Buy a device.

Small LoRa radio hardware that connects to the Chicago Offline mesh. No subscription, no account — you own it.

⚠️ Get the 915 MHz (US) version. Devices come in different frequency variants. For Chicago Offline, you need the 915 MHz version. The 868 MHz (EU) variant won't work with our network.

Our picks

Best for most people

Recommended — Best starter

Meshnology N39 (Heltec V4 Kit)

~$44

High power Medium battery Solar WiFi Enclosed

Complete kit — board, battery, case, and antennas included. Higher power output than the V3. Battery life is shorter than the N37, but the transmit power and WiFi make up for it. Ships from US.

Recommended — Best all-rounder

Meshnology N37 (Wio Tracker)

~$47

Standard power Long battery GPS 1.3" OLED Enclosed

Our favorite. Compact design with GPS, great battery life from the ultra-low-power nRF52840, and a nice screen. Slightly less transmit power, but the battery and GPS make it a great daily carry. Ships from US.

Recommended — Maximum range

Station G2

~$109

4.5W output Ultra-low noise LNA WiFi Wall power

The big gun. Highest power output and best receive sensitivity of any MeshCore device. Ideal for fixed locations — rooftops, attics, high floors. Frequently out of stock. Requires USB-C PD or 9-19V external power.

Standalone messenger

LilyGo T-Deck

~$50

Standard power Medium battery 2.8" screen Keyboard

A full standalone messenger — no phone needed. Type directly on the built-in keyboard. Great for emergencies or camping where you don't want to drain your phone.

More options

For specific needs

GPS tracking

LilyGo T-Beam

~$40

Standard power Swappable 18650 GPS

Best for location sharing. The 18650 battery holder means cheap, swappable batteries. Popular with hikers and field ops.

Ultra-low power

LilyGo T-Echo

~$55

Low power Days of battery GPS E-ink

E-ink display sips power — days of battery life. Great for solar repeater builds or leave-it-and-forget-it deployments.

Budget

Heltec Wireless Paper

~$18

Standard power Medium battery E-ink

Cheapest option with a screen. E-ink persists without power. Good for experimenting or deploying many nodes on a budget.

Compact tracker

SenseCAP T1000-E

~$40

Low power Long battery GPS IP65

Credit-card sized, waterproof, with GPS. Pairs via Bluetooth — no USB flashing. Good for bags, vehicles, or pets.

💡 Don't overthink it. If you're not sure, get the Meshnology N37 or N39. They're under $50, come with everything you need in the box, and ship from the US. You can always get something fancier later.

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