Ubiquity Bullet M2 vs PepLink Max BR1 Mini. Wan WiFi

[bajturner]

Thanks. I had that idea, too. However, I won't have time to install AIS before my trip starts.

I have a Vesper XB-8000 on my upgrade list. If I didn't already have a good VHF I'd consider the Vesper Cortex.

I've been pondering the Cortex since my old Northstar needs to replaced this summer (too bad, works well but the handset cable is shot). I have some thoughts and questions about this unit, but to avoid hijacking, I'll move the discussion to a different thread. Please chime-in on that discussion!

By the way, been doing some dry-land performance testing on the Peplink. Will post some results shortly.

 

[SmilingMonkey]

Was anyone able to watch the webinar yesterday? Something came up last minute so I wasn’t able to join. The slides weren’t all that exciting so I’m wondering if it’s worth it to watch the video.

 

[Skybolt]

Was anyone able to watch the webinar yesterday? Something came up last minute so I wasn’t able to join. The slides weren’t all that exciting so I’m wondering if it’s worth it to watch the video.

Nope had to much to do to take that break and watch. Haven't even followed up on finding the slide deck either. Do you have a link to them? Never received the email they said they would send.

 

[SmilingMonkey]

You can access the slides and recording now. Please feel free to pass these along to your friends who may be interested.

 

[dtfeld]

I watched a little bit of it. Covered a lot of the basics up front, but also showed some of the advanced setup properties. I have not watched everything, and a lot seems not to apply to what I'm doing. Need higher end modems for some of these things.

 

[Skybolt]

You can access the slides and recording now. Please feel free to pass these along to your friends who may be interested.

Thanks for posting this. I decided to check my spam folder and well there it is! Why do all of the important things go to spam and the crap never gets caught ...

 

[bajturner]

So I was having some problems with SSIDs for WiFi AP when connected to WAN over WiFi. Apparently this is supposed to work. I have a ticket open with Peplink and the service has been very good trying to debug the problem, although it has persisted. My efforts to solve it have been sporadic.

SSIDs were intermittent. Connected to 5G WiFi WAN. Sometimes only 2.4G SSID was visible, sometimes both 2.4 and 5G, sometimes neither. Both seemed to be stable and would consistently show up when connected to Ethernet WAN.

There is new firmware available that I loaded today (8.1.2 build 5105). Connected to WiFi WAN with 5G and both SSIDs have been steady for the last 12 hours.

Will see how things go the next few days...

 

[Skybolt]

So the past two weeks or so I have had to reboot the Peplink to get iNet going again. The first time I didn't think much of it. The second time, which was Monday after being on the boat for the weekend, I did. No explanation as to what happened except I could not connect to it locally when I got back to the boat. I didn't look at the BR1 just flipped the breaker and rebooted. I checked the log and nothing. My guess is it locked up after running flawlessly for months. Next time it locks up I will look at the lights to see if there is any code or flashing etc. The Peplinnk is behind my stairs and is not the easiest to access.

 

[bajturner]

So the past two weeks or so I have had to reboot the Peplink to get iNet going again. The first time I didn't think much of it. The second time, which was Monday after being on the boat for the weekend, I did. No explanation as to what happened except I could not connect to it locally when I got back to the boat. I didn't look at the BR1 just flipped the breaker and rebooted. I checked the log and nothing. My guess is it locked up after running flawlessly for months. Next time it locks up I will look at the lights to see if there is any code or flashing etc. The Peplinnk is behind my stairs and is not the easiest to access.

Have you checked for the latest firmware?

Mine has been solid for the past week...

 

[Skybolt]

Have you checked for the latest firmware?

Mine has been solid for the past week...

No, I was going to update that next and see what happens. But it ran all winter long, from last October to about two weeks ago without being rebooted or anything. I am not sure it isn't something to do with my cell plan, but then it should have failed over to WiFi and that didn't happen. It really looked like it was locked up. Strange since many months of running without an issue.

 

[SmilingMonkey]

Well I bit the bullet and bought a BR1 MK2. So far it’s running great at home on both Wi-Fi and cellular, the boat goes in this week so I’ll give it a try at the marina this weekend.

One curious thing though, my wyze outdoor cam base station keeps disconnecting. If I reboot the base station it connects (solid blue light) then after a few hours it disconnects and the blue light starts flashing. Anyone else using the wyze cams? Have you seen this?

 

[Skybolt]

I use Foscam and no issues, it always connects when I check, except for the fore mentioned lock ups the past two weeks.

 

[dtfeld]

Well I bit the bullet and bought a BR1 MK2. So far it’s running great at home on both Wi-Fi and cellular, the boat goes in this week so I’ll give it a try at the marina this weekend.

One curious thing though, my wyze outdoor cam base station keeps disconnecting. If I reboot the base station it connects (solid blue light) then after a few hours it disconnects and the blue light starts flashing. Anyone else using the wyze cams? Have you seen this?

I have a MX BR1 Mk2 and I use a Wyze Cam Pan on the boat. Its been solid up/running since day 1, maybe 2-3 months ago. No issues. My cell provider is OTR Mobile. Not the cheapest, but it has been solid as well.

 

[GnrlPatton]

I have a MX BR1 Mk2 and I use a Wyze Cam Pan on the boat. Its been solid up/running since day 1, maybe 2-3 months ago. No issues. My cell provider is OTR Mobile. Not the cheapest, but it has been solid as well.

Ditto for me re: Peplink and Wyze, but I'm on the UltraMobile unlimited plan.

For the firmware update, I've tried doing that several times but it never works. I'm using the Peplink interface, it recognizes a new version is available, but when I try to download and install it never does anything. Is there a trick to get this updated that I'm not aware of?

 

[bajturner]

Ditto for me re: Peplink and Wyze, but I'm on the UltraMobile unlimited plan.

For the firmware update, I've tried doing that several times but it never works. I'm using the Peplink interface, it recognizes a new version is available, but when I try to download and install it never does anything. Is there a trick to get this updated that I'm not aware of?

No trick that I know of. I was provided this link by Peplink support: https://download.peplink.com/firmwa...ansit_m700hw3_hd2mini_hd4-8.1.2-build5105.bin.

I downloaded the .BIN file, selected it as a manual upgrade, and that was it.

This was the firmware provided for my MAX Transit...the filename would suggest it works on other devices, but I am not sure which ones.

 

[Skybolt]

@bajturner I guess that is a beta release that you have as I just checked this last night and also the BR1 web page and only 8.1.1 is displayed as the latest rev. Curious as to what they sent you.

@GnrlPatton perhaps your unit is already at rev 8.1.1? If so, that may be why you can't upgrade.

 

[bajturner]

@bajturner I guess that is a beta release that you have as I just checked this last night and also the BR1 web page and only 8.1.1 is displayed as the latest rev. Curious as to what they sent you.

@GnrlPatton perhaps your unit is already at rev 8.1.1? If so, that may be why you can't upgrade.

View attachment 103717

Likely. The firmware check didn't find an update when it was at 8.1.1, and the latest listed is 8.1.1. I have seen an improvement with 8.1.2.

 

[Skybolt]

Likely. The firmware check didn't find an update when it was at 8.1.1, and the latest listed is 8.1.1. I have seen an improvement with 8.1.2.

Which Peplink do you have the Mini or MK2? I have the mini and don't want to brick mine but would be nice to try the new firmware.

 

[bajturner]

I have the MAX Transit Duo.

It seems to retain the last working firmware as backup. Not sure if you would brick it, or if it would revert back.

 

[alnav]

I upgraded from the PepWave SOHO to the Max Transit Cat 18. I purchased through Mobile Must Have (MMH)(https://www.mobilemusthave.com); no affiliation on my part but I have been very happy with them and highly recommend. MMH offers equipment bundles as well as set up and training as part of the purchase. MMH offers subscriptions that confer discounts and will also apply an additional discount for Mobile Internet Resource Center members so quite a bit off the list price can be had which far exceeded the subscription prices in my case.

My bundle included the MobileMark 7-in-1 antenna array. I have not installed it to my hardtop as yet but bench tests are very promising.

The bundle included setup services. I specified the names and passwords for my setup on a secure portal. MMH set up the Primecare license, connected with the router remotely using InControl and performed the initial setup over the air, then opened the InControl account to me so I can monitor the router from home.

There was also a Zoom training session provided. I thought I would share some of the tips and tricks presented during training:
- Making two sources Priority 1 will cause the router to load balance between the two and rotate sources, even if the speed and/or bandwidth is wildly different between the two. Best to keep just one source in Pri 1.

- The WAN port (if there is one) can be changed to a LAN port. MMH did this during setup as their clients rarely have a wired WAN source. Changes can be done at LAN…Port Settings.

- If confronted with a WiFi that uses a Captive Portal (like having to go to a web page to complete the connection), move all other sources to Disabled, connect to the SSID, then launch a browser to complete the sign-in process. Once connected, move the sources back as needed.

- Enable the Bandwidth Allowance Monitor and set rollover dates and allowance for cellular sources.

- On setup, it is a bad idea to just rename the default WiFi Access Point SSID, the trainer stated it will cause an unstable network. Create new SSIDs for the APs you want, then delete the default.

- Creating a Guest VLAN and User Group will allow for bandwidth controls and caps, say at 3 MBPS to avoid guests hogging bandwidth.

- It’s a best practice to set 5-8 MBPS limits on bandwidth under Advanced…QoS…Bandwidth Control. This will still allow streaming but prevent the streaming provider from providing excess bandwidth for incremental improvements to picture quality.