Ubiquiti M2 is a piece of ...

[Scott Berg]

OK, a comment... disclosure: I've run IT companies for years and still wear a pocket protector (for show). The Bullet, the Groove, and any other POE system work just fine. Some are more complicated, some not. I agree that many are more suited to a network technician than a cruising sailor who just wants internet access. My suggestion: purchase an all in one system from a cruiser on dirt (or, in Dalton's case, on a trawler). Both WifiForBoats and IslandTimePC provide integrated systems, tech support, and more. Yes, they are more expensive than ordering parts from Ali Baba or eBay but if you want to cruise I suggest you do that and pay an extra 10% of a boat unit for an expert to set something up that works for you. Most cruisers don't make their own sails or rebuild their own transmissions; no reason a network structure should be any different.

[Unregistered-1]

Originally Posted by Scott Berg

My suggestion: purchase an all in one system from a cruiser on dirt (or, in Dalton's case, on a trawler). Both WifiForBoats and IslandTimePC provide snip....

But it's made from ten year old junk with a crap antenna and quarter the transmit power, that they bought for a few bucks and panned off on unsuspecting non-tech buyers.....

Geez people. Buy a MODERN unit with BIG BALLS!!

Puhleeeeeeze!

[Lake-Effect]

I've used Ubiquiti devices professionally in custom systems, and I've installed them on boats, as part of a packaged system. As received from the factory, they are NOT consumer plug'n'play devices... but they are great performers once they're set up.

If you want better wifi reception for your boat, but don't really want to become a networking specialist, you are strongly advised to get one of the preconfigured systems aimed at mariners. Besides the ones already mentioned, I can also recommend Bitstorm.

If you ( or a friend) don't have the experience, it's a false economy to try to get around the markup of the packaged systems by just buying the raw Ubiquiti components. Unless you have infinite time and patience.

[Unregistered-1]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

I've used Ubiquiti devices professionally in custom systems, and I've installed them on boats, as part of a packaged system. As received from the factory, they are NOT consumer plug'n'play devices... but they are great performers once they're set up.

If you want better wifi reception for your boat, but don't really want to become a networking specialist, you are strongly advised to get one of the preconfigured systems aimed at mariners. Besides the ones already mentioned, I can also recommend Bitstorm

If you ( or a friend) don't have the experience, it's a false economy to try to get around the markup of the packaged systems by just buying the raw Ubiquiti components. Unless you have infinite time and patience.

You CANNOT TRUST people who mark your skills down and play you to be a dummy, THEN suggest all your problems will go away if you buy some (inferior and more expensive) product.

This is called a Shill. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shill

All your problems WONT go away, and you WILL still have to learn SOMEthing about it.

There are countless setup videos and skilled helpers online (including me) who will help you if you're stuck, as well as plenty of written instructions to follow.

As far as the Ubiquiti goes, they are perfectly straight forward to use to search for service once you have them in router mode.

Most, if not all the wifi stuff marketed to yachties is obsolete junk purchased by them for nothing at all by the box load, and re-branded and sold to you as superior.

Don't fall for it. It's a ripoff. Buy NEW MODERN stuff.

[Alberg30Shill]

There is a reset button on the bottom of POE adapter so you don't need to use the fiddly button on the bullet. Once you have it lit up, you'll love it. Keep at it and good luck.

[Unregistered-1]

Originally Posted by Alberg30Shill

There is a reset button on the bottom of POE adapter so you don't need to use the fiddly button on the bullet. Once you have it lit up, you'll love it. Keep at it and good luck.

There are two versions of the power supply reset button.

A.) One version powers the radio OFF as long as you hold the button down - but does not reset the radio. You CANNOT reset the radio if you have this power supply. It will only power-cycle it.

B.) The other version does not power the radio off when the reset is pressed - and when the reset is held down the radio lights will go flash-flash-flash and there is your factory reset. You must release as soon as you get the flash or else if you continue to hold it you will put the radio into firmware flash mode.

Annoyingly, the two power supplies are visually identical.

[ronstory]

Interesting, when I reviewed the data form the ubiquity forum the difference was just the gain on the antenna. I agree on antenna gain, but is the transmit power of the actual transmitter double as well?

Originally Posted by SteveWrightNZ

Don't get the Loco. It has the small antenna.

Get the big one - it has double the gain antenna and more than double the transmit power.

edit: Don't get the AC ones - you CANNOT use them as access points, should you want to.

[Unregistered-1]

And by the way, ALL the ubiquiti stuff runs off 11-29VDC no worries at all. I have a couple of solar powered 24V setups and have no problems.

You do not need power injectors - you can cut into the wiring and splice it right into your 12/24V system - trivally. See pic.

The BROWN is NEGATIVE.
The BLUE is POSITIVE.
(opposite to 230V mains)

[ronstory]

Actually, they work well below the typical marine spec of 10.5V. I'm my experience, ... they are last device on the boat the go off-line as I similated a slow voltage drop. My Simrad RS35 was the next to last.

Also, great catch on the AC version, I didn't realize they had different features from the older .n versions.

[Unregistered-1]

Originally Posted by ronstory

Interesting, when I reviewed the data form the ubiquity forum the difference was just the gain on the antenna. I agree on antenna gain, but is the transmit power of the actual transmitter double as well?

Yes, a bit more than double. I think 27 vs 23 dBm. 3dB = double.

For the compact size of these things, they are the real deal. They are also dual-chain so there's double the speed as well. They are also very good should you discover someone running a full-on AirMAX setup - these units will absolutely blaaaaze data through - over 100mbit/sec. I've seen them hit 150mbit/sec.

[ronstory]

SteveWNZ--

Cool! I didn't realize there was a diff in the HW, but just the number from the antenna gain. Now I need to look at the M5... but the good news is once you figure out the nomenclature of the their devices, they are easy to work with.

But at the start... I was wondering what they meant by changing the nano mode to "station". But with a few tries, you get the hang of it. ;^)

[Unregistered-1]

Originally Posted by ronstory

Also, great catch on the AC version, I didn't realize they had different features from the older .n versions.

Yes, watch out - you CANNOT configure the AC version as a wireless access point. You don't always want to do that, but when you do you are SOL.

The .n radios will connect to an AC node if the AC node is in dual/compatibility mode.

The M2 and M5 NanoStations are the real-deal swiss army knife of Wireless Internet. With a box of these, a hilltop, and a battery and a solar panel, you can assemble a ripper-fast WISP in an afternoon.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by SteveWrightNZ

You CANNOT TRUST people who mark your skills down and play you to be a dummy, THEN suggest all your problems will go away if you buy some (inferior and more expensive) product.
...
All your problems WONT go away, and you WILL still have to learn SOMEthing about it.

There are countless setup videos and skilled helpers online (including me) who will help you if you're stuck, as well as plenty of written instructions to follow.
...
Most, if not all the wifi stuff marketed to yachties is obsolete junk purchased by them for nothing at all by the box load, and re-branded and sold to you as superior.

Don't fall for it. It's a ripoff. Buy NEW MODERN stuff.

Whatever.

In my experience, the good "yacht" packagers have been using current devices with proven track records, and the value-add is that they've created and provided a pre-configured and easier to use firmware package, that makes the installation and set-up a matter of minutes rather than hours.

Of course, the prospective buyer can find out the currency and reputation of the hardware for themselves by doing some research.

We've seen non-technical users struggle with raw Ubiquiti devices (such as this thread), and we've heard from others how easy it was to get a packaged system up and running with minimal assistance. We all put different values on our time... but I think most people would pay the extra hundred to be spared many hours of reading up, googling, experimenting, getting frustrated, and having to call tech support or vent on forums to get up and running.

No I don't work for a packager, or sell their products, but I've seen and installed them for others, and I've also worked with the raw devices. If you're not interested in becoming a network engineer, and your time is limited, I think the packages are good value. My two cents, obviously.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by SteveWrightNZ

Get an M2 and an M5. The front to back ratio is not horrendous, so they will function off the back of the antenna when closer than 1km. Don't be afraid of the "directional" antenna. Don't get the AC version.

So are they directional? and what happens when you are at anchor?

Having thought about it, I think I will go down the 4G/LTE route. The vast majority of wifi networks in the UK are now password locked.

Pete

[masonc]

I have a Ubiquiti Bullet M2 Titanium mounted on a large directional antenna, it's about 12" x 8" and I think 21db gain.I do a lot of WiFi and network projects, so I am somewhat of a professional, and the antenna was left over from one of my projects.
It took me the better part of a day to get it configured properly, a lot of the terminology Ubiquiti uses is not familiar to me. It took some online research.
Once set up, the Ubiquiti is a tremendously stable and competent component. I urge you to stick with it and make it work, make notes as you go, ask questions. You'll get it working, and then you will be very happy with it.