In this project, I wanted to see how useful Meshtastic devices really are for tracking someone in a real situation. Together with my friend, I went out to a park on a cold and foggy day and used two Meshtastic nodes to test how accurate the location data is. The idea was simple: one of us hides somewhere in the park, and the other tries to find them using only the device and the map on the phone.
I wasn’t trying to do anything extreme or technical here. I just wanted to understand if these devices could actually help in an emergency, like if someone gets lost in the woods. Walking around in bad weather is a good way to see how reliable the GPS and communication really are, especially when conditions are not perfect. This test is also a hands-on way for me to learn how Meshtastic behaves outside, not just on a desk. By actually moving around and relying on the location updates, I can see how close it gets, how fast it updates, and if it’s something I would trust when it really matters.
Choosing Meshtastic and the N39 kit
For this test, I decided to use Meshtastic because it works without mobile internet and doesn’t rely on phone signal. That makes it interesting for outdoor use, especially in places like forests or mountains where coverage is bad. The devices talk to each other directly using radio, and they can also share GPS location, which is exactly what I wanted to test in a real walking scenario.
I chose the N39 kit from Meshnology because it comes as a complete package and is easy to work with. It includes the board, GPS, battery, antennas, and a case, so I didn’t have to hunt for extra parts or do any complicated wiring. For someone new to electronics, having everything in one box makes the whole process much less stressful.
Another reason I picked this kit is that it uses the newer Heltec V4 board. I was curious to see how it performs compared to older versions, especially for GPS and power use. Since this test is about real-world tracking, I wanted something modern and practical that people could realistically build and carry with them.
Meshnology N39 kit
When I opened the Meshnology N39 kit, the first thing I noticed was that everything I needed was already there. The kit comes with a large battery, the Heltec V4 board, a GPS module, antennas, and a nicely made 3D printed case. I like this approach because it removes a lot of guesswork, especially if you’re new and don’t want to worry about choosing the wrong parts.
The 3D printed case really stands out because it’s designed to fit all the parts properly. The battery, board, and GPS module all have their own place, so nothing moves around once it’s assembled. I’m using the purple case for this build, but there’s also green and black options, and they all feel solid in the hand and well thought out.
What I also appreciate is that the kit doesn’t feel rushed or unfinished. The connectors, screws, and small parts are included, and everything lines up as it should. This makes the build feel more like putting together a small gadget rather than struggling with a DIY project, which is great for testing and everyday use.
Heltec V3 vs. Heltec V4
When I put the Heltec V3 board next to the newer Heltec V4 board from the N39 kit, a few differences were clear right away. The older V3 board has a white circuit board and a transparent cover over the screen. The V4 board looks more modern with a black board and a darker cover on the screen, which I think protects it better. These might seem like small changes, but they give the whole device a more solid feel.
One of the biggest practical upgrades on the V4 is the extra connectors. The V4 has a port for a solar panel and a dedicated GPS connector that the V3 didn’t have. That means if you want to use solar charging or have a better GPS setup without messing with wires, the V4 makes it very easy. I wasn’t sure if the V3 supported solar charging, but with the V4 it’s clearly a built-in option and that adds flexibility for longer outdoor use.
Aside from connectors, the buttons and layout of the V4 are slightly improved too. There are small differences in button lengths and placements, so the N39 kit includes separate buttons for each board. These changes don’t affect how the device works, but they make building and using it a bit more intuitive, especially if you’re new to this stuff. Overall, the V4 feels like a thoughtful evolution from the V3.
Assembling the N39 kit
When I started assembling the N39 kit, I chose the purple case because I really like how it looks. The first thing I did was mount the antenna into the case. I loosened the nut, slid the antenna through the opening, and tightened it carefully so it sat straight. Before powering anything, I made sure the antenna was connected, since running the board without it is not a good idea.
Next, I routed the antenna cable through the small channel inside the case and connected it to the board. After that, I added the correct buttons for the Heltec V4 board and placed the board into the case. Everything lined up nicely, which made the process feel easy and calm instead of frustrating. I then added the GPS module and plugged in the battery, making sure it was snug and not pinched anywhere.
Before closing the case, I secured the board with the provided screws. The fit was tight enough that I didn’t even need to use glue or tape for the battery or GPS. Once the cover was on, I screwed the case shut, and all the holes lined up perfectly. Compared to older kits I’ve built, this one went together smoothly and felt well designed from start to finish.
Flashing Meshtastic
Once the device was assembled, I moved on to flashing the Meshtastic software. I connected the N39 to my computer using a USB cable and opened the Meshtastic flasher tool in my browser. From there, I selected the Heltec board and chose the V4 option since that’s the one I’m using. I kept most settings as they were and started the flashing process, which only took a few seconds.
After the upload finished, I pressed the reset button on the board to restart it. At first, the screen was very dim and hard to see, which confused me a bit, but after a moment the Meshtastic welcome screen appeared. It showed simple instructions on how to navigate using short and long button presses, so I followed that to continue the setup.
The first thing I set was the radio region so it matches where I live. After that, the device rebooted on its own and was ready for the next step. Even though the screen brightness wasn’t great at first, the flashing itself was straightforward and didn’t require any deep technical knowledge.
Testing GPS lock
After flashing the software, I wanted to see if the GPS was actually working. While I was still indoors, the device couldn’t find any satellites, which is normal. The screen showed that there was no GPS lock, so I didn’t worry about it and took the device outside instead.
Once I left it outdoors for a few minutes, the GPS started to lock in. I could see the number of satellites increasing, and after a short wait, it finally showed a position. I didn’t share the exact location at that point, but it was clear that the device was picking up a real and accurate signal.
Even with cloudy and foggy weather, the GPS managed to get a fix. It wasn’t instant, and it needed a bit of patience, but once it locked in, the location made sense. This gave me confidence that the device could be useful for tracking as long as it has a clear view of the sky.
Real-world tracking test in the park
Once the GPS was working, we moved on to the real test in the park. My friend walked away and hid somewhere while I stayed behind with my device and my phone connected to it. I didn’t know where he went, so I had to rely only on the location updates coming from his device to find him.
As I started walking, I could see his position on the map updating about once every minute. The direction wasn’t always perfect at first, but it was good enough to point me the right way. I could also send him messages, and he replied back, which helped confirm that the connection was still working even when he was out of sight.
As I got closer, the location became more accurate. At one point, the map was a bit off, but after another update, it corrected itself and pointed me almost exactly to where he was standing in the woods. In the end, we ended up right next to each other, and both locations lined up, showing that with a bit of time, the tracking actually works surprisingly well.
Final thoughts and next steps
After finishing the park test, I felt that the N39 kit with the Heltec V4 board is a solid choice for real-world tracking. The GPS and communication worked well enough to find someone even in foggy conditions, and the devices held up during walking and moving around. The screen could be brighter, but once it was outside and paired with a phone, it didn’t stop me from using it effectively.
The whole setup was beginner-friendly. Assembling the case, connecting the antenna, and flashing the firmware all went smoothly. I could see that the improvements from V3 to V4 made a real difference, especially with the extra connectors and better board layout. It feels ready for practical use, not just for experimentation on a desk.
For the next steps, I’d like to test the devices in more challenging conditions, like in thicker woods or over longer distances, to see how reliable the updates remain. I’d also explore using solar charging since the V4 supports it, which could make this a long-term solution for outdoor adventures or emergency situations. Overall, this was a successful and informative test that shows what Meshtastic devices can really do.
If you enjoyed following along with this test and want to see more DIY electronics and tracking projects, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel. I’ll be sharing more hands-on experiments, tips for building and using devices like the N39, and ways to make tech work in real-world situations.
Tools and Materials
The links below are affiliate links, which means if you use them to make a purchase, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s an easy way to support my work and helps me keep creating free content for everyone. I really appreciate your support!
- Meshtastic N39 Kit from Meshnology (with Heltec V4 module)
- Heltec LoRa32 V4 ESP32-S3 - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c339PbFR
- Heltec Wifi LoRa32 V3 - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3fcGuZR
- ESP32 WROOM development Board - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c36kRkwD
- Sensor Modules Kit - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3TVTRSz
- LPS8v2 Indoor open-source LoRaWAN Gateway - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3yDZydP
- Dragino DLOS8N Outdoor LoRaWAN Gateway - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c401MfbX
- Meshtastic Solar Node - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3gXfL2l
- Bench Power Supply - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3ATHFxn
- Digital Multimeter - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4CmMOR3
- Soldering Station - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4r9UXzL
