Wireless Mesh Systems

[rh1]

Thinking of upgrading my home wifi to a mesh system, so got a few questions to the fundi's

1. Which wifi mesh system? Ease of use and network safety is my key priorities
2. Wootware as a two pack TP-Link M4 AC1200 for sale at R2070 per pack, can I buy 2 packs and combine them? The 3 pack is R4000 and the 1 pack R1200, so it seems cheaper to buy two packs. (https://www.wootware.co.za/tp-link-tl-decom4-deco-m4-2-pack-ac1200-whole-home-mesh-wi-fi-system.html)
3. My plan is to run cat6 cables to each point.

 

[rh1]

I see Takealot has different type of deco mesh systems:

E4 and M4, what is the difference?

 

[axsis]

I'm very happy with the Mercusys H80x, I assume the H70x is pretty good too. Main reason I'd suggest it is at least it's wifi 6.

2. Yes that should work.
3. It's fine to run them as access points.

 

[rh1]

I'm very happy with the Mercusys H80x, I assume the H70x is pretty good too. Main reason I'd suggest it is at least it's wifi 6.

2. Yes that should work.
3. It's fine to run them as access points.

Thanks, I googled wifi 6, probably a good idea to future proof as far possible:

 

[netcruiser]

I see Takealot has different type of deco mesh systems:

E4 and M4, what is the difference?

One only has 100Mbps ports, the other 1Gbps ports.

 

[netcruiser]

I see Takealot has different type of deco mesh systems:

E4 and M4, what is the difference?

If you want Wifi 5, I'd recommend the S7 (AC1900) model.

Takealot

Wifi 6 provides many advantages, I would recommend getting any of the AX models (or better AXE).

 

[rh1]

I'm very happy with the Mercusys H80x, I assume the H70x is pretty good too. Main reason I'd suggest it is at least it's wifi 6.

2. Yes that should work.
3. It's fine to run them as access points.

I think I will go with the H70x as it is wifi 6, has the same functions as the H80x but is just slower, but I wont need those speeds anytime soon.

H70x: Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 Speeds up to 1800 Mbps: 1201Mbps on 5GHz and 574Mbps on 2.4GHz.
H80x: Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 Speeds up to 3000 Mbps: 2402 Mbps on 5GHz and 574Mbps on 2.4 GHz.

I see the Mercusys is wholly owned by TP Link, thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Harmonic]

I've got 3 of the Deco X50 PoE units covering a roughly 380 sqm house and it's been pretty flawless to be honest

 

[netcruiser]

I've got 3 of the Deco X50 PoE units covering a roughly 380 sqm house and it's been pretty flawless to be honest

Did you mount them vertically against a wall? I haven't tried but I found their range weak when placed horisontally.

 

[Crowley]

Thinking of upgrading my home wifi to a mesh system, so got a few questions to the fundi's

1. Which wifi mesh system? Ease of use and network safety is my key priorities
2. Wootware as a two pack TP-Link M4 AC1200 for sale at R2070 per pack, can I buy 2 packs and combine them? The 3 pack is R4000 and the 1 pack R1200, so it seems cheaper to buy two packs. (https://www.wootware.co.za/tp-link-tl-decom4-deco-m4-2-pack-ac1200-whole-home-mesh-wi-fi-system.html)
3. My plan is to run cat6 cables to each point.

Why get mesh systems when you are running network cable?

 

[Speedster]

Why get mesh systems when you are running network cable?

Because it sucks to have to plug your phone in to a OTG ethernet connector each time you want to read a WhatsApp message

 

[r00igev@@r]

Home mesh is home mesh and pretty much any vendor that has that will be fine, even the Cudy which is the most cost effective. Its robust as it will ever be. It will work best wired but will also do pure wireless or a hybrid of both. It creates routing tables based on babel. Theoretically they should be compatible across vendors but ja well no fine, not really.

The biggest issue going pure wireless will always be placement and router to router it will suffer going through a slab or wall. Also another barrier that it won't penetrate is tinted windows. Attempt to place them in a stair well, top and bottom or through the roof cavity.
In a pickle you can try pick up a bounce from the edge of the house off another building or wall. Trees don't work. Takes a big of experimentation and move the device left and right by a metre at a time until the signal is the best.

If you have dry walls then you are in the pound seats. Wifi is fine through that. If you are a business, pony up for ceiling mounted units.

But whatever you do, do not join the cult of the satanic worshipers of WiFi extenders.

 

[rh1]

Why get mesh systems when you are running network cable?

To get optimal performance. Wifi will be for the mobile devices.

Non mobile devices, will get connected via lan cable. This will be things like TV, desktop pc etc.

 

[rh1]

Why get mesh systems when you are running network cable?

Since I am going to be in the roof, might as well lay out all the cable once.

 

[capd]

Currently have a 2x UniFi AC-Pro system. Was supposed to upgrade to Reyee mesh but never had time despite having the PoE router and APs in my store room, and having run extra Cat6 cables.

Always have a flawless experience installing Decos (to the point I only do Deco and Reyee now), so thought why not get Decos for myself to play with. Bought the 3-pack S7 but also picked up 2x 3-pack and 2x 1-pack Vilos from Takealot which I'll be trying first.

Will feed back here. Some thoughts for now:

Can't vouch for this product but a mesh wifi system 3-pack for R999 sounds worth a go - today only on TAL

Vilo Mesh Wi-Fi System with BARK Parental Control included - 3 Pack​

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

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All gone. Looks like standard price is R2,299. Online reviews look great and seems to beat the TP-Link Deco M3.

Single packs are on Daily Deal now at R399 each. Bought a few more (wanted another of the 3-packs but missed it). Great deal considering the coverage, performance and 3x Gigabit ports (let’s be honest, AC1200 is more than enough for most people).

You will need a dozen of these if you want "good" coverage if it extends into a granny flat.

Are you referring to mesh in general, or these specific Vilo units?

I suspect it may be the latter, but perhaps I'm wrong. How come, do you have experience with them or have you read reviews where coverage was not good? Just not confident in off-brands?

I have a good amount of mesh experience, with TP-Link, Tenda and Reyee.

On paper, these Vilos have 4x antennas: 6dB for 2.4GHz and 5dB for 5GHz which seems all good and well. And a maximum TX of 21dBm. 2x2 MU-MIMO, beamforming, band-steering, etc.

Not sure what Decos tend to have antenna-wise, but the S4's (and even X10's) have 2x antennas with a maximum TX (for 2.4GHz) of 20dBm for the S4.

So on paper, I would say the Vilos are as good, coverage-wise?

My granny flat is cabled, so will use Ethernet backhaul. Assuming the Vilos support it.

One marketing coverage difference I see is that a Deco M4 covers up to 140m2, where the Vilo covers up to 120m2. So we shall see!

Post your experience here, I will be posting mine as well:

Wireless Mesh Systems

Thinking of upgrading my home wifi to a mesh system, so got a few questions to the fundi's 1. Which wifi mesh system? Ease of use and network safety is my key priorities 2. Wootware as a two pack TP-Link M4 AC1200 for sale at R2070 per pack, can I buy 2 packs and combine them? The 3 pack is...

mybroadband.co.za

Will do.

My last post for now. Compared to the below Tenda Nova and Nova Lite, the Vilos are significantly better on paper.

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

Tenda Nova Lite Dual Band 2 Port Ethernet Mesh System 2pk | NOVA MW3

Tenda's W-NOVA3 is a 2 Pack, 802.11ac 1200Mbps, dual-band Wireless mesh system designed for 100-200㎡ homes or apartments. Compliant with IEEE 802.11v and IEEE 802.11r seamless roaming protocols, the W-NOVA3 supports automatic network optimization and auto

scoop.co.za

 

[capd]

Here are the Vilos. So far so good!

 

[capd]

Huge improvement on the en suite crapper. Used to drop constantly there before. Mesh point is through a very thick exterior wall. They’ve taken some strategic placement due to the dense bricks in my walls.

 

[Pho3nix]

Huge improvement on the en suite crapper. Used to drop constantly there before. Mesh point is through a very thick exterior wall. They’ve taken some strategic placement due to the dense bricks in my walls.

More screenshots of the app please. What’s your internet speed?

Are you using it as a router as well?

 

[capd]

More screenshots of the app please. What’s your internet speed?

Are you using it as a router as well?

The app is simple and somewhat limited, but exceptionally clean with zero Engrish.

250Mbps.

Yes I am.

 

[rh1]

Here are the Vilos. So far so good!

My due date for delivery is only the 2nd January 2024.

But since the Vilos are sold out. I will not have buyers regrest, probably.