Schwinn CycleNav

http://www.gizmag.com/schwinn-cyclenav-bicycle-navigation/30327/

Schwinn unveils $60 bike navigation device  By Ben Coxworth January 6, 2014

Smartphone-based navigation systems can certainly help cyclists find their way around the city, but not everyone wants to risk attaching their precious phone to their rattly handlebars, nor do they like having to repeatedly glance down to read the map on its screen. That's why Schwinn has just announced its CycleNav device. It guides cyclists using verbal cues and simple directional arrows.

Users start with the free CycleNav app on their iOS or Android smartphone, using it to enter their destination address. They're then presented with multiple routes on an onscreen map, which they can choose between based on displayed factors such as distance, estimated duration of trip, and terrain covered. Once a route is chosen, they can also indicate any stops they'd like to make along the way, entering them as waypoints.

The phone can then be safely stuffed away in a pocket or bag, communicating with the bar-mounted CycleNav using Bluetooth. Riders will subsequently be guided turn-by-turn via the device's flashing left- or right-turn signals, along with audible instructions (i.e: "Turn right, now"). If they can't quite make out one of those instructions, they can just press a button to hear it again.

One charge of the device's integrated battery should be good for about 10 hours of use. The CycleNav also features a built-in headlight.

For cyclists who care about such things, the app keeps track of their rides, recording stats such as distance, duration and calories burned. Although that app will be available on the App Store and Google Play as of January 15th, the device itself won't be in stores until this spring (Northern Hemisphere). It will be priced at the earlier-mentioned US$60, including its quick-release handlebar mount. If you're interested, you might also want to check out the similar Hammerhead.

More information on the CycleNav is available in the video below.

Source: Schwinn via BikeRadar

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Bedno on June 11, 2014 at 10:08am

Being somewhat renowned when it comes to cycling navigation tools, Schwinn sent me a freebie!

I'll post a full review in some near future week, but was eager to post some pics right away.

Permalink Reply by Andy J on June 12, 2014 at 3:24am

I never quite figured out who the target consumer is for this type of device - perhaps I don't venture far enough away from home (or pedal fast enough).

Would something like this replace cue sheets?

Permalink Reply by Michelle Milham on June 12, 2014 at 3:45am

... I mostly still just want a dedicated bike GPS that's less than $500. I'd do a garmin but they're SO EXPENSIVE. Why are they that pricey? My car GPS was only $99 (albeit on black friday so it probably retailed for like $200 ish...) YEARS ago. 

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on June 12, 2014 at 4:38am

The Garmin Edge Touring model is $250. https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/into-sports/cycling/edge-touring/pr...

Michelle Milham said:

... I mostly still just want a dedicated bike GPS that's less than $500. I'd do a garmin but they're SO EXPENSIVE. Why are they that pricey? My car GPS was only $99 (albeit on black friday so it probably retailed for like $200 ish...) YEARS ago. 

Permalink Reply by Michelle Milham on June 12, 2014 at 4:59am
Oooh! That's an option!

As I'm not familiar with it: what are the downsides of this model?

Would I be able to create a custom route online and then ride that?
Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on June 12, 2014 at 5:09am

It's like a car-based garmin for your bike. From what I've gathered it's very simple to use. And yes, you can load tracks and waypoints onto the Touring. 

Downsides compared to the Edge series is that it doesn't keep track of cadence, heart rate, and that kind of stuff. 

Permalink Reply by Andrew Bedno on June 12, 2014 at 6:03am

TCL may skews higher end, like I use massup.us in a handlebar mount, but that's a different subject.

The market for this is the vast legions of beginner-average riders who need something dead simple and cheap.  Such riders often have little sense of the bike routes, and would be best served just punching in an errand's address on their phone and being told where to go.  They're busy enough keeping eyes on the road and staying upright to not need a display.  And it's cheap enough to make a nice gift, or for muggles to grab along with lights and bell with buying a bike at Target.  Anything that enables and empowers newbies is good.

I'll take it out for a test ride on next Fridays WP3FHHFR.

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