My latest video takes another look at Meshtastic, this time with a new device called the Heltec MeshPocket that makes the process of getting devices on the off-grid open source mesh communications network much easier.
For those unfamiliar, Meshtastic is a project that lets you build low-cost mesh communication networks using LoRa radios. It’s not huge yet, so Meshtastic networks are often in small pockets in more densely populated areas. But the hardware is cheap enough that you can buy a bunch of nodes for yourself and friends and slowly build out a mesh yourself. If you haven’t already, check out my original Meshtastic video to learn more about how it works.
Heltec, the maker of one of the LoRa boards I’ve used before, sent over a new consumer-ready device—a power bank that also doubles as a Meshtastic node. This one’s interesting because it combines wireless charging (including Qi2 and MagSafe compatibility) with a built-in LoRa radio and an e-ink display for direct messaging visibility. It comes in two capacities—5,000 and 10,000 milliamp hours—and although I’ve been using the smaller version, the larger one is the better value. Still, it lasted me several days running the Meshtastic node continuously, and there was plenty of battery left to charge a phone.
You interact with the node via Bluetooth through the Meshtastic app, and there’s no assembly required. Mine came with previously communicated nodes stored in memory, possibly from Heltec’s testing or perhaps from what the device picked up while in transit. Once powered on, it was immediately ready to join the network. One tip from the manufacturer: don’t use the Meshtastic function while also charging a phone wirelessly—it’s not dangerous, but the radio signal can suffer interference.
The interface is basic but functional. You can scroll through received messages using the “user” button and even send pings without needing the phone. The e-ink display only draws power when it updates, unlike the OLED displays in other nodes, which helps with battery life. So far my MeshPocket has gone a week in between charges when just used for Meshtastic purposes. Firmware updates require a separate magnetic cable, so it’s worth making sure that doesn’t get misplaced.
As for performance, it works about the same as any other node, which is to say pretty well when you’re within range. I tested it by pairing with another DIY node I built and exchanged a few messages over the network. Everything came through reliably and I was able to reach my home node walking around the neighborhood with the MeshPocket.
There’s no GPS or Wi-Fi on this particular Heltec unit, so it’s designed to work entirely via Bluetooth pairing with a phone. But if you wanted to go all in, you could pick up a few cheap radios, build out your own network, and have an independent messaging system that doesn’t rely on cell towers or subscription fees.
In the second part of my video, I demoed what it looks like when your Meshtastic node is around other Meshtastic users. I brought a node along on a recent trip to NYC and left it running on the train and later in a window. After a while, it found another node and pulled in a bunch more from its local list, populating my app with what looked like a pretty well-developed network. I didn’t get much back from most of the nodes—just one automated acknowledgment—but it did confirm that I was reaching something.
The visit made it clear that while the network is still sparse in some areas, the concept works. And with enough nodes—especially ones placed high up with solar power—it could become a viable off-grid communication option. LoRa uses very little power to transmit, so any kind of terrain or building will block signals – hence the need to have many nodes in many places to fill in the gaps.
I’ll keep carrying this around and see what else I can find around Connecticut. There’s something satisfying about seeing a homegrown, decentralized network start to take shape one node at a time.
Disclosure: Heltec sent this to the channel free of charge. However they did not review or approve this post or my video before it was uploaded. All opinions are my own.