The $32 Heltec V3 DIY Package That Really Makes Sense?

Meshnology’s N33, N35, and N32 kits bundle the favored Heltec V3 board with a 3000mAh battery and 3D-printed case, turning a naked improvement board right into a ready-to-assemble Meshtastic handheld. At $31.99 for the N33 (or $23.99 with low cost code ADR25), it is a stable deal for DIY lovers who need every part in a single bundle. However at $41.99 for the N35 and N32 ($31.49 with ADR25)? That is the place issues get complicated and questionable, particularly with frequent worth fluctuations between their web site and Amazon. Add in the truth that Amazon costs are even greater (typically $5-10 extra), and Meshnology’s pricing technique begins to really feel actually not very clear. Let’s break down whether or not these kits are value your cash.

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Amazon costs are greater—starting from a pair {dollars} to $5-10 extra relying on coloration/mannequin

What Are These Kits?

The Meshnology N33, N35, and N32 aren’t custom-designed Meshtastic units they’re DIY bundles constructed across the well-known Heltec V3 board. You get a inventory Heltec V3 board because it comes from the manufacturing facility, a 3000mAh battery pack, a 3D-printed case, screws and {hardware} for meeting, and an antenna.

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All three fashions N33, N35, and N32—can run all supported frequencies (863-928MHz), regardless of what the product names would possibly recommend. The principle distinction between them is case design, not performance.

The Complicated Naming & Pricing Downside

This is the place Meshnology drops the ball: they’ve three fashions with very complicated pricing and unclear differentiation.

The N33 prices $31.99 on their web site and comes with a 3D-printed case in a flat, EDC-friendly design. The N35 prices $41.99 and includes a 3D-printed case with a pager-style field design. The N32 additionally prices $41.99, has a design much like the N33, however contains an injection-molded case choice. Whenever you purchase simply the case individually, the worth distinction is round $1-3. But Meshnology fees $10 extra for the N35 and N32 kits in comparison with the N33.

After we requested why, they mentioned it is as a consequence of “design shell making price” and that the N35 and N32 designs are “extra useful.” But when the case alone solely prices $1-3 extra, why does the total package price $10 extra? This appears like a markup with out clear added worth.

Our take? The N33 at $31.99 is transparently priced: roughly $20 for the Heltec V3 plus round $10 for case and battery. That is honest. However charging $10 additional for the N35 and N32 when the one actual distinction is a barely completely different case design? That is not clear in any respect, particularly when clients must dig via the product line to determine what they’re truly paying for. Extra transparency could be appreciated, Meshnology.

What’s within the Field?

Opening the kits N33, N35, or N32 you will discover a Heltec V3 board in its manufacturing facility packaging, a 3000mAh battery pack, a 3D-printed case with the design various by mannequin, screws and mounting {hardware} together with intelligent metallic threaded inserts, and an antenna. No USB-C cable is included, which is value noting upfront.

design-differences”>Case design Variations

The principle distinction between the N33, N35, and N32 is the case design.

The N33 includes a flat, EDC-friendly design that slips simply right into a bag or pocket, making it extra sensible for on a regular basis carry. The N35 makes use of a pager-style field design that is bulkier however has a special aesthetic some would possibly want. The N32 has a design much like the N33 however comes with an injection-molded case choice as an alternative of purely 3D-printed development.

All three use related meeting strategies and functionally are an identical. The one actual variations are aesthetics and whether or not you get 3D-printed or injection-molded development.

Meeting & First Impressions

The Good: Flawless Match (Now)

Let’s be sincere: Meshnology’s first model of those instances was not very nicely made. Nothing match appropriately, and meeting was irritating. However to their credit score, they have been extraordinarily responsive and useful after we reported the problems. They despatched us the up to date model of the N35, and wow, it matches flawlessly. All the pieces clicks into place cleanly, and the tolerances are spot-on. We did not check the up to date N33 or N32, however we’re assured they’re equally well-made.

Only a few manufacturers we take care of are this fast and useful when points come up, and that is value calling out. Meshnology actually stepped up right here, and the up to date instances present they’re listening to suggestions and bettering their merchandise.

Meeting Course of: Straightforward however May Use Higher Directions

The meeting itself is fairly easy. Meshnology supplies a information on their web site displaying how one can put every part collectively for all three fashions N33, N35, and N32 and it is clear sufficient when you’ve got some DIY expertise.

Nonetheless, there’s one evident subject: the information would not point out what to do with the smooth foam pads that come within the package. From expertise, we all know these ought to go on the battery to stop it from transferring round and wiggling contained in the case. This ought to be clearly said within the directions.

Additionally, whereas the web information works, it will be a lot nicer in the event that they included a printed instruction sheet within the field particularly for a DIY package aimed toward rookies. Having a bodily reference throughout meeting would make the entire course of smoother and extra user-friendly.

design-metal-threaded-inserts”>Intelligent design: Metallic Threaded Inserts

One standout characteristic throughout all three fashions: as an alternative of screwing instantly into the 3D-printed plastic (which might put on out rapidly, particularly in 3D-printed instances), Meshnology contains metallic sq. inserts with threading. You slide these into little holes within the case, and the screws safe into them. It is a intelligent, cost-effective resolution that is approach cheaper than utilizing metallic threaded caps whereas nonetheless being sturdy and long-lasting.

That is precisely the type of considerate design we want extra 3D-printed instances used. It is a small element, however it makes an actual distinction in sturdiness and repairability.

Options Overview

Because the N33, N35, and N32 are all Heltec V3-based kits, the core specs are normal throughout all three fashions.

The Heltec V3 board makes use of an ESP32 dual-core processor operating as much as 240MHz, paired with the SX1262 LoRa radio that helps 863-928MHz frequencies. The board features a 0.96-inch OLED show with 128×64 decision, together with Wi-Fi on 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity. The interface consists of USB-C and two buttons for consumer enter and reset capabilities.

What the package provides to the naked board is important. You get a 3000mAh lithium battery, which is a significant improve over operating the naked board with out energy. The 3D-printed enclosure makes use of these intelligent metallic threaded inserts we talked about, and all the required screws and mounting {hardware} are included within the bundle.

What’s lacking can also be value noting. There is not any USB-C cable included, which is annoying on the $41.99 worth level for the N35 and N32, although extra acceptable at $31.99 for the N33. There’s additionally no energy change, which means you need to disconnect the battery or use software program to energy down the gadget. And for the reason that Heltec V3 would not have a buzzer, you will not get audible notifications both.

Efficiency

Battery Life: 1.5–2 Days

With the 3000mAh battery included in all three kits N33, N35, and N32 the gadget lasted round 1.5 days in our testing, although you would in all probability stretch it to 2 days possibly 3 with minimal display use and never connecting to bluetooth on a regular basis.

That is about what you’d count on from an ESP32-based gadget. It isn’t dangerous, however it’s nowhere close to the multi-day efficiency of nRF52-based handhelds just like the Wio Tracker L1 Professional or the Thinknode M1, which will get 2-5 days, or RAK units that may hit 3-plus days with 3200mAh. The ESP32 is simply power-hungry by nature, and there isn’t any getting round that.

For a DIY package on the N33’s $31.99 worth, although? Completely acceptable. At $41.99 for the N35 and N32? That battery life begins to look much less spectacular in comparison with the competitors.

Vary & Connectivity

In our vary testing, the N33, N35, and N32 all carried out equally since they use the identical Heltec V3 board and antenna. We managed round 1.15 KM in city environments with the inventory antenna.

That is considerably lower than what we have seen from units just like the T1000-E at roughly 1.8km, the ThinkNode M2 at round 1.71km, or the Wio Tracker L1 Professional additionally hitting about 1.8km.

The excellent news? The Heltec V3 has an exterior antenna connector, so you’ll be able to simply improve to a higher-gain antenna if you happen to want higher vary. This offers all three kits, N33, N35, and N32, an actual benefit over units with built-in antennas that may’t be upgraded.

Display screen & Usability

The 0.96-inch OLED display on the Heltec V3 is fairly small in comparison with the 1.3-inch screens which have grow to be widespread on newer ready-to-go handhelds just like the Wio Tracker L1 Professional, ThinkNode M2 & M1, and WisMesh units. That mentioned, it is nonetheless usable and readable, simply not as snug as bigger shows.

Textual content is obvious sufficient for checking messages and navigating menus. It isn’t the most effective expertise we have had, however it’s removed from the worst. For a price range DIY package, it will get the job finished, and actually, on the N33’s $31.99 worth level, we will not complain an excessive amount of.

Button Entry & LEDs

Each of the Heltec V3’s buttons the consumer button and reset are accessible via the case and simple to press on all three fashions. The N33, N35, and N32 all deal with button placement nicely, and we had no points with responsiveness or accessibility throughout testing.

Nonetheless, there’s no energy change on any of the kits, which is a notable omission. To totally energy down the gadget, you both have to disconnect the battery (unrealistic to open the gadget) or use navigate via the UI to close it down. For the N33 at $31.99, that is comprehensible it is a price range package. However for the N35 and N32 at $41.99? That is disappointing. Many units on this worth vary embrace a bodily energy change, and the shortage of 1 right here stands out.

There’s additionally no area so as to add something additional like sensors or modules as soon as the case is assembled. That is value mentioning as a result of whereas the Heltec V3 is a dev board with growth potential, when you construct it into any of those kits, that flexibility is essentially gone.

The Heltec V3’s LED indicators are seen via the case on all three fashions, however there isn’t any devoted cutout for them. Indoors, it is easy to see the standing lights and determine what’s taking place with the gadget. Open air in vibrant daylight, not a lot. It really works, however it’s not very best.

Charging & Ports

Charging is completed through the Heltec V3’s USB-C port, which is definitely accessible via the case on all three fashions N33, N35, and N32. No points there, and the port placement is sensible and handy.

However here is the factor: no USB-C cable is included in any of the kits. At $31.99 for the N33, we will let this slide, it is a price range package, and most of the people have USB-C cables mendacity round. However at $41.99 for the N35 and N32? Come on. For that worth, throw in a cable. It is a small factor, however it provides up while you’re already paying a premium.

Kind Issue

There’s nothing groundbreaking concerning the kind issue right here. All three kits N33, N35, and N32 are about what you’d count on from a Heltec V3 board paired with a 3000mAh battery: useful however not notably compact or horny.

The N33’s flat design is extra EDC-friendly and sensible for slipping right into a bag or pocket. The N35’s pager-style field is bulkier and fewer handy to hold, although some would possibly want the retro aesthetic. The N32 is much like the N33 in design however with injection-molded choice and a few adjustments.

In comparison with units just like the ThinkNode M2, which is Tamagotchi-sized and genuinely pocketable, or the T1000-E, which is ultra-compact and waterproof, these kits are noticeably bigger and bulkier. However that is the trade-off for utilizing a dev board and a chunky 3000mAh battery.

Pricing & Worth: The place Issues Get Messy

That is the place Meshnology’s product line will get complicated—and irritating.

The N33 at $31.99: A Strong Deal

Let’s break it down. A Heltec V3 board prices round $20. A 3000mAh battery runs about $5-7. A 3D-printed case with {hardware} provides one other $5-7. For those who sourced every part individually, you would be round $30-34 whole.

At $31.99 on Meshnology’s web site, the N33 is transparently priced and gives actual worth. You are getting a whole DIY package with out the trouble of buying round for elements, evaluating batteries, or designing your personal case. For somebody who needs to show a Heltec V3 dev board right into a ready-to-go handheld, this can be a killer deal.

The N35 and N32 at $41.99: Arduous to Justify

Now, the N35 and N32 each price $10 extra than the N33. What do you get for that additional $10?

Reply for the N35: A barely completely different case design—pager-style as an alternative of flat.

Reply for the N32: A case design similar to the N33 however with injection-molded choice as an alternative of purely 3D-printed.

That is it. Identical Heltec V3 board, identical 3000mAh battery, identical antenna. Only a completely different case.

After we requested Meshnology concerning the worth distinction, they mentioned it is as a consequence of “design shell making price” and that the N35 and N32 designs are “extra useful.” However here is the issue: while you purchase simply the case individually, the worth distinction is simply about $1-3 between fashions.

So why does the total package price $10 extra? It appears like a markup with out a clear added worth. This pricing inconsistency throughout platforms makes an already complicated scenario even worse.

Our Tackle Pricing

The N33 at $31.99 (or $23.99 with code ADR25) is a superb worth and we would suggest it with out hesitation. At underneath $24 with the low cost, it is actually a steal. Even at full worth, it is nicely priced, gives actual comfort, and delivers what it guarantees.

The N35 and N32 are extra difficult. At $41.99 full worth, they’re overpriced you are paying $10 additional for a special case design when the case alone solely prices $1-3 extra. Nonetheless, with the 25% low cost code (ADR25), they drop to $31.49, which makes them way more affordable if you happen to particularly want their case designs. That mentioned, the truth that we’d like a reduction code to make them aggressive highlights the core downside: Meshnology’s pricing technique is complicated and inconsistent.

And throughout all fashions, Amazon costs are usually greater (typically $5-10 extra relying on gross sales and coloration choices). For those who’re shopping for, use the direct web site with code ADR25 for the most effective deal, until Amazon is operating a aggressive Black Friday/vacation sale.

Comparisons: How Do These Kits Stack Up?

When evaluating the N33, N35, and N32 towards different Meshtastic units, we centered on ready-to-go handhelds in the identical worth vary that share related traits units with screens, batteries, and instances which are totally assembled or simple to assemble. The naked Heltec V3 at round $21 is the plain baseline because it’s actually what these kits are constructed on, serving to us consider whether or not the bundled bundle justifies the additional price. On the N35 and N32’s $41.99 worth level, we’re wanting on the Wio Tracker L1 Professional at $42.90, the ThinkNode M2 at $43.90, and the WisMesh Board ONE Pocket with out GPS at $46.97 all direct opponents for customers who desire a screen-equipped handheld prepared to make use of.

Beginning with the naked Heltec V3, you are paying an additional $10 for the N33 or $20 for the N35 and N32 over the $21 board alone. For the N33, that premium is smart you get a 3000mAh battery, a well-designed case with intelligent metallic threaded inserts, all of the {hardware}, and the comfort of not attempting to find elements. The Heltec V3 is a confirmed dev board with tons of group assist, and we have written extensively about how one can add sensors, GPS modules, and different peripherals to it. However when you assemble any of those kits into their instances, that expandability turns into largely theoretical, there’s simply no area to work with. For the N35 and N32 at $41.99, you are paying $20 over the naked board only for a case and battery, which is tough to justify when higher ready-to-go handhelds exist at related costs.

The Wio Tracker L1 Pro at $42.90 is priced nearly identically to the N35 and N32, however it’s a very completely different league. The Wio makes use of the nRF52840 MCU, which is much extra power-efficient than the ESP32, delivering round 2.5 days of battery life with only a 2000mAh battery in comparison with the 1.5 days you’d get from the N35 and N32 with 3000mAh. The Wio contains built-in GPS, a joystick for navigation, a buzzer for notifications, photo voltaic enter assist, and full BaseUI assist for a contemporary, intuitive interface. The shape issue is smaller and extra polished, it comes totally assembled proper out of the field, the 1.3-inch display is bigger than the Heltec V3’s 0.96-inch show. The N35 and N32 supply flexibility since they’re based mostly on a dev board the place you’ll be able to theoretically add sensors and tinker, however as soon as assembled into the case, that flexibility is usually gone and there isn’t any actual benefit. Until you particularly desire a Heltec V3 dev board for tinkering initiatives, the Wio is just a a lot better worth on the identical worth.

The ThinkNode M2 at $43.90 is essentially the most direct comparability since each use ESP32 structure, each include screens and batteries, each are ready-to-use handhelds, and neither contains GPS. The M2 makes use of the ESP32-S3 with a 1000mAh battery and manages round in the future of battery life, much like what you’d count on from the N35 and N32 with their 3000mAh battery. However the M2 pulls forward with an injection-molded case that feels premium fairly than 3D-printed, features a buzzer for notifications and energy button which the N35 and N32 lack, includes a Tamagotchi-sized kind issue that is genuinely pocketable whereas the N35 and N32 are bulkier, and has a 1.3-inch OLED display in comparison with the Heltec V3’s smaller 0.96-inch show. Each have theoretical expandability via GPIO pins, however as soon as assembled of their compact instances, there isn’t any sensible area so as to add something.

The WisMesh Board ONE Pocket with out GPS at $46.97 prices barely extra however represents a major step up. It makes use of nRF52 structure as an alternative of ESP32, which means dramatically higher energy effectivity, whereas the GPS model lasts round in the future, the non-GPS model will seemingly stretch to a number of days, far exceeding any ESP32 gadget. The WisMesh includes a 1.3-inch OLED display, skilled construct high quality, and most significantly, real modular growth via its WisBlock sensor slot. In contrast to the N35 and N32 the place expandability is impractical as soon as assembled, the WisMesh is designed for simple disassembly and the WisBlock system makes use of a easy plug-and-screw design that makes including sensors truly sensible.

Last Ideas: Who Ought to Purchase These Kits?

Purchase the N33 at $31.99 or beneath (particularly at $23.99 with ADR25) if:

You desire a Heltec V3-based handheld with out the trouble of sourcing elements individually
You are searching for a budget-friendly DIY package that is able to assemble with every part included
You take pleasure in tinkering with dev boards and need the flexibleness to doubtlessly add sensors or customise down the road
You worth comfort and are okay paying round $10 additional for a bundled bundle that saves you the headache of buying round

This can be a stable deal, particularly with the low cost code.

The N35 and N32 at $41.99 are laborious to suggest. At full worth, you are paying $10 additional for nothing greater than a barely completely different case design. With the 25% low cost code (ADR25) bringing them to $31.49, they grow to be extra aggressive however provided that you particularly need their case designs. At this worth vary, you are still competing with units just like the Wio Tracker L1 Pro at $42.90, the ThinkNode M2 at $43.90, and the WisMesh Board ONE Pocket at $46.97, all of which provide higher options, longer battery life, and extra polished construct high quality. The core subject stays: Meshnology’s pricing feels complicated and inconsistent, making it laborious for purchasers to know what they’re truly getting for his or her cash.

What do you assume? Would you purchase the N33 for $32, or skip these kits solely? Tell us within the feedback!

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