Gear Review: Beeline Moto
This super simple satnav is built for bikers, but would be a great add-on for classic car drivers as well.
We all spend far too much time glued to our screens, and driving or riding ought to be the ideal time to switch off. However, unless you’ve got a map-reading navigator or a photographic memory finding your way on unfamiliar roads can be tricky without satellite navigation.
That’s where the ingenious Beeline Moto comes in. Barely bigger than a coin this tiny round display can be bolted to your handlebars (or, in the case of the Morgan Super 3, mounted behind the steering wheel) and provides essential, non-distracting route guidance.
After you pair the Moto with your mobile and plan your route using the intuitive app (with options for direct or fun routes) you can pop your phone back in your pocket for the rest of the trip. A simple arrow shows your general direction of travel, with a small circle indicating which side the next turn will come. There’s a distance countdown and a series of small dots at the top to prepare you for what’s next. Approaching roundabouts a circle appears with the number of the junction you need to take.
The Beeline Moto mounted in a Morgan
It takes a little time to get used to, but on a roundtrip to Wales and back I never missed a turn, and only had to refer to the map on my phone once or twice at complex junctions. With just the necessary information displayed and no notifications of emails, texts, WhatsApp messages or news popping up, it meant I could focus completely on the drive with no distractions. It was almost like being back in the Nineties!
The Moto has a claimed 30-hour battery life, is easy to remove for charging and pocketable so you can take it with you when you park your bike or car.
On the negative side the display can’t show speed limits or camera warnings and it’s not compatible with Waze or Google maps so it won’t automatically route you around traffic.
With prices from £169.99 it does cost a lot more than mobile phone mount but it’s also far less obvious than having your smartphone on show, tempting opportunistic tea-leaves at traffic lights.
Best of all, though, is the Beeline’s absolute purity of purpose. It has just one job and it does it brilliantly allowing you to switch off (almost) completely and enjoy your journey.
All the way to Wales without a wrong turn
Detour SCORE 4.5/5
Pros: Clear instructions with no distractions
Cons: Complex junctions can catch it out
The 1,000-yard course of the historic Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb may take less than a minute to run, but it’s an experience not to be forgotten.