ThinkNode M2 ESP32-S3-based Meshtastic handset features 1.3-inch OLED display, 1,000 mAh battery

Elecrow ThinkNode M2 is yet another Meshtastic handset for off-grid messaging and GPS coordinate sharing based on an ESP32-S3 module providing Bluetooth connectivity to a smartphone, and a Semtech SX1262 LoRa transceiver for low-power long-range wireless connectivity.

It’s an evolution of the ThinkNode-M1, itself similar to the LILYGO T-Echo, based on a Nordic Semi nRF52840 Bluetooth module and SX1262 LoRa transceiver with an external antenna housed in a 3D printed enclosure. The new ThinkNode M2 is very similar but features a more powerful ESP32-S3 module instead, relies on a 1.3-inch OLED display instead of a 1.54-inch e-paper display, and is housed in an ABS plastic case.

ThinkNode M2 specifications:

Core module – ESP32-S3 module (looks to be ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 on the photo below)
- SoC – ESP32-S3
  - CPU – dual-core 32-bit microcontroller @ 240MHz
  - Memory – 512KB SRAM, 8MB PSRAM
  - Storage – 384KB ROM 4MB flash
  - Wireless – 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 (LE)
- Antenna – PCB antenna
- Preloaded with Meshtastic firmware
Display – 1.3-inch OLED with 128×64 resolution (SSH1106 driver)
Wireless
- WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.0 on ESP32-S3 module
- LoRa
  - SX1262 LoRa transceiver with support for 868 and 915 MHz frequency bands
  - IPEX antenna
USB – USB 2.0 Type-C Interface with USB to UART
Expansion – 12-pin header with 9x GPIO, UART, ADC, TOUCH, USB, 5V, 3.3V, GND
Misc
- Power, Function, Reset, and BOOT buttons
- Power and charging LED indicators
- Buzzer
Power Supply
- 5V/1A via USB-C port
- 3.7V/1,000 mAh Lithium battery
- Power consumption – Up to 217mA, about 136mA when the display is off
Dimensions & Weight
- Without case – 51.5 x 37 x 9.5mm | 30 grams
- With ABS plastic case – 88.4 x 46 x 23mm | 50 grams
Temperature Range – Operating: -10 to 50°C; storage: -20 to 60°C
Relative humidity – 10% to 95%, @ 40°C (non-condensing)

The ThinkNode M2 device ships with a USB-A to USB-C cable and a user manual. Like any other Meshtastic device, you’d connect to it through the Meshtastic app for Android or iOS. Elecrow still provides a wiki with hardware documentation and instructions to get started.

I’m not sure about the technical advantages of switching from nRF52840 + e-paper to ESP32-S3 + OLED for a Meshtastic handset since the power consumption will be higher, and the E-Ink will be easier to read outdoors in most cases. I suppose one of the advantages is WiFi connectivity for hosts that lack Bluetooth support, and ESP32 is usually cheaper. It’s not the first ESP32-S3 + SX1262 hardware platform around, and other solutions include the SenseCAP Indicator, XIAO ESP32S3 for Meshtastic & LoRa devkit, and T-Watch S3 Plus smartwatch, but none of those are complete handsets. The unPhone and the T-Deck Plus would match, but they are not in the same price range.

The Elecrow ThinkNode M2 is sold on AliExpress for $54.99 with free shipping, and it’s indeed cheaper than the $69.99 price tag asked for the previous generation ThinkNode M1 or the $81 for LILYGO T-Echo on Amazon.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.