TP-Link AC1200 Wireless MU-MIMO Gigabit Outdoor Access Point EAP225-Outdoor

Super easy to install, and with the POE injector included, the hardest part was running a CAT6 cable up into the wall and through the ceiling cavity. Perfect as a home solution. A surprise benefit was that my 2 year old has really taken to it, greeting it at every possible opportunity ("Good morning WI-FI" is the first thing I hear most days). The main downside is that it's put me onto the ease of POE, and I'm now probably going to spend thousands of dollars on switches, cables, cameras, and more access points.

Avoid

I ordered this because the TP-Link CPE510 model was out of stock. For my use of adding Wifi to homes, this model is significantly worse than the CPE510 (which I'll refer to as the "other model").The first issue is that the other model is very flexible can be configured to work as an access point (to provide Wifi access from a hardwire source) or as a bridge (to consume WiFi from a different source and provide a hardwire port). I used several of them on other projects to link buildings by having one send the wifi to the otherwhich is linked to another access point inside the building. This version cannot act as a bridge, only an access point.The second problem is unlike the CPE510, which can be fully managed as an independent unit, this model requires use of ... MoreI ordered this because the TP-Link CPE510 model was out of stock. For my use of adding Wifi to homes, this model is significantly worse than the CPE510 (which I'll refer to as the "other model").The first issue is that the other model is very flexible can be configured to work as an access point (to provide Wifi access from a hardwire source) or as a bridge (to consume WiFi from a different source and provide a hardwire port). I used several of them on other projects to link buildings by having one send the wifi to the otherwhich is linked to another access point inside the building. This version cannot act as a bridge, only an access point.The second problem is unlike the CPE510, which can be fully managed as an independent unit, this model requires use of the TP-Link Omada system for full functionality. For example, the other model is easy to configure as a mesh network linked to anotheraccess point. This model can't unless using the Omada system and I think it can only mesh with another Omada-compatible access point (but I'm not sure). Without Omada, this offers only basic access point functionality to provide WiFi service from a hardwire connection and nothing much else.Instead of taking five minutes to configure through the device's web interface, it took over an hour to set up an Omada controller on my laptop.There are a few issues I encountered.1. The Omada software isn't digitally signed like most commercial software so you need to bypass Windows security alerts to installit.2. It requires Java to be installed (I used Amazon's Corretto distro)3. It installed a variety of extra services like a database server. I'm not sure if these are running all the time or just when the app is used. In my case, I plan on uninstalling everything oncethe project is finished.4. The Omada software appears to have a lot of features, but for simple small-scale projects like I do, it is overkill and takes much more time to use and requires a lot of set-up configuration to beginusing it.5. I couldn't get the Omada iPhone app to work at all.6. This device, which I just purchased, came with old firmware that doesn't work with Omada. The device won't accept the latest version (5.0.3) available on TP Link's site so I had to use an older version (5.0.0). The flashing process is cumbersome and I was afraid I would brick the device as I had to try several times with three different versions to get it updated.This device isn't very useful without Omada, but it also doesn't work out-of-the-box with it either. I routinely update firmware on all types of devices and this is one of the more frustrating update experiences I've had recently.If I was doing a large installation where the Omada system would help more than hinder, I would avoid this model simply because of the time and hassle it would take to update the firmware individually on each device.

Economical but effective

I love the EAP range of wireless access points because they are really simple to use and really effective. I use the (free) recommended Omada software to administer a number of these devices around our house, and another installation at a small business. As soon as I connect a new access point to the network, it appears in the admin tool and its then just a case of clicking adopt, and it instantly gets configured with all of my default settings. I can then go in and set up a fixed IP address. Great that these have some Enterprise grade features like VLANS, and I love that they can use POE, but also come with a POE injector. Moving around the house or business is seamless. I never seem to drop off WiFi. Overall, a great, economical way to have really effective ... MoreI love the EAP range of wireless access points because they are really simple to use and really effective. I use the (free) recommended Omada software to administer a number of these devices around our house, and another installation at a small business. As soon as I connect a new access point to the network, it appears in the admin tool and its then just a case of clicking adopt, and it instantly gets configured with all of my default settings. I can then go in and set up a fixed IP address. Great that these have some Enterprise grade features like VLANS, and I love that they can use POE, but also come with a POE injector. Moving around the house or business is seamless. I never seem to drop off WiFi. Overall, a great, economical way to have really effective distributed WiFi.

Good performance, set-up confusing

I purchased this access point to extend the range available for iPads and other portable devices. The unit works well but it took me some time to figure out how to set it up: the instructions enclosed with the unit provided several different approaches, some of which involved downloading dedicated software. In th end I found that I could set it up by connecting my iPad directly to the unit and was able to set it up in 2 minutes. TP-Link need to revise their instructions to clarify the set-up options especially for single unit installations.

Great performance

I purchased this because the reviews on a similar unit from Ubiquiti were not so great. I mounted this on my roof (vent pipe) fed by some outdoor Cat5e, and it covers my 5 acre property with no issues, -72dBm on 2.4 GHz. band out at 500 ft. maxing out at 65 mb/s.(20MHz. wide channel). It's full speed on 5 GHz. within 350ft., dropping to 96 Mb/s. at 450 ft. It's a top speed performer for a 2x2 Mimo unit. I have one antenna horizontally polarized and one vertically polarized (using white electrical tape at the antenna base to keep them from turning in the wind), for some diversity and less sensitive to phone position placement. It was 100deg.F. here the other day and no issues with the unit at full power all day. It's signal penetrates into the house and into the ... MoreI purchased this because the reviews on a similar unit from Ubiquiti were not so great. I mounted this on my roof (vent pipe) fed by some outdoor Cat5e, and it covers my 5 acre property with no issues, -72dBm on 2.4 GHz. band out at 500 ft. maxing out at 65 mb/s.(20MHz. wide channel). It's full speed on 5 GHz. within 350ft., dropping to 96 Mb/s. at 450 ft. It's a top speed performer for a 2x2 Mimo unit. I have one antenna horizontally polarized and one vertically polarized (using white electrical tape at the antenna base to keep them from turning in the wind), for some diversity and less sensitive to phone position placement. It was 100deg.F. here the other day and no issues with the unit at full power all day. It's signal penetrates into the house and into the basement with no issues at all. I like the fact that is has two independent 2.4 and 5GHz. radios and each are able to have their own set of multiple SSID's. You can put your guest network on either band and IP isolate an SSID for security purposes if not running VLANS. It also has guest webpage authentication options including through Facebook.Note: With my iPhone I had issues with the AP on 2.4 CH. 11 (clear channel too) but not an Android, so I parked it on CH. 1. I primarily use the 5 GHz. band anyway as the speed and distance on this unit are really good. TP Link did a great job with this, best deal out there. Upgrade to the latest firmware as soon as you get it.

Not as good as I expected

I bought this AP to boost the WiFi signal in my backyard. Aluminum siding does affect the signal of the indoor AP, especiall 5GHz.First, I was a bit suprised by not very solid built of this AP. The lower cover is not as tight as I would expect. Next, the hold and the rubber gasket for the cable is a bit too small. This is an outdoor AP and it is expected to be installed using relatively thick STP cable - come on, it will be thicker than the regular indoor UTP. Also the designers did not think well about the location of the hole for the cable and Ethernet port. The hole is in the middle, the port is on the left side - you need to bend your outdoor STP cable in its last 4 cm so the connector goes straight. Next, the documentation. Nothing about the antenna ... MoreI bought this AP to boost the WiFi signal in my backyard. Aluminum siding does affect the signal of the indoor AP, especiall 5GHz.First, I was a bit suprised by not very solid built of this AP. The lower cover is not as tight as I would expect. Next, the hold and the rubber gasket for the cable is a bit too small. This is an outdoor AP and it is expected to be installed using relatively thick STP cable - come on, it will be thicker than the regular indoor UTP. Also the designers did not think well about the location of the hole for the cable and Ethernet port. The hole is in the middle, the port is on the left side - you need to bend your outdoor STP cable in its last 4 cm so the connector goes straight. Next, the documentation. Nothing about the antenna characteristics whatsoever. In fact, the printed documentation and online documentation contradict each other, online one recommends orienting the antennas at 45 degrees while the printed one suggests to keep them straight. Also the wall attachment could be better. I have made a small U-like pipe and attach it to the wall so I can rotate the AP as needed. I am also concerned about the device getting hot even when not under direct sunlight, I am wondering how it will withstand the summer weather.On a positive side, it comes with grounded PoE injector, which seems to be a good way to safely use it with an indoor switch that may not have proper grounding.Overall, will see how it survives one full year.

Still like this product but my opinion is changing...

There are 6 of these installed at my church. Ive discovered they are extremely sensitive to any surge on the data lines.Over the past year Ive replaced all 6, some multiple times, due to damage during electrical storms. I now have data line surge protectors on both ends of all Cat5e runs that pass through walls, ceilings, or subsurface conduits. This seems to protect all but 1 unit that still gets fried every couple months. That one unit has been replaced 4 times so far.And yes, the power is protected by a properly earth-grounded surge protected power strip which is plugged into a UPS with earth ground. The AP data line is plugged into a switch with a 1-foot patch cable. Data lines coming into the switch are all surge protected. There is absolutely no reason ... MoreThere are 6 of these installed at my church. Ive discovered they are extremely sensitive to any surge on the data lines.Over the past year Ive replaced all 6, some multiple times, due to damage during electrical storms. I now have data line surge protectors on both ends of all Cat5e runs that pass through walls, ceilings, or subsurface conduits. This seems to protect all but 1 unit that still gets fried every couple months. That one unit has been replaced 4 times so far.And yes, the power is protected by a properly earth-grounded surge protected power strip which is plugged into a UPS with earth ground. The AP data line is plugged into a switch with a 1-foot patch cable. Data lines coming into the switch are all surge protected. There is absolutely no reason this unit should be damaged during electrical storms.

TP-Link AC1200 Outdoor Wireless Access Point

My goal was to install a wireless security camera on the garage (separate from house) covering both the entire driveway and the rear of the house including the deck. WiFi signal at the garage was almost nonexistent using our existing WiFi with the router inside the house. During the pandemic we could not reliably use FaceTime or Zoom from our back deck using the existing WiFi.Running cable for any project is the real challenge and after running the cable (Lorex CAT6 Outdoor) thru the basement, I put the AC1200 on the back of the house at a height of about 10 feet. For configuration, I chose Standalone APs, did not want to use the cloud.Configuration was easy, just follow the instructions. You can configure up to 8 different dual band SSID's, I only needed one ... MoreMy goal was to install a wireless security camera on the garage (separate from house) covering both the entire driveway and the rear of the house including the deck. WiFi signal at the garage was almost nonexistent using our existing WiFi with the router inside the house. During the pandemic we could not reliably use FaceTime or Zoom from our back deck using the existing WiFi.Running cable for any project is the real challenge and after running the cable (Lorex CAT6 Outdoor) thru the basement, I put the AC1200 on the back of the house at a height of about 10 feet. For configuration, I chose Standalone APs, did not want to use the cloud.Configuration was easy, just follow the instructions. You can configure up to 8 different dual band SSID's, I only needed one dual band, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.There is a status LED on the side of the unit that you can turn off, why call attention to it? At night it is quite bright. You can select which channel to use as well as the signal strength (High, Medium, Low). Or just use the defaults.WiFi signal strength is measured in dBm or decibel milliwatts and is expressed as a negative value. There are a multitude of websites that explain what the WiFi signal strength values mean. No need to do it here.Using a MACBookPro (with the option key) to measure WiFi signal strength, I can report the following:Tx Power SettingHighBack Deck ( about 10 feet lower than AC1200) -42Security Camera -37Arbitrary 100 feet distance -57Our back deck is 18' X 16' squareDirectly under the Access Point on the deck measures -42On the far side of the deck, furthest away from Access Point measures -37!!The security camera is 34 feet distant from AC1200 and pretty level with it.Zoom and FaceTime work flawlessly from the deck.I do not have anything negative to say about the AC1200 for now.Have to wait and see if -10F winter temps will shorten its life.I am very pleased with the TP-Link AC1200 Access Point.

This AP works great!

I have 3 of these APs running in my home. They work great. I also use the free Windows based wireless controller software to manage these. I am able to see connected devices and history. Connectivity has been great. The only thing I wish is that TP-Link would add the DFS channels. Because of this you can have 4 x 5ghz non-overlapping channels but only 2 not 3 80mhz wide channels

works fine

I would liked it to include a short ethernet cable between the included power supply (PoE) and the router. Otherwise it does NOT work out of the box.It works ok. I have 2 other of these units, and I have not figured out how to get them to all share the same SSID through the webpage on my smart phone. I think it is possible since I did it before. Could be my eyesight. Minus 1 start for the lack of a cable and slightly confusing shared SSID settings.