📟 We’ll make it simple!!

Meshtastic is a super cool mesh network that runs completely off-grid to transfer text message-like messages to LoRa chips in your Meshtastic device. Most devices come with a very basic screen, or no screen at all - many of us were super excited when LilyGo came out with the T-Deck, with its graphical display and built-in keyboard. These features gave hope to a completely standalone Meshtastic node - however, the firmware wasn’t written to use the nicer display that the T-Deck has to offer…

The developers have been working on a new UI and it can be installed by using the Experimental device-ui… but good luck on finding a how-to, or instructions on getting it flashed.

I’ll try to give instructions that make sense and will get you running it - please note that part of the reasons it’s hard to get information on doing this is that people would use the experimental builds to put in support requests; this is NOT a release, so use at your own risk and DON’T BUG THE DEVS until there’s an actual release!!

💾 Install, baby!!

Put the T-Deck into flashing mode by connecting it VIA USB to your computer and holding down the trackball while you slide the power button on.

Download firmware-2.5.3.bfe99b2.zip.

Use flasher.meshtastic.org to install firmware-2.5.3.bfe99b2.zip:

• Select T-Deck.
• Click the small folder icon next to ‘Select firmware version’ and install.
• Be sure to toggle ‘Full Erase and Install’ ON.
• Click update and wait for it to install.

Use esp.huhn.me to install firmware-t-deck-2.5.3.bfe99b2-update.bin:

• First, on a computer, unzip the firmware-2.5.3.bfe99b2.zip we downloaded earlier.
• Click connect on esp.huhn.me and select your T-Deck. (You may have to put the T-Deck into flashing mode again…)
• Click the Select button next to 0x10000 (Not 1000!), and navigate to the firmware-t-deck-2.5.3.bfe99b2-update.bin file you unzipped.
• Click Program, Continue and wait for it to install.

When it completes, you’ll have to reset the T-Deck to run the new firmware!!

• PLEASE remember, do NOT request support or file support requests - the experimental UI firmware is ONLY for testing until the developers put out a release!!

📱 Using the new UI…

Wow; this looks awesome! You’ll need to set the region if you want to try sending messages; you’ll notice that many things are missing or don’t work perfectly - again, experimental and all! Don’t forget that your T-Deck has a touchscreen - this UI will make Meshtastic way easier for non-technical users.

… while its awesome to see where the UI is going, it isn’t totally usable yet - scrolling for me is buggy, but others have said it works well - there’s a long way to go, but in the end our T-Decks are going to get huge updates!! Hopefully soon they can be our completely stand-alone Meshtastic solutions!!

As a side-note, I’ve been collecting discarded e-vape cartridges and the small batteries they harvest are perfect for the T-Deck! I get around 8hours with a teeny 500MaH battery.

LilyGo recently released the T-Deck Plus that comes inside a case - might be worth ordering since I believe this UI project will be landing soon!

TechHeart.life