20 Apr 2017

First look: Ubiquiti UniFi Access Point T-Rail Mount for Wi-Fi Stand & Drop Ceilings!

Working in the wireless industry, producing products for the industry, and having friends in the industry has its cool times. Like when product manufacturers reach out to you and ask if you can check out a new product. Whether it's a new AP or a simple mount, it's always awesome to open a box few have had access to. I recently got this opportunity with Ubiquiti Networks when they reached out to me to check out their new T-Rail mount and see if it would work with Wi-Fi Stand.

Sealed cardboard shipping box wrapped in blue Ubiquiti branded packing tape


First off, thanks guys! 

Thanks for taking the time to check with industry before rolling out a product to make sure it can be as accessible to everyone as possible. From the first Power Station I received a number of years ago to this, Ubiquiti has always had a great group of people internally that promote making products people will use.

Ubiquiti UniFi AC HD access point retail box on a wooden desk


The AP we'll be using is the Ubiquiti UniFi AC HD. This is a dual-band 802.11ac Wave 2 AP capable of 1733Mbps to the client.

UniFi access point model comparison table listing dimensions and environment

It's larger that the Lite, LR and Pro models, so if it works on the Wi-Fi Stand, those products should too! I didn't have one of these devices so Ubiquiti provided one of these as well, which was totally cool of them.

The mount did not ship with the AP and I'm not sure if the plans are to ship it together or as a separate item. Either way, a few days later a box showed up with the mount kit in it.

Round aluminum UniFi access point ceiling mount plate beside a bag of hardware


It was pretty straight forward and simple. The type of installation you will be using has letters that correspond to the holes to use for the mount type. There were no instructions, but usually pre-release stuff like this is pretty basic. Not a big deal, and definitely not too hard to figure out.

Metal UniFi ceiling mount bracket engraved with lettered junction box hole guide

We are using the "B - T-Bar Mount " option on this for drop ceilings and Wi-Fi Stand.

Ubiquiti UniFi access point wrapped in plastic inside an opened cardboard box

As always, the Ubiquiti packaging is on point. Kudos to always making each piece of equipment look like you paid way more for it than you did. Its one of the great psychological things that Ubiquiti continues to lead with.

Hand holding a UniFi access point with white T-rail mounting bracket

The bracket that ships with the AP is made of plastic and ships with the AP. This is the one that requires you to makes some holes in the drop ceiling panel. I've always thought it was a clean design, but a little destructive. Glad to see this new mount but I will say I hope to see it in plastic soon. The metal on the mount is a little sharp and doesn't have the same "click" to it that the existing one does. Not a show stopper at all, just an opinion.

Mounting kit on desk: screws, drywall anchors, two metal clips, hex key

The mounting hardware the new kit shipped with has 4 screws and anchors, the T-Rail adapters, screws to hold them on, and some tools for the kit.

Close-up of an aluminum T-rail mount bracket end with hex screw

The T-Rail mounts have tiny, threaded, 6-sided screws on them to secure the adapter to the T-Rail as well as rubber stoppers to provide a non-slip fit. Both are cool little additions that probably don't add much cost but add a comfort level to mounting; your AP isn't going anywhere.

Installation

Installation is pretty straight-forward.

Metal mounting bracket clipped to drop-ceiling T-rail between acoustic tiles

Mount the first T-Rail adapter onto the T-Rail and rotate it clockwise until they stop, sliding the rail in between the empty space on the adapters. The rubber stoppers should hold and secure the adapter.

Hand driving a hex key into a metal mount clipped to ceiling tile grid

Next, tighten the screws using the provided wrench to secure the adapter. Repeat this for the next one and place the second adapter on the rail a few inches away so that the screw holes for "B" line up.

Screwdriver fastening a UniFi mounting bracket to a textured ceiling

Use the provided screws to secure the mount kit to the T-Rail adapters.

White Ubiquiti UniFi access point mounted on a speckled ceiling tile

Align the wire entry area of the bracket to the AP and twist the AP onto the bracket plate. This is the part where there isn't a "click" like the plastic version to let you know it's secured.

White access point mounted on drop ceiling tile above an office lounge

That's it! You're mounted to a T-Rail with a Ubiquiti AP now!


Does it work with Wi-Fi Stand?

It sure does! Follow the same instructions as you would to a T-Rail on a ceiling.

Hand holding grey rectangular Wi-Fi Stand frame marked WIFISTAND.COM with bracket


Mount the T-Rail adapters.

Hand holding a round metal access point ceiling bracket clipped onto a stand

Secure the mounting bracket plate.

Hand holding round UniFi ceiling mount plate with T-rail bracket

Mount the AP to the bracket plate!

Now, using the Wi-Fi Stand, set up your temporary access!

Ubiquiti UniFi access point held in a black Wi-Fi Stand frame on a tripod


Thanks to Ubiquiti for providing the early release of their new T-Rail mount for the UniFi AC HD Access Point, and event letting me "hang on" to the AP!

Shameless plug for Wi-Fi Stand Bracket and the new Wi-Fi Stand Rail!

Stainless T-rail mount bracket engraved WIFISTAND.COM with thumbscrew clamp

We use the same component on both, so if it works on the bracket it works on the stand!
Please visit www.wifistand.com to purchase either or both!

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I break down the wireless industry every week on Waves with Wireless Nerd.