Mid-Range Devices

Mid-Range Devices

Mid-range devices ($25 - $50) add useful features: GPS, better displays, higher transmit power, lower power consumption, or more robust form factors.

Heltec V4 - $25 - $35

A direct upgrade over the V3. The V4 raises TX power to 28 dBm and adds a solar charging interface, making it well-suited for small solar-powered repeater builds. Uses the same ESP32-S3 + SX1262 combination as the V3.

• TX power: 28 dBm
• Solar input: Yes (dedicated solar charging circuit)
• Display: OLED

LilyGo T-Beam - $35 - $45

A full-featured ESP32 board with GPS built in and an 18650 battery holder. The T-Beam is one of the most popular mobile nodes because position reporting works out of the box. The 18650 form factor means you can use widely available rechargeable cells.

• MCU: ESP32
• GPS: Built-in (Neo-6M or equivalent)
• Battery: 18650 holder (cell not included)
• Connector: SMA antenna

Heltec T114 - $30 - $45

Uses an nRF52840 rather than ESP32, which draws significantly less power. The 1.14" TFT colour display is a step up from OLED. Solar-ready. Best choice for a low-power personal node that also has a decent screen.

• MCU: nRF52840
• Display: 1.14" TFT colour
• Power: Lower than ESP32 equivalents
• Flashing: DFU (double-tap reset)

Wio Tracker L1 - $29.90

Bare board with OLED display and GPS. nRF52840-based. Good value if you plan to build it into a custom enclosure.

Wio Tracker L1 Lite - $27.90

The most affordable Wio option. No GPS. Otherwise similar to the L1. Good choice if position reporting is not needed.

SenseCAP T1000-E - $35 - $45

Credit-card sized device with IP65 weather resistance, GPS, and nRF52840. One of the most compact GPS-capable options available. Ships pre-assembled in a rugged housing - no enclosure work needed.

• Form factor: 85 × 55 × 6.5mm (credit card size)
• IP rating: IP65
• GPS: Yes
• MCU: nRF52840

Mid-Range Summary