Beeline Moto Sat Nav

[Skub]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194571130227 ... BMtM6_0Plf

Any use?

Mixed reviews on the Tube of You suggest it might not bee (ha) for everyone,but then what is?

I know it's not as detailed as a proper sat nav,that's even one of it's selling points,but I wonder if it goes too much the other way and doesn't give enough information.

Say I don't want blow by blow/turn by turn directions on my trip,but something to keep me pointed in the right direction and get me there eventually,will it do that,kinda like a tricked out compass?

Has any of you folk used one?

[Felix]

Just use one of the free apps for your phone. No need for data as they use GPS. Navfree or Mapfactor Navigator are good and do regular free map upgrades. You wont get live traffic or speed cam locations in the free version though but i think you can still buy free addons. May as well try them as its free, just add a USB slot to the bike to keep the phone charged. Only pain in the arse what remembering to put the phone in flight mode before use as if anyone calls it will take away the navigation to take the call.

[Skub]

I don't like the idea of a phone out in the elements and I don't want anything chirping in my ear.

[Ditchfinder]

I have one and find out detailed enough in rural and sub urban areas, complicated junctions need a bit more attention than a big screen sat Nov. Battery life is good and it doesn't drain phone badly if you remember to turn screen off before you put it in your pocket.

App works ok is easy to use.

Mounts are solid and good quality.

One gripe I have is you can't track your ride if you don't plan it first.

[tricol]

I've had one for a while now, echo pretty much what @Ditchfinder has said.

It struggles in towns with complicated junctions, but out on the more open roads it works well. Battery life is good and I like the small form factor.

I hate the look of massive phones on mounts on bikes.

[Taipan]

When I saw the advert for them I thought it was a brilliant idea and I'd get one. I rarely need a sat nav but thought this would save mounting a bike specific one or risk my phone for the rear occasion I could do with one. Then I saw the price and thought it was far too expensive for what it was? I'm also not sure I'd be able to see the dot thing moving about without my reading glasses on but I cant wear them when riding, so that killed it off...

[asmethurst99]

I’ve had one ages - used it for the first time a few weeks ago - it’s a bit small and I found it need to be mounted in your eyeline- it works though.
I’ve got a week off so will try a bit harder - last time I used it ,it decided to do a software update on the app which used a lot of battery.
I also didn’t read the instructions …..

[Supermofo]

I should imagine it'd be even harder than my Tom Tom is to navigate complicated junctions as at least I have a map of sorts on screen but other than that most of the time you just need the left/right/straight on parts. I presume you can plan your own route on it via an app?

I think the place the bike navs win is the on the fly twist road functions but they are bloody pricey. I was lucky as I got a PPI claim of £300 back which just happened to be the exact amount for the TomTom I was looking at But having said that if mine went wonky I'd probably fork out for another one just as they are so damn handy. Hopefully mine lasts a long time yet (crossing fingers, toes and touching wood)

[Dodgy69]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194571130227 ... BMtM6_0Plf

Any use?

Mixed reviews on the Tube of You suggest it might not bee (ha) for everyone,but then what is?

I know it's not as detailed as a proper sat nav,that's even one of it's selling points,but I wonder if it goes too much the other way and doesn't give enough information.

Say I don't want blow by blow/turn by turn directions on my trip,but something to keep me pointed in the right direction and get me there eventually,will it do that,kinda like a tricked out compass?

Has any of you folk used one?

More suited for a boat I would imagine.

[ogri]

You can get a free en
field with them too

[ajlog]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194571130227 ... BMtM6_0Plf

Any use?

Mixed reviews on the Tube of You suggest it might not bee (ha) for everyone,but then what is?

I know it's not as detailed as a proper sat nav,that's even one of it's selling points,but I wonder if it goes too much the other way and doesn't give enough information.

Say I don't want blow by blow/turn by turn directions on my trip,but something to keep me pointed in the right direction and get me there eventually,will it do that,kinda like a tricked out compass?

Has any of you folk used one?

I’ve had one for about 18months, and I use it for pretty much what you describe.

It took a couple of rides to get used to what the symbols were telling me without having to think about it, now it’s pretty intuitive and I find that I’m using it without thinking about it.
Put it another way I would miss it if I set off for a rode without it.

The app is also good, when you set a destination it gives you an option of routes from fast to fun and twisty, that you can edit and save.
It also keeps a track of your rides with a heat map showing all of the rides you’ve done using the device.

There are a couple of things, remembering to take it off the bike when you stop somewhere, it’s so small and discrete that I often forget it.
Also rides always appear to take longer than they really are, you start the ride from the app so it starts timing before you actually set-off, then you manually need to stop the ride on the device or app, and many’s the time I forgot to stop it, so the ride is listed as taking about an hour or so more than it really was.

[Skub]

I had my first run today using the Beeline. I started off plotting a course on roads I know,just to get used to the symbols,etc. Then I got more adventurous and had it take me through a busy town to a destination I'd never have found quickly. It behaved very well and got me there no problem.

As ajlog says,it'll take a while to get really at ease with it,but early indications are good.

[asmethurst99]

I’ve had one ages - used it for the first time a few weeks ago - it’s a bit small and I found it need to be mounted in your eyeline- it works though.
I’ve got a week off so will try a bit harder - last time I used it ,it decided to do a software update on the app which used a lot of battery.
I also didn’t read the instructions …..

I’ve also managed to import a Google maps route via gpx - I think there’s been a software update
(This may be old news but it’s an achievement as far as I’m concerned )
Just googled Google maps convert to gpx

[Rockburner]

I’ve had one ages - used it for the first time a few weeks ago - it’s a bit small and I found it need to be mounted in your eyeline- it works though.
I’ve got a week off so will try a bit harder - last time I used it ,it decided to do a software update on the app which used a lot of battery.
I also didn’t read the instructions …..

I’ve also managed to import a Google maps route via gpx - I think there’s been a software update
(This may be old news but it’s an achievement as far as I’m concerned )
Just googled Google maps convert to gpx

Which software do you use for the navigation? (ie, what do you import the GPX into?)

[asmethurst99]

I’ve had one ages - used it for the first time a few weeks ago - it’s a bit small and I found it need to be mounted in your eyeline- it works though.
I’ve got a week off so will try a bit harder - last time I used it ,it decided to do a software update on the app which used a lot of battery.
I also didn’t read the instructions …..

I’ve also managed to import a Google maps route via gpx - I think there’s been a software update
(This may be old news but it’s an achievement as far as I’m concerned )
Just googled Google maps convert to gpx

I made a map in Google maps and then saved it to Google drive - I then found a site that converts Google maps to GPX and convert it - I then go to the Beeline app and it when I get to “Plan a Journey”it asks whether I want to import a gpx file - do this then choose to use this from the app itself .
Easier to explain IRL I’d imagine
Edited to add - website https://mapstogpx.com/

[asmethurst99]