Every board here is US 915 MHz and runs MeshCore (and Meshtastic, if you flash that later). Prices are ballpark and change often. Links go to the maker's page plus marketplace options so you can compare sellers.
Cost shouldn't keep anyone off the mesh. We keep a small budget to get radios to people who can't afford one, and to help folks connect in an emergency. It's confidential and never shown publicly.
Request a radioTo host a txmesh observer, feed the live map and run your own !commands, you need an observer-capable board.
The go-to observer board and the cheapest way in. WiFi built in, and it's exactly what txmesh's firmware targets. Add a Li-Po battery and antenna.
V3's higher-power successor: same ESP32-S3 and SX1262 with 27 dBm output for more range. Same observer support, a stronger fixed gateway.
The thumb-sized XIAO ESP32-S3 plus the Wio-SX1262 LoRa add-on: the exact pairing our firmware builds for. Tiny and cheap, ideal for a discreet fixed observer.
The newest low-power option: an ESP32-C6 (WiFi 6) with the Wio-SX1262 add-on. txmesh ships a dedicated build for it, so it's a first-class observer board.
Any of these gets you chatting over LoRa. Cased units flash and go; bare boards and kits cost less and flex more. (These are companions, not observers, they can't run the bot firmware.)
A complete pocket node out of the box: nRF52840, GPS, a 1.3-inch OLED with a joystick, a 2 Ah battery (about 5 days) and USB-C, all in a case. Flash it and start messaging.
A sealed, credit-card-sized unit with GPS and a built-in antenna (nRF52840 + LR1110), great battery life and an IP65 shell. Pair it to your phone, the easiest thing to pocket, gift, or hand to a newcomer.
A complete handheld: nRF52840 with a sunlight-readable 1.54-inch e-paper screen, GPS, buttons and a 1200 mAh battery. Ultra-low-power (about 5.6 µA asleep), ready to use after flashing.
The ESP32-S3 sibling of the M1: same 1.54-inch screen, GPS and button layout, in a case and ready after flashing. Heavier power draw than the M1; pick it if you prefer the ESP32 ecosystem.
The easiest way to extend coverage: arrives fully assembled with a 5W solar panel, 18650 batteries and GPS in a weatherproof shell. Mount it, point it at the sky, done, no wiring or soldering. Seeed sells a MeshCore-spec
The classic entry-level board: ESP32-S3, OLED screen, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Add your own Li-Po battery and pair it to your phone. At around $20, easy to buy two and tinker.
The V3's successor: same ESP32-S3 and SX1262 but with 27 dBm output for extra range and a protected OLED. This listing is a 2-pack with 3000 mAh batteries, cases and antennas, a low-cost way to start a mesh with a friend
nRF52840 chip sips power (about 11 µA asleep), with USB, battery and solar inputs and an optional color TFT. A great all-rounder for handhelds and battery nodes.
Seeed's thumb-sized XIAO ESP32-S3 plus the Wio-SX1262 LoRa add-on in a printed case. One of the smallest nodes, and the same building block behind many solar repeaters. Phone-paired.
Full QWERTY keyboard, color screen, trackball and built-in GPS with a 2000 mAh battery. Send and read messages without touching your phone. An enthusiast step-up.
The classic low-power, modular platform for repeaters and solar nodes. Snap on GPS, sensors or a bigger antenna. The go-to for fixed infrastructure.
The RAK13302 1W amplifier and SAW filter push serious range and receive sensitivity. The pick for a DIY repeater that has to cover a chunk of Texas. Needs a stable 5V supply.