Dronee describes Loko as a two-part LoRa GPS tracker: a small Air Unit sends its location and battery information to a Ground Unit, which can relay the location to a phone over Bluetooth. Dronee’s current product page claims a range of up to 10 km, but a separate seller claims up to 20 km, and neither figure is independently verified by the sources cited here. Battery-life claims also vary with transmit interval and source, so “a year” is not a universal guarantee.
What Dronee’s Loko is and how it works
Loko is designed to track a drone or other asset without relying on cellular service for the Air-to-Ground radio link. The Air Unit transmits its position and battery information using LoRa; the Ground Unit receives that information and can connect to a smartphone over Bluetooth. In this arrangement, the phone communicates with the Ground Unit rather than directly with a distant Air Unit.
Dronee also says the system can connect to a LoRaWAN gateway. That is a separate deployment path from the described Air-to-Ground tracking setup: gateway configuration and required infrastructure are not established by the product information cited here. The manufacturer lists possible uses including drone recovery, vehicles, equipment, and people; these are vendor-described applications, not independently validated performance claims.
Range: 10 km from Dronee, 20 km from another seller
Dronee’s current Loko product page lists “up to 10 km.” Nolilab’s sales page claims up to 20 km. The claims conflict, and the available sources do not reconcile which model, revision, antennas, or test conditions account for the difference. Neither source establishes an independent range test.
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“Up to” is a maximum claim, not a promise of coverage at every site. The cited product descriptions do not specify terrain, antenna placement, or other conditions needed to predict real-world range. Treat the figures as vendor claims and confirm the exact unit and documentation before relying on Loko for a particular route or recovery area.
Battery life depends on transmission settings
Dronee’s page is internally inconsistent: feature copy says up to 30 days per charge, while its detailed specification says more than 30 days to a year depending on transmit interval. A slower update interval can extend endurance, but the page does not give a single interval-and-test combination that would make one-year life a dependable expectation. It also mentions a coin-cell battery in one passage and 5 V USB-C power for the Air Unit, so check the current manual for the exact hardware revision and power arrangement.
Rank #2
- Multi-protocol support: Featuring nRF52840 and LR1110, it supports LoRa (global ISM bands in the 863-928 MHz range). After purchasing the T1000-E, you can freely choose your region in the Meshtastic app. It also supports Bluetooth 5.0, Thread, and Zigbee, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices and networks.
- Powerful Positioning Capabilities: Integrated with the Mediatek‘s AG3335 GPS chip, it provides high-precision positioning services.
- Expandable Interfaces: Designed with four pogo pins, it supports USB interface for DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade), serial logging, and API interface, simplifying device management and debugging.
- Open Source Support: Compatible with the Meshtastic open-source mesh networking protocol, suitable for long-range and low-power communication needs.
Nolilab claims up to one year of battery life on its sales page. An earlier Crowd Supply campaign update dated October 29, 2022, quoted creator Tomi Piriyev describing “+200 days of battery life.” That historical promotional statement is not a current controlled test. Taken together, these claims show why battery life should be checked against the exact configuration and transmission interval rather than treated as a guaranteed fixed duration.
The Ground Unit is described as using 18650 cells, which Dronee says are not included. Confirm the required number and specifications for the version being purchased in its current manual. The sources here do not establish a safe replacement-battery specification for the Air Unit.
Rank #3
- Multi-Technology Seamless Tracking for Every Situation: The ThinkNode M3 Meshtastic Tracker combines GPS, Bluetooth 5.0, and Wi-Fi for unmatched positioning accuracy. Supporting GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO/BDS, it delivers <1.5m precision in open areas. Powered by LoRa technology, it enables seamless communication up to 6km, maintaining a stable connection even in remote areas.
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- Universal Compatibility & Easy Management: Works with LoRa 915MHz frequencies and seamlessly integrates with Meshtastic App for effortless device management and monitoring. Lightweight (40g) and compact (64x64mm), it discreetly fits anywhere.
Air Unit size, GNSS, radio bands, and pairing
Dronee lists the Air Unit at 12 g and 30 mm in diameter by 23 mm in height. It says the receiver supports GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite navigation. These are manufacturer specifications, not independent measurements.
Dronee lists regional radio plans including EU868, US915, AU915, AS923, KR920, and IN865. This does not mean every Loko unit supports every band. Confirm that the purchased version matches your location and local radio rules. Dronee also says one Ground Unit can pair with up to 30 Air Units; check the exact current revision and instructions if multi-tracker operation matters.
Rank #4
- Powerful Features: The ThinkNode M3 integrates the LR1110, nRF52840, and GPS module, supporting the Meshtastic protocol for stable long-range communication. It offers a transmission range of up to 5–6 km—perfect for outdoor use, team coordination, and off-grid communication
- High-Precision GPS Navigation: Built-in high-sensitivity GNSS module supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou for accurate outdoor tracking with <1.5 m positioning accuracy. Ideal for hiking, field operations, asset tracking, and emergency location sharing
- Long-Lasting Battery Life: Meshtastic Tracker Card features a 770mAh lithium battery and magnetic charging design, delivering up to 18 hours of use on a single charge. It sends data updates every minute by default, with adjustable reporting intervals and real-time battery level monitoring
- Smart Environmental Monitoring: The ThinkNode M3 tracker card features built-in temperature, humidity, and accelerometer sensors for environmental monitoring. Sensor thresholds can be customized as needed, and the device will automatically trigger an alert when out of range
- IP66 & Offline Data Caching: With an IP66 waterproof rating, the device ensures stable operation in harsh conditions, perfect for outdoor activities and emergency scenarios. When there is no network connection, the meshtastic tracker can cache data and upload it after the network is restored
Open-source status and phone app availability
The public Loko GitHub repository contains project hardware and software material and identifies an MIT license. Its README describes the project as under development, so the existence of public source code should not be taken to mean every feature or firmware path is finished or supported.
A March 2023 Crowd Supply update says logging capabilities were added and Android and iOS apps had been developed. Dronee’s current product page labels the described app version iPhone-only, leaving current Android availability unresolved. Check the relevant app store and the documentation for the unit revision before purchase. For historical context, Hackster’s early report described the initial design and repeated creator claims, but it is not fresh verification of present hardware or performance.
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What to verify before buying or deploying Loko
- Exact kit: Check whether the listing is for an Air Unit alone or an Air/Ground bundle; a phone link depends on the Ground Unit.
- Region: Match the unit’s radio band to your country and intended use.
- Expected range: Ask which model and conditions support the seller’s quoted figure, and do not assume nominal maximum range in your terrain.
- Endurance: Get the stated transmit interval, battery arrangement, and applicable revision rather than planning around an unqualified one-year figure.
- Power and app: Confirm the current Air and Ground power requirements, included cells, and phone-app compatibility in the current product documentation.
- Gateway needs: If you intend to use LoRaWAN, establish what gateway coverage and configuration are required; the product description alone does not provide a deployment procedure.
- Environmental suitability: The cited product information does not establish weather-resistance ratings, so verify that separately for outdoor installation.
Sources and claim context
- Dronee’s Loko product page — current product description and specifications, including the 10 km claim.
- Nolilab’s Loko sales page — conflicting 20 km and one-year claims and product options.
- Crowd Supply campaign update — creator’s dated 2022 battery-life statement.
- Loko GitHub repository — public project material, license, and README status.
- Hackster.io report — secondary early coverage of the design and creator claims.
- Seeed Studio article — vendor coverage of the Wio-E5/LoRa-E5 module basis.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
