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Cameras & sensors / Multi-device setup

Responder NAV: an offline field computer

Carry a dedicated touchscreen for GPS navigation, LoRa messages, radio utilities and vehicle diagnostics without relying on cloud services.

Read the original build See shopping list
Alberto Cajiao's Responder NAV field computer built around an M5Stack Tab5
Alberto Cajiao · original project photo via Hackster

What the hardware does

The Tab5 runs custom firmware that reads GPS and radio modules and connects to external RTL-SDR and ELM327 OBD-II adapters. Its physical screen and keyboard bring the field tools together in one portable device.

How the agent helped

Creator Alberto Cajiao explicitly says OpenAI Codex was used extensively for firmware implementation, debugging, refactoring and rapid prototyping. The article documents the assembled hardware and current functions separately from future plans.

Before you build

This is an expandable prototype, not a finished appliance. Different features need their own modules or USB adapters, and the enclosure is 3D printed. The article names both RTL2832U/R820T2 and RTL-SDR Blog V4 hardware; check the repository for the supported receiver. Radio frequencies and transmission rules vary by location. Vehicle functions are diagnostic; do not operate the device while driving.

Follow the build

hackster.io

Original build story

Creator build article

github.com

Supporting source

Hardware

All hardware

Shopping list

Save as Markdown

Base computer: Tab5, keyboard, storage and power. GPS, LoRa, SDR, OBD and camera are feature-specific additions, not a requirement to buy every expansion at once. The current repository is v0.73 beta.

Confirm before buying

  • Radio adapter revisions, ELM327 USB bridge, antennas, enclosure fasteners and power budget still need configuration-specific checks.

Quantities are for one build. Unless marked source-specified, they are planning quantities; confirm kit contents and the chosen configuration before ordering.

  1. Qty. 1Plan / confirm
    Required

    M5Stack Tab5

    ESP32-P4 field-computer base.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    View product

    Product page

  2. Qty. 1Plan / confirm
    Required

    Tab5 Keyboard (A164)

    Physical input.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    View product

    Exact product

  3. Qty. 1Plan / confirm
    Required

    microSD card

    Firmware, operating system or project storage.

    FAT32 or exFAT; copy the repository’s sdcard folder to the card root.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.

  4. Qty. 1Plan / confirm
    Required

    USB-C data cable

    Connect to the computer for programming or data.

    A charge-only cable cannot flash firmware. Example requires a USB-A host port. If your computer has only USB-C, use an appropriate USB-C data cable instead. Reuse the device’s included cable where possible; this is not a standalone power-supply recommendation.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Setup requirement — check against your configuration. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    Example part

    Accessory example: USB-A to USB-C, 1 m, data capable

  5. Qty. 1Plan / confirm
    Tool

    Computer for setup

    Build, configure or flash the software.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Setup requirement — check against your configuration. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    Use existing equipment or match the specification above. No exact purchase link verified.

  6. Qty. 1Plan / confirm
    Conditional

    M5Stack Module GPS V2.0 with external antenna (AT6668)

    GPS functionality.

    V2.0 is end of life; V2.1 is not automatically a verified replacement.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    View product

    Exact product; end-of-life listing

  7. Qty. 1Plan / confirm
    Conditional

    M5Stack U184-US915 LORAWAN-US915

    LoRa functionality.

    US915 only; includes the manufacturer antenna and HY2.0-4P cable. Confirm legality and the Tab5 connection for your configuration; do not substitute EU868.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    View product

    Exact U184-US915; region-specific

  8. Qty. 1Plan / confirm
    Conditional

    RTL2832U receiver with R820T / R820T2 tuner

    Radio and aircraft functions.

    Repository’s hardware guide specifies this target. The article also names Blog V4; do not assume V4 compatibility.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.

  9. Qty. 1Plan / confirm
    Conditional

    USB ELM327 OBD-II adapter

    Vehicle diagnostics.

    Exact USB serial bridge, vehicle and protocol support must be verified.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.

  10. Qty. 1Plan / confirm
    Optional

    Freenove FNK0060/FNK0060B ESP32-WROVER camera

    Deploy Cam companion.

    The creator targets CAMERA_MODEL_WROVER_KIT and the onboard CH340 USB serial bridge; an external FTDI programmer is not required. The kit’s 1GB card is not a replacement for the Tab5 application storage.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    View product

    Exact FNK0060 kit; select this board, not an ESP32-S3 camera

  11. Qty. Per modulePlan / confirm
    Conditional

    Radio antennas and matched connectors

    Selected RF features.

    Choose the correct bands and connectors; the GPS listing includes its own external antenna.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Setup requirement — check against your configuration. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    Use existing equipment or match the specification above. No exact purchase link verified.

  12. Qty. 1Plan / confirm
    Conditional

    Powered USB hub / stable peripheral power

    Multiple or high-current USB peripherals.

    An unpowered hub may cause brownouts; foreground USB apps share the host controller.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Setup requirement — check against your configuration. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    Use existing equipment or match the specification above. No exact purchase link verified.

  13. Qty. 1 setPlan / confirm
    Required

    3D-printed enclosure and assembly hardware

    House the complete field computer.

    Exact fastener counts depend on the enclosure revision.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Creator source. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.

  14. Qty. 1Plan / confirm
    Conditional

    Tab5 power / NP-F550 battery

    Power the device.

    Standard Tab5 has no battery; Tab5 Kit includes NP-F550. Check the selected bundle and peripheral load.

    Sources & quantity basis

    Setup requirement — check against your configuration. Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration.

    Use existing equipment or match the specification above. No exact purchase link verified.

Source reviewed, not assembled or hands-on tested. A working product page does not confirm stock, firmware compatibility or a complete build.

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