N300 Extender Device Not Selecting Strongest Connection

I have the N300 Range Extender.  It connects to my network just fine and I left its name as the default network, plus  "_Ext". 

My problem I am having is my devices (mainly Apples one that I have tested) only pick up one or the other. If I connect to the _Ext, then it does not switch to the main router, even when I'm standing right next to it. And then when I'm connected to the main router it does not pick up the _Ext when I'm closer to it or even out of range!

Should I rename the Extender to just be the same exact name as my main router? (I tried this at work, but wasn't sure if it was working correctly).  The signal differs GREATLY from my router to the extender (roughly 15MBs!!!!) 

I just want my devices to pick up the strongest signal at all times.  My router is a Linksys E1000.

Thanks for the help.