Is EX8000 Running in Access Point, Compatible with Another for Mesh and Orbi Outdoor?

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Chris1962 wrote:

Are the Orbi outdoor satellites compatible with the mesh formed by the nighthawks?  

Unfortunately no. It's a great idea, perhaps post it on the idea exchange ( https://community.netgear.com/t5/Idea-Exchange-For-Home/idb-p/idea-exchange-for-home ).

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Chris1962 wrote:

Or, is there a better solution while keeping my Cisco router? 

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Orbi also has an AP mode, so you could also start with an RBK50 instead of the EX8000s, and then perhaps add the outdoor satellite(s) later if you find you need it for the patio or garage.  The RBK40 Orbi model would also work, though the RBK50's radio matches the EX8000 (AC3000). The RBK40's radio is AC2200.  

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Chris1962 wrote:

I currently have a Cisco RV325, 14-port router and I’m thinking of getting 2-3 EX8000 extenders to form an access point with a mesh configuration.  First; will this work good?  

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That depends on what you are using for WiFi now.  It works best when the base WiFi unit is a triband AC router.  It will still work with a lesser router/AP, but the overall performance won't quite as good.

BTW, "Mesh" is a term where the industry meaning has enlarged a bit over time.  Originally it was limited to a peer-to-peer configuration (where each extender and AP is always connected to all the others). Now it includes other connection topologies, the key idea is that the extenders and routers work together to create a single wifi network. 

What Netgear does (both in Orbi and Nighthawk extenders) is to dedicate one 5G radio for the backhaul connection to the router. and it uses the other 5G radio for the client connections.  This increases the performance, and reduces the latency.  They don't use a full any-to-any topology - if the extender can reach the main router, then it does that.  This minimizes the amount of relaying between extenders (which again improves overall performance).