SmartHalo

You may ask what is SmartHalo, well SmartHalo is an all in one device that attaches to your handlebars that gives you your own personal Navigation, Light, Alarm, Fitness Tracker and Assistant.

What you get

When you open the box you are greeted to the SmartHalo, under that you get a Halo Key which is used to remove it from your handlebars if you need to. Next you get all the mounts necessary for fitting it and lastly you get a set of templates to help with the installation and a warranty card.

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Before you start

Before you start to Install the SmartHalo you need to download the free SmartHalo app, its available for both Apple and Android devices, just search for 'Smarthalo' in the relevant store.

Installation

Open the SmartHalo app you just installed and you are greeted with two options, either sign up as a new user or login if you are already registered. I must say Installation is very easy and they have done a fantastic job on the app, the instructions are first class and there is even some fancy animations in there to show you exactly how it goes together. I wont go through the full setup with you as its all clearly explained in the app, but i did take some screenshots for you to look at.

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Step 1, Create your profile, Name, Password, email address

Step 2, Confirm your email

Step 3, Fill out your fitness info

Step 4, Pair with your SmartHalo, for this step you need to plug it into a USB Port and switch on your Bluetooth

Step 5, Install your SmartHalo

As I mentioned above Installation is a breeze, you use the provided template to size your handlebars for the correct adapters/inserts. Dont worry, they have them labelled either A or B depending on your handlebar size. Select the screws and start installing one side at a time, don't fully tighten anything yet. Next you use another template to center the brackets on your handlebars and make sure there the correct distance apart. Once your happy you can tighten the screws. Lastly just use the HaloKey to attach the SmartHalo to the brackets and your done.

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Navigation

Use the app to drop a pin on your destination and the SmartHalo will give you turn-by-turn navigation all done through an intuitive halo of light. I found that this worked very good for me on the test route I done. The green light points in the direction of the next turn (1/4 of the ring will be green) and as you get closer to your turn the size of the lit up green area will get smaller and smaller letting you know your almost at your turn. If you happen to make a mistake it will turn red, this signals you need to make a u-turn. There is even a Find my Bike setting just in case you forgot where you left it.

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Light

The SmartHalo has a built in light at the front that is Visible at over 750m. You can set the light to come on Automatically when it gets dark or switch it on manually with two taps of the Halo. You can set it to be flashing or solid and adjust the brightness through the app. While its a good light its only there to make your presence known, it wont replace a purpose light for very dark roads.

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Alarm & Security

The SmartHalo has a built in alarm which has internal motion sensors. If motion is detected and your phone is not near the SmartHalo then it will give a warning chirp and some red lights come on the Halo. If it continue's to detect motion then more lights will come on and only a few seconds later if someone is still at your bike then a 100dB alarm is activated and it needs a passcode to deactivate. This passcode is setup during the installation phase and it works by tapping the centre of the Halo, kinda like morse code. When you enter the correct code the alarm stops. Also don't be afraid that someone will remove the SmartHalo on you, the bolts holding the brackets are under the SmartHalo, and the SmartHalo can only be removed with a HaloKey, this attaches onto the side of the unit and releases a locking mechanism, allowing you to take the unit off your bike if needed.

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Fitness

There is also a fitness tracker, through the app you can see the amount of time you where cycling, distance covered, average speed and a few more points as well. Im told there also looking at Strava Integration and the ability to create a GPX file.

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Assistant

This feature alerts you to any incoming call or message by part of the Halo ring flashing blue, you can choose to safely pull over and check your phone or keep cycling, its up to you.

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Size

Its dimensions is as follow's,

Height: 26.5mm (SmartHalo) and with the mounting brackets its between 79mm to 87mm (depends on the size of your handlebars)

Width: 96.5mm

Depth: 66.5mm

Weight: 195g

Compatibility

Handlebar diameter from 22.2mm to 31.8mm

Max stem width is 45mm

Battery

It has a USB rechargable battery, you can charge it while the unit is on the bike or remove it with the HaloKey, the charging port has a rubber flap on it to stop water entering the SmartHalo. They say its good for up to 20 hours of use or 6 months in standby, this I have not had chance to test fully.

Conclusion

Its a nice idea, its appears to be well built. It comes with a good app for using all the features and its easy to install. During the time I was using it, it worked perfect. It gave me the correct turn by turn navigation, the alarm is a nice feature that works well. Its easy to glance at the colored LED's and see if your going in the right direction or getting a call. All in all its a nice unit and it does what it says.

Contact Details

Website: www.smarthalo.bike

Instagram: www.instagram.com/smarthalo

Facebook: www.facebook.com/smarthalo

And if your looking for some discount, the good people at SmartHalo have given me a Code for 15% off, use code: bestbikehalo