The plan is to get my BSA delivered after getting back from Spain and then just potter about and get lost. I have two GPS somewhere but don't know where. And they are over eight years old and like tying a brick on the handlebars. To find my way home, I am thinking over getting a Beeline device for about £190. They are small and won't overwhelm my poor mind with shit that I do not need. I just want to go home! I can use Google in my car, with my phone synching to the radio to read out instructions, but I want to keep the phone in my pocket when on the bike. I know that you can get clamps for phones to hold on the handlebars, but I don't want that. Anyone else got one, or used one? What are/were your rating of it?
I have the first version. Remarkably good if you position it high enough in your line of sight as you really need to keep an eye on it to avoid missing turns. On roundabouts it tells the exit number (1,2,3 etc…). It has an indicator for how much of your journey you have completed or remains. It kind of says if the road is going left or right ahead. I imagine the new version is even better. I asked them if they would allow V.1 users to upgrade for a discount……
I've got a MK2, big improvement over the MK1, very handy simple and informative bit of kit without the need for a full on satnav.
It’s the kind of essential kit you need when commuting up the A3 to London and doing the Dakar on weekends
Loads of different functions over the MK1, Odometer, accurate GPS Speedometer, displayed speed limits, turn by turn info, blinking light reminder of junctions ...etc. I am really impressed by what it can do - highly recommended as a reasonably priced compact Nav device.
The app can be a little clunky and it can still on occasion lose itself when there is a limited phone signal which will require a reset to prevent endless loops but in general the V2 is a really useful nav device.
I think that the Beeline pairs with your phone and uses that for some of the computation and also the GPS positioning. Unlike a traditional sat nav that fundamentally/largely operates independently from your phone. As a result you will need decent battery charge and maybe power to your phone for longer trips. As I understand it the Mk2 has the ability to plot/accept pre-planned routes though that may not be of interest to you.
I was getting excited by the Beeline until I realised it needs to be paired with your phone. Annoyingly the Diavel doesn't have any sort of power socket in the cockpit and the battery life on my Samsung is poor. There's a USB socket under the seat but I'm doubtful my phone will fit into the little compartment. Whether pairing the phone to the Beeline and running the app in the background uses less of its battery power than having it running continuously as a phone-nav I don't know. And what about power to the Beeline? Does it run all day off a battery charge or does it need its own power source?
Speed info, etc is a 'premium' app addition. I find the free app perfectly ok for my use, and it's also great for green-laning on- and off-tarmac as it takes gpx files from the OS-maps system
I think that I'll give it it a try. The Goldie has a USB port on a device on the handlebars and I am not really bothered about battery life of either. My needs are simple - I go out. Arse about for an hour or two and just want a route home. I understand that you can set it to "No Motorways" and that is perfect. I would get one now but I am off to Plymouth next monday and Spain on the Wednesday, sso I will leave it until I get back, I guess it would work in Spain, maybe?
