LILYGOT-Echo Meshtastic LoRa SX1262 Wireless Module 915MHz TTGO Development Board NRF52840 GPS RTC NFC for Arduino

I've purchased a couple of these and re-flashed the firmware using Liam Cottles' online RNode Flasher utility. They work very well as Reticulum Mesh Network RNode devices. I have one tethered to a Pi Computer via USB and another paired via Bluetooth to an Android phone running the Sideband chat program. Very reliable connectivity between these devices and other RNode devices.

Easiest way to start meshing.

I purchased 2 T-Echos that arrived within 12 days. Both devices had outdated meshtasic firmware versions of 1.3.x which does NOT work with the latest meshtastic client apps (I only tested iOS) and you'll get an error as described by some of the other reviews. There is nothing wrong with the T-Echo device but you MUST upgrade the firmware per the meshtastic docs. Essentially, completely erase the flash memory and then upgrade to the latest firmware 2.x.x. On the first device it took me about 15 minutes to install the required drivers, erase and flash the device. On the second device it took me less than 2 minutes to get it operational.It would be nice if the devices were updated to the latest firmware already but thats a moving target as software changes frequently. I'm dropping my review from 5 stars to 4 for this specific reason. So if you expect the device to work immediately upon arrival, you may be disappointed. If you don't have the ability to flash new firmware and get your hands dirty you shouldn't be playing with the meshtastic ecosystem anyway.Great devices and I'll buy more from LilyGo. Thanks!

I am a Ham (Extra Class), have an MSCS, worked in high tech, and LOVE thislittle device! If you enjoy cool new technology, then YOU will love it too - no matter what level you are at.Opened the box and found NO manual, but, on the small, high-contrast, 1.54" persistent black on white screen was "meshtastic.org". I visited the site and found a whole new world out there with amazing people and hardware that I previously did not know about. You should _not_ expect to just charge it up and start calling friends thousands of miles away, but you _can_ expect to have great fun while learning about "mesh" 2024 style. On YouTube, there are >= 2 excellent videos, created by some of my favorite Ham Radio YouTubers, devoted to emerging mesh technology and this _specific_ device.My rating of 5 Stars is because it is a powerful and relatively inexpensive way to dive into an amazing, state-of-the-art technology.BTW: One does NOT need to hold a Ham Radio license, or be an MSEE to work with mesh, BUT, if you are a Ham, you will have even more fun, and might remember APRS. I look forward to have fun working through this with a 16 year old friend who will have a great time - perhaps setting up a system for covertly messaging friends at school, or collecting qand disseminating weather data, or designing a neighborhood security system or...Enjoy!

I got this because I’m interested in the mesh tastic idea and I wanted to try something out without having to build my own board and solder and everything else. I have the mesh tastic app on my phone. I somehow found this node. I tried sending messages to it, but I couldn’t seem to figure out how to read them. I have a lot more YouTube videos to watch and tutorials to learn about this more. I work with a physician who is into this type of technology and I told him about it and he is going to build his own board and we’re going to try to communicate.

Pretty sure I just got a flawed one. I liked most things about it. Function. Battery life. Build. But mine didn’t last a week so. Going with middle of the road rating.

This device works out of the box. You don't have to flash the software to get started (although you'll probably want to go to the Meshtastic flasher to get the latest version). The small stock antenna is limited so you might want to get a better antenna to get more range.

The low power consumption of the nRF MCU and e-ink display should provide at least a couple days of use on a busy mesh without a recharge.The BT range is also excellent. I can position this anywhere in our apartment and connect to it from the client app from any room.The stock antenna is well constructed, but it's complete junk in terms of tuning. This is a common complaint, and I've got no idea how Lilygo got this so wrong. Throw it on a VNA and youll see... or maybe you'll luck out. If you're like me, you'll need a replacement.My biggest complaint is the reset button. It sticks out of the side, and is so easy to accidentally press. A recessed button would've been ideal, but I'm hoping that a future firmware release will add a workaround if the hardware allows it.If you have a 3D printer, there's a clip model that provides a wrap-around button guard.