M5Stack Cardputer ADV vs v1.1: Which RF Module Actually Fits? (2026)

PINGEQUA Lab · M5Stack compatibility · 6 min read · Updated 2026-06-25

Bought a Cardputer RF cap that won't seat or won't show up in Bruce? Before you assume it's broken, check this: the M5Stack Cardputer ADV and the older v1.1 use different expansion headers, so a module built for one will not work on the other.

Quick answer The M5Stack Cardputer ADV and Cardputer v1.1 are not interchangeable for RF expansion caps. The ADV adds a rear 2×7-pin header (UART / I²C / SPI) that the v1.1 doesn't have, and ADV-specific caps mount to it — so a module designed for the ADV won't seat correctly or be detected on a v1.1, and vice versa. Buy by your exact model: Cardputer ADV → Hydra RF 424 (433 MHz) / 824 (868 MHz) / 924 (915 MHz); Cardputer v1.1 → 3-in-1 RF Module (433 MHz). Both run Bruce firmware. If you already see "module not found," it's almost always a wrong-model fit or a pin-config issue — not a dead board.

Why ADV ≠ v1.1 (the hardware difference that matters)

Both boards share the same ESP32-S3-based StampS3 core, so people assume accessories swap freely. For RF caps, they don't. The decisive change is the expansion interface:

  • The original Cardputer / v1.1 exposes expansion through the HY2.0-4P Grove port only.
  • The Cardputer ADV keeps Grove and adds a rear 2×7-pin header carrying UART, I²C, and SPI for peripherals.

An RF cap needs the SPI bus plus chip-select lines to drive a CC1101 / nRF24L01+. On the ADV that SPI is broken out on the rear header the cap clips onto; the v1.1 doesn't route SPI to the same physical interface. That's why forcing the wrong cap on either board fails to enumerate the radios.

Other ADV-only changes (useful for identifying your unit): a single 1750 mAh battery, an ES8311 audio codec, and a BMI270 6-axis IMU — none present on the v1.1, which uses a 120 mAh + 1400 mAh battery split and an SPM1423 mic.

Note: the Cardputer v1.1 is now End-of-Life — M5Stack has moved to the ADV. Both still run Bruce, and v1.1 modules are still sold, so this compatibility question stays relevant for the large installed base of v1.1 units.

How to tell which Cardputer you have

Tell Cardputer v1.1 Cardputer ADV
Rear 2×7-pin header (UART/I²C/SPI) No — Grove only Yes
Battery 120 mAh + 1400 mAh base Single 1750 mAh
IMU (motion sensor) No BMI270
Audio codec SPM1423 mic / NS4168 ES8311 / NS4150B / 1 W
Status End-of-Life Current

If your unit has the rear 2×7 header and a single fat battery, it's an ADV. If expansion is Grove-only, it's a v1.1 (or earlier).

Compatibility map — which RF module to buy

Your device Correct PINGEQUA module Sub-GHz band
Cardputer ADV Hydra RF 424 433 MHz
Cardputer ADV Hydra RF 824 868 MHz (EU)
Cardputer ADV Hydra RF 924 Pro 915 MHz (US/Americas)
Cardputer v1.1 3-in-1 RF Module 433 MHz
M5Stack StickS3 RF Pack S3 (not a Cardputer cap) 433 MHz
M5StickC Plus / Plus 2 Stick RF 424 (not a Cardputer cap) 433 MHz

The Hydra caps are ADV-only by design — the 424 is explicitly not compatible with Cardputer v1.1 or earlier. The 3-in-1 module is built for the v1.1 headers. Pick the row that matches your board.

Band guidance (pick by region): 433 MHz is the most common band for everyday consumer Sub-GHz devices (key fobs, garage doors, sensors) and is license-free almost everywhere. For region-specific ISM work, match your locale: 915 MHz for the US, Canada, Australia and Latin America; 868 MHz for the EU/UK. The CC1101 chip covers all three, but each board and antenna is tuned for one.

Used the wrong module? Here's the fix order

Installing an ADV cap on a v1.1 (or the reverse) typically produces "CC1101 not found" / "nRF24 not detected" in Bruce, a cap that won't seat flush, or a Cardputer that boots fine but has no working RF function. This is not a dead module. Work in this order:

  1. Confirm model match using the table above — this resolves most cases.
  2. If the model is correct but radios still don't show, it's a firmware / pin-map issue, not hardware. Flash the current Bruce build and set the right pins — full steps in Bruce on M5Stack: flash it and fix "module not found".
  3. Only after both check out is it worth suspecting the hardware.

FAQ

Does the Hydra RF cap fit a Cardputer v1.1?
No. The Hydra RF series is built for the Cardputer ADV and its rear 2×7-pin header; the 424 is explicitly not compatible with v1.1 or earlier Cardputers. For a v1.1, use the 3-in-1 RF Module.
Will the v1.1 3-in-1 module work on a Cardputer ADV?
It's designed for the v1.1 header layout. Use a Hydra RF cap (424 / 824 / 924) on the ADV.
How do I know if I have a Cardputer ADV or v1.1?
The ADV has a rear 2×7-pin header (UART/I²C/SPI), a single 1750 mAh battery, and a BMI270 IMU. The v1.1 expands through the Grove port only.
My RF module says "not found" — did I buy the wrong one?
Maybe — first confirm model match. If the module matches your board, it's almost always a firmware or BrucePins.conf pin-map issue, not a defective module. See the Bruce "module not found" fix.
Do both Cardputer versions use Bruce firmware?
Yes. Both the ADV and v1.1 run Bruce (current release 1.15, May 2026). The difference is the pin map for the RF cap, not the firmware itself.
Which frequency should I pick — 424, 824, or 924?
424 = 433 MHz (global default), 824 = 868 MHz (EU SRD), 924 = 915 MHz (US/Americas ISM). Match it to your region and target band.
Is the Cardputer ADV worth it over the v1.1?
For RF work, the ADV's main wins are the rear expansion header (cleaner RF-cap mounting), a bigger 1750 mAh battery for longer sessions, and an onboard IMU. The v1.1 is now End-of-Life, so new buyers will get the ADV — but a v1.1 with the correct module still works fine. Buy the module that matches whichever board you own.
Can the Cardputer do Sub-GHz like a Flipper Zero?
Not built-in. Unlike the Flipper Zero, the Cardputer has no onboard Sub-GHz radio — you add 433/868/915 MHz capability with a CC1101 RF cap, running Bruce. Most users treat the Cardputer as a complement to a Flipper, not a one-for-one replacement.

Match your board, get the right cap

Every PINGEQUA Cardputer module ships Bruce-ready with a setup and pin-config guide.

Cardputer ADV — Hydra RF 424 → Cardputer v1.1 — 3-in-1 →

Sources & further reading: M5Stack Cardputer-Adv specs — docs.m5stack.com; Cardputer v1.1 — docs.m5stack.com; ADV launch details — CNX Software; ADV vs v1.1 comparison — OpenELAB; open-source reference — pingequalab on GitHub. Hardware facts verified June 2026.

For authorized security testing and education only. Use RF hardware only on devices and frequencies you are permitted to operate. You are responsible for compliance with all applicable laws and radio regulations (e.g. FCC Part 15 in the US, CE/RED in the EU). "M5Stack", "Cardputer" and "Flipper Zero" are referenced for compatibility; PINGEQUA is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by their owners.

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