Motorcycle GPS Speedometer: Beeline Moto
What Are We Looking At Here?
The Beeline Moto Motorcycle GPS Speedometer is a wireless device that mounts to your motorcycle. It is paired and operated with a smartphone app which has two navigation modes, Route and Compass. These allow you to either follow planned rides, or a general direction to a destination. Map data is drawn from Google Maps, providing worldwide coverage to the Beeline Moto Motorcycle GPS Speedometer.
Features - Motorcycle GPS Speedometer
Construct & Sensors
• ABS plastic (machined zinc alloy on metal version).
• TPU and silicone rubber shell.
• Accelerometer, for monitoring position and pace.
• Gyroscope, for measuring angular velocity.
• Magnetometer, for measuring the immediately surrounding magnetic field’s direction.
Screen
• 26mm diameter active area, covered by toughened bonded glass.
• LCD screen, with 208 x 208 resolution, 287 PPI.
• Fully IP67 water resistant and shock proof.
• Anti-glare sunlight readability.
• Automatic LED backlight for night time visibility.
• Speedo/Clock/Trip display options.
ABS plastic construct, and silicone rubber shell
LCD screen (metal version)
Battery
• Rechargeable Lithium 400mAh battery.
• USB-A charger with pogo pin interface.
• 30 hour battery life (10 with backlight on).
• Standby life 4 – 6 months.
Practicality
• Universal mounting (different options).
• English, German, French, Japanese languages.
• Metric or imperial units.
• Ride tracking and sharing capabilities.
• GPX ride import functions.
• Four large, glove friendly, buttons.
• Lifetime app and firmware updates.
Modes - Motorcycle GPS Speedometer
There are two modes to choose from when using the Beeline Moto Motorcycle GPS Speedometer. They are called Route, and Compass. To select a mode, tap on Fast or Fun for Route modes, or Compass mode above the ‘Go’ button.
Route Mode
In this mode users can plan a route from start to end, first by entering their destination, which will be signified by a chequered flag. The app will automatically select the fastest route, according to any specified settings in the Options menu (in the top right corner), which can include avoiding toll roads and motorways. Fun routes will prioritise windier roads, and avoid motorways.
By tapping on the map, on the set route, users are able to set and adjust waypoints, signified by numbered pins. Destinations can be converted to waypoints, by adding further waypoints beyond the current destination, thus extending the overall route, bit by bit. These can be also be deleted.
Once the route is complete, it can be stored by tapping the ‘Save Route’ button in the Options menu.
Fast in Route Mode
Fun in Route Mode
To begin riding the route, tap the ‘Go’ button in the bottom right corner of the app display, and the directions will appear on the device. Alternatively, your phone can be used to display the navigation. Along the way, the device will display corner markers, roundabout exits and junction exits. At upcoming exits, a miniature image of the roundabout or junction will appear.
Your journey progress is indicated by a metered bar at the top of the device’s display. The direction of the upcoming turn is indicated by a small dot, which is above the arrow indicating the general direction you need to be following. The distance to the next turn is displayed, with either metric or imperial units below it.
Compass Mode
As in Route mode, the user enters their desired destination. Instead of selecting the fastest option, the app will display the route as a straight line. Tap ‘Go’ to begin the navigation.
During the ride, the device will simply display the general direction you need to follow to reach your destination, indicated by an arrow. It will also show you the distance left to the destination, with the measurement in either metric or imperial units. There are no prompts for corners, roundabouts or junctions. This allows the rider to choose their own route, as they ride it.
Compass Mode
Route Preferences
Pricing - Motorcycle GPS Speedometer
Prices range depending on model, starting from £140 for the basic black version.
This includes the Beeline Moto Motorcycle GPS Speedometer – Black, USB Charging Cable, Sticky Pad Mount, Universal Elastic Strap Mount, and a Quickstart Guide.
The more durable and stylish metal versions can be bought for £170, and come packaged with all the above mentioned accessories.
There are no subscription fees or in-app purchases necessary to access all available features.
Variants - Motorcycle GPS Speedometer
Accessories - Motorcycle GPS Speedometer
Requirements - Motorcycle GPS Speedometer
Phone requirements include Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, and either an Apple iPhone running iOS 13 or above, or an Android device with Google Play, running Oreo 8.0 or above.
Compatible Phones:
• iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, SE (all generations), 7, 8, X, XR, XS, 11, 11 Pro, 12, 12 Pro, 13, 13 Pro
• Google Pixel, Pixel 2, Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 6
• Samsung Galaxy S8, S10, S20, S21, A7, A21s, A50
• Huawei P10 Plus, P20 Lite, P30 Pro
• Xiaomi POCO F1, POCO M3 Pro
• Motorola G6 Play
Other phones may be compatible as long they meet the aforementioned requirements, and have data available (for re-routing, route planning, sharing and updates.)
Alternative Options
Calimoto
Website and app for trip planning, tracking and GPS navigation.
Rever
Website and app for route planning, tracking, navigation and social aspects.
ULTIMATEADDONS Mount Case
Waterproof phone mount and case, attachments and extender.
Pros
1. Small & Lightweight – At just 49.8mm in diameter, and 18.6mm in depth, the Beeline Moto Motorcycle GPS Speedometer is easily packable, or even pocketable. Weighing a tiny 30g means it’s almost unnoticeable on your person. Careful not to lose it!
2. Future Proof – The assuring guarantee of lifetime firmware and app updates extends the longevity of this product, which has other longer standing Sat-Nav brands to compete with. Knowing the item won’t be outdated tech in a few years is essential before spending your hard earned cash.
3. Choice Of Modes – Sometimes we want to get from A to B as quick as possible, but as motorcyclists, we usually like to take the back roads. With the user friendly route planning (or freestyling!) app, we can select Compass mode, and let our inner adventurers loose. It’s easy to add waypoints to include preferred roads or POIs, and once you get used to it, it’s a very intuitive app.
4. Subtle & Sleek – The smart design of the device blends into your motorcycle’s handlebar area, or sits unobtrusively by the wing mirror. The LCD display is clear to read at a glance, at night or in bright sunlight, so you can save the strain and keep your eyes on the road.
Cons
1. Scuffs & Scratches – Without the additional carry case, the device is prone to external damage over time. Although this doesn’t make it unusable, it does subtract from the smooth aesthetic design.
2. Longer Journeys Than Expected – This problem arises occasionally when avoiding motorways in the settings, as it will sometimes also avoid A roads, which then sends you into traffic laden town centres and down residential streets. It’s better to plan a route, then download the GPX, to avoid being taken into built up areas.
3. Lack Of A Line – With other GPS systems, the well recognised blue line of direction is often all I look at. Even if I lose Bluetooth or data connectivity, I can still follow that, at least. In the case of the Beeline Moto Motorcycle GPS Speedometer, you are left blind at these points, and although it’s a rare occurrence, it can be unsettling.
4. No Audio Prompts – Unfortunately, it’s not possible to connect a headset to the app or device. This means you can’t receive any audible assistance en route, so you have to look down at the screen. Maybe an improvement for future versions.
So, What's The Verdict?
Combining the best features of all the alternatives, the Beeline Moto Motorcycle GPS Speedometer is convenient, reliable and user friendly. With clear, plain-to-see direction, and worldwide coverage, it can be used fuss free for all riding purposes.
In terms of size, it’s easy to travel with, mount and remove from the bike, and can be stored practically anywhere. With the case, it’s well protected off the bike, and whilst riding, the IP67 waterproofing prevents rain breaching and damaging the technical components. It’s a long-lasting item with low maintenance.
Although it can be unnerving at times, you get used to the minimalistic display, and this can even end up enhancing your rides. Compass mode offers less restricted guidance, and increases that feeling of freedom synonymous with motorcycling. Perfect for those lazy days of riding when the journey is more important than the destination.
For me, this is a well-designed, more refined option to other, chunkier, GPS devices. As an alternative to using your phone, which can now be kept safely in your pocket, the shock proof device does all the grunt work. To sum it up, it’s the convenient simplicity that is the beauty behind the Beeline Moto Motorcycle GPS Speedometer.