BeeLine Navigation Device Built for cyclists, this digital compass will show an arrow pointing to your destination and how much distance you have left to cover in order to get there.

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Using the standard phone navigation on a bicycle works just fine. Well, other than the fact that you can’t really hear the turn-by-turn instructions because the road is noisy and it’s hard to pay attention to the map because you spend half the time dodging potholes (and, more importantly, cars). The Beeline offers a simpler, cyclist-friendly alternative.

A round disc that mounts on the handlebar, it pairs with your smartphone and displays nothing but an arrow pointing to your destination and the distance left on your journey. That’s it. Basically, it gives you a general idea of where you need to head and how far you have to go, all while leaving the actual routes to take up to you – a mode of travel the company calls “fuzzy navigation.”

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BeeLine uses Google Maps to determine your position and distance relative to the destination. Once you input where you’re headed in the app, a large arrow will appear on the device’s screen pointing towards it, with the calculated distance appearing right under. As such, it serves more as a digital compass than a turn-by-turn device. Which is great if you’re familiar with the city, but sucks if you’re new and not quite acquainted with the various bicycle routes. The former, though, are exactly the target demographic, especially those who regularly ride and don’t exactly need the benefits of turn-by-turn instruction.

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The display, which measures an inch in diameter, is memory LCD, the same screen used in the Pebble Watch, so it should provide excellent visibility even in direct line of the sun. It also comes with backlighting that automatically switches on at night, ensuring you’ll retain full use of your “fuzzy navigation” tool regardless of what time you’re riding. Features include weatherproof construction, a rechargeable battery that can last for around 40 hours of operation, and a strong, secure strap that should fit any bicycle handlebar.

A Kickstarter campaign is currently running for BeeLine. Pledges to reserve a unit starts at £45.

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