Gift idea | Velo 2: a compass designed for cyclists


Marc Mitrani

Smartphone expert

December 06, 2022 at 09:00 a.m.

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Bike 2 © © Beeline

© Beeline

Until December 24, Clubic opens a sound box for you every day advent calendar 2022 : the opportunity to discover unusual or practical gadgets, gift ideas for oneself or for loved ones.

Tom and Mark have several points in common: they are both Londoners, friends, cyclists and endowed with a deplorable sense of direction. This forces them to stop regularly to consult their smartphone, which spoils a good part of the pleasure of driving.

It all starts with a joke

As a joke, one offered the other an antique compass, saying that it could really help them on their next excursions. It never served them, but gave them the idea of ​​designing a much more advanced version.

Velo 2, second iteration of the initial concept, comes in the form of a small pebble equipped with a large screen. Central part of the device, it was designed to be readable in the dark as in direct sunlight.

Bike 2 © © Beeline

© Beeline

Made to be attached to the handlebars of a bicycle (or a motorcycle, thanks to a specific version), it is resistant to rain and shocks (to a certain extent!). Four keys, housed at the cardinal points, allow you to interact summarily during a journey by clicking.

To work, Velo 2 requires the installation of an application on your smartphone. Called Beeline, it allows you to establish a Bluetooth connection between the two devices. After indicating your destination and the type of driving chosen (fast, balanced or quiet, depending on the time you have), the app creates a route that will be displayed step by step on Velo 2.

Buy the Velo 2 at 99 euros

Collaboration with Strava

But beware, this is not done just anyhow: the direction is indicated by a single symbol, accompanied by the distance remaining before the next turn. Everything is readable at a glance and is accompanied by an audible alarm: a beep about thirty meters from the next change of direction, followed by two beeps just before having to turn. Not bad is not it ?

Upon arrival, the app stores all trip data and can share it with a fitness app like Strava. It is also possible to evaluate the route according to its relevance, because the application takes into account the comments of its users.

Bike 2 © © Beeline

© Beeline

We have extensively tested Velo 2 since its release last June on various routes. In open country, its interest may not be obvious, except on long hikes.

Bike 2 © © Beeline

© Beeline

It’s not the same thing in town, where journeys are often more complex. Velo 2 then takes into account the presence of cycle paths, but also recent traffic changes.

Thoughtful details

The simplicity of the display is undoubtedly one of the main assets of Velo 2. The system of beeps to warn of the imminence of a turn is also very significant. It remains audible in the city, even in the middle of road traffic.

Good point also for the fixing mechanism, which allows you to quickly detach the device from its support. It is particularly practical during a journey interspersed with frequent stops. In addition, even if you quickly recharge Velo 2 in USB-C, its autonomy of several weeks conferred by its internal battery can only please.

Buy the Velo 2 at 99 euros

Find our selection of the Advent calendar!

For the fourth consecutive year, Clubic is happy to offer you its Advent calendar.

We have selected for you products that are often unusual, sometimes amusing, but always original and which seem to us worthy of interest for any geek and his entourage. As in previous years, they have all passed through our hands, without exception. We have used them and loved them. Otherwise, we would not present them to you.

And for more unusual gift ideas, we remind you that the 2019, 2020 and 2021 Advent calendars are still online!

  • 1er December: Paper Shoot is a camera as simple as it is attractive. With him, you will (re)discover photography without frills!
  • December 2: Using a 360° camera to produce “flat” footage has many advantages. You do not believe in it ? It’s that you haven’t seen the Insta360 X3…
  • December 3: do you like wild animals and unicorns? Then, the polygonal creations of Papertrophy will keep you busy during the long winter evenings…
  • December 4: Limbo is a spinning top that spins nonstop for hours. Surely this is hiding something…
  • December 5: with GB Operator, GameBoy game cartridges can now be used on a computer… which will not help the productivity of some people.
Christmas 2022 buying guide: our selection of tech gift ideas at all prices

The 2022 Christmas shopping guide is finally ready! Like every year, the Clubic editorial team has scoured the best merchant sites on the Web to unearth the finest deals from the high-tech departments.
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