Elecrow Thinknode M5

[VirusPilot]

Folks, I have successfully compiled an upstream SoftRF version for the M5. The only remaining issue is that the EPD display appears mirrored which btw. is also the case for the T-Echo. I only did minor changes, e.g. disabling AIR6 and a few more GNSS related things. Any idea?

[Moshe Braner]

How does the M5 (ESP32-S3) version compare to the M1 (nRF52840)?  Does it use more power (shorter battery life)?  Does it offer the WiFi web interface?  Why the "upstream" SoftRF version rather than mine - does it already include code to fit the M5?

[VirusPilot]

I don't have the M1 to compare and so far I had no time to verify battery life. It does offer the WiFi web interface which is certainly nice. The upstream version has code for the M5, this is why I got interested. Maybe it would not be a big deal for you to port: M5 iomap

[joseph ludwig]

Hi 

I bought a thinknode M5 and I was having a bit of trouble getting it to update through the meshtastic web flasher for softrf. I used the softrf software version 1.7 for a Esp 32s3 .bin file and it uploaded fine and was visible on the WIFI and you could make changes settings changes but the screen remained the meshtastic screen even after a reset and boot button pushed and turned on and off.  Any suggestion please.. 

[VirusPilot]

Joseph, the v1.7 binary from upstream SoftRF did not yet support the M5, you need to compile the latest sources. I am using arduino-cli, this is how the command looks like:

• arduino-cli compile -e -b 'esp32:esp32:esp32s3:PartitionScheme=no_ota,CPUFreq=240,PSRAM=enabled,FlashMode=qio,FlashSize=4M,DebugLevel=none,CDCOnBoot=cdc,USBMode=default'

Furthermore you need to add to ./software/firmware/source/SoftRF/src/driver/EPD.cpp (somewhere around line 95)

• display->mirror(false);

Then you can upload the new binary using the meshtastic web flasher and it should work.

I am still struggling with properly configuring the GPS which is a AT6558 but is detected as an L76K but the default configuration works for the moment.

Generally speaking, I second Moshe's point about the minor benefit (besides WiFi) of the M5 compared to the T-Echo or the M1.

[VirusPilot]

Funny coincidence - Linar just updated ./software/firmware/source/SoftRF/src/driver/EPD.cpp shortly after I posted the EPD mirror fix here.