A fresh release from Heltec – the IoT device manufacturer – has upgraded the popular Heltec LoRa 32 from version 3.1 to v4. The chip is based on the ESP32-S3 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, with LoRa connectivity provided by the SX1262. This versatile board supports Meshtastic, costs 19.90 USD, and features the ability to charge from a solar panel along with a connector for attaching a GPS module.
Meshtastic is an open-source platform for communication over mesh networks based on LoRa modules, allowing message exchange without the need for central infrastructure – no servers, no internet.
Only users with devices within range can communicate with each other.
How to Get Started with Meshtastic
Heltec LoRa 32 is undoubtedly among the most popular Meshtastic devices due to its small size, decent power consumption (though there are more energy-efficient options), and OLED display.
If you want to join the Meshtastic community with this device, it practically means:
– buy the device (laskakit v3.1, pajenicko v3.1) or v4 directly from Heltec’s website
– install Meshtastic via the web flasher
– connect the device to your phone via Bluetooth
– set the channel (usually Medium Fast, less often Long fast)
– wait to see who my device “sees”
– start messaging
Specifications
Heltec decided to enhance this popular device. Version 4 is based on the ESP32-S3 chip, just like v3.x – it’s simply a different variant of the chip. The FLASH size has doubled, now 16 MB compared to 8 MB, and Heltec developers removed the USB-UART converter CP2102, which served as a programmer – programming will now utilize the integrated USB interface in the ESP32-S3.
Other major improvements (for the better) include:
- an improved battery charging system with an integrated solution for charging from a solar panel (SH1.25-2P connector)
- maximum transmission power increased from 21 to 28 dBm
- the WiFi and Bluetooth antenna is no longer a metal coil, but an FPC antenna with an IPEX connector for an external antenna (to use the IPEX connector, the SMD inductor needs to be desoldered and replaced with a 0R resistor)
- there’s also an 8-pin connector for easy connection of a GPS module (SH1.25-8Pin connector)
Pinout Heltec LoRa 32 v4
Meshtastic and MeshCore
Meshtastic and MeshCore are two branches of LoRa communication that are similar but not compatible with each other. Heltec LoRa 32 V4 is already supported by Meshtastic FW, and MeshCore will likely come very soon.
Conclusion
Heltec has improved the LoRa 32 exactly as the community needed – adding a connector for GPS and the ability to charge the device from a solar panel. Additionally, the protection of the OLED display has been enhanced, so it is less likely that you will “chip” the display through careless handling.
I was alerted to this news by https://www.instagram.com/velkykutil/, many thanks to him 🙂
Product page https://heltec.org/project/wifi-lora-32-v4/
