Meraki this week launched the Meraki MR58, a weatherproof three-radio 802.11n access point.

"The $1,499 (list) unit, which meshes with all the existing gear and includes the license for meraki's required software-as-a-service hosted management system, can go omnidirectional or directional on each of the three radios as separate systems," writes Wi-Fi Net News' Glenn Fleishman. "The company sees the unit as being a way to link locations (they claim 1 to 20 km with appropriate directional antennas), and provide front-end access in public places."

"Like most previous routers from Meraki and unlike all home Wireless-N routers, the new MR58 is a weatherproof wireless device that can be mounted outside to provide wireless signals to a large open space," writes Crave's Dong Ngo. "According to Meraki, the MR58 can withstand temperatures ranging from from -4 degrees F to 122 degrees F and provide five times the speed of standard 802.11b/g wireless devices."

"Cisco Systems recently introduced an outdoor 802.11n access point that's also aimed at the enterprise market," notes InformationWeek's Marin Perez. "Meraki is hoping to carve out market share by aiming at the small-to-midsize market, and by offering its device at a lower price. The MR58 costs $1,499, while similar products cost about $3,000 from the competition."

More here from Ars Technica ... and the press release is here.