller and range isn't as far, but I need reliability more then anything else.

If it continues I'll be ditching Ubiquiti at work and looking elsewhere........