Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien WiFi Router $279 for Black Friday

[Mad[H]atter]

I know there's a ton of Black Friday deals but this caught my eye if anyone's interested as well.

https://amplifi.com/alien

 

[HardWired1]

Great find! Ordered one, thx!

I just bought one from BB 2 weeks ago for $379. They won't price match, so it's going back. I don't need a second unit. A single one drenches my 2800 sq ft house with wifi, but I figure I'll play with the mesh features for a bit before the first one gets returned.

They aren't the most configurable routers on the planet but I have 5 years experience with their original Amplifi offering and it has never needed a power down/reboot. Ever. Firmware updates are ota and auto-install. Absolutely zero complaints.

 

[Tengis]

Great find! Ordered one, thx!

I just bought one from BB 2 weeks ago for $379. They won't price match, so it's going back. I don't need a second unit. A single one drenches my 2800 sq ft house with wifi, but I figure I'll play with the mesh features for a bit before the first one gets returned.

They aren't the most configurable routers on the planet but I have 5 years experience with their original Amplifi offering and it has never needed a power down/reboot. Ever. Firmware updates are ota and auto-install. Absolutely zero complaints.

I've used so many wifi routers over the years and they all suck in some way. Getting sick of issues... may just go buy something like this -_-

 

[MavericK]

I've used so many wifi routers over the years and they all suck in some way. Getting sick of issues... may just go buy something like this -_-

So just buy something like an EdgeRouter and get an access point(s). I went that route years ago and never looked back.

 

[Mad[H]atter]

So just buy something like an EdgeRouter and get an access point(s). I went that route years ago and never looked back.

This is the way, then when WiFi standards change it's just one part you're swapping out, not the router and switch. I have a dream machine setup but this caught my eye as I don't see them on sale often. I was looking for something easy for a family member to setup.

 

[Lakados]

This is the way, then when WiFi standards change it's just one part you're swapping out, not the router and switch.

I’m waiting for the DreamMachine Pro SE to have an actual release date. Then I can downsize my home rack.

 

[Archaea]

I'd buy it for $100 or $150 less without the completely unnecessary touch screen. It already has a phone app, why do you need a touch screen? Just adds expense. My Asus 3100 has been great for years, but it's seeming flaky just recently. My router is hidden in my basement, a screen on it serves nothing. I'll keep looking.

 

[SunnyD]

I’m waiting for the DreamMachine Pro SE to have an actual release date. Then I can downsize my home rack.

I'm waiting for the udm pro to just be in stock.

 

[Makeroflostsouls]

I'm waiting for the udm pro to just be in stock.

Was in stock last week for a little bit.. Got one and a 24-pro switch and WiFi 6LR .. replacing a edge router POE-5 , hdnano and tplink switch. Probably add one more WiFi 6LR AP .. So far love the udm pro the WiFi 6LR is also a beast.

 

[HardWired1]

Like most owning Wi-Fi routers for the last 25 years we all know about the slow downs or disconnects forcing us to power down and reboot.

I installed the original Amplifi HD mesh setup in my in-laws 6000 sq ft ranch home 4 years ago when it was released and it has been completely hands off since then. It keeps up with the auto-install firmware releases and sits there without a hiccup. Not once have they called to say "the Wi-Fi is down what do we do?" A rock solid router for sure.

 

[LurkerLito]

What I don't get about these types of routers is why they completely hobble the web interface for managing and setting them up then expect people to use the mobile app to do anything advanced. When did things go so backwards? Use a tiny touch screen with a crappy virtual on-screen keyboard vs an actual physical keyboard and a large easy to read and navigate web interface for putting in advance settings in a router is better? WTF?

 

[owkia]

What I don't get about these types of routers is why they completely hobble the web interface for managing and setting them up then expect people to use the mobile app to do anything advanced. When did things go so backwards? Use a tiny touch screen with a crappy virtual on-screen keyboard vs an actual physical keyboard and a large easy to read and navigate web interface for putting in advance settings in a router is better? WTF?

To be fair, we're at a point where college students of Astrophysics (and other high level STEM fields) barely even know how to use PCs.

I don't see it getting better any time soon.

 

[Centauri]

If I hadn't just grabbed two GT-AXE11000s, I'd have probably jumped on this. Certainly looks interesting.

 

[MrGuvernment]

Please stop buying Ubiquiti crap, literally, they are crap now, they grew too large and their firmware is flakey as heck., also... they left every customer open to be compromised for weeks to keep their share prices up..
https://krebsonsecurity.com/2021/03/whistleblower-ubiquiti-breach-catastrophic/

 

[DocNo]

If you are buying a set of meshed access points make sure they have dedicated radios for meshing!

Amplify does not. Even their Alien line, which was super disappointing.

I have a ton of UBNT gear but as MrGuvernment points out for the past three or four years - every since they fired all their US developers and shipped all software development overseas - their firmware has sucked. Not sure who I'm going to go with when I decided to get into Wifi 6. Probably Ruckus. Their kit is expensive and butt ugly but at least it works!

 

[SunnyD]

Please stop buying Ubiquiti crap, literally, they are crap now, they grew too large and their firmware is flakey as heck., also... they left every customer open to be compromised for weeks to keep their share prices up..
https://krebsonsecurity.com/2021/03/whistleblower-ubiquiti-breach-catastrophic/

Never had any real problems with their firmware aside from them dumbing it down and hiding functionality in the newer interfaces.

If your only real complaints are around their breach, I agree that was bad but to be fair how many consumer networked devices in general aren't even getting security updates at all anymore or at least as frequently as they should be? Not many other companies are much better.

 

[GnomeCop]

Just some info for anyone looking into these routers and was wondering about adding mesh points and stuff:

• Each router can only use a maximum of 1 mesh point per network.
• The router/mesh point bundle is the only way to buy a mesh point
• Each router + mesh point buncle is hard coded to each other. No mixing and matching from other sets. Also if the router dies, the mesh pt becomes garbage.
• Routers can act as mesh points, so you can buy as amny alien routers as you want and create a mesh network. No limit besides your budget (not optimal use of $)

 

[TheToE!]

Please stop buying Ubiquiti crap, literally, they are crap now, they grew too large and their firmware is flakey as heck., also... they left every customer open to be compromised for weeks to keep their share prices up..
https://krebsonsecurity.com/2021/03/whistleblower-ubiquiti-breach-catastrophic/

I've been pulling them out of client sites for years now. From random power downs, no band steering/band steering not working, god awful "controllers" causing problems, etc. I can't speak to the routers and switches as I've not used them.

 

[MrGuvernment]

Never had any real problems with their firmware aside from them dumbing it down and hiding functionality in the newer interfaces.

If your only real complaints are around their breach, I agree that was bad but to be fair how many consumer networked devices in general aren't even getting security updates at all anymore or at least as frequently as they should be? Not many other companies are much better.

Not quiet the same, releasing a security update vs their entire company essentially being compromised and full admin rights to their entire AWS infra giving access to pretty much every single cloud customers information and thus access to their actual networks, this was far far worse than some Asus or NetGear router having a firmware bug which "might" get exploited. Ubiquiti essentially allowed their customers to be exploited over several weeks while they kept their mouth shut and tried to down play the whole thing.

 

[SunnyD]

Not quiet the same, releasing a security update vs their entire company essentially being compromised and full admin rights to their entire AWS infra giving access to pretty much every single cloud customers information and thus access to their actual networks, this was far far worse than some Asus or NetGear router having a firmware bug which "might" get exploited. Ubiquiti essentially allowed their customers to be exploited over several weeks while they kept their mouth shut and tried to down play the whole thing.

That's presuming you actually USE their cloud infrastructure. Why anybody with half a security brain would trust their networks to something as public-facing as the cloud without at least understanding the security ramifications of it... well that's on them. (All my ubnt gear is locally hosted, locally managed with cloud access turned off)

But again, I also agree with you with how they handled the situation. But saying consumer routers "might" get exploited... it's one of the most active targets currently for botnet malware.

 

[MrGuvernment]

That's presuming you actually USE their cloud infrastructure. Why anybody with half a security brain would trust their networks to something as public-facing as the cloud without at least understanding the security ramifications of it... well that's on them. (All my ubnt gear is locally hosted, locally managed with cloud access turned off)

But again, I also agree with you with how they handled the situation. But saying consumer routers "might" get exploited... it's one of the most active targets currently for botnet malware.

Look at how many companies are all running off AWS/Azure and most have no idea about the basics of security....people see cloud and think "wow, easy I can use my cell phone to set up and manage everything" /facepalm

For sure, home / SOHO routers all day long are trying to get hit, the amount of crap that hits my pfsense....

 

[Tengis]

Look at how many companies are all running off AWS/Azure and most have no idea about the basics of security....people see cloud and think "wow, easy I can use my cell phone to set up and manage everything" /facepalm

For sure, home / SOHO routers all day long are trying to get hit, the amount of crap that hits my pfsense....

I dont monitor any of that stuff... I get nervous about stuff hitting my router -_-

 

[MrGuvernment]

I dont monitor any of that stuff... I get nervous about stuff hitting my router -_-

It can get obsessives...lots coming in from Asia and Russia, whitelist is the only thing allowed in/out - everything else is reporting as blocked in and out..
it is crazy how much traffic samsung phones try to send out to Asia...

 

[SunnyD]

Look at how many companies are all running off AWS/Azure and most have no idea about the basics of security....people see cloud and think "wow, easy I can use my cell phone to set up and manage everything" /facepalm

For sure, home / SOHO routers all day long are trying to get hit, the amount of crap that hits my pfsense....

Annnd hot off the presses... It was an inside job. https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ne...ev-charged-for-trying-to-extort-his-employer/

Edit: I quoted the wrong post, but anyway.

 

[MrGuvernment]

Annnd hot off the presses... It was an inside job. https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ne...ev-charged-for-trying-to-extort-his-employer/

Edit: I quoted the wrong post, but anyway.

I was just reading that!

bloody insane!

 

[FearTheCow]

I was just reading that!

bloody insane!

So reading the story, any changes to previous posts you want to make given it seems you spread false information?

 

[Putz]

I wanted one of these for a year or so, picked up one on black friday and it was awsome then started rebooting 3-4 times an hour, sent it back got another...does the same thing and sent it back too. reading forums its a long standing known issue they have yet to fix. little dissapointed. little dissapointed as the unifi stuff and edge max stuff has been quiet good for my clients.

 

[MrGuvernment]

So reading the story, any changes to previous posts you want to make given it seems you spread false information?

"you spread false information"

It was the only source of information being told by every tech news source around, not like I came in and made up some crap to put down Ubiquiti, so ya, I dont think I was spreading false information in the way to which I think you are implying it?

Yes, buy Ubiquiti, but, be ready for flakey firmware that breaks basic functionality and cheaply made internals...

 

[MrGuvernment]

I wanted one of these for a year or so, picked up one on black friday and it was awsome then started rebooting 3-4 times an hour, sent it back got another...does the same thing and sent it back too. reading forums its a long standing known issue they have yet to fix. little dissapointed. little dissapointed as the unifi stuff and edge max stuff has been quiet good for my clients.

Bingo - their quality went down the tubes when they grew too big for their own good.

 

[FearTheCow]

"you spread false information"

It was the only source of information being told by every tech news source around, not like I came in and made up some crap to put down Ubiquiti, so ya, I dont think I was spreading false information in the way to which I think you are implying it?

Yes, buy Ubiquiti, but, be ready for flakey firmware that breaks basic functionality and cheaply made internals...

I feel like its a bad idea to take product advice from someone who spreads false information about companies they don't like.

 

[Putz]

Bingo - their quality went down the tubes when they grew too big for their own good.

so far:
the Amplifi Alien i had to sent back two units they just rebooted randomly, and the one set i bought through Amazon... 3 weeks later still waiting on the my refund from the Ubiquiti reseller selling through Amazon

one client I stuck an Amplifi HD at to cover his home and machine shop business (rural crappy internet) and the power supply (type c cable/brick) died, and a standard type C didnt work, screen comes up with incompatable and Amplifi refused to send him one to Canada and all the resellers here wont sell them or import the replacement AC adapter. I had to get a friend in the USA to buy a 12$ cable and ship it too me. countless attemps with support, oh go to the store... yes I see it on the store 12$ go to checkout, wont ship to Canada... ask again where in CANADA can i buy it... sends me to the same damn store link that wont ship to Canada. and why am i buying an ac adapter that died under warranty? send me a bloody new one.. throw it in a postage envelope and put it in the mail if you have too.

had a few 24 port 500W poe switches go bad, they had a bad batch ofr 500w power supplies (both edge max and unifi models)

I do have 2 other clients will full Unifi deployements that have worked fine for a couple years other than PoE switch's power supply dying

I like the company, i like the product/price point but id have ot agree quality has went south and when they just ignore you in Canada for support, yet they are willing to sell you new stuff... that piss' me off. if your going to sell it here then support it.

my stance now is Ampllfi - dont buy, or reccomend for client
Unifi is ok, if you need PoE Switches buy a spare, and at their price points its not like keeping a spare cisco/aruba on hand but still upsets customers to spend that money to sit on a shelf
Edge routers are still great

 

[MrGuvernment]

I feel like its a bad idea to take product advice from someone who spreads false information about companies they don't like.

Are you always this persistent in trying to push an agenda and label someone something because it fits what's in your head? Do not take my advice, instead list to Putz and the endless list of other people online you can find having the same issues....from home users to enterprises.