Wink Bar connected handlebar lights offer turn-by-turn navigation

There seems to have been an endless stream of ‘smart’ cycling gadgets over the past couple of years, especially since the advent of crowdfunding websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo making it easier to find willing funders. 

The latest is the Wink Bar. It’s two small lights that can be fitted to any handlebar to provide turn-by-turn navigation, GPS tracking and illuminate the way ahead. 

 “We created the Wink Bar to give cyclists the ability to make their bike rides safer and smarter. Rather than something you have to attach to your bike, we wanted to make it an integrated part of the bike’s design. That way, the alarm is always protecting your bike, our inbuilt navigation tool, VelcoNav, is always there to guide you, and the headlights are there to keep you safe on the road. We’re so pleased to finally be launching the Wink Bar, and see it revolutionise the way riders from around the world cycle," said Johnny Smith, CMO at Velco, the company behind the Wink Bar.

The Wink Bar connects to any compatible smartphone using Bluetooth and the partner app can be used to plot routes, with the lights flashing to indicate upcoming turns and junctions. The app can also suggest the most convenient routes and track your activity. 

Other ‘smart’ features include the ability for the lights to flash when you’ve got an incoming phone call or receive a text message. It has the added option of serving as an anti-theft device with an alarm and can also allow you to track down the location of your bike if the alarm doesn’t deter the thief.

As well as all that, the Wink Bar also serves as two powerful 225-lumen lights, and the brightness automatically adjusts to the light conditions. 

The Wink Bar can be fitted to most handlebars and adds just 200g of weight, and the 1800mAh Lithium Ion battery lasts a claimed three weeks. 

So what do you think? Does the Wink Bar appeal to you? Are we becoming jaded to crowdfunded smart cycling gadgets? 

If you like the sound of the Wink Bar, you can pledge $149 to get a super early bird discount, a 44% discount on the $264 retail price. Shipping is anywhere in the world and delivery is scheduled for September 2017. Take a closer look here www.indiegogo.com