SenseCAP Solar Node P1 and P1-Pro are low-cost outdoor Meshtastic repeaters

We’ve just written about RAKwireless solar-powered WisMesh repeaters to extend the range of Meshtastic networks, but there are now lower-cost options with Seeed Studio’s SenseCAP Solar Node P1 and P1-Pro repeaters.

Both feature a solar panel, XIAO nRF52840 Plus and Wio-SX1262 modules, but the SenseCAP Solar Node P1-Pro adds GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo support with the XIAO L76K and four 18650 batteries for backup power..

SenseCAP Solar Node P1 and P1-Pro specifications

• Main controller –  XIAO nRF52840 Plus
  • SoC – Nordic nRF52840 Arm Cortex-M4F microcontroller @ up to 64 MHz with 1 MB flash, 256 KB SRAM, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, 802.15.4 connectivity
  • Storage – 2 MB onboard Flash
  • USB – USB-C port for power and programming
• Wireless
  • Wio-SX1262 Module – Semtech SX1262, TXOP=22dBm@862-930MHz)
    • Output Power – Up to +22 dBm
    • Frequency Range – 862 MHz to 930 MHz
    • Modulations – LoRa, (G)FSK, Long Range FHSS
    • Sensitivity – Down to -148 dBm
  • GPS Module – XIAO L76K (optional on SenseCAP Solar Node P1, pre-installed on the P1-Pro model)
    • GPS/GLONASS/Galileo support
    • GPS L1 C/A: 1575.42MHz
    • GLONASS L1: 1602MHz
    • BeiDou B1: 1561.098MHz
  • Antennas
    • Rod-shaped rubber 2dBi LoRa antenna for 868 915MHz
    • GNSS antenna
    • Bluetooth 5.0 antenna
• USB – USB Type-C port for power and debugging/flashing
• Expansion –  4-pin Grove port for I2C, GPIO, or UART modules, e.g. to connect sensors for environment monitoring (temperature, humidity, air quality, etc.).
• Misc
  • Power, Reset, and user buttons
  • Charging LEDs, solar panel status LED, Mesh heartbeat LED, and user LED
• Power Supply
  • 5V via USB Type-C port
  • 5W solar panel
  • 4x 18650 lithium batteries (3,350mAh each); SenseCAP Solar Note P1-Pro only, need to be purchase separately for the Node P1 model.
  • Support USB Type-C and solar charging
• Dimensions – 201.2 x 191.2 x 42.1 mm
• Temperature Range
  • Discharge – -40 to 60°C
  • Charge – 0 to 50°C
• IP Rating – Not specified
• Certifications –  FCC, CE

 

The Meshtastic repeaters ship with mounting brackets for wall or pole (70 to 100mm) mounting with screws, a LoRa antenna, an RP-SMA male to RP-SMA female cable, a USB Type-C cable, and a user manual. There’s no online documentation, so Seeed Studio might assume people know how to use Meshtastic, or the documentation is not ready just yet.

Note that contrary to the IP67-rated RAKwireless WisMesh, I don’t see an IP rating for the Seeed Studio’s devices. Having said that, they look weatherproof with rubber covers protecting the unused ports and a black joint used between the device and the bottom cover.

While the RAKWireless WishMesh repeaters sell for $99 to $299, the SenseCAP Solar Node P1/P1-Pro are low-cost Meshtastic repeaters with the Node P1 selling now for $69.90, and the Node P1-Pro expected soon for $89.90.

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