Beeline Goes Back To Cycling Navigation Basics

BeeLine, a compact handlebar-mounted device that strips back navigation to the bare basics has launched following a successful Kickstarter campaign by the British start-up last year.

BeeLine is controlled via smartphone GPS and provides instructions that keep riders on course, but leaves the exact route decision-making to the user.

Tom Putnam and Mark Jenner, have launched BeeLine to the world with a mission to put cyclists back in control of their journeys, rather than following prescribed, over-engineered directions given by the traditional GPS devices.

The BeeLine app, available for iOS and Android, allows users to select the final destination get on their way. If you need to go via a certain place, you can add as many waypoints as you like to your route with a simple drag and drop.

In addition it has a sunlight readable, backlit display. An e-paper screen gives users crisp, clear information in all light conditions. A backlight for night riding also means cyclists can still find their way in the dark.

The BeeLine device houses a magnetometer, accelerometer, gyroscope and a Bluetooth receiver. The sensors are used by the device to constantly recalculate location as users cycle and keep you pointed in the right location

Tom Putnam, co-founder of BeeLine comments: “Mark and I wanted a navigation system we could rely on, one that is built on the idea that cycling is fun, but can also be used as a tool to explore the surroundings. After months of refining the device to ensure it is both flawlessly engineered and beautifully designed, we are immensely proud to launch BeeLine. We know our passionate backers are eager to start using their BeeLines, and we hope their availability encourages more people to embrace exploration that BeeLine enables – be it on their daily commute or weekend rides.”