“Fiddly to put together and neither the included leaflet nor the online wiki go into the detail you really need to make sure you get the screws right. Also, the suggested case doesn't really have enough room for the fan: it can be bodged, but it's not very satisfactory: you might be better buying the standard Pi5 active cooler, which would probably fit ok under the hat (though I haven't tried this).
Also worth noting that you can do a straightforward network install (https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/getting-started.html#installing-the-operating-system) straight on to the NVMe when you've got it all put together which avoids faffing about with a microSD card and all the shenanigans detailed in the wiki: it will be up and running in a couple of minutes.
As noted by another reviewer, you get a low-power warning even though it's drawing sufficient power from the PoE+ port, though that doesn't seem to be causing any problems.
I think this is adequate if you want both PoE and an NVMe and want to be able to get it in a case, but it could be more polished, particularly around the documentation. Ideally I'd prefer to use an NVMe base and a separate PoE hat, but I have yet to find a case that will house a Pi5 with an active cooler, a base and a hat.”
“Great addiition to a PI, make a perfect setup for a Raspberry based NAS server and MACOS Timemachine backup server. POE saves extra cable and power supply”
“Good product, very useful.
I have some bases for my pis so wi would be handy if it came with screws that would allow you to attach a base aswell as this hat, but this is not a big issue.”
“Super compact, comes with all the bits you need to mount, and is relatively easy to install. You might need a tool to help position and connect the PCI Flexible Printed Circuit if you don't have slender/nimble fingers. Pay attention to the instructions printed on it so you install it the correct way around.”
“provides 4.5 amps instead of the 5 required to work fully so will get a warning shown about below spec power and that peripherals will be deprived of full power. Not clear how others deliver 5 amps or higher from the same PoE+ power budget. Hat takes up the whole of the raspberry pi area with a very small section of holes so very little air circulation compared to some of the more open designs. The fan provided with the 'tall' 'hat compatible' aly case doesn't fit with the hat installed and the low profile blower fan/multi chip heatsink mentioned in the instructions isn't provided with either kit so have ended up putting the fan externally on top of the clear plastic for now.
Instructions limited and don't depict which way round the pcie flex is meant to insert and got it right first time but didn't work as wasn't far enough inserted or something and turned it round tried again and only when trying it the original way again after finding another PI5 pcie hat video that confirmed it did it work. Also didn't really show the 4 pin power jumper and only seeing it unused on the desk and being aware it was required for passing through PoE from the network interface made me look more closely.
Worked at PCI3 speeds without issue and very fast 1GB/s speeds, bearly see the boot process just apears at the desktop in moments. Is very quiet compared to many PoE devices and looks to use a high quality solid capacitor.
The power and activity lights are very bright and can be seen clearly through the smoked acrylic top of the tall aluminium case.”
