Jim, there are mixed issues here. The purpose of the original post was just to check about putting the XV2-21X on an XV2-2X mount. The follow up discussion is about general cable exposure on the XV2. The follow up discussion is not about how some cable is exposed when using an XV2-21X on an XV2-2X location, it is about how the cables are so clearly exposed on both radios when installed. I started a separate thread to ask about the cable path and possible hole exposure here:
Ceiling Mounted XV2-2X - Intended Wiring Path? - Products / Enterprise Wi-Fi - Cambium Community (cambiumnetworks.com)
Regarding UniFi devices, they hide the hole completely. There is a cavity that is under the radio and it covers the hole. This results in a nice - clean installation.
I would consider the XV3 somewhat similar to the UniFi solution as the XV3 has a cavity for wires [although the XV3 still has a significant gap between the housing and the wall when using the ceiling mounting bracket].
Yes, alternative wires can reduce the visibility, but the wires and hole remain visible and exposed.
Thank you, Chris