I had a scenario and I wanted to ask the experts. We have a tower in which we have customers in about 270 degrees of the 360 degrees, with the majority of them in 90 degrees. How would the 4500c behave if we connected a 4x4 sector and aimed it at the 90 degree quadrant with the majority of our customers. And then connect 2 additional 2x2 90 degree sectors to cover the remainder of the 270 degrees.
I would assume poorly. You’re essentially making an omni out of an 8x8 radio, except you’ll have a terrible clover-leaf pattern.
You would be better off with 4x 4500L on horns and if you have a lot of density close to the tower in one direction do a 4600C on a 4x4 for those folks, using the 2x2 4500L for longer distance in that direction.
Why not use the e4k 8x8 integrated for the 90deg area with the highest density, and then 2 4500L’s w/horns on each side to extend the edges?
This way you have 2 or 3 way MU-MIMO and beamforming for the bulk of the clients, and the 4500L’s can use like 30deg asymetrical horns and can be pointed independently for optimal extended coverage.
ps. one thing that concerns me about the 4500 8x8 connectorized is all those little RF connectors, they’re all points of failure, and if even one of them gets water in them, it’s going to be difficult to identify which one and fix it. The 4500 8x8 connectorized is best when used for 360deg 2x2 coverage, or 4x4 90 deg back to back coverage.
I know your suggestion would work, but it would cost more. If what I propose works then for my specific case I would be happy. obviously special care needs to be used when installing the rf cables. And you mention that the 4500 is best used in 360 2x2 or back to back 4x4, is that backed by the design and how the software operates or something based off experience?
The software only supports two modes, sector mode, which would support 8x8, and 4x4 (back to back), OR omni mode, which would support 4x 2x2 with 360deg coverage. Because beamforming is not enabled in omni-mode, it’s important to make sure that coverage is not overlapping. There’s a pretty good discussion on the pros/cons of the 4500c here:
I have not seen any feedback from anyone that has tried the config that you’ve proposed. Why don’t you go and deploy and let us know how it goes? 
It’s deployed. 
I’ll post feedback as soon as I get my hands on some more 4525’s.