Beeline

[Grldtnr]

Sometimes they come up on fleabay, but tend to be older versions, the Velo has been updated once, but the velo version is ok once you learn hoe it works , but the Moto 2 system works better,
I don't think they 'do' offers much , you might find a discount on a Youtubers links , but it's been out a while now.

[Cowsham]

Sometimes they come up on fleabay, but tend to be older versions, the Velo has been updated once, but the velo version is ok once you learn hoe it works , but the Moto 2 system works better,
I don't think they 'do' offers much , you might find a discount on a Youtubers links , but it's been out a while now.

I assumed the Moto version would have power from the motorcycle -- does it have it's own battery you charge up before you set sail?

[simonhill]

You can charge the the Moto directly from your motorbike.. I think they can supply some sort of charger that plugs into a motorbike's socket (??).

My question would be about charging the VeloII. They say you use a USB-C cable and I assume you plug it into your phone charger. Nowadays these vary greatly in power. The ones I have scattered around home are all old quite low power, so probably fine

The one I take on tour is a two pin, so no plug adaptor needed, high power unit suitable for my fairly modern phone. It would be a real drag if after getting a small unit I then had to take another lower power charger and a plug adaptor (three pin to two pin). Oh well, I'll have to see.

[deeferdonk]

You can charge the the Moto directly from your motorbike.. I think they can supply some sort of charger that plugs into a motorbike's socket (??).

My question would be about charging the VeloII. They say you use a USB-C cable and I assume you plug it into your phone charger. Nowadays these vary greatly in power. The ones I have scattered around home are all old quite low power, so probably fine

The one I take on tour is a two pin, so no plug for. adaptor needed, high power unit suitable for my fairly modern phone. It would be a real drag if after getting a small unit I then had to take another lower power charger and a plug adaptor three pin to two pin. Oh well, I'll have to see.

As long as you are using something that complies to the USB standard you will be fine. Looking on the beeline site - it doesn't come with its own charger - just a USB cable that you can plug into any standard USB plug charger. Probably worth having a charger with at least two USB sockets on it though so you can charge it and your phone at the same time when you have opportunity.

[AndyB1]

I use a powerbank to charge my phone and Beeline, but the Beeline does not need charging that often. I then charge the powerbank from the mains so if there are any surges the more expensive gear does not get damaged. It also means I have +2 days power if no mains supply available.

[Cowsham]

I bought a bigblue 28w solar panel a couple of years ago -- glad I did -- works very well -- I leave it out charging my battery bank inside my base camp tent while away cycling around wherever I'm at so I then charge everything off that when I return to the tent.

Price has rocketed ( like everything else )
BigBlue 28W Foldable Solar Charger with 3 USB Ports (5V/4.8A Total) Portable and Waterproof Solar Panel + 4 Steel Hooks Compatible with Phone, Huawei, Xiaomi, Samsung Galaxy: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo https://share.google/eHqIsmDVdaG0vkhG3

[Grldtnr]

Sometimes they come up on fleabay, but tend to be older versions, the Velo has been updated once, but the velo version is ok once you learn hoe it works , but the Moto 2 system works better,
I don't think they 'do' offers much , you might find a discount on a Youtubers links , but it's been out a while now.

I assumed the Moto version would have power from the motorcycle -- does it have it's own battery you charge up before you set sail?

No , you don't need to charge on the go, it's got a 10hr run time, which is more than enough in usual circumstances, most modern motorcycles come with a USB -C ,you run a risk of draining your phone before the Beeline.
I carry a small powerbank if I m on either my Bicycle or Mobo, ,I'm usually camping anyway so it's not a problem ,

[Cowsham]

No , you don't need to charge on the go, it's got a 10hr run time, which is more than enough in usual circumstances, most modern motorcycles come with a USB -C ,you run a risk of draining your phone before the Beeline.
I carry a small powerbank if I m on either my Bicycle or Mobo, ,I'm usually camping anyway so it's not a problem ,

Thanks -- I do the same ie always camping whether on cycle or motorcycle and carry a couple of power banks since I'm away for two weeks at a time but the last couple of years I've had a bigblue folding solar panel with me which was a great addition to my gear.

I'll leave one power bank charging at the tent from solar while away cycling around etc so it's ready to charge my phone ( and other stuff ) over night

[Cowsham]

Well that's the beeline ordered -- no special offers accept ANDREW26732 which still works thanks Andy.

Getting close to my wee week away so need to get used to using it before hand. I'll report back my experience in the next few days.

[Cowsham]

Well I've played with my new toy for a few days/rides now and I like it. First of all it makes a great clock. Not being funny but I've been using my Cateye Velo 9 as a clock ( it does speed distance calories burned and daft stuff like that ) but it's only LCD -- it has no backlight and seeing the time on my commute to work is the essential thing I need above everything else. The Beeline has an led screen so it's easy to see the time just a click of a ( real ) button away.

I like the way the buttons are on the bottom plate of the device which is then covered by the rubber case.

The 4 buttons are intuitive with helpful corresponding ques from the screen. Whoever designed this put good thought behind it.

When I have the navigation screen on and want to see the time or speed or other screens they are all just one press away and if I've been watching the time, when navigating and I'm close to a turning point it'll bring up the direction screen telling me how far away the turn is 100 yards out and beep once then at the turn it beeps twice. After it's done that and I'm on the set path it turns back to whatever screen I was on before ie the time screen.

It has several options for units but you also can have a mix of units eg I can have yards and miles ( my preferred) or meters and miles or yards and kilometers etc.

Battery life is days / weeks and there's a battery screen which shows capacity left for both Beeline and your phone.

[simonhill]

I agree with Cowsham's review above.

I got mine a couple of weeks ago but only really used it when away last weekend. Couldn't see any point before that for my daily seafront ride .

Most of the cycling routes I knew so it was hardly guiding me but it knew all the right turns so I suppose that's job done.

I like the little screen that pops up when climbing. Who knew Essex was so hilly, +200 metres on a fairly gentle ride

I did also use it for a little bit of zigzag around a few roads where I was looking for a specific thing and it coped with that fine.

Easy and simple to use. Unobtrusive. Very impressed and a pretty good price.

[Cowsham]

Most of the cycling routes I knew so it was hardly guiding me but it knew all the right turns so I suppose that's job done.

I thought I knew all the local routes but it showed me there was a new way up to a road via a small path up onto a bridge. A path I didn't know existed in a town near me.

[MrsHJ]

It’s nice to see people enjoying the beeline. I like the low tech approach very much. I’ve just ordered the stem mount so I’m going to pop that on the bike today. Looks like a beautiful weekend so I’ll be getting some miles in pre tour.

[Cowsham]

It’s nice to see people enjoying the beeline. I like the low tech approach very much. I’ve just ordered the stem mount so I’m going to pop that on the bike today. Looks like a beautiful weekend so I’ll be getting some miles in pre tour.

Same here - our weather has been unusually good ( for April ) all week. In March I was putting in some miles in terrible weather ( one ride in the sleet ) in preparation for next weeks cycle holiday. Just hope the weather holds for the actual holiday. Also getting the garden into shape.

[Grldtnr]

Could be just me, orva combination nofvtech issues.
Recently changed my phone & data plan, noticed a glitch,
On my old phone, you could turn of the screen, and pocket the phone, and it still worked.
Now, it seems a bit Tempamental, can't turn of screen on the phone, and it randomly disconnects and reconnects, it still navigates, but possible it will miss a vital turn whilst it's dithering.
Another glitch is in cycle mode it directs me to a river ford, which I know isn't cyclable unless at extreme low tide ( I know the crossing, so it's avoidable), but it might direct me to some ford which isn't, on a unknown route).
It's the Moto ll version the Velo ll might not do that, so I will need to plan in Motorcycle mode to check in future,
Another glitch is preferences mode , in the Moto mode you can choose paved or unpaved, in Velo mode, you can't , hence I suppose this dicey fording issue
Luckily, I am aware of most usable fordings in my riding areas.
Something bto bring to Beelines attention.