Luma Router / mesh network Access Points
Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 2:09 pm
Now that I have more mobile devices in my house using wifi, one wireless router downstairs and a wired switch upstairs isn't cutting it. I'm hesitant to go with the typical router + AP solution. I find consumer routers to be fickle / the least reliable device in my network. No internet access? Nine out of ten times the solution is reboot the router. Don't think I want to double down there ..and I really really don't want to roll my own linux solution. I had some interest in Ubiquiti's Unifi APs. But, I'd still have the existing Asus router.
Eero just started shipping and early reviews look good. One unit acts as the router and two others are access points. I like the idea of mesh network/dual radios so the APs don't compete for router bandwidth. Pretty pricey at $500 for three, though. Another mesh solution is Luma. Not released yet, and no reviews, just CES buzz. Similar to eero but also includes some nice security features with decent granularity. Like eero, it has a phone app for admin and rather than pass out passwords, the user asks for access and you allow/deny via your phone...and can limit their access to the network/internet as a guest as well as set data limits/time limits and boot them at will. Presale pricing is $299 for 3 units.
Spec info is pretty limited and there's nothing on power use. I pinged customer support and got a cheery reply with no information other than more info will be available at product release. Oh, I did find out the wall wart is 1x1x2", but I don't know if the power plug on the device is straight or right angle/how far it protrudes. At least one of these would be hung on a wall and the current device is not set up for wall mounting...so it's a DIY affair.
So, even though I have absolutely no idea how well it'll perform, how stable it is, how I'll mount it on the wall, or how much power it uses, I pre-ordered three through Amazon (an equity owner in Luma). The good news is Amazon won't charge my credit card until the order is ready to ship, and while Luma is claiming Mid-June for shipments, Amazon says end of July when you've placed the order. So, I should have time to look at early reviews and kill the pre-order if it looks ugly...and worst case, Amazon has a great returns policy.
Stay tuned...
Eero just started shipping and early reviews look good. One unit acts as the router and two others are access points. I like the idea of mesh network/dual radios so the APs don't compete for router bandwidth. Pretty pricey at $500 for three, though. Another mesh solution is Luma. Not released yet, and no reviews, just CES buzz. Similar to eero but also includes some nice security features with decent granularity. Like eero, it has a phone app for admin and rather than pass out passwords, the user asks for access and you allow/deny via your phone...and can limit their access to the network/internet as a guest as well as set data limits/time limits and boot them at will. Presale pricing is $299 for 3 units.
Spec info is pretty limited and there's nothing on power use. I pinged customer support and got a cheery reply with no information other than more info will be available at product release. Oh, I did find out the wall wart is 1x1x2", but I don't know if the power plug on the device is straight or right angle/how far it protrudes. At least one of these would be hung on a wall and the current device is not set up for wall mounting...so it's a DIY affair.
So, even though I have absolutely no idea how well it'll perform, how stable it is, how I'll mount it on the wall, or how much power it uses, I pre-ordered three through Amazon (an equity owner in Luma). The good news is Amazon won't charge my credit card until the order is ready to ship, and while Luma is claiming Mid-June for shipments, Amazon says end of July when you've placed the order. So, I should have time to look at early reviews and kill the pre-order if it looks ugly...and worst case, Amazon has a great returns policy.
Stay tuned...