Part 2 in the series...
Continuing on to the question of MeshCore hardware and why it's all about the fit that's right for you.
To wit, I would direct you to <okimesh.org> as the best starting place. For specific help w/ builds you can check <docs.okimesh.org>, but be aware that this area is still being assembled.
Let us start w/ companions (the thing you use via phone/computer to access the mesh’s repeater network): the selection is pretty wide, but this list of options might be a good place to start:
I had been using a Heltec v3 (in this config)
then upgrades to a Heltec v4 (in this config)
with the intention of moving the v3 to a repeater. I experimented with it some, but success was limited, so I upgraded the v4 companion with a 915 MHz-specific Muzi antenna
While it greatly improved reception, the issue with the ESP32-based systems (which the v3 & v4 are) tends to be around them being powerhogs. So I picked up an Elecrow ThinkNode M1, an nRF52*-based (* meaning there are many sub-models of the chip series) unit, as they have a reputation for being very power efficient, with an e-ink display (which is also supposed to be super energy saving)
While it seems to do good on battery -- 2-3 days vs. barely 1 day from an ESP32 unit with a full battery -- I had issues with the display not updating, got side-tracked, and never got back to it. Next on the to-do list...
Around that time several manufactures came out with antenna-less "card companions" which looked perfect: built-in battery, no external display to mash or suck battery, & no bigger than 3-4 stacked credit cards. I had questions about their range & battery life -- at least one person reportedly started using a "mobile repeater" (so now two devices, instead of one) in order to reach the wider mesh -- but then people I knew were reportedly very happy with the performance (it looks like that one person had some other issue). I held off on buying yet another device until the one that has recently gotten the most solid performance reviews got slightly cheaper on Amazon
Other than the unexpected fact that the "buzzer" actually beeps (& I've not found an explanation for the various noises, nor how to turn it off -- until a Meshtastic site mentioned "4 button presses to mute device"!) and the need for a specialty connector (a magnetic four pin config which gives it an IP66 rating, also you can buy spare adapters) I've been very happy with the performance -- battery life, range, durability, etc. -- so far.
Long, long story very short: I'd start with the RAKwireless WisMesh Tag as an entry point. No assembly required, flash & go!
Next up: flashing for fun and profit!
Obediently yours,
Andrew KR4FIA
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