People get overwhelmed when they are shopping for a particular mesh device. Do an online search and you will be met with an array of products, every one of them vying for attention with promises of superior performance, more features or extended range. While it is tempting to get bogged down in a comparison of specs, the numbers on the box don’t tell the whole story. The right choice is not necessarily the one with the most impressive figures, but the one that suits your mode of communication.
Your requirements are unique. A mesh system ideal for a weekend camper is not going to serve a search and rescue volunteer or a team out in the field very well. The same goes for someone who has to coordinate a worksite, oversee a large property or is intent on some off-grid exploration.
So put aside the question of which device is simply “the best” and consider instead which one is best for what you intend to do with it.
In this guide, we address different questions any buyer ought to have answered before parting with money. After reading through them, the features of consequence will be in sharper focus, and you will know how to select a device capable of keeping pace as your network expands.
Where Will You Use Your Mesh Device?
The setting in which you intend to put your mesh device to work is perhaps the most important element when it comes to selecting the proper device. The communication needs of a ranch owner with hundreds of acres to cover are not the same as those of a hiker on a mountain trail for the weekend. In the same way, a construction crew that moves from one job site to another has different operational requirements than a neighborhood preparedness group.
You should give some thought to the conditions you normally find yourself in:
- Urban areas where buildings and interference are the norms.
- Open farmland offering long lines of sight.
- Thick forests that can sap signal strength.
- A campsite with people on the move.
- Remote trails devoid of any cellular service.
All of these will put their own demands on your equipment. Do not be swayed by an advertised range; opt for something that will perform reliably in the circumstances you are likely to face.
There are purpose-built options for those who are often out in the field or beyond the reach of a cell tower. The SpecFive Ranger, for instance, is a rugged handheld unit that pairs GPS with long-range LoRa communication, so it is well adapted to a host of outdoor environments.
How Many People Need to Stay Connected?
A common error among those buying for the first time is to view a mesh device as nothing more than a means of one-to-one communication. That is not how it works. In contrast to a conventional radio, the value of a mesh network is enhanced when you put more devices on it; each new user can serve to broaden your coverage since messages are able to pass from one unit to the next.
It is worth putting some thought into a few questions before making a purchase:
- Are you looking to coordinate a group at an outdoor event or is this for your immediate family?
- Will the bulk of your use be with just one other person?
- Does your organization plan on onboarding more users down the road?
There is no point in having to replace your gear in the future if you can plan for that kind of growth now. When you set out to put together a proper communication network and not just acquire a piece of hardware, you will want to give some weight to whether the equipment can handle an expanding mesh deployment. A good mesh device today affords you the option to let your network grow in the days ahead.
Is a Built-in GPS a Necessity?
There is no requirement for every mesh device owner to have GPS, yet it is hard to overstate how valuable the feature can be for a good many users.
Consider the ease of coordination when you are not tied to cellular service; being able to put your location out there is a great help when your group is spread thin over a large expanse. With compatible mapping apps, a teammate can see exactly where you are rather than having to parse a text description of your whereabouts.
You will find GPS to be of particular use in such scenarios as:
- Hiking and backpacking
- Overlanding or any off-road excursion
- Search and rescue work
- Expeditions and other outdoor events
At times, ascertaining the position of everyone in the group is as critical as the message itself, even if the comms are functioning without a hitch. The SpecFive Ranger is an example of a unit that puts GPS right in the handheld. In this way, one can put both words and location data on the mesh network, with no need for the usual mobile infrastructure.
How Do You Want to Send Messages?
The user experience can vary from one mesh device to the next. Where some are dependent on a smartphone for pairing, others let you handle communication right from the unit. It is worth thinking about how you will be using your equipment in the field before you commit to a purchase.
A Bluetooth model will do if you have no objection to putting in every message on your phone. But there is an advantage to having a self-contained system when you are working in tough conditions or with gloves on, and it is more convenient not to be tied to your mobile.
Look for these capabilities:
- A full physical keyboard to put in text quickly.
- Hardware controls that are practical out in the field.
- A display bright enough to be read in the open.
- A touchscreen for straightforward navigation.
Take the SpecFive Ranger, for instance. For those who like a standalone communication device, it has both a QWERTY keyboard and a screen, so one can write up a message on the spot. There is no need to keep going back to the smartphone, which makes for a more efficient and straightforward way to communicate when it is not handy to have your phone in hand.
What is the required battery life?
It is easy to take battery life for granted until one is several hours from an outlet. But when you are on a remote hike, putting about a large property or out in the elements for days on end, you want your mesh device to be as durable as the occasion demands.
So before making a purchase, do not be swayed by the advertised capacity alone; consider how the device will see use in practice.
- Can it hold a charge for the day?
- Are you going to be sending off messages and GPS coordinates with any regularity?
- Do you have a solar panel or portable charger at hand?
Priorities vary from one user to the next. A casual camper might be content with a day’s worth of power from his mesh network, but an overlander, field team or emergency volunteer would want something that stays operational for far longer.
Then there are variables like screen brightness, Bluetooth, firmware, and how often you are using the GPS or messaging features. All of these will have an impact on performance. An efficient power management system in a well-chosen device means you can get on with what you need to do rather than keeping an eye on the battery gauge.
SpecFive has a range of products to suit different operating needs. The Ranger Magnum, for instance, is for those who need extended use in the field and more advanced capabilities. Elsewhere in our ecosystem you will find devices that work as fixed or portable nodes as the situation requires.
Is your network built for the future?
It is common for a first-time buyer to view the transaction as simply acquiring a communication device. But in truth, it is the beginning of a network. For that reason, you would do well to ask if the mesh system in question has room to grow.
Your requirements may be modest at present, with only two-way communication needed. Yet in six months’ time the dynamic could be very different: the whole family might want to have a unit on hand for a camping trip, or a local preparedness group could see its ranks swell from five to twenty. A construction firm may find itself fielding several new teams over a wide area.
Mesh networking has the advantage of scaling in a natural way. Any compatible unit can add strength to the system by opening up new paths for messages to get where they are going, rather than having to make a single direct connection.
So when you are looking at what is available, make sure the device will accommodate:
- Additional nodes for expansion.
- The right firmware and accessories.
- Larger mesh deployments down the road.
- Infrastructure yet to come, be it fixed relays or units mounted on vehicles.
Taking this kind of long view is good for protecting your investment; you are not left swapping out gear whenever things change. You just put more into the network you already have.
SpecFive has an ecosystem designed with that in mind. With portable options like the Ranger and Ranger Magnum, there is scope to work in tandem with our infrastructure line, including the Relay. It is a way for users to let their mesh network become more resilient and expansive as the need arises.
Conclusion
There is no need to start your first mesh device purchase by poring over the specs or in pursuit of whatever range is being advertised. A better approach is to first get a handle on how you intend to put it to work. Put some thought into your environment and the practicalities at hand: how many users will be involved, what your GPS and messaging needs are, battery life, and any plans for down the road. Doing so will lead to a much sounder decision.
In the end, the ideal device is one that fits your current mode of communication yet allows for growth. If you are out in the field, running a worksite, making ready for an emergency or putting together a wider network, the right choice from the outset will not only be more reliable but also put your mind at ease when a connection is essential. It is a matter of saving time and having confidence in your gear.
