AirMagnet Survey PRO Reviews

We use AirMagnet Survey, for site verifications after the wireless system has been installed. We conduct pre and post-install surveys with it.

We have reduced the use since now our customers require Ekahau, a competitor. AirMagnet doesn't currently support Wi-Fi 6E. We use it for certain customers who don't require Ekahau.

The AirMagnet Survey allows you to see the list of APs in the live view. It only supports certain adapters, which can be limiting, but it's also beneficial because these adapters are more comparable to real-life devices like laptops. With Ekahau, Sidekick needs to be used for full features, but I find the Sidekick too strong, which can hamper results. Therefore, I prefer AirMagnet's approach because the adapters provide more realistic readings.

AirMagnet Survey needs to support Wi-Fi 6E otherwise they can lose to the competition. They also need to allow better grouping of SSIDs to one AP, removing the need to filter manually. At the moment, you can filter by channel or SSID, but grouping all those SSIDs together is a difficult task.

I have been using AirMagnet Survey for few years.

There used to be stability issues, especially with larger files requiring a powerful laptop. But in the recent times, we haven't experienced any recent crashing or downtime. 

Regarding scalability, adding more features like Spectrum analysis has been smooth, although I'm unsure about certain advanced features like predictive modeling in AirMagnet. It might benefit from improvements in predictive modeling for better accuracy and a streamlined process, similar to other tools like Ekahau.

I've contacted AirMagnet Survey's technical support. They've been consistently good, and I've never had any issues with their support.

Positive

Ekahau and AirMagnet Survey have their own pros and cons, in my opinion. For example, the APs are not visible in Ekahau but AirMagnet Survey allows us to see what APs and channels are being used in a live view, which Ekahau lacks. In Ekahau, the signal from the AP it's capturing at that time is visible which is a bit of an inconvenience. The predictive planner of AirMagnet's is better. However, Ekahau has advantages over AirMagnet because it groups all the SSIDs into one AP, whereas with AirMagnet, one needs to group them manually. Ekahau also supports Wi-Fi 6E, but its licensing is restrictive and more costly.

AirMagnet Survey is an application that uses a client adapter to capture the wireless signal. It can be easier to install the AirMagnet software and the driver to get it to work with specific supported adapters. With Ekahau, one primarily needs to use the Sidekick 2, although you can use another adapter like the internal laptop wireless, but it is not fully featured without the Sidekick.

The licensing of AirMagnet Survey is different when compared to Ekahu. It is a third of the cost of Ekahau but there are no dedicated laptops to the Sidekick. AirMagnet allows you to license an adapter and share that adapter.

The AI simulation capabilities, especially the predictive feature in AirMagnet, have been somewhat helpful for network planning. However, both AirMagnet and other tools like Ekahau have accuracy issues in simulating obstacles and walls accurately. Some customers take the simulation results literally, but it's important to understand that these tools have limitations and may not be 100% accurate. Adjustments can be made to get closer to reality, especially in office areas, but it's not perfect.

For new users, my recommendation is to undergo thorough training to understand the fundamentals of wireless networks and survey techniques. It's essential to learn the nuances and tricks of using the tool effectively, such as knowing when to pause during a survey to maintain accuracy, especially regarding walking speed and path consistency. Without proper training, new users may struggle to grasp these details, which are crucial for obtaining accurate survey results. Hiring a trainer or someone experienced in using the tool can greatly benefit new users in getting acquainted with AirMagnet Survey.

Overall, I would rate the solution seven out of ten.

We're not using AirMagnet primarily for predictive analysis—it's mostly checking signals in real-time. The vast majority of our usage is in hotels or small and medium-sized businesses. Every time they make changes or have a problem, we run through them. Occasionally we work with large ones, like the 1.2 million-square-foot Walgreens facility at their main distribution center in Madison. That was much larger, but it's rare. 

After AirMagnet is installed on the system, we can survey the average three-story hotel in 45 minutes. It probably takes three or four hours to finish the analysis and write up a report. The general managers at a hotel don't really care about much of the information we provide. They only want to know what the problem is and see the heat map showing where the dead zones are. We tell them if there's a bottleneck and have the metrics to back us up if anybody asks.

We typically run settings at -65 dB as the low end and -25 dB for the signal-to-noise ratio. It's a little better than the industry standard, which is -67 dB and -20 dB, but it ensures we have top-of-the-line signal coverage when we're doing the survey. My company does engineering and manufacturing, but there are 25 of us in the IT department, and three are level five. We can do anything and assist if needed. 

Most of our guys are level three, so they're good to run around and do stuff on their own. Sometimes, they might need some help with some higher-end stuff. They're doing a lot of intermediate work, such as running cables or fiber optics, so they don't typically have the higher-end tools that the three of us use, like the nXG and OptiView XG tablets. They have a lot of cable testers, including some higher-end ones.

If they're assisting us or going out to do a quick survey for us, we usually will log into their laptop, set it up and make sure that everything's calibrated properly for them. After everything's calibrated and set up, they have no problems doing the survey themselves. I'd like some of them to get a little bit better at it, but a lot of that comes down to how many times we are contracted each year to perform heat maps and pull metrics for facilities. Usually, that's only seven to 15 times a year. More often than not, the three of us with all the tools can take care of those jobs on our own.

The addition of the AirMapper software on the nXG and our AirCheck G2s has helped a lot because we're mostly not drilling down into the data. Local managers only need to see the coverage on their end and whether there are performance bottlenecks. These things are easy enough for us to ascertain with iPerf. 

We can go in and spot-check with those devices quickly.  The only time we bother using the full versions of the software off of a laptop or our OptiView XG tablets is when they want to pay for a full-blown survey. 

It would be nice to have some more training resources for younger techs. We can use them if we need some assistance, but that usually requires one of us who knows what we're doing to calibrate the programs properly.

There's one thing our nXG handhelds do that AirMagnet doesn't do out of the box. The nXG devices can analyze the wired and wireless networks simultaneously and map the networks out. We find it handy. However, if I have that plugged into our older OptiView XG tablets or our laptops, I have no way to analyze both the WiFi and the wired network at the same time and build a single picture with all that data. 

So far, that's something only our nXG handhelds can do. It would be nice if there were a way to integrate all the network discovery, troubleshooting, and mapping of the WiFi and the wired at the same time. There are almost no products that do that currently. If they managed to do that, they'd probably open up their market pretty quickly.

We began using AirMagnet Survey with our OptiView XG tablets about six years ago. We don't have too many opportunities to use it, but we do surveys with  NetSpot and Ekahau probably two to three times a year per technician for our senior technicians, including me and two others.

I haven't had any problems with instability. It has the same quirks you find in any other program that measures electromagnetic fields. Signals are bouncing or getting absorbed by particular types of surroundings. However, I don't think that is a stability problem. The signals do what they do, and the program tries to read them.

I've had no problems whether we use AirMagnet on a small scale or for a larger job. I can survey a one-floor hotel or a 1 million-square-foot facility with the same program. It doesn't make a difference. However, the bigger it is, the more annoying it is to deal with all the different maps. That's the same no matter which program you use.

We started with AirMagnet and added AirMapper, which is AirMagnet-compatible on newer devices like the nXG and the AirCheck G2. It's likely we will continue to use AirMagnet as our staple. Some clients ask us to use Ekahau. We have an Ekahau license and run that when necessary, but it's not because we think one is better than the other. 

AirMagnet and Ekahau excel in different areas. However, we typically use AirMagnet for onsite surveys unless the client requests Ekahau. One or two clients annually will insist that we use Ekahau, so we do maintain a license with Ekahau just for that.

AirMagnet itself is a little clunkier than Ekahau or the simpler NetSpot program that we use. It's an older interface. Once you get used to it, it's not a big deal to move around. Once somebody is trained, it's not a problem to set AirMagnet up on our systems and calibrate it. 

All of the equipment is expensive. Our OptiView XG tablets include AirMagnet and Spectrum XT. We paid about $63,000 each. However, we use them all the time, and they fix so many problems quickly that we don't regret spending more on high-end tools than most companies. 

Having proper tools and training may seem expensive to the bean counters up front, but it makes a difference at the end of the day. You properly trained people with the necessary tools necessary for the job. Trying to do this on the cheap with inferior tools doesn't do anyone any good. AirMagnet and Ekahau are top-of-the-line tools. They're slightly different, but they do the same things. We're happy with both. Most of our devices just happen to use AirMagnet, and we started with that.

AirMapper costs us about $1,200 a year per device to use it. I would rate AirMagnet eight out of 10 because Ekahau is more expensive than AirMagnet by about $4,000 or $5,000.

I rate AirMagnet Survey nine out of 10. You need at least one person in your organization who knows how to use the program, so they can train others. I prefer to send one person through professional training to get all the details and pass that on to everybody else. 

If the workers are properly trained, it's much easier to use and your team will spend less time on-site messing with the program. You'll get the work done quicker, so the training will pay for itself.

I mostly use it for designing wireless networks, especially for large corporate customers.

The predictive survey is the most valuable feature. I use it quite often.

When you conduct an active survey and then want to use it for design work, it's actually not very useful. When you color the IP within the software and move it around, the person doesn't change. It's just a screenshot of the pattern it made when you did the survey, except you can put a point more in the way you'd expect the pattern to change. It doesn't get a true reflection of how the signals would truly propagate, instead only shows a screenshot of the pattern made during the survey.

Therefore, there is an area of improvement in the functionality of AirMagnet Survey when conducting an active survey and then using the results for design work.

I have been using AirMagnet Survey for seven years. I am currently using the latest version. I updated it about three weeks ago. 

It's very stable. I would rate it a ten out of ten. 

Scalability is high. I've had some very high performance with it.

The experience with the customer service and support team was good. 

Positive

The initial setup was very easy. 

It is a very expensive solution. It took me over two years to persuade the company to spend the money to buy the products.

Typically, I run a training course for engineers on how to use AirMagnet Survey.

Overall, I would rate the solution a seven out of ten because there are a few areas of improvement. But compared to what's out there, I do prefer the way it presents things graphically. As compared to Ekahau Site Survey, it seems to be a bit less blocky.

Our clients use the solution for Wi-Fi coverage in particular premises, say in stores or in businesses.

We would like to get more details and extended capabilities for the solution. The clients want a list of rogue SSIDs, heat maps, etc.

We have been using the solution for a few years now. We don't own equipment for AirMagnet, but we do work with local providers who have them.

It is a stable solution.

It works fine in terms of scalability.

We have not heard any complaints about it.

We work with equipment provided by our partners who have a license. They charge us per intervention. The price could be better as AirMagnet is often found expensive by end clients.

The solution is useful in certain circumstances. I would recommend it to others. It depends on the scope they want. But it's definitely a more expensive solution than other ones. I would like to rate the product an eight out of ten.

The solution is primarily used for wireless design; it's a wireless design tool.

For example, if you're going to design a wireless internet network. That's what we used it for. The process is: you take a blueprint and you walk around that office or what have you with AirMagnet, the software. And it has an antenna, almost like a wireless antenna. You just walk and set your parameters. It's pretty simple.

The solution as a whole has been quite valuable for us. That's why we've used it. The heat mapping, the signal with noise, all of these are great. 

Some people who aren't as technical as me, some of our project leads, really liked the graphical interface of it. You can take some of the more technical stuff off of it and just represent items in very ways. For example, green means good, red means bad.

Customer service is great. 

The initial setup is very simple. 

If you're using AirMagnet, it's a special use case. As long as they really walk you through it you should be fine. However, you do need some direction and training. If you don't have very much practice with it, it is difficult to troubleshoot.

It'd be nice if it was cheaper, however, you get value for your money.  

I've dealt with AirMagnet since 2014. It's been a while.

It's definitely pretty stable. It has never crashed on us. It really just depends on your laptop or whatever device you're using it on. The solution itself, however, does not crash or freeze and there are no bugs or glitches. 

As far as scalability, that I don't know. We've never used it like that. I don't know if I can talk to that. 

We had the software and then we had two licenses to use it on two separate laptops, which means two separate antennas. If that's what you mean by scalable, then yes, it's extremely scalable as you can use up to six antennas for one software license.

Their customer service is great if you get the gold package or whatever the highest support package is. That is what we have. It's not just decent. It's excellent service. We are very satisfied with it. 

The initial setup is extremely straightforward. One of the things, now years and years ago, was that it might have been a bit difficult to implement, however, these days, it's very easy.  Today, as in this version, it has an extremely straightforward setup.

I don't handle the buy-side of the solution. I'm just one of the engineers that use it. I'm pretty sure we quoted it, however, that was a while ago. I know it's not cheap. However, I cannot speak to exact pricing.

I've used every version they've had since 2014, just as it increments up. We have the latest. Whatever the latest version is now is what we're using today.

It's really simple to use. I had a guy who's never used it and once we went through half a day with it, he could do it. He couldn't troubleshoot with it, however, he could definitely do tasks and he could use it for the purposes we needed.

While there's other software out there, it really just depends on your projects and your budget. We had a large budget. It's a pretty big project, so we chose AirMagnet due to the fact that I'm familiar with it. I knew that the support was excellent. 

It's good for any project you have. You just have to have the budget for not only the software but also the support package. With the support package, even if you don't know how to use it, they'll show you how to use it.

I'd rate the solution at a nine out of ten.

For us, for what we used it for and for the majority of my career, I've found that it offers everything. There are other versions and other flavors of AirMagnet you can get. I've just never needed it. There's the spectral analysis and stuff like that. I've never needed that part of it. However, for others, just know there are options.

We use the solution for Wi-Fi and networks. 

AirMagnet Survey doesn't cover certain devices in the system. 

I have been using the product for a few months. 

AirMagnet Survey's deployment is easy. 

The tool's pricing is medium. 

I rate AirMagnet Survey a six out of ten. I wouldn't recommend the product. 

The heat maps are quite good, and some features are easy to use.

The throughput should be more advanced in the future. They need to add more versions of WiFi than just one.

I have been using AirMagnet Survey for approximately four years.

AirMagnet Survey is stable.

I have found the scalability of AirMagnet Survey to be good. However, it could be able to be used in more types of devices.

We have approximately six people using this solution in my organization. We plan to increase usage. 

I have not needed the technical support.

The installation is easy.

There is an annual cost of the solution. There are some additional charges, such as support and maintenance.

I rate AirMagnet Survey an eight out of ten.

• Predictive survey
• Passive survey after implementation.

It has helped us to survey coverage after implementation.

Passive survey.

There is a feature "no auto-save" when the Proxim USB is disattached accidentally during survey. Newer adapters (adpter that support 802.11ac) not support noise Reading (I'am using Proxim 9100 USB Adapter).

Three to five years.

I am a consultant and I work with this product at a high level. It is used for spectrum analysis and wireless surveying.

The most valuable features are the survey, spectrum analysis, and reporting. 

The surveying features are in need of improvement, along with general usability. For example, they should import functions from other products that make things easier from a planner's point of view.

The antenna options should be enhanced.

It takes a little while to render the coverage maps.

The price could be lower.

The updates are few and far between, so they should release them more regularly.

I have been using AirMagnet Survey for ten years.

Overall, the stability is not too bad.

Technical support is a little bit slow to respond. I would say that they are about average.

This product is very expensive.

Our license is coming up for renewal and we're planning to have a close look at Ekahau. We will be comparing the two and possibly look to change.

My advice for anybody who is considering AirMagnet is to have a look at Ekahau Survey, as well. This is something that we plan on doing before our next renewal.

I would rate this solution a six out of ten.

The primary use is wireless network surveying.

The benefit is with the ease of use of the software, I am able to show the customer, "Here is what your wireless coverage looks like." It is set up in a fashion that non-technical people can understand it.

It is reliable and easy to use (user-friendly). The heat mapping, passive network surveying, and doing the heat mapping of a building's wireless network allows me to see what level of coverage an area has.

Printouts are JPEG printouts. The AirMagnet software is proprietary. I can't send my customers a file, because it is AirMagnet file, even for building projects. I can only send JPEGs or screenshots of heat maps.

We used to have issues with the software freezing up. With the latest versions in the last couple of years, the technology of the notebooks' processing capability has helped us get over the hurdle of the software freezing up because of the data input in large buildings.

I have not used the technical support.

The initial setup was fairly easy to do.

Call the manufacturer directly and talk to them about their product.

Most important criteria when selecting a vendor:

1. Technical functionality
2. Competitive pricing
3. Government pricing discounts.