I tested a Bluetooth tracker that uses LoRa mesh networks to locate objects – and it’s very accurate.

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I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Apple AirTags it was a complete transformation for me. Being able to identify and find things like keys and wallets, no matter where they are in the world, has saved me heartache, headaches, and wasted time. And the proliferation of third-party tags means there are tags for all kinds of applications.

Also: I tested 4 Bluetooth trackers (including AirTags) to test their reliability – here’s how the Android competitors compare

But another drawback is that all tags are dependent on mobile networks and Wi-Fi. What if you could find tags that work on their own networks and can work independently of the networks built by multi-billion dollar companies? That’s exactly it SenseCAP T1000-E SenseCAP tracker card for Seed Studio specials.

OK, how does this work?

And for many things, there are a lot of things I like about the T1000-E, and a few things I don’t. But before I go any further, let me warn you that this card can be an entry point into the big world of LoRa mesh.

LoRa stands for Long Range Radio and is a long-range wireless radio protocol that can be used to build a network.

Also: I found an AirTag alternative that lasts twice as long and works with Android phones

What is a mesh?

It is an open-source, off-grid, decentralized mesh network designed to run on small, low-power devices. It does not require cell towers or internet. It is an independent, peer-to-peer radio program. If you’re a bit like me and like to get your teeth into weird stuff, you’ll soon be delving into mesh transceivers and setups. solar powered nodes.

Why? Because you can.

Note: Make sure you get the T1000-E, not this one A or B is different. Only IE is designed to work with peer-to-peer mesh, and variants of A and B do LoRaWAN networks and require their own network gateways.

OK, back to the T1000-E. This is a card sized tracker like any other. It’s the size of a credit card and as thick as a stack of cards. Inside is a 700 mAh battery that’s enough to power the card for a few days, along with all the tech wizardry to communicate with the local magic.

Also: I placed my AirTag within minutes of trying this alternative Bluetooth tracker – here’s why

There’s a loud buzzer, an LED status light, and a button to turn the unit on and off and control things like Bluetooth.

Built for the apocalypse

The shell has an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, so it’s good to go outside. I like this a lot, but to achieve this level of dust and water resistance, the manufacturer has chosen a magnetic charging pad on the back using pogo pins.

Not only does this mean you need a proprietary cable every time you need to charge a device, but the design means that if you try to charge the card while on the go (ie, using power bank), it is more likely that it will loosen and stop charging. I came up with solutions using elastic bands or hot glue, but I wish there was a better way to keep the connector attached.

A good tracker

By default, you will need to download the SenseCraft app (iOS/Android) to set up and control the T1000-E.

The app is good, but not great. Instructions can be vague; sometimes you will stumble on Chinese sections, and it tries to sell you other things (something I hate about the app of the product I bought). My advice is if you get stuck, hit up the extensive support documentation wiki (complete with videos), or go to the excellent r/meshtastic on Reddit.

Also: I took apart the new AirTag 2 and found a nasty bug in Apple’s popular tracker

If you just want to use the tracker as a tracker, you’ve done pretty much everything you need to do. The app has a map that shows you the location of the card, or you can use it to flash your location to others when you’re out and about by sharing your location.

The card will use Bluetooth to connect to the app on the smartphone, but it can also connect to LoRaWAN, Meshtastic, Amazon Sidewalkand Helium networks.

Also: One of my new favorite AirTags fits perfectly in my wallet – and lasts a long time

If you live in an area where people use mesh, that will be a good option that just works. You may decide to place nodes to use near your home or work, extending the network to everyone.

I’ve found that Amazon Sidewalk is also a really good, practical option, especially in built-up areas. After all, there are many Amazon devices again Turn on the cameras out there, so there’s a much larger mesh to use.

Loads of options. And yes, this can work in those apocalyptic situations where the power goes down, the cell grids go silent, and the zombies start shuffling.

I’ve carried it in a pocket, bag, and strapped to the outside of my rucksack, and the GPS receiver is excellent even in low-light conditions. There is a lanyard slot on the card to attach it to things.

But there is more… much more!

But there’s a lot more to the T1000-E. It’s much more than a tracker card. It is a fully functional mesh transmitter that can be used to send and receive messages between other devices. If you want to access this, you will need another mesh device (say, another tracker or a mesh transceiver). And this is where you start the slide into a mesh obsession.

Also: I slipped this $15 tracker into my favorite jacket – now it’s a daily essential

You can also drill down into the card. For example, you can dump the firmware loaded by Seeed Studio on the T1000-E, and install the stock Meshtastic firmware on it using the online flashing tool.

Now you can use Meshtastic app (iOS/Android) to control the card, and I found this to be the best, especially if you want to go deeper into the card’s power. This is more than I can go into here, but if you’re looking for something to get you started, this video will probably start your obsession.

ZDNET shopping advice

I SenseCAP T1000-E SenseCAP tracker card for Seed Studio will set you back about $50. Sometimes you will see more, but avoid that. Generally, if you wait a day or more, the prices will drop.

Also: This is the closest thing to AirTags for Android users (and better in some ways)

For a pure tracker card, that’s a pretty high price, but once you realize that it can work as a messaging client and you can use it to send and receive messages for free, it starts to make sense. Mesh is great for off-grid comms and places like cruise ships, where a company will charge you an arm and a leg for Wi-Fi.