Meilan M1 GPS Navigation Bike Computer Review
Meilan M1 GPS Navigation Bike Computer. |
M1 |
Buttons are on the front and the sides, left is the On/Off button, Right is the Up/Down the menu button, and the front Left is the Return button, Middle is for the Start/pause and Download button. Right is for moving on in the menu system... sound like a lot to take in, but it becomes clear when you scroll through the menu's, the Meilan is capable of a lot of connections vie Bluetooth, to Heart rate monitor, Cadence, Power Meter.
Mapping is with the Kamoot mapping system, so you will need to download the App on to your mobile phone for turn by turn direction's, there is a charge for full mapping system, see the App for more price details on your regions.
Data upload is possible to your Garmin and Strava accounts, so no problem with missing out on the KOM...
Meilan use the Komoot mapping system. |
https://www.komoot.com/
Here you can create a profile and upload your rides to your Garmin Strava accounts etc, also plan routes to Bluetooth over to the M1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=12&v=hDBKlbS9e3I
I am pleased to share with you all a GPS Navigation cycle computer with great feature that you only find in the high end GPS market of cycling computers from the leading names from around the world.
Upload data to Garmin, Strava Komoot. GPS Tracking. Data Recording. |
Turn By Turn Mapping feature. Wireless. Power Meter capability. |
Heart Rate Monitor. Speed and Cadence Data, |
Whats in the box:
1 X M1 Navigation Computer.
1 X USB charge lead.
2 X Tie wraps.
1 X Solid GPS Mount.
1 X Stem bar mount plus rubber cushion.
1 X Instruction Booklet.
One great benefit to the Meilan M1 is the way they have used the same Garmin mount system, so it is possible to use any Garmin mount you may already have on your bike.
Operation:
I personally found the Meilan M1 easy to operate, On/Off button is on the left side, on the very first start up push it on and it takes you to the welcome message on the screen and to the Language setting, use the Right side buttons to go up or down to the desired language.
Press Arrow button to take you to the next menu. |
Time menu, use the side button to go up or down in the desired time difference. |
Use the Arrow button to take you to the Distance menu, right button to then go up or down in measurement size. |
Arrow will then take you to the Temperature setting, side button to change between C/F. |
Five different information can be changed on the screen by using the side buttons |
Dust cover for the USB cable (Supplied) |
Meilan M1 comes with its own out front mount plus another bar mount. |
Out on a ride you can simply change between the information screens, use the right side buttons to make the information bigger or smaller.
Large Data Screen, Speed and Time. |
Add caption |
Speed, Time, Distance, Calories Burned, HRM. (if connected) |
More Info. |
As you can see a great range of screen settings. |
So far so good.
Out on the road the M1 is a easy to use cycle computer once you get used to the button layout, so I would suggest a good play to get used to the way it can be set up, a lot safer than trying it whilst you are cycling.
All worked great out on the ride, and I found it easy enough to upload vie my PC to the Garmin and Strava sites for further ride details when I was at home.
GPS.
The GPS on the M1 was a frustrating thing for me, as the instruction for the route directions just would not work on my phone, so I can not give my verdict on Turn for Turn directions, I think this is due to my ZTE Mobile phone more than the Meilan M1 computer, as the bluetooth did not stay linked up to the M1 for long, this also happens when I'm at home on the Wifi, so I am presuming it is my ZTE, if I get around to updating the phone then I will give it another go, as this was the main reason for the review.
Battery Life was OK, it lasted all day on a couple of rides, and over a few days between rides, but that was with no mapping or HRM Speed Cadence linked up, so battery life may be shorter with theses linked up.
Mounts, Meilan M1 uses the Garmin mount system, so If you have a Garmin mount on your bike the M1 will fit it, Meilian has put a charge cable and Out front mount along with a stem mount in with the M1 box.
At the time of this review on the M1, the M1 did not link up to ANT+ system, But the new updated M1 now does, any question contact Meilan vie Twitter, or there Instagram links.
Meilan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/meilanco
Meilan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meilankj/
Meilan on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Meilanoutdoorfitness
Meilan Website: http://www.meilancycling.com/
Is The M1 Worth Buying?
If you are after a Cycling computer that will give you more details than the basic model out on the market, I would say give it a consideration, Price wise its on Amazon for £99.98 with free delivery and if you have used Amazon before you will know there is a No Messing returns policy, so it would be worth trying it out, check out the link, so the answer is a "Yes" from me...
Meilan also make a range of other Cycling Computers and bike light's, so check out there website for details, want to stock Meilan products, drop me a line and I'll pass on the details..
Update date :
I have managed to get the m1 to Bluetooth to my phone finally, must have been a recent update on a Bluetooth patch, so this now make the routing system work, must add this is with the phone placed in my handle bar bag on the front of the bars, ideal when I’m going off road, I will give it a test with my mobile in my rear pocket to see if the Bluetooth still connects with the M1 on my ZTE mobile, update to follow.Nice large Ahead Arrow. |
UPDATE AS SOON AS I CAN.
Update 12/06/2020.
Since last update I have been out on some great off route rides which needed a gps direction guide, I simply planned the route on the Komoot mapping App, saved it to off line to use when I’m going out, I simply turn on the M1 and go to my Komoot app and search the planned routes, make sure you switch on the Bluetooth On your phone.
Update: 7/9/2020.
Have added a Heart rate strap to the M1 vie the Bluetooth setting, nice and clear on the screen, also I’ve added a cadence sensor as well, so lot of information now available on the M1.
Battery needs to be charged up if it it left for mor than a day on your shelf between rides, and found I’ve had to clear the memory on the M1 to let me record more rides, I need to remove the ride as soon as I have uploaded ti to Garmin and Strava.
Directions can be a bit vague on a ride as you can easily ride past the turn you need to take, I find I need to keep looking at the map on my phone to get me in the right direction.
I find I have this on my bike more times than the Garmin, the information screen is better and a lot clear than the Garmin.
I feel still worth a check if you need a gps cycle computer that can record a lot of information.
Update 21/05/2021.
Meilan have brought out a App to use with the M1 model, only problem is it cannot be used with models prior to 2020, so I am sorry to say I cannot tell you anything about the App and it’s functionality, if you have a newer model go the Meilian website, or the App Store and download the App..
If I get any updates I’ll let you know.
Please Feel Free to Support Our Sponsors Adverts. Thank You.
Foot Note This is not a Paid Advertisement for Meilan
Harlow cycle page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Harlow-Cycle-Page-805601672891539/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBlXmH7f4X0Az_xr7Az0Yqg
Instgram: https://www.instagram.com/harlowcycle/
Tumbler : http://harlowcycle.tumblr.com/
Twitter Feed: @TDF79
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harlow-cycling-b785a1105/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/Harlowcycle/pins/
Email: HarlowCyclingPageGroup@Hotmail.com ....................................................................................................................