News: Making a Beeline for a better Ride!

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With winter leaving Europe and spring moving in (excluding the UK!) many of us might be thinking of heading out on our bikes either for fitness or to commute.  Alternatively, you could be visiting a new city and decide to make use of the local bicycle rental scheme to get yourself about.

In a car, satellite navigation is easy to hear and follow, on a bicycle however, not so much.  The team at Beeline have torn up the rule book and created a brilliant alternative to “run of the mill” navigation, with a device that gets you to where you want to go, via the route you choose to go!

Beeline – Smart Navigation, made Simple

This navigation device has removed all of the information that clutter most others on the market, and instead leaves you with what really matters when you are on your bicycle.  How far you are from your location and in what direction it is from you.

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In short you pick the route, adapt to traffic, road works, dead ends etc while Beeline keeps you pointing in the right direction.  Giving you the confidence to take on any city while enjoying and being aware of your surroundings at all times.

Instead of showing a prescribed route, Beeline strips navigation back to basics by simply showing you the direction to your destination and the distance to go. No rules, no instructions – you’re free to pick your own path/decide which turns to take.

The device itself is more like a compass, a very smart compass!  Getting it set up is easy, so you really can take this with you on your travels.

Attach the Beeline to your handlebars in the desired location and power it on.  You need to configure the unit when you first place it on a new bicycle, but even that is a fun experience, just lift the front wheel and twist to fill in the image on screen. Simple!

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Once you have paired the device to your smartphone via Bluetooth using the free App (Android | iOS), you tap in where you want to get to and the Beeline keeps you heading in the right direction.  The path you choose, is up to you!

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The app not only lets you set your destination but also permits waypoints.  You can save addresses for future and ease of use.

The unit is durable and waterproof, so it can be used in all types of weather.  The backlit e-paper screen is visible under any conditions so you can still see the information in direct sunlight.  You don’t need to worry about being caught short without your Beeline either, the battery will last around 10-20 hours between charges.

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Of course, using the Beeline on your bicycle is only one option.  You could attach it to your handbag or rucksack instead of walking around a city with your expensive smartphone in your hand providing directions!

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The Beeline has finished it’s crowd funding on Kickstarter and is now available for general sale at £99, with the promise of more features to be added!

Tom Payne
Tom, Editor. An online publication providing news & reviews on apps, gadgets and luggage for the connected traveller.

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