Beeline Moto navigation

I like GPS devices. Not least, I like trying to understand how they work. To this end, I have Beeline (Moto II variant) to try one out.
I’ll be interested to hear how you get in with it. Sometimes less is more.

A separate section might be a good idea as they seem to have a few followers, as well as lurkers
 
I stopped using the B line and sent it to Twizzle mainly because the KTM my ride does exactly the same thing and uses AFIK the same mapping system with the ability to plan a route on Kurviger or MRA and import it
The algorithms may be a bit different and give slightly different route options but other than that they all just relay info from phone to the unit
 
I stopped using the B line and sent it to Twizzle mainly because the KTM my ride does exactly the same thing and uses AFIK the same mapping system with the ability to plan a route on Kurviger or MRA and import it
The algorithms may be a bit different and give slightly different route options but other than that they all just relay info from phone to the unit

I take it then that, as the KTM branded product seems to be a Beeline in disguise, in the same way that BMW branded ‘Navigator’ devices were Garmin in disguise, but works well under its KTM label, Beeline is good?
 
We used a beeline in Sardinia few years ago. It was err interesting. It would show an arrow to turn left but not where to turn left. Now? In a kilometre? Next left? Second, third left? No indication of where to turn left or right. I think I still have the app on my phone as a minder of a great trip but as a sat nav it was pretty hopeless.
 
I take it then that, as the KTM branded product seems to be a Beeline in disguise, in the same way that BMW branded ‘Navigator’ devices were Garmin in disguise, but works well under its KTM label, Beeline is good?
pretty much
Just a mapping app on your phone which may or may not be Garmin based ( it could actually be google map based) and the bee line or KTM my ride app just displays the navigation information either on the KTM dashboard or on the bee line unit as a turn by turn instruction

The Be line does it well but so does the KTM my ride - I cant comment on the BMW system

AS a slight aside my new cars nav and info system is all google based and it works fantastically well with all the features of a Nav system that you would expect rather than just routing - road works speed cameras and the ability to add on the move like you can with Waze
 
I take it then that, as the KTM branded product seems to be a Beeline in disguise, in the same way that BMW branded ‘Navigator’ devices were Garmin in disguise, but works well under its KTM label, Beeline is good?
I do not believe that to be the case, it’s more that the KTM system is also a turn by turn mirror from an iPhone app
 
We used a beeline in Sardinia few years ago. It was err interesting. It would show an arrow to turn left but not where to turn left. Now? In a kilometre? Next left? Second, third left? No indication of where to turn left or right. I think I still have the app on my phone as a minder of a great trip but as a sat nav it was pretty hopeless.


You were not using it properly…..
 
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I take it then that, as the KTM branded product seems to be a Beeline in disguise

No, it's a different thing.

The one I've seen (1290 Adv) is a turn to turn instruction system.
Similar concept, but it is not the same product and it's not a whitelabeled Beeline.
 
We used a beeline in Sardinia few years ago. It was err interesting. It would show an arrow to turn left but not where to turn left. Now? In a kilometre? Next left? Second, third left? No indication of where to turn left or right. I think I still have the app on my phone as a minder of a great trip but as a sat nav it was pretty hopeless.

I had a similar problem with BMW’s own very early version of their navigation app tool thing.

Very crude arrows and very far from easy to use on very busy London streets. It often gave the street name, but London doesn’t always display the name plates uniformly or even at all on some juvyions. It was all but useless at night, no matter how brightly the streets were illuminated.
 
The Beeline II is a great improvement over the first (arrow only) as it partially shows a little mapping and that helps to understand the road layout and where to turn, etc (I have no paid subscription so rely on visuals only).

You might get confused on (very very) large junctions but, again, it starts going a bit beyond its intended scope of minimal nav IMHO.
 
You were not using it properly…..
I don’t know how we could have used it differently. It was just a small dial about the size of a wristwatch that had an arrow on. It pointed straight, left or right. That’s it nothing else. The route was on a phone (can’t remember whose) and the small dial thing just pointed the arrow, nothing else. My last bike the Tiger Rally Pro had turn by turn navigation but it didn’t say how far to the turn. The beeline was literally just an arrow on a dial.
 
We used a beeline in Sardinia few years ago. It was err interesting. It would show an arrow to turn left but not where to turn left. Now? In a kilometre? Next left? Second, third left? No indication of where to turn left or right. I think I still have the app on my phone as a minder of a great trip but as a sat nav it was pretty hopeless.

I guess this sort of feedback is why they have a Moto II
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesoci...otorcycle-technology/beeline-moto-ii-2-review

1716996582-beeline-moto-ii-review_027.jpg
 
The "One" model, the one that Glenn used in Sardinia looks like this:
Beeline-Moto-GMG072019-2-small.png



I do agree the app is, stil today, somewhat improvable (do you want a new app designer, Beeline??? :D :D :D ). But given how these things go, wouldn't surprise me if they are refining a "next" version and do a rollout for a complete new/refined app soon-ish.
Especially when you split the device between motorcycle and pushbike use, there is quite a lot to make better (and clearer) in the app.

I do not pay the subscriptions because my use for it is mostly short trips within London or the random errand here and there. I'm ok without the audio/extra perks.
I do bring it with me when traveling (in my backpack – I'm not an Uber driver with dual GPS). Been useful this summer for Hotel > Restaurant trips for dinner without having to faff with the larger XT once off the bike.

Within large cities, I'd say that the OpenMaps routing works better than Garmin's algorithm. And this is another reason why I got it.

I really wish it could integrate with, say, Waze and get its user-based speed camera/alerts info.

It is an extremely good device (the II). I really appreciate the work they put into keeping it simple and minimal.
Just treat it as what it is. Do not expect a full cartographic GPS, as clearly it isn't and doesn't aspire to.
 
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The "One" model, the one that Glenn used in Sardinia looks like this:
Beeline-Moto-GMG072019-2-small.png
It did but without the distance numbers. It certainly gave us a laugh each evening. We swapped it around the bikes each day to see if any of us could understand it. It was a very neat little thing. I think my lad still has it somewhere.
 
I’ve got the first model that I use on naked bikes when I have one or on my scooter at the moment

As The Other PaulG says, they work well once you’ve got your head round what it’s telling you, which is not immediately obvious

The second model looks like a distinct improvement (y)


20200617_162410.jpeg
 


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