Ducati V21 L MotoE prototype revealed in full, Six motorcycle brands leading the electric revolution, /bikesocial/reviews/products/motorcycle-technology/beeline-moto-review-navigation-sat-nav, bikesocial/reviews/Products/motorcycle-technology/beeline-moto-review-navigation-sat-nav, Tested: Beeline Moto review | A new way to navigate, Date reviewed: May 2020 | Tested by: John Milbank | Price: 149 |, The Beeline moto on review here is an alternative to the usual sat-navs from the likes of. As the journey progressed, Id see roads I liked the look of and would take them, the Beeline always pointing at where my final destination was. The side buttons allow you to scroll through the pages on the device. In Compass Mode, where you go is of course up to you, but in Route Mode, if you run off course the device can automatically redirect you, or it can be left for you to tap the top button to do it manually. There are separate fixings available, including mirror mounts, RAM ball adaptors and bar clamps, or you can choose an additional mount with a bundle pack for 15 more. Gives live traffic and weather updates. 913949). Going back to basics is sometimes whats needed to shake things up and it feels like Beeline Moto has done just that for the motorcycle GPS market. This website uses cookies. Using the app, you can easily choose the units you want displayed from the following: Its great to find the device so simple and easy to set up no long lists of options or settings, just the bare minimum for an intuitive system. Date reviewed: May 2020 | Tested by: John Milbank | Price: 149 | beeline.co. In Compass Mode, you need toyoure your common sense, have a vague idea of the destination, and keep an eye on road signs. Copyright 2018 1FNGR.com. Planning this kind of journey is just a matter of toggling Route Mode once youve set your destination. As you would imagine, in compass mode the Beeline arrow points me to the first way point, then the second and then to Uig. The new toughest automatic timepiece in town, It's an ultra-stylish urban backpack, not a canister for carrying fuel, The smartphone thats as rugged as the iconic off-roader, Sign-up to our newsletter to get road trips, news and reviews delivered to your inbox. Route mode is for when you need to get somewhere rather than just being out for a ride. Unlike a proper sat-nav, theres no option to touch a button and find the nearest fuel stop. Currently you cant do that even in the app, instead needing to stop the current journey and plan a new one, turning Route Mode on this time (though as recent searches show at the top of the list, this takes seconds). Bennetts is a trading name of Bennetts Motorcycling Services Limited, registered in England and Wales (company number 11453343) with its registered office at 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX. The Beeline Moto solves this with their small universal elastic strap mount that can be discretely fixed to your handlebars. The Beeline Moto works anywhere in the world. If getting somewhere at an exact time with the minimum of fuss is what matters to you, Id think carefully before choosing this over a proper sat-nav (or even using your phone strapped to the bars). $("#country_code").html(response.country_code); It couldnt be easier to unclip it and shove it in a jacket pocket when parked up at a service station. When you ride for fun and enjoyment a big part of that buzz comes from the freedom we feel when we hit the road on two wheels. While it wasnt the longest route, Beeline turned that trip into a 36-mile journey that took me over two hours on my ZX-6R. The device is easily removed so you can take it off and slip it in your pocket whenever you are leaving your motorcycle unattended. Ive included one of my watches in the photos for scale so you can see just how discrete the Beeline Moto is, actual width of the device is just 1 3/4 inches or 45mm. Between these options, I had no problem fitting the device to the Kawasaki Versys 1000 (using the GoPro mount), my Kawasaki ZX-6R (using the strap mount on the fairing stay), and the Royal Enfield Interceptor (using the strap mount on the bars). As well as the displays shown above there is also a speedometer which I imagine is for if you use it in the optional cycling mode. It looks great and is ideal for classics, retros and naked bikes, It is free to use anywhere in the world forever never be asked to pay for maps again, It is IP67 rated 100% water and shock proof, You dont have to wire it up to your bike works straight out of the box, Has a cycle mode for those of you who do a bit of mountain biking, Elastic straps for above (comes with 3 sizes, 2 not shown in photo). Zooming in will give the level of detail needed for densely-populated areas; the only thing I found lacking was an easy way to create a circular route; you can do it, but you need to draw it around and find a location near (but not on top of) your start point, or set a destination, pull out a couple of waypoints, then touch the destination and set it to your start point. }, "jsonp"); This charger will allow you to charge your Beeline Moto. You can delete or block all cookies but some parts of the website will not work. Because your phones screen doesnt need to be on, the power drain is much reduced compared to using the phone to navigate. The app is beautifully simple. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. I know it wouldn't go on the handlebar but somewhere else? Twist your Beeline Moto on the front of the charger to alignthe USB-A pogo pins with the back of your Beeline Moto. The only limitation I managed to find with GPX import was when trying to install the, the one file is broken into sections, so while the BMW Motorrad connected app recognised them and gave me the option to save all the sections or individually, Beeline only showed one small section. Consumer Editor of Bennetts BikeSocial, John's owned over 20 bikes, has been testing motorcycle kit for more than 25 years and is amember of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators, and part of the Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group. It guides you turn by turn much like any other Sat Nav. 345 at Sports Bike Shop and includes free shipping. Tested: Ultimate Addons bike phone mount review, Tested: Viofo MT1 motorcycle dash cam review, Tested: Zona motorcycle rear view system prototype review, Brilliant compass mode encourages exploration of new roads, Very easy route planning with surprising control if you want it, Not as accurate or easy to read as a full-spec sat-nav. I just got a Beeline and used it today for the first time. In complex road systems it might take a little longer to find your destination, but Compass Mode is not about getting there quickly; its about enjoying the ride. On the Beeline, youre relying on a count-down to the next junction, a dot and an arrow. Tested: Insta360 One X2 review | The best way to film a motorcycle, First impressions: Nuviz motorcycle head-up display review, Omnicharge Omni Mobile 12800 Pro review | Premium quality portable power bank, Tested: Nuviz motorcycle head-up display (HUD) review, Tested: Scottoiler xSystem automatic chain oiler review, Tested: Schuberth SC1 communication system intercom review, Tested: Sena 5S Bluetooth motorcycle intercom review, Tested: Sena 10U motorcycle intercom review, Tested: Sena 50R Bluetooth intercom review, Tested: Sena 50S Bluetooth motorcycle intercom review, Tested: Sena SRL Bluetooth intercom for Shoei Neotec II review, Tested: SP Connect motorcycle phone mount review, Tested: Thinkware Sports M1 motorcycle dash-cam review, Tested: TomTom Rider 500 & 550 sat-nav review. The above images show a recent route I set up on the Beeline app for a motorcycle camping trip, the first is in route mode while the second is in compass mode. If you do decide to buy then the order here links above come with free shipping for both the UK and the USA and if you purchase the gun metal premium edition they throw in the free carry case shown above thats handy for storing both your device and the charger when you are off your bike. Route Mode is by far the most comprehensive and it offers a bit of additional information to keep you on track. Getting bogged down in social media sharing and average speed data sort of misses the point of Beeline Moto, which is simplicity defined. For information including how to stop them,click Cookie Policy. Once attached to your bars you offer up the actual navigation device and it connects to the mount via a twist and turn that locks it into place. I purchased my Beeline Moto last summer for a road trip and you can read on to find out why I believe its the best motorcycle Sat Nav available today. The Beeline Moto works with all iPhones and all the flagship Android phones. If you ride for fun and enjoyment though then the Beeline Moto should be your first choice. Bike obsessive, American truck fan and lifelong car-lover. It has also been lab-tested for shock resistance. Unfortunately, its not possible to export your routes as a GPX for use on other devices all you can currently do is share the route line overlaid on a background or pic of your choice. And who doesnt travel without a smartphone charging cable these days? This is the premium version with a gun metal grey finish. If you use a Beeline Moto Nav you know it runs on a rechargeable internal battery. The Beeline Moto navigation device pairs with your smartphone and follows routes you plan using the free Beeline app. Whats important to understand is that the Beeline is about using road signs; Ive got lazy through using my TomTom, not taking any notice of road signs or land-marks, simply letting the sat-nav tell me which turn to take next. Login with username, password and session length. Unfortunately, its not possible to export your routes as a GPX for use on other devices all you can currently do is share the route line overlaid on a background or pic of your choice. The app is beautifully simple. To review the Compass Mode, I set Chris Walker Kawasaki as the destination. This is the one I purchased so all images throughout my review show this version. I found some great roads while I was at it, and because the app automatically records your journey, you can ride it again if you want, or simply identify the best bits you want to revisit. But thats to have missed the point of the Beeline this isnt for when youre not in a rush, its for enjoying a ride and getting back to some of the simplicity of being on a motorcycle. Sometimes, the route mapping can deliver you just out of reach of your destination so its worth checking before you set off. With the route planned, you can touch anywhere to add a waypoint, then drag it, or search for a new location. Finally, the mapping while great isnt always accurate enough. The only limitation I managed to find with GPX import was when trying to install the entire Trans European Trail for the UK the one file is broken into sections, so while the BMW Motorrad connected app recognised them and gave me the option to save all the sections or individually, Beeline only showed one small section. This means I get to enjoy my ride and the surroundings rather than constantly checking the Beeline for my next turn. It does not work with a Beeline Velo. The display has a neat little icon for roundabouts with the exit number to take inside this is a little small, but its the only part of the device that can be tricky to read; its a shame really that all of the 42mm glass isnt screen; only a diameter of 26mm is used, but it works. Its a very minor quibble, as most will select the correct mount for their chosen machine, and fastening it to a Triumph Speed Twin later in the week was far easier. The icon under the arrow shows the fork I need to take in the road. You can download it now from the App Store or Google Play (search for Beeline bike navigation) and have a mess around with it. Looking at full navigation first, planning a route is incredibly quick and easy from Peterborough to Lands End is calculated in a couple of seconds. While you do of course need to have your phone connected to the device, which will drain its power, its not too significant; I got to Dorset while also streaming music to my Sena without running out of power. Directly to your inbox. We're always reviewing our routing providers and may change this in the future., The Beeline is charged using a cradle that picks up on these two pins on the back. All Rights Reserved. A lack of vocal prompts and visual reminders means journeys with lots of directional changes will require a fair few screen checks, but it soon becomes second nature. If your route is on Google maps (over 90% of the worlds roads are) then youre good to go. BikeSocial digital products are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. These were usually caused by the fact that the distance reading to each turn can be as much as 20-50m out, which in busier road networks can see you sailing past the junction or in the wrong lane for a turn. I asked Beeline about integrating closed roads and accident data into the app, and was told We are currently using MapBox for routing at the moment but it's possible that they are not always as up-to-date as Google is on closed roads. Where the Beeline Moto unit really shines though is its compass mode. Theres a progress marker that shows how far you are through your journey, but this doesnt seem to get much bigger on longer journeys; Ive not found this feature to be much help. If you find yourself veering off course but youre enjoying the road you are on you can just turn off further on down the road. If you return your order anytime within 30 days, we'll send you your money back. Posted on Published: 23/01/2022- Last updated: 23/07/2022. Mounted to the Versys 1000 using the included GoPro-compatible mount, I never had any issues with seeing the display. Fasten it the handlebars, fire up the app and the tiny unit immediately springs to life with a big arrow to point the rider in the direction of travel. Itd be great to see the option to set a destination, then have the app find one route there and another back. Order from Sports Bike Shop using the button below and get free shipping for both USA and UK. Irritatingly, the Ducati Diavel I was luckily piloting during this test featured quite steeply swept-back bars, meaning I could never quite get the mount in a position where the Beeline Motos screen was flat and, therefore, easy to read without any head movement. Brilliantly simple and a world-apart from the faff required for larger proper sat-navs. The GPS accuracy will of course be influenced by where your phone is (remember the Beeline device doesnt have its own GPS chip), but I had my Galaxy S10 in my pocket on the way to Dorset, and in the top of my Kawasaki Versys 1000s top box on the way back. Bennetts Motorcycling Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the, For information including how to stop them,click, Leather jackets, trousers and race suit reviews, Motorcycle textile jackets, trousers & suit reviews, Maintenance, servicing and services reviews. Using compass mode the Beeline Moto navigation system allows me to keep that freedom while at the same time pointing me in the general direction of my final destination. The settings on the device are only for unpairing and for checking the firmware version, but when the app is connected, the two side buttons allow you to flick between navigation, speed, distance to destination and trip, time and trip time, and battery level of the Beeline and your phone. Order using the button below and get free shipping to both USA and UK plus they also throw in the Beeline Moto carry case as a bonus. You dont need the device connected to plan a route, and recent searches show up as you type. 5.5 inch ultrabright display but water resistant only, not waterproof. I only glance occasionally at the arrow just to ensure Im still heading in the right direction. With no live traffic data, its possible to get stuck if youre unlucky, as I found out on the M3. No questions asked. Itd be great to be able to skip a waypoint in Route Mode in the same way you can in Compass Mode. Thats arguably the biggest bugbear, especially as I couldnt mount the Beeline Moto in my natural field of vision. You have an arrow pointing the way you need to go, a dot either side showing you the next turn direction, a countdown telling you when that next turn is and a journey progress showing you how far you have travelled and how far there is still to go. The auto-fill also works well, and theres no problem looking for specific places like the Super Sausage Caf or Chris Walker Kawasaki, rather than having to find the postcode; something thats not always that easy on a fully-fledged sat-nav. You can see from the images that I had set a couple of way points for potential campsites. Both are from Heysham port to the Uig ferry terminal but while the route mode works like traditional Sat Navs do and gives turn by turn directions, the compass mode simply points me in the general direction of my destination. document.getElementById("worldwide_shipping_product").style.display = 'none'; The twist/lock mechanism is the same (or very similar) to those used by cycling computers, meaning the base can be mounted using a universal elastic strap mechanism that you might find on a Garmin device, for example. TomTom vs Garmin review: Which is the best motorcycle sat-nav? A charging cradle is supplied, powered by any USB supply, as well as a useful printed quick-start guide as soon as I unplugged the device from the charger, it showed a link to the app and the ID of the device. It just does does it in a minimalist way. The navigation display itself is cleverly compact, but it does take a little getting used to; fortunately theres a neat tutorial built into the settings on the app.