The refreshingly simple GPS computer - Beeline Velo 2 GPS Cycling Computer Review

The refreshingly simple GPS computer - Beeline Velo 2 GPS Cycling Computer Review - feat. Navigation

Рет қаралды 29,197

Күн бұрын

These days, it seems like most new cycling GPS computers are getting more expensive and complicated with advanced data metrics and capabilities. The new Beeline Velo 2 bucks that trend and offers a minimalist and intuitive cycling computer and routing software that utilizes user feedback for optimal routing. With the Velo 2, Beeline has retained the features that made the original Velo such a hit on Kickstarter but updated the user interface and added optional detailed navigation prompts. The Velo 2 retails for $97 and offers a new RockerTop interface with a LCD IPS circular display. In addition to the clever “compass” mode style navigation display that simply points in the direction of your destination, Beeline has incorporated a turn-by-turn navigation option with simple prompts.
Visually, the Beeline Velo 2 looks more like a smart watch than a traditional GPS computer. The Velo 2 has a compact round design with plastic housing and a circular LCD IPS display. With a 1.28 inch / 32.4 mm diameter, it's quite a bit smaller than the round CYCPLUS M2 and has a minimalist design and interface. Rather than using a touch screen interface or traditional spring loaded buttons, the Velo 2 uses what they call a RockerTop interface. It's similar to a D pad on a gaming controller and allows the Velo 2 to be slightly depressed in the top / bottom / left / right directions to activate the four buttons. We were impressed with the tactile feedback as each button has a distinct response when used, a big advantage over touch screen designs. Aside from the yellow underside of the Velo 2, it's a sleek looking GPS with minimal bezels.
The Velo 2 was designed for simplicity which means the user interface is also simple and easy. Unlike computers from Bryton or Coospo which have multi-level menus and customization, the Velo 2 is designed to only work with GPS and is ready to use out of the box. The main page boots up to a “Let’s Ride” screen which displays current time and total ride distance when connected to the app. A small bicycle graphic slides along the edges of the circular display based on the orientation of the computer which is fun to play with. Using the RockerTop interface you can simply push down on the top / bottom / left / right corners of the display to cycle through pages and options. The main page displays the odometer + time / battery status (and your cellphone battery status) and an option page (about + unpair from phone + legal). You can also adjust the screen brightness by pressing the left/right button on the battery display page.
... Read the full review @ thesweetcyclists.com/beeline-...
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00:00 Intro
00:10 Unboxing + Specs
01:50 Fit + Finish
03:35 Beeline App
06:09 On The Road
08:02 Comparison (CYCPLUS M2 / Bryton S800 / Coospo)
09:41 The Final Score
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Visit Our Website - thesweetcyclists.com/
Follow Us On Instagram - / thesweetcyclists
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Beeline - global.beeline.co/
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Пікірлер: 47

@rikkilambo 10 ай бұрын

That gyroscopic bicycle animation sold it for me.

@TheSweetCyclists 10 ай бұрын

Fun little details like the animated bike definitely make it more fun to use.

@vlvr Жыл бұрын

I have one of these and love it. I don't think your review really did it justice. You didn't mention that in addition to directions, it tracks and can display your speed, average speed, distance to destination, time to destination, current time, and distance travelled. You can also rate the roads you're on and Beeline will use this info to crowdsource the best routes. The turn-by-turn navigation beeps. So, when you're about 200 feet from your turn, the device will beep once, indicating that you can glance at it to see which direction you're going to turn. Then, when you're at the turn-point, it will beep twice indicating you should make that turn (you don't have to look at the device again, obviously). I agree with you that a Con is that you can't just hit Record on the device. It's my only Con, though. But I'm hopeful they fix this with a firmware update. I've had mine a few months and when it first shipped there was no Record / Free Ride option at all. They added it with a firmware update. Those saying you could just mount your phone on your bike and use the app or use Google Map are ignoring the fact that the point of this device is to not have you looking at a phone while riding your bike. When texts or calls come in, they are easily ignored because it's not happening right in front of you. Also, if you get in an accident, you're much less likely to damage your phone. I'd rather hurt a $100 device (which feels unlikely to get damaged in a crash anyway) than a $1200 phone.

@TheSweetCyclists Жыл бұрын

Good points. The article goes into more details about the road rating and the different data screens as well. I also agree, using a smart phone for navigation on a bike doesn't make much sense unless you are only doing it infrequently. Phones are big, expensive and will quickly drain the battery with the displays on.

@Pardus_1970 Жыл бұрын

I’ve just ordered one of this, does the mobile phone have to be located near to the device on a ride in order for it to work, or can I place my phone in saddle bag for instance ? Thanks

@vlvr Жыл бұрын

@@Pardus_1970 I believe Bluetooth is up to 30 feet so in your bag is fine. I put my phone in my frame bag.

@TheSweetCyclists Жыл бұрын

@@Pardus_1970 It's a standard bluetooth connection so you can put it in pockets/backpack without an issue. You should be able to even go up to 30 feet or more away and still maintain a connection depending on the environment.

@Lewis-op9zp 7 ай бұрын

I ❤ the way you say 'button'! Nice review thank you

@TheSweetCyclists 7 ай бұрын

It's funny you should that mention that... I've been trying to get away from "buddon" and emphasizing the "t" more.

@bdaveness 11 ай бұрын

“Instead of a quarter turn, it’s actually 1/4 turn” huh?

@TheSweetCyclists 11 ай бұрын

Sorry, what I meant is that a standard Garmin is a 90 degree rotation to lock in (quarter turn - 1/4th of 360 degrees) while the Velo has double the mounting tabs so it's only 45 degrees (1/8th turn). It engages very quickly, but unfortunately isn't compatible with Garmin mounts.

@TheSweetCyclists 9 ай бұрын

Yes, I would also have preferred a standard Garmin mount. I'm not sure why they choose this design.@@doublewhopper67

@mkim64 Жыл бұрын

I can understand the concept behind not having a record button on the fly because the app doesn't allow rerouting mid-ride. The point of this device is so that you don't have to look at your phone again once a journey is set and is designed to keep to on that path - hence 'beeline'. The hardware is well thought out to reflect the simple nature of this device. If you need a do-it-all gadget, get a bike computer! Otherwise, for this price, it's amazing value.

@TheSweetCyclists Жыл бұрын

Yes - I agree. The current design is very app-centric. I can understand why they want to keep the UI simple and avoid selecting routs or locations on the GPS unit itself but a free ride "record" seems like a basic feature.

@rkhrd3211 11 ай бұрын

"It doesn't allow rerouting mid-ride" Does this mean if I take a wrong turn or see another interesting road I have to go back to the route 'manually'?

@Hertog101 6 ай бұрын

@@rkhrd3211 shit that you still didn't get an answer, the rerouting is essential.

@syrus3k Жыл бұрын

I would totally just get an elemnt bolt or something that can display an actual map. I used to have something similar to this and without a map it's really hard to navigate.

@TheSweetCyclists Жыл бұрын

Yea, I think the Velo 2 only really makes sense in urban cities where it's okay to miss a turn and there are a lot of route options.

@tsitd Ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for your demonstration video. Do you happen to know if you can reset the odometer? I need to keep track of my total mileage between 2 services (Alfine 11's oil change for instance) and I'd rather start from scratch each time. Thanks!

@TheSweetCyclists Ай бұрын

There doesn't seem to be a "clear" option on the device or the app. However, the displayed odometer is actually based on the trips on the app so if you clear them it updates. You could delete all the routes to get the odometer back to zero. It would probably be easier to use a different computer or note the mileage somewhere instead though.

@po-pi-po 5 ай бұрын

so I can't mount it on a regular garmin slot?

@TheSweetCyclists 5 ай бұрын

Nope, this uses a proprietary 4 tab mount so it won't work on Garmin mount.

@samueltaylor2757 Жыл бұрын

2:25 a quarter turn and a 4th of a turn are the same? Did you mean an 8th

@TheSweetCyclists Жыл бұрын

Yes, good catch. The Velo mount has double the tabs of a Garmin mount so you're correct that it has an "eighth turn" which doesn't really roll off the tongue.

@dagoncalves1986 8 ай бұрын

i wish it would auto sync with google maps... does it do that though? Such a drag using their app to set the map/direction

@TheSweetCyclists 8 ай бұрын

I don't believe there is an option to sync. Part of Beeline's business is the mapping software itself which uses ride feedback to create safer routes.

@sherazAsghar 4 ай бұрын

Hey, can I use this strictly for Speedometer needs on my bicycle. And Do I still have to connect it to a phone if I am only using it for Speedometer needs and nothing else. In summary, the question is, can I use it out of the box just for speedometer purposes without connection to my phone

@TheSweetCyclists 4 ай бұрын

No, I don't think you can even start a ride without the phone which would allow you to start seeing your speed. If you're looking for just a basic speedometer I'd recommend the CYCPLUS G1 - it's $36, uses a standard Garmin mount and gives you real-time GPS data with no app or phone needed or even supported (you cannot export rides to view your data).

@SimonLloydGuitar Ай бұрын

a 4th of a turn and a quarter of a turn? arent they the same

@uwemoebus Жыл бұрын

If i understand right, that device is only a external display for the app on the smartphone?

@TheSweetCyclists Жыл бұрын

Yes, it's heavily reliant on the connected smart phone app to setup and start rides. Once you have started a route, you can put your phone onto airplane mode and conserve battery (you'll lose the ability to re-route). It would be great to see a software update or Velo 3 that would allow you to select routes or start free-rides directly from the device.

@TheSweetCyclists Жыл бұрын

Great point. The app has the same "compass" mode option so you can just mount your phone on the bike and enjoy the unique interface and routing capabilities via your phone. The nice thing about the Velo 2 is that it's a lot more compact than your phone and has the RockerTop interface that lets you quickly see the different metrics.

@37paramedic Жыл бұрын

Will this save your total miles travelled like other computers?

@TheSweetCyclists Жыл бұрын

Yes, the computer saves total ride distance as well as showing active ride distance.

@AlbertoSartori Жыл бұрын

Can I import and use gpx tracks?

@TheSweetCyclists Жыл бұрын

Yes, you can upload routes to the app and use them on the Velo 2. Here is Beeline's how-to article on the importing - support.beeline.co/en/support/solutions/articles/77000525692-importing-and-exporting-gpx-routes-on-the-velo-2

@user-qo5nz3qb6j Ай бұрын

Does it show your current speed?

@TheSweetCyclists Ай бұрын

Yes, it displays current metrics like speed / time / distance.

@husqvar34 Ай бұрын

Can we use it on a motorcycle ?

@TheSweetCyclists Ай бұрын

Beeline actually sells a motorcycle version that's a bit more rugged actually. beeline.co/pages/beeline-moto

@notstevelam Жыл бұрын

what a stupid idea to make it require a proprietary mount

@TheSweetCyclists Жыл бұрын

Yes - I'm not sure why they couldn't have used a standard Garmin mount instead of the double-tab proprietary variation. The only nice thing about their mount is that it's a 45 degree rotation instead of 90.

@conor2819 11 ай бұрын

Why not just mount your phone? These devices are pointless.

@TheSweetCyclists 11 ай бұрын

A dedicated GPS cycling computer is cheaper, has longer runtime, visible in direct sun light and can connect to a variety of sensors. Unless you're just doing occasional city riding, it's worth getting a cycling GPS computer than using a phone.

@polakis1975 Жыл бұрын

No voice turn to turn navi? Disappointing

@TheSweetCyclists Жыл бұрын

I don't think I've seen any bike GPS computers have voice navigation commands. They only do a beeps to alert you as you approach the turn, which is what the Velo does.