Beeline Moto II initial review

The Beeline Moto II is an easily mountable smartwatch sized device that works with a companion app to show navigation on your motorcycle.  (It works on bicycles too, but the Beeline Velo is a cheaper version for pedal bikes)  Fairly expensive for the hardware...but I haven't found better functionality at a better price. The display shows a very simplified map--Your route with stubs to indicate intersections, the number of miles and an arrow for the direction of your next turn and a bar indicating how much of your trip is remaining.  It announces upcoming turns with a flashing light and a beep on both the Beeline and your phone.  The beep is a bit quiet compared to other sounds on the phone, and the beeps seem optimized for bicycling rather than motorcycling-The upcoming turn beep is at around 0.1 mile from the turn, not enough warning for even fairly low motorcycle speeds.   I haven't used it enough to see how it deals with complicated intersections or interstate ramps.

The Beeline comes with a universal mount that attaches to your bars with O-rings as sturdy rubber bands.  It charges via USB C, and the screen is bright enough to see in full sun.  Control is by pushing the bezel in the obvious four spots, easy even with gloves.  There are options to show trip miles, speed (turns out my motorcycle speedometer is 4mph slow at 60mph) and speed limit signs--limits can be shown on the map display, speed and miles are on their own screens.  

The app gives the options of "fast" (minimum time) or "Fun" (more turns and fewer interstates-.   You can add waypoints.   A $5/month subscription gives the options of voice guidance and loop routes--tell it how far you want to go and any stops, it will plan from there. 

Before the Beeline I would use just the audio prompts of Google Map to navigate, but this had some issues.  When I choose something other than the default fastest route I'd often get a voice partway into the ride "I've found a faster route, if you want to stay on the one you chose, click the screen"...when my phone was in my pocket and my hands were gloved. I very much like the concept of just a beep to get your attention for a turn, I wish Google Maps had that option instead of choosing between "talk too much" or "don't alert me to turns at all".   The device requires the phone app, but apparently can import routes from some other apps.  The planning is sensible so far, but I haven't used it that much.  No idea if it considers traffic or knows about temporary detours--I haven't seen any mention of that so probably not. 

As I said, the Beeline is fairly expensive for the hardware's capability.  Also expensive are the accessories.  There is a powered mount insert for $60...and it is incompatible with the stock mount.  That means an accessory mount of at least $25 more for the flat surface mount, or $40 for a bar or mirror mount.   It is possible to charge via USB while riding...but Beeline says that may cause damage that won't be covered by the warranty.  Battery life is pretty good, I'll just charge mine at home.  You can't turn the unit off before you end a ride, so that's 4 clicks and a hold.   It will go to sleep, and standby time appears to be decent.