Meshtastic Mesh Networking Project Combines ESP32, LoRa and GPS Radio

Meshtastic is a project using off-the-shelf, inexpensive ESP32-based hardware with GPS & LoRa connectivity to create mesh networks helping hikers. skiers, paragliders, or people exercising other outdoor activities communicate short messages such as their GPS location. This allows each member of a private mesh network to see the location and distance of all other members and read/or any text messages sent to a group chat. No phone is required unless you have an ESP32 LoRa board without GPS in which case it would get the GPS coordinates from your phone over Bluetooth. A phone is also needed to send a message. The project currently works on three different boards TTGO T-Beam, TTGO LORA32 and Heltec LoRa 32. The T-Beam is recommended as it sells for around $26 plus shipping and features a 18650 battery holder so you can source the battery easily locally. Just make sure to purchase the right […]

Sonoff GK-200MP2-B is a $30 IP Security Camera with RTSP Support

ITEAD Studio is popular for its Sonoff family of home automation devices include smart switches, smart sockets, and smart light bulbs among other similar products. But I’m just found out the company also launched an RTSP capable IP security camera called Sonoff GK-200MP2-B and sold for just $29.99 plus shipping and that can also be found for $32.99 including shipping on Banggood. Main features of Sonoff GK-200MP2-B IP camera: Camera Lens Aperture – F1.2 Viewing Angle – 340° horizontal (motorized) + 120° vertical (manual adjustment) 2x IR LEDs for night mode Motion detection Resolution – 1080p H.264 video encoding Storage – MicroSD card socket up to 128GB Connectivity 10/100M Ethernet 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n WiFi 4 Audio – Speaker and microphone; two-way audio Misc – Reset button Power Supply – 5V/1A Dimensions – 109 x 109 x 80 to 120mm (ABS plastic) Temperature Range – 0°C-55°C Like for other Sonoff devices, the […]

ArmSoM CM5 Raspberry Pi CM4 alternative with Rockchip RK3576 SoC

Sonoff Micro WiFi Smart USB Adapter Sells for $5

ITEAD Studio Sonoff family of WiFi-powered home automation devices is convenient to use with voice commands or mobile apps, and for those who want to more control over what runs in their network, Sonff devices are usually compatible with open-source firmware such as Sonoff-Tasmota. We’ve very recently written about Sonoff D1 smart dimmer switch, but the company also launched Sonoff Micro WiFi smart USB adapter that allows you to control USB powered devices. Sonoff Micro specifications: Power Input – 5V/2.5A USB type-A male Output – 5V/2.5A USB type-A female; BC 1.2 charging, max 1A output for charging Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n WiFi 4 @ 2.4 GHz Misc – Power and WiFi LED’s, switch button Dimensions – 45 x 30.5 x 26 mm (PC V0 flame-retardant material) Weight – 17 grams Certifications – CE, FCC There’s no integrated power supply, so Sonoff Micro targets specifically USB power devices such as USB […]

$7 Sonoff D1 Smart Dimmer Switch Supports Mobile App, RF433 Remote, and Voice Assistants

ITEAD Studio Sonoff is a family of WiFi or/and 433 MHz RF connected smart home switches, sockets, light bulbs or other products for home automation. They are usually based on ESP8266 WiSoC and while the pre-loaded firmware works with eWelink Android/iOS app and popular voice assistant, it’s also possible to load open-source firmware such as Sonoff-Tasmota or ESPurna to add MQTT and other protocols in order to integrate those with home automation solution such as Domoticz, or something control those from your web browser. The company has now launched another Sonoff device, namely Sonoff D1 smart dimmer switch which – as its name implies – will allow you to dim incandescent and dimmable LED lights. Sonoff D1 smart dimmer switch specifications: Connectivity – RF433 and 802.11b/g/n WiFi 4 Max Current – 1A Max Power – 400W for Incandescent lamp, and 150W for LED light Power Supply – 110V-230V AC input […]

Sonoff S55 Waterproof WiFi Smart Sockets are Offered in Six Regional Variants

When WiFi smart sockets (aka smart plugs) started to appear a few years ago, they were often only available with either US or China plugs, and users from Europe, UK or other locales may have had to use an adapter instead. Since then, products that ship with multiple versions such as Sonoff S26 or Orvibo Wiwo S20 have launched in order to cater to more people around the world. ITEAD has now launched another WiFi smart socket, namely Sonoff S55, that’s designed to work outdoors thanks to IP55 ingress protection rating, and is offered in six different variants for Australia, Germany, France, the United States, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Sonoff S55 specifications: Input/Output S55TPI(AU) – AC 100-240V 50/60Hz 10A Max S55TPF(DE) – AC 100-240V 50/60Hz 16A Max S55TPE(FR) – AC 100-240V 50/60Hz 16A Max S55TPB(US) – AC 125V 50/60Hz 10A Max S55TPD(ZA)- AC 100-240V 50/60Hz 10A Max S55TPG(UK) […]

Sonoff MINI & R3 Smart Switches Support a DIY REST API

ITEAD Studio’s Sonoff are low-cost wireless switches based on ESP8622/ESP8285 WiSoC, and supporting WiFi and/or 433 MHz connectivity. They usually come with a firmware that allows users to control them with eWelink app for Android or iOS. But many people will install alternative open source firmware such as Sonoff-Tasmota or ESPurna to get more flexibility such as the ability to use MQTT. But the company’s latest models, including Sonoff MINI and R3 series, implement a “DIY” REST API that allows you to control the device, or flash the firmware over a LAN connection. Sonoff MINI two-way Smart Switch Sonoff MINI is designed to be installed behind existing wall-mounted light-switches and wall-mounted power-sockets. Specifications: Terminal blocks with 6x inputs/outputs: N/L Inputs –  AC 100-240V 50/60Hz 10A Max N/L Outputs – AC 100-240V 50/60Hz 10A Max S1/S2 – Designed to optionally connect a standard on/off switch Connectivity – Wi-Fi 4 – 802.11 […]

Rockchip RK3568, RK3588 and Intel x86 SBCs abd SoMs

Getting Started with Temperature & Humidity Sensors on ESP8266 using ANAVI Thermometer

ANAVI Thermometer was launched on CrowdSupply in January.  It is an ESP8266 WiFi board with a built-in DHT22 temperature and humidity sensor, support for external DS18B20 waterproof temperature sensor, as well as other sensors thanks to three I2C sensors. I received the ANAVI Thermometer starter kit last month, and I’ve only found time to play with it in the last few days. I’ll start with a unboxing, assembly guide, before showing it action, and I’ll try to make it interface with Home Assistant over MQTT. ANAVI Thermometer Starter Kit Unboxing The kit comes with ANAVI Thermometer board, a plastic stand, a USB to TTL debug board, an I2C OLED display, a few nuts and bolts, and a couple of KiCad and ANAVI stickers. Leon ANAVI also added a traffic light board and LEDs, but it’s not normally part of the kit 🙂 ANAVI Thermometer board include an ESP8266 module, AM2302 […]

Geekbes BR30 WiFi RGB Light Bulb Delivers 900 Lumens

We’ve previously covered two smart RGB light bulbs with AI Light and Sonoff B1 models, and they are especially interesting since they can work with open source firmware like ESPurna or Sonoff-Tasmota. However, their brightness is limited, and in the case of Sonoff B1 it’s especially true when using colors other than white. A brighter WiFi RGB LED light bulb might be Geekbes BR30 which is said to be rated 9W and delivers 900 lumens against the 6W / 600 lumens for Sonoff B1, and does not cost more much at $19.99 on GeekBuying. Geekbes BR30 specifications: Color – White: 2700K-6500K + RGB (16 million colors) Brightness – 900 lm Light emitting angle – 120 degrees E26 plug Connectivity – WiFi Supply Voltage – AC100-240v 50-60HZ Rated Power – 9W Standby Power – <= 0.3 W Service life –  20000 hours Temperature Range – -20 to +40°C Ingress Protection Rating […]

Boardcon Rockchip RK3588S SBC with 8K, WiFI 6, 4G LTE, NVME SSD, HDMI 2.1...