How a Smart Router Mount Saved the Shoot (and Doubled Our Capture One WiFi Range)

How a Smart Router Mount Saved the Shoot (and Doubled Our Capture One WiFi Range)

We were working on a fashion shoot in Galicia, inside a stunning modern house by the sea — all clean lines, sharp sunlight, and unpredictable layouts. It was the kind of location that looks incredible in photos, but from a digital tech’s perspective? A wireless nightmare.

We were running Capture One Live for Studio to stream previews directly to the art director's iPad. The goal was to stay mobile, stay connected, and keep cool. The reality? Tricky architecture, bouncing signals, and changing setups that made tethering gear feel like an obstacle course.

 

The Setup: GL.iNet Slate 7 mounted on the Digiplate with the AetherMount and a Magic Arm

I started the day by mounting the GL.iNet Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) — a compact WiFi 7 router — to my DigiPlate using Gelatin’s AetherMount and NP-F battery plate.

It’s my go-to setups for Capture One Live:

  • Clean, cable-free, and easy to reposition

  • No wall power required thanks to the NP-F battery

  • Follows me everywhere


The Problem: We Were Moving. A Lot.

The house was gorgeous but sprawling — multi-level, wide open, with sunlight blasting through every angle. We were bouncing between indoor and outdoor setups, chasing natural light across terraces, gardens, and staircases.

And dragging the iPad monitor around on a C-stand while hauling the DigiPlate rig on a tripod? Not ideal.

Even worse, the iPad was losing signal the further we roamed.

The Fix: Repositioning the Router — Fast

So I adapted.

I pulled the Slate 7 router off the DigiPlate and mounted it on a masterstand using the same AetherMount + NP-F combo — no cables, no Velcro, no improvising. I placed it mid-way between the iPad and the laptop station, giving it line-of-sight and just enough elevation to act like a proper wireless anchor.

The result was instant.

The WiFi coverage effectively doubled.
The iPad stopped dropping signal.
The art director could stay shaded inside, while we shot in the sun.
And I didn’t have to reboot anything for the rest of the day.

Why It Worked

The AetherMount – GL.iNet Slate 7 holder turned what would’ve been a static, “cart-taped” router into a proper mobile tool. Mounted high and powered independently, it stayed cool, stable, and connected the whole day — no signal dips, no overheating, no duct tape required.

This setup let me:

  • Keep the router near the center of the action

  • Place the iPad wherever the art director wanted (without worrying)

  • Stop troubleshooting WiFi and actually focus on the shoot

Who This Helps

Whether you're:

  • A Digital Tech or Photo Assistant trying to keep a client monitor connected without babysitting it all day...

  • A Photographer who just wants a clean, reliable way to work wirelessly on set...

  • Or an Aspiring Pro building a smarter iPad workflow for Capture One...

...the ability to mount your router like a real piece of grip gear (not an afterthought) can make or break your wireless tether setup.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes it’s not about getting more gear. It’s about using the right piece in the right place.

For me, the Slate 7 router and AetherMount turned a potentially frustrating day into a smooth one. No restarts. No crashes. Just a stable link between photographer, laptop, and client — even in a location where everything else was in motion.


1 comment

  • Brian Eaves on

    So you just rename the router with a custom name and password. No other configuration needed other than what came out of the box?. Connect your MacBook Pro to the network then connect the iPads to the network with capture Running. I love how simple this is. I use my HOLLYLAND transmitter for this purpose, but I like the fact that this is good/stable and cheaper.

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