The NanoStation was one of Ubiquiti’s first products back in the early days of the company, it had two ethernet ports, one powering the device and the other providing a PoE passthrough to another device, like a IP camera, access point or another type of airMAX device. The NanoStation M series became popular with CCTV installers for the form factor, low protruding nature and the second port for powering devices.
However, in terms of a wireless technicality the NanoStation was never the best, for station hardware the NanoBeam has always offered a much more focused beam width, which helps reduce interference but NanoStation brand has always sold well, so Ubiquiti updated it a few years back with the NanoStation AC Loco vs NanoStation AC. Both work in very similar ways to the old M version, but with a more friendly and rounded exterior, being AC the bandwidth they can handle has increased from 100mbps max to 450mbps, when using an 80MHz channel width.
The big NanoStation still offers that important PoE passthrough, but it also has a unique trick up its sleeve. Historically, all the airMAX devices have been powered by 24v passive only, but the NanoStation AC is the only airMAX device to also support 802.3af auto sensing PoE and 24v passive. The reason is unknown, but it is likely that these are used with cameras and most of Ubiquiti’s camera line up is now 802.3af, so this allows the NanoStation AC to power those up. The little AC loco only supports 24v passive.
Both have similar antenna specs to their older M versions, the NanoStation AC Loco has a 13dbi antenna and the NanoStation AC has a 16dbi version, allowing a longer reach.
One NanoStation AC Loco is $49 in the US, €46.80 in the EU and £38.92 in the UK. The larger NanoStation AC is $129 in the US, €118.80 in the EU and £98.78 in the UK.
NanoStation AC Loco | NanoStation AC | |
Frequencies supported | 5GHz for main radio interface | 5GHz for main radio interface 2.4GHz for WiFi managment interface |
Channelwidth options | 10/20/30/40/50/60/80MHz PtP | 10/20/30/40/50/60/80MHz PtP 20/40MHz PtMP |
Power Type | 24v passive PoE | 802.3af or 24v passive PoE |
Network interfaces | 1x 10/100/1000 Ethernet | 1x 10/100/1000 Ethernet |
Special features | WiFi interface for UISP app setup | WiFi interface for UISP app setup |
Gain | 13dBi | 16dBi |
Operating Temperature | -40 to 70° C (-40 to 158° F) | -40 to 70° C (-40 to 158° F) |
Mounting options | Wall using included mount | Wall using included mount Pole using jubilie clamp or zip tie, device is curved to fit Anything else, using optional "Universal Mount" |
Price | $49 in the US, €46.80 in the EU and £38.92 in the UK | $129 in the US, €118.80 in the EU and £98.78 |
Recommendation
For dedicated, short range PtP links, we recommend the NanoStation AC Loco as it is very cost effective and provides adequate bandwidth for most applications. However, if you want to have a PtP with a WiFi access point or camera on the other end then we recommend the standard NanoStation AC, as it can be powered by 802.3af or 24v then output that voltage to a secondary device.
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