Elecrow sent us a solar-powered ThinkNode M6 Meshtastic device for review. Last year, I reviewed the ThinkNode M1 and M2 Meshtastic nodes and was disappointed by the point-to-point range in a suburban environment, achieving only about 550 meters after switching to LONG SLOW mode.
Nine months after that review, there still isn’t a Meshtastic community in Thailand’s second-largest city, likely because typical Meshtastic terminals are more expensive than entry-level Android smartphones and have limited functionality. Despite a mobile app revamp, it remains a mess. However, when Elecrow asked if I wanted to test the “ThinkNode M6 outdoor solar power for Meshtastic,” I accepted, thinking it might be fun. The primary goal of this mini-review is to check the range achieved by using the M6 as a router between the M1 and M2 nodes.
Elecrow ThinkNode M6 Unboxing
The device arrived in a cardboard package labeled “ThinkNode M6 Meshtastic Device” and “Outdoor Solar Power” with a 6W panel. The top-right sticker indicated the frequency band: 915 MHz, suitable for Thailand (AS923). A version without Meshtastic firmware is available, allowing users to install the firmware themselves.
Key specifications include:
- SoC – Nordic Semi nRF52840 BLE microcontroller
- Wireless
- Bluetooth 5.4 LE
- LoRa – 915 MHz (US) or 868 MHz (EU)
- Expansion – UART and I2C waterproof connectors for optional sensors
- Misc – Power (Red) and data (Blue) LEDs
- Power Supply
- 5V/1A via USB-C port
- 6W panel
- 7,000 mAh 18650 Lithium-ion battery
- Dimensions – 210 x 156 x 42 mm excluding antenna and bracket
- Temperature Range – Operating: -20 to +60°C; storage: -30 to +70°C
- IP Rating – IP65
