I recently had the opportunity to evaluate the Wireless Tracker 2.0 from Heltec. It is a small ESP32-based device which provides the ability to connect to multiple mesh technologies such as Meshtastic and Meshcore by flashing different firmware to the device’s memory.
The specifications for this particular device are very impressive. It has a ESP32-S3FN8 Microcontroller Unit (MCU) which is dual-core. It contains the traditional SX1262 LoRa chip. Heltec also managed to attach a built in UC6580 GNSS (AKA GPS) directly to the board. Both of the communications chips are shielded to eliminate the possibility of RF interference.
Regarding power in this device, the Wireless Tracker v2 design has added a solar panel interface for extended outdoor operation. A power amplifier is on board, achieving a maximum transmission power of up to 28±1dBm.
This device will serve me well in a project I have had on hold for years because that project was too small to justify a Raspberry Pi’s form factor. I will be wiring this module to a temperature sensor and using it in the garden. The thought is, I can analyze soil temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure with my plants for a defined period of time by inserting a stake in the ground that contains the Wireless Tracker v2, a BME280 sensor and a moisture sensor. With the climate being unpredictable and the potential of additional supply chain pressure, we need a higher rate of garden success. Heltec will be able to provide some success.
I have already tested the tracker with Meshtastic and the first thing I noticed was the speed. The dual-core MCU is very fast and very efficient at its job. No packet loss was observed while transmitting on my home mesh. With LoRa fully implemented, this “sensor pack” I am building can be configured for use in either a backyard, a small land holding, an allotment or even on acreage with an existing mesh, GNSS was fully functional straight out of the package, allowing the ability to track this device at all times in the Meshtastic app.
Join me in the coming months as I continue to implement this product and others into my toolkit. The video series will be considered “Tech with a Purpose”, focusing on reasonably priced devices that can help with information flow. My next step will be determining the perfect combination of sensors and automating it’s communication to a Meshtastic channel and also possibly ATAK to provide sensor data for all those paintball needs. There is definitely room for Heltec in the mix of sustainable gardening.
- More Information on this specific device can be found here:
- In the interest of disclosure, I was not compensated to review this product.
- This device was provided by Heltec specifically for the purpose of testing a product.
