Meshtastic
News, coverage and analysis tracking Meshtastic across the outlets.
Latest coverage
The Morning After the Hurricane, Every Phone in the Valley Still Worked. None of Them Could Say Anything.
Hurricane Helene caused a widespread communications blackout in western North Carolina, highlighting the fragility of centralized cellular networks. While traditional infrastructure failed, decentralized mesh networks using low-cost hardware like Meshtastic proved resilient, enabling communication when cell towers were down. The article advocates for building such community-based mesh networks as a more robust disaster preparedness solution.
MeshCore: The Complete Getting Started Guide (2026)
This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough for setting up MeshCore, an open-source LoRa mesh networking firmware, comparing it to Meshtastic. It details the differences in routing architecture, hardware requirements, and the setup process for Companion, Repeater, and Room Server roles. The article emphasizes MeshCore's advantages in speed, efficiency, and scalability for regional infrastructure, while acknowledging its steeper learning curve compared to Meshtastic.
The Best Meshtastic Devices for Every Use Case (2026 Edition)
This guide reviews the best Meshtastic hardware devices for various use cases in 2026, highlighting new models like the Heltec LoRa 32 V4 and WisMesh Tag. It covers budget options, home base/MQTT gateways, phone-free communicators, EDC devices, and fixed solar repeaters, emphasizing real-world testing and community feedback to help users select the ideal device for their needs.
SenseCAP Solar Node P1 Pro Review: The Best Value Solar Meshtastic Node You Can Buy Right Now
The SenseCAP Solar Node P1-Pro is presented as a high-value, ready-to-deploy solar Meshtastic node, priced at $89.90. It includes batteries and GPS for precise time synchronization, offering a robust solution for expanding mesh networks. The review highlights its impressive battery life, durable build quality, and user-friendly features like USB-C charging and an effective mounting system, positioning it as a strong contender in the market.
RAK WisMesh Tag Review: The Best Meshtastic EDC You Can Buy Right Now
The RAK WisMesh Tag is a new Meshtastic EDC device that surpasses the previous benchmark, the SenseCAP T1000-E, in several key areas. It offers superior build quality, a significantly longer battery life of 5-6 days compared to the T1000-E's 2-3 days, and an improved notification system with three dedicated LEDs. While its GPS performance in urban environments is slightly less robust than the T1000-E's and it lacks a temperature sensor, the WisMesh Tag's overall improvements make it the recommended choice for most users seeking a compact Meshtastic device.
Why Your Meshtastic Node Sees More Satellites (GNSS Explained)
This article explains Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), clarifying that GPS is just one part of a larger network. It details how multiple GNSS constellations like GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou improve location accuracy and time synchronization for devices like Meshtastic nodes. The article also discusses the geopolitical reasons behind countries developing their own systems and the trade-offs between using more satellites and power consumption.
Meshnology N35 N33 N32 Review: The $32 Heltec V3 DIY Kit That Actually Makes Sense?
Meshnology offers DIY kits (N33, N35, N32) bundling the Heltec V3 board with a battery and 3D-printed case for Meshtastic devices. The N33 kit is priced competitively at $31.99, offering good value, while the N35 and N32 are more expensive at $41.99 with less clear justification for the price increase. Despite some initial assembly issues, updated cases fit well, but the lack of a USB-C cable and power switch on higher-priced models is noted.
ThinkNode M2 Review: The Tamagotchi-Sized Meshtastic Handheld
The Elecrow ThinkNode M2 is a compact Meshtastic handheld praised for its excellent build quality and Tamagotchi-like form factor, but criticized for its poor battery life due to the power-hungry ESP32-S3 chip. Despite a small 1000mAh battery, it offers around a day of use, falling short of more efficient alternatives. The device features a 1.3" OLED screen, a buzzer, and surprisingly strong range, but its high price for the ready-to-use version makes it a niche product for those prioritizing aesthetics and portability over battery performance.
ThinkNode M1 Review: E-Paper Display Handheld with Premium Build Quality
The ThinkNode M1 is a new Meshtastic handheld device featuring a 1.54-inch e-paper display, injection-molded housing, and impressive 4-5 day battery life, priced at $40.50 or $53.90 with a case. It offers a premium build quality with a machined control knob and dedicated GPS switch, making it a polished consumer-ready option in the market. The device runs on the Nordic nRF52840 chip with an SX1262 radio and includes GPS, an RTC clock, and a 1200mAh battery, with the InkUI firmware significantly improving the e-paper display experience.
