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Heltec T096 Fully Assembled Mesh Node
Ready-to-Use Heltec T096 Meshtastic Device
The Heltec T096 (Heltec's Mesh Node T096) is a compact, ultra-low-power mesh device built around the Nordic nRF52840 MCU, paired with a Semtech SX1262 LoRa transceiver and an onboard UC6580 dual-band GNSS chip. Designed for Meshtastic, MeshCore, and LoRaWAN, with Bluetooth 5 and BLE Mesh connectivity, this Heltec T096 build is portable, rugged, and ready to go straight out of the box.
Paired with the Alley Cat + MakerNova protective case system, the Heltec T096 becomes a reliable, field-ready communicator, and thanks to the nRF52840's ultra-low-power design (sleep current as low as 12 µA), it's built to stretch runtime well beyond a typical Wi-Fi-equipped mesh node.
Highlights
- Fully assembled, minimal setup required
- nRF52840 MCU + SX1262 LoRa radio
- Built-in dual-band GNSS (UC6580): GPS/GLONASS/BDS/Galileo on every variant
- Bluetooth 5 with BLE Mesh support
- USB-C power, Li-ion battery, and solar charge compatible
- Swappable antennas and case fronts
- Pocket-sized, rugged, and portable
- Field-tested with MakerNova batteries
What's In The Box
- Heltec T096 board
- LoRa antenna (Caterpillar or 17 cm Gizont SMA, depending on model)
- Battery (2000 mAh or 3000/4000 mAh, depending on variant)
- Custom MakerNova case front & back
- Clear buttons
- MOLLE or Baofeng-compatible clip
- Lanyard (random color)
- Quick start / assembly card
▸ Technical Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| MCU | Nordic nRF52840 (ARM Cortex-M4F) |
| LoRa Radio | Semtech SX1262 |
| GNSS | UC6580, L1+L5 dual-band (GPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo, NAVIC, QZSS) |
| Frequency Range | 863–928 MHz (902–915 MHz typical for US) |
| Transmit Power | Up to 28±1 dBm (≈ 630 mW) |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth 5 + BLE Mesh (no Wi-Fi) |
| Power Inputs | USB-C, Li-ion battery (3.7V, 3.3–4.2V), solar charge header (SH1.25-2P) |
| Board Dimensions | Approx. 52.00 × 25.40 × 10.26 mm |
| Operating Temperature | −20°C to 70°C |
| Sleep Current | As low as 12 µA |
▸ Case Dimensions
- Pocket Pro: 65 × 40 × 24 mm
- Pocket Pro SMA: 65 × 40 × 24 mm
- Slim Pro GPS: 89 × 73 × 15 mm
Battery Compatibility
Only tested with MakerNova batteries:
- MakerNova 2000 mAh Li-Po: used in Pocket Pro and Pocket Pro SMA models (approx. 50 × 34 × 10 mm)
- MakerNova 3000 mAh Li-Po: used in Slim Pro GPS, with right-angle SMA cable (approx. 65 × 36 × 10 mm)
- MakerNova 4000 mAh Li-Po: used in Slim Pro GPS for extended runtime, with right-angle SMA cable (approx. 65 × 40 × 12 mm)
Compatible Antennas
- 2dBi Compact Whip Antenna (internal, used on Pocket Pro)
- 17 cm Gizont 915 MHz SMA Antenna (used on Pocket Pro SMA and Slim Pro GPS)
Model Variants
Choose the configuration that fits your use case:
| Variant | GPS | SMA Port | Battery | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pocket Pro | Yes (built-in GNSS) | No (Internal Antenna) | 2000 mAh | Compact, GPS-enabled everyday carry |
| Pocket Pro SMA | Yes (built-in GNSS) | Yes | 2000 mAh | GPS + external SMA antenna for better range |
| Slim Pro GPS | Yes (built-in GNSS) | Yes | 4000 mAh | Longest runtime + SMA + GPS in a slim form factor |
Note: Every T096 variant is GPS-ready standard. The board's onboard UC6580 GNSS chip isn't an add-on module like on other platforms. The Pro-style housing provides the internal clearance and antenna routing every variant needs.
Color Options
- Custom front plate color (your choice)
- Black rear plate
- Clear buttons
- Included clip (Baofeng/MOLLE-compatible)
Quick Setup
- Attach the antenna to the Heltec T096 (SMA variants only).
- Power on, then configure Meshtastic, MeshCore, or your preferred firmware from your phone or a web browser.
Meshtastic® is a registered trademark of Meshtastic LLC. MeshCore is an open-source mesh networking project released under the MIT License, and its name is currently the subject of an unresolved trademark dispute; it is used here only to describe firmware compatibility. Software components referenced in this listing are released under their respective open-source licenses, see GitHub for details. No warranty is provided, use at your own risk. Always follow best practices for Li-ion battery safety, RF regulations in your region, and safe device operation.
