When the M5StickC Plus V1 full set is enough for Sri Lankan classrooms and labs, and when you should spend more on V2.
What it is
The M5StickC Plus V1 is the earlier Plus-generation stick: ESP32 dual-core at up to 240 MHz class clocks, 1.14" TFT (135×240), IMU (MPU6886), IR transmitter, microphone and buzzer on the classic Plus layout, with a smaller battery than V2 (about 120 mAh).
ALFA price: LKR 11,400 (VAT inclusive) for the Full Set we list.
What it is actually used for
Same family of jobs as V2 — IoT teaching, small wireless demos, IR experiments on owned gear — with tighter memory/battery limits. Many school and first-year lab outlines still fit V1 comfortably.
Key specs
- ESP32 dual-core, Wi-Fi + Bluetooth
- 1.14" colour TFT 135×240
- MPU6886 6-axis IMU
- IR TX, mic, buzzer (Plus feature set)
- Built-in battery (~120 mAh class on V1)
- Full Set packing per product page
Who should pick V1
Pick V1 when cost matters and sketches are modest. Pick V2 when you need PSRAM, more flash, and longer untethered demos. Skip both if you needed a BadUSB cable or an SDR.
Practical setup notes
- Confirm board variant in Arduino board manager (Plus vs non-Plus)
- Budget extra USB power banks for all-day workshops
- Keep firmware projects in git; sticks get borrowed and overwritten
Sri Lankan lab context
Most of the teams I talk to here do not have a spare RF cage or a full red-team warehouse. A single USB radio, a written lab SSID, and a laptop image everyone agrees on already prevent a lot of confusion. Keep the assessment radio off corporate EAP networks unless the SOW says otherwise. When students share adapters, label the MAC and the chipset on masking tape — generics look identical in a pile.
If you are buying for a company kit bag, write a one-page loan sheet: who signed it out, which engagement, and when it came back. That sounds dull. It stops tools walking into uncontrolled demos.
Legal and ethical use
These tools belong in authorised assessments, lab practice, and training — not casual tinkering on networks that are not yours.
In Sri Lanka, unauthorised access to computer systems can engage the Computer Crimes Act No. 24 of 2007. This post is practical product guidance, not legal advice. If you are unsure whether a test is allowed, get written permission first and talk to counsel who knows local law.
Only use this gear on systems you own, or on systems where a named client has given you written authorisation that covers the methods you plan to run.
FAQ
Can I upgrade V1 to V2 later?
You replace the unit; there is no board swap path worth doing.
Is V1 obsolete?
Still useful for teaching. New UI-heavy projects should prefer V2.
Linux serial permissions?
Add your user to the dialout group or use udev rules for the USB-UART.
Where to order?
See CTA below.
Buying notes for local teams
When you message me about kit, say whether the gear is for a named engagement, an internal lab, or a teaching cohort. That single sentence changes which accessory bundle I suggest and how fast we can clear the authorised-use paperwork. Prices on this blog are VAT inclusive for the ALFA-sold SKUs; if a page on the main site differs, treat the live product page as the checkout source of truth and tell me if you spot a mismatch.
Ordering in Sri Lanka
M5StickC Plus V1 Full Set: LKR 11,400 (VAT inclusive).
Order on alfanetworklk.com or message Dishan on WhatsApp at +94 75 255 0704. Payment options we use locally are cash on delivery, KokoPay, or bank deposit. Before dispatch we ask for ID verification and a signed authorised-use declaration — that is how we keep sales tied to legitimate training and assessment work.
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