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

[@rikiroll3d]

That gyroscopic bicycle animation sold it for me.

[@TheSweetCyclists]

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

[@vlvr]

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]

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]

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]

@@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]

@@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.

[@Super-op9zp]

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

[@TheSweetCyclists]

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

[@bdaveness]

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

[@TheSweetCyclists]

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]

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

[@mkim64]

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]

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]

"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]

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

[@andreash3906]

Cool device, some real GTA vibes from compass mode!

[@TheSweetCyclists]

That's a great point, yes it looks like the HUD on GTA games. It's a simple concept that works well if are in an urban area with a lot of turns.

[@samueltaylor2757]

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

[@TheSweetCyclists]

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.

[@syrus3k]

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]

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.

[@po-pi-po]

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

[@TheSweetCyclists]

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

[@dagoncalves1986]

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]

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.

[@37paramedic]

Will this save your total miles travelled like other computers?

[@TheSweetCyclists]

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

[@tsitd]

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]

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.

[@sherazAsghar]

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]

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).

[@husqvar34]

Can we use it on a motorcycle ?

[@TheSweetCyclists]

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

[@Madbomber2024]

Does it show your current speed?

[@TheSweetCyclists]

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

[@SimonLloydGuitar]

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

[@AlbertoSartori]

Can I import and use gpx tracks?

[@TheSweetCyclists]

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

[@uwemoebus]

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

[@TheSweetCyclists]

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]

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.

[@paulpells1864]

Thanks! Can I use the device without the phone?

[@KyleBevis-u7j]

Nope

[@notstevelam]

what a stupid idea to make it require a proprietary mount

[@TheSweetCyclists]

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]

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

[@TheSweetCyclists]

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]

No voice turn to turn navi? Disappointing

[@TheSweetCyclists]

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.