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
| Device | Price | MCU | GPS | Display | Solar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heltec V4 | $25–$35 | ESP32-S3 | No | OLED | Yes |
| LilyGo T-Beam | $35–$45 | ESP32 | Yes | OLED | No |
| Heltec T114 | $30–$45 | nRF52840 | No | TFT 1.14" | Yes |
| Wio Tracker L1 | $29.90 | nRF52840 | Yes | OLED | No |
| Wio Tracker L1 Lite | $27.90 | nRF52840 | No | — | No |
| SenseCAP T1000-E | $35–$45 | nRF52840 | Yes | None | No |