Getting Started
Initial setup and first boot for the Cruiser Carrier Board.
Cruiser Carrier Board
Documentation for the Exaviz Cruiser Carrier Board - an all-in-one NVR, smart home hub, and PoE switch for Raspberry Pi CM5.
2 minute read
The Cruiser Carrier Board is a next-generation carrier board for Raspberry Pi CM5 with built-in 8-port PoE+, 2.5GbE WAN, NVMe storage, and smart home connectivity via ESP32-C6.
Key Features
- Built-in Gigabit Switch — Up to 8 ports with optional PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at, 30W/port) depending on model
- 2.5 Gigabit WAN — High-speed network uplink via RTL8156BG (all models)
- NVMe + SATA Storage — M.2 Key-M slot plus 2x SATA III ports
- Smart Home Ready — WiFi 6, Bluetooth LE 5.3, and Zigbee via ESP32-C6
- Dual 4K Display — 2x HDMI 2.0 outputs (4Kp60)
- Qwiic Expansion — 2x I2C connectors for sensors and modules
Product Variants
| Model | Price* | 1GbE Switch Ports | PoE Support | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruiser | $149 | 8 (2x4 stack) | PoE+ (30W/port) | NVR, PoE Switch |
| Cruiser Lite | $119 | 4 (2x2 stack) | PoE+ (30W/port) | Small installs |
| Cruiser Keel | $99 | 4 (2x2 stack) | None | Non-PoE builds |
Prices shown are MSRP. Visit the Exaviz Store for current pricing.
All variants include 2.5GbE WAN, M.2 NVMe, SATA, USB, HDMI, and ESP32-C6.
Custom Configurations
Need a different configuration? Contact us at info@exaviz.com. We can customize Cruiser and Interceptor boards to meet your specific requirements.
Cruiser vs Interceptor
| Feature | Cruiser | Interceptor v2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| CM Support | CM5 only | CM4, CM5, BPi CM4 |
| 1GbE Switch | 4-8 ports (model dependent) | 4 ports |
| Built-in PoE | Up to 8 ports (model dependent) | 0 (add via PoE Board) |
| WAN Speed | 2.5 GbE | 1 GbE (via 4-port switch) |
| NVMe | Yes (M.2) | No |
| SATA Ports | 2 | 5 |
| Wireless | WiFi 6/BLE/Zigbee | None |
| Power Input | 48-57V DC barrel (PoE) / 13-60V (Keel)* | 24-pin ATX |
| Best For | NVR, Smart Home | NAS, Storage Server |
*48V minimum for PoE models; Keel (non-PoE) can use 13V+
Documentation Sections
Getting Started
Initial setup, requirements, and first boot. Get Started →
Hardware Interface
Connector reference, pinouts, and board layout. View Hardware →
Specifications
Complete technical specifications. View Specs →
Software
WiFi, PoE control, storage setup, and configuration. View Software →
FAQ
Frequently asked questions. View FAQ →
Resources
- Product Brief (PDF) - Cruiser Carrier Board overview
- Product Brief for OEMs (PDF) - OEM and B2B configurations
- Product Brief for Makers (PDF) - Enthusiast and maker builds
- Exaviz Store
- OS Downloads
Specifications
Complete technical specifications for the Cruiser Carrier Board.
Hardware Interface
Connector reference, pinouts, and hardware details for the Cruiser Carrier Board.
ESP32 Wireless Module
WiFi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee configuration for the Cruiser’s built-in ESP32-C6 module.
Software
Software setup, configuration, and usage for the Cruiser Carrier Board.
Benchmarks
Performance benchmarks for the Cruiser Carrier Board including network and storage.
Power Consumption
Typical power consumption for Cruiser board configurations.
Power Calculator
Calculate the right power supply for your Cruiser configuration.
Troubleshooting
Common issues and solutions for the Cruiser Carrier Board
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Cruiser Carrier Board.
Last modified February 25, 2026