In the realm of communications devices, especially those used for outdoor adventures, emergency preparedness, or remote work, two key technologies stand out: Meshtastic (Lora) and Personal Mobile Radio (PMR) walkie-talkies. Both products offer unique features and functionality to meet a variety of needs and preferences. This blog provides a detailed comparison between Meshtastic and PMR walkie-talkies, highlighting their key characteristics, advantages, and limitations.
One. Technology and functionality
Messitastic:
Meshtastic is an open source project that creates mesh networks for communications using low-power, long-range LoRa (Long Range) radios. Designed for long-distance texting and GPS location sharing without relying on cellular networks or Wi-Fi. Meshtastic devices communicate directly with each other and relay messages over the network, effectively expanding communication range as more devices are added.
PMR Walkie Talkie:
PMR walkie-talkies operate in the PMR446 frequency band, which is available for unlicensed use in many regions, including Europe. These devices are designed for short-range voice communications, typically within a few kilometers. PMR walkie-talkies are easy to use and offer Push-to-Talk functionality and multiple channels to avoid interference.
2. Scope and scope of application
Messitastic:
The range of a Meshtastic device can vary greatly depending on environmental conditions and antenna quality. In open spaces, LoRa technology can achieve communication ranges of several kilometers, sometimes up to 10 kilometers or more. Mesh network capabilities allow for expanded coverage as messages move from one device to another, effectively covering larger areas as the number of nodes increases.
PMR Walkie Talkie:
The range of a PMR walkie-talkie is “typically” 2 to 5 km in open terrain (up to 70 km in really good conditions). However, this range can be significantly reduced in urban environments or areas with dense vegetation due to signal interference. Unlike Meshtastic, PMR devices do not support mesh networking, so their effective range is limited to line-of-sight between devices.
three. communication type
Messitastic:
Meshtastic focuses on text-based communication. Ideal for scenarios where quiet, discreet communication is required or voice communication is not practical. It is worth noting that it can also transmit GPS location, telemetry (temperature, humidity, etc.), etc. Meshtastic also supports MQTT (Internet Connection Bridge), which acts as a bridge between two or more distant Meshtastic networks and provides a backup communication path when the mesh signal is weak or unavailable.
How to host your own MQTT for Meshtastic nodes
Integrating MQTT with Meshtastic extends off-grid communications by connecting distant networks. This allows for global messaging, provides backup when mesh signals are weak, and ensures faster message delivery over the Internet. Suitable for remote areas and emergency situations.
More information about MQTT use cases
PMR Walkie Talkie:
PMR walkie-talkies are designed for real-time voice communication. This makes it ideal for situations that require immediate verbal interaction, such as coordinating activities at outdoor adventures, construction sites, or public events. The simplicity of the Push-to-Talk feature is a significant advantage for quick and easy communication.
4. Power and battery life
Messitastic:
Meshtastic devices are known for low power consumption thanks to efficient LoRa technology. It can run for several days on a single charge, making it ideal for long-term outdoor use. Battery life may vary depending on usage patterns, including message frequency, GPS updates, and number of sensors connected.
PMR Walkie Talkie:
The battery life of your PMR walkie-talkie varies depending on the model and usage. Basic models can last from a few hours to a day of continuous use, while higher-end models with power-saving features can last even longer. However, continuous voice communication can drain your battery faster than the low-power data transmission used by Meshtastic.
5. Ease of use and setup
Messitastic:
Setting up a Meshtastic network requires some technical knowledge, including flashing firmware on your devices and configuring settings via a smartphone app or computer. While there is a learning curve, community support and available documentation can help users get started. Once set up, the network operates automatically, relaying messages as needed.
PMR Walkie Talkie:
PMR walkie-talkies are famous for their simplicity. Users can start communicating by simply turning on the device, selecting a channel, and pressing the Push-to-Talk button. No additional configuration is required, making it accessible to users of all skill levels.
6. Cost and Availability
Messitastic:
Meshtastic devices are relatively inexpensive, typically priced between $20 and $100 per unit, depending on model and features. It’s an open source project, allowing for flexibility and customization, but may require users to source and assemble some components themselves.
PMR Walkie Talkie:
PMR walkie-talkies are widely available and come in a variety of prices, from low-cost models costing around $20 to high-end units exceeding $100. PMR devices are widely available, making them easy to purchase and replace when needed.
7. Applications and Use Cases
Messitastic:
- Outdoor Adventures: Ideal for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities where cellular signal reception is unstable.
- Emergency communications: Useful in disaster scenarios to maintain communications without relying on existing infrastructure.
- Remote work: It is suitable for remote field surveys and provides text communication and location tracking functions.
PMR Walkie Talkie:
- Event coordination: It is effective in managing staff and volunteers at events, fairs, festivals, etc.
- Construction site: Useful for field communication between workers and supervisors.
- Family and group activities: Convenient for keeping in touch during group outings, theme parks, or road trips.
to summarize
Messitastic:
- technology: Meshtastic uses LoRa radios for text-based communication.
- range: 4-20KM in LOS, more with mesh. (MQTT can also be used to connect two separate mesh networks in different parts of the world)
- Communication Type: text based
- Battery life: Correct setup can take at least 2 days and sometimes months.
- Ease of use: It requires some knowledge to set it up. Once set up, it’s very easy to use.
- expense: Ranging from 20$ up to 100$ for a ready-to-use device.
- Key Features: Integrate sensors to collect telemetry data such as temperature, humidity, and altitude. Extends communications range, including GPS for real-time tracking and mesh networking. MQTT allows you to connect two off-grid mesh networks over the Internet to maintain data exchange between remote locations.
PMR Walkie Talkie:
- technology: PMR walkie-talkies operate on predefined radio channels for voice communication.
- Limited GPS support: Some advanced models may offer GPS functionality for location tracking, but GPS functionality is not common in traditional PMR walkie-talkies.
- Direct communication: PMR walkie-talkies rely on direct wireless communication between devices without using intermediate protocols such as MQTT.
- Limited sensor integration: Traditional PMR walkie-talkies typically do not include built-in sensors or telemetry capabilities.
- technology: PMR walkie-talkies operate on predefined radio channels for voice communication.
- range: It can go 2-4km in LOS and up to 50km in perfect conditions.
- Communication Type: voice based
- Battery life: Depends on the brand, but can be used for approximately 1 day
- Ease of use: Very easy to use, insert the batteries, set the channels once and it’s Push To Talk.
- expense: The range is from $15 to $100.
- Key Features: It is widely available and user-friendly, making it accessible to everyone. It enables voice communication for easy contact for smooth interaction and real-time updates, especially during live events.
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conclusion
Both Meshtastic and PMR walkie-talkies provide valuable communication solutions for a variety of needs. Meshtastic stands out with its mesh networking capabilities, long-distance texting, GPS and telemetry sharing, and low power consumption. On the other hand, PMR walkie-talkies offer simple real-time voice communication, ease of use, and wide availability.
Choosing between Meshtastic and PMR walkie-talkies ultimately depends on your specific requirements, such as the type of communication you need, range, battery life, and ease of use. Understanding the advantages and limitations of each technology can help you make the best decision for your communication needs.
