Spec5's Nomad LoRa Handheld Packs a Raspberry Pi 5 for Meshtastic-Compatible Computing and Comms
A major upgrade over the earlier Spec5 Ranger, the Nomad houses a Raspberry Pi 5 4GB with a 915MHz LoRa module and battery.
Portable LoRa hardware specialist Spec5 has unveiled its latest creation, the Spec5 Nomad — a handheld mesh-compatible LoRa communicator powered by a Raspberry Pi 5 single-board computer (SBC).
"The Spec5 Nomad [is] a revolutionary portable device that seamlessly blends the power of Linux with the cutting-edge capabilities of Meshtastic technology," Spec5 claims of its latest launch. "Engineered for adventurers, field engineers, and anyone needing reliable off-grid communication, this device ensures unparalleled connectivity and computing power in the palm of your hand.
"Ready to use straight out of the box, the Spec5 Nomad boasts long-range communication, a user-friendly interface, and robust computing capabilities, making it an essential tool for secure and remote operations."
The Nomad is visibly an update to Spec5's earlier Ranger, but its larger case contains vastly different technology. Where the original Ranger used an Espressif ESP32 microcontroller, the Nomad is powered by a Raspberry Pi 5 single-board computer with 4GB of RAM and a 32GB microSD Card for storage. Its mesh communications capabilities come courtesy of an integrated 915MHz LoRa module and support for the Meshtastic project, but that's not the gadget's only feature.
Unlike the Ranger, the Spec5 Nomad runs a fully-fledged Linux distribution on a pretty powerful single-board computer — meaning it can be used as a general-purpose portable computing device. The Raspberry Pi's general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pins are exposed for add-on hardware, and there's full access to the board's gigabit Ethernet port and all but one USB port — with a kickstand if you're planning to use it on a desk. If you are on-the-move, an internal 10Ah battery keeps things running.
More information on the Spec5 Nomad can be found on the company's website, where it's available to order for $399.99 — while the company's official Tindie store has it listed for $359.99 as part of an introductory sale, with an additional 10 per cent off if you buy two or more Spec5 devices in a single order.