The BiNavi Ultra adds a new top model to iGPSPORT's navigation series. I like the approach: more room for maps and ride data, additional control options and audible guidance directly from the device. These changes can make an everyday difference on a road bike or longer gravel and bikepacking trips.
GPS Bike Computer
iGPSPORT BiNavi Ultra
My Real-World Experience So Far:
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Large, Readable Display
The 3.7-inch display makes a good impression and is clear to read while riding.
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Sensors Connected Without Problems
Heart rate sensor, Di2 drivetrain, power meter and radar paired smoothly with the BiNavi Ultra in testing.
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Automatic Strava Upload
Saved rides transferred automatically after training and were subsequently published on Strava.
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Very Good Initial Battery Projection
In my measurement, battery level fell from 100 to 97 percent in 78 minutes. At constant consumption, that projects to around 43 hours 20 minutes of use.
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Display and Readability
iGPSPORT has noticeably improved the display. I prefer the BiNavi Ultra's brightness, colours and contrast to the BiNavi's. Data fields look attractive, are clearly arranged and easy to read while riding. The larger screen makes the overall presentation feel tidy.
Resolution is now 480 × 854 pixels, a considerable jump from the predecessor's 320 × 480. This provides more scope for maps, text and graphical data fields. Despite the improvement, the Ultra retains a transflective display, using ambient light alongside backlighting. Under certain conditions it can therefore look different from a transmissive display lit mainly by its backlight.
The 3.7-inch transflective touchscreen with 480 × 854 pixels is a key upgrade. I prefer its brightness, colours and contrast to the BiNavi's. The side wheel also lets you switch data pages and navigate menus by turning it. The integrated speaker provides genuine spoken navigation and a digital bike bell.
However, testing still revealed situations where it was harder to read than a transmissive display. Higher resolution alone does not change that fundamental characteristic. Overall, I was nevertheless satisfied with the screen and see clear progress over the BiNavi. There is also a larger-text option within each bike profile, intended to make important ride data quicker to read.
A large screen and clear voice guidance help navigation. I particularly liked the map presentation just before turns: a few metres beforehand, the BiNavi Ultra automatically zooms in. The upcoming junction appears much larger, making the intended road or exit easier to identify. This is especially useful at complex junctions.
I also liked the timely voice and turn instructions. Both audible guidance and the screen announced turns early enough to prepare. Navigation is clear and easy to see, making route guidance feel pleasant and reliable while riding.
Route Recalculation
After leaving a planned route, the iGPSPORT BiNavi Ultra recalculated about as quickly as most current rivals in my test, without long waits. Wahoo nevertheless remains the fastest for me: its adjustments are usually slightly more immediate, while the BiNavi Ultra sits around the level of the other competition.
Route Collections
The Route Collection Navigation function is intended to group multiple routes into a collection in the app and transfer them together to the BiNavi Ultra. The following image shows all the routes I regularly ride.
Once a collection is active, the device recognises which included route you are riding and automatically starts or switches to the relevant navigation. Recognition worked reliably in testing, making it useful for multi-day trips or areas with several prepared routes. Automatic switching between saved routes also worked as intended.
Offline Route Planning
iGPSPORT describes expanded offline planning directly on the device. According to the manufacturer, this includes selecting a destination on the map, taking a short return route and planning across country or regional borders. This could make the BiNavi Ultra more interesting for travel and spontaneous changes on a ride. I have not yet systematically tested long-distance capability, route suggestion quality or recalculation speed.
App Route Planning
Komoot is my preferred route planner. I first create and save the route there, with my iGPSPORT account connected to Komoot. The route then appears in the iGPSPORT app and can be sent directly to the computer. Synchronisation was quick and reliable in testing. Strava planning should transfer similarly, provided the iGPSPORT account is linked to Strava.
iClimb 4.0
With iClimb 4.0, the BiNavi Ultra recognises climbs without active route navigation. It uses a stored climb database and shows gradient, remaining elevation gain and other climb information while riding. Automatic detection worked reliably in testing. Particularly useful is that you need not join a climb at its official start: even when we entered midway, the BiNavi Ultra recognised it and automatically opened the climbing view. Nearby climbs can also be displayed and selected directly as navigation destinations.
This particularly suits spontaneous rides without a prepared route: encountering a known climb still brings up the relevant data automatically. According to the manufacturer, the database partly uses real recorded rides and is intended to be particularly precise. According to BiNavi, climbs can be detected within a radius of up to 40 kilometres.
Pros and Cons
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Improved Display
Brightness, colours and contrast impress more than on the BiNavi in testing; 3.7 inches and 480 × 854 pixels. -
Scroll Wheel and Metal Buttons
Practical additional controls for page changes and menus, complementing the touchscreen. -
Speaker with Voice Guidance
Spoken navigation works well, and a digital bell is included. -
Trouble-Free Sensor Connections
HR80, Forerunner 970, Wahoo TRACKR HEART RATE, Garmin Rally, Shimano Di2, SR Mini and Garmin Varia all paired. -
Extensive Training Analysis
VO₂max, FTP, load and predicted recovery help interpret rides. -
Promising Initial Battery Impression
Three percentage points used in 78 minutes project to 43 hours 20 minutes; not yet a complete runtime test. -
Good Construction and Practical Touring Feature
Attractive appearance, metal buttons, exactly 122 grams measured and a Resume Later function.
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Harder to Read in Partial Shade
Readability remains light-dependent. Partial shade can make it harder to read, similar to the BiNavi in earlier testing. -
Audio Not Yet Separately Adjustable
Radar alerts and voice guidance currently cannot have independently adjusted volumes.
Find more about the previous model in my iGPSPORT BiNavi review.
Build Quality and Weight
The BiNavi Ultra makes a good overall impression. I like its appearance and clean construction. Metal buttons suit its premium look and distinguish it from the previous BiNavi. This does not mean a metal housing: manufacturer documents explicitly identify the buttons and mounting interface as metal.
Weight is more than a specification here: I put the computer on a scale and measured 122 grams, 19 grams more than the previous BiNavi at 103g. In return, the Ultra offers a larger display, bigger battery and speaker, among other additions.
According to the manufacturer, the rear mounting interface is removable. How the buttons, wheel and mount perform over months will only become clear with longer use. Construction so far is convincing.
Scroll Wheel on the Right Edge
The scroll wheel on the right side works rather like an Apple Watch crown. Turning switches data pages and moves through menus, one change from the previous BiNavi I particularly liked. Everyday tasks often repeat: moving from a data page to the map, selecting a menu item or opening another view. The wheel usefully complements touchscreen and buttons for these jobs.
Speaker and Digital Bell
The BiNavi Ultra now includes an integrated speaker, a new feature compared with its direct predecessor. The computer is no longer limited to simple beeps and can, among other things, deliver voice guidance directly through the device. Spoken navigation instructions worked well in my test. I consider this a useful improvement because a spoken instruction conveys much more information than a single tone. Particularly in unfamiliar terrain, it helps you understand upcoming turns early without constantly looking at the display.
The speaker also enables a digital bike bell. Its volume in the test was around the level of comparable competitors and sometimes felt slightly louder subjectively. What matters most is practical use, however: the cyclists ahead did not notice the bell in this instance. Often, the digital bell does attract attention and fulfil its purpose. Overall, it is a useful extra, even if it is not always reliably heard.
Radar warning tone and navigation
Volume is adjustable in principle. An additional option I would like is separate volume control for different notification types. Voice navigation could then play loudly, for example, while radar warnings remain more discreet.
In the test, volume could only be changed collectively; alternatively, the radar warning tone could be disabled entirely. This is not a specific BiNavi Ultra drawback, as current Garmin and Wahoo devices also do not offer individual volume adjustment by notification type. Finer control would nevertheless be a practical addition, especially with radar warning frequently on busy roads.
Connecting sensors
The BiNavi Ultra made a very good impression when connecting external sensors. All devices tried in the test connected without difficulty. These covered different manufacturers and sensor types.
The Forerunner 970 served as a heart rate source. This means connecting its broadcast heart rate to the computer, not transferring all Garmin training data. I particularly like that both the iGPSPORT SR Mini and a Garmin Varia radar connected. Anyone already owning sensors and accessories naturally wants to keep using them where possible. These results relate to the specific devices tested and do not constitute general approval for every model variant.
Still compatible with Garmin mounts
The iGPSPORT BiNavi Ultra also fits Garmin-compatible bike mounts. This is not new, since iGPSPORT offers such compatibility on other devices, but remains practical day to day. Anyone with an appropriate mount already fitted to a road or gravel bike can generally keep using it without switching to a separate mounting system for the BiNavi Ultra.
Data fields
I really like the appearance of the data pages. Fields look clear, and the graphic design suits the improved display. The BiNavi Ultra supports up to twelve data fields per page and configuration of pages and their content.
Training and analysis
I particularly like the training analysis with VO₂max, FTP, load and estimated recovery. After riding, I want to know more than distance and speed: I am also interested in how the session fits into my training.
VO₂max 69: perhaps I will stick with iGPSPORT
After my first faster ride, the BiNavi Ultra estimated my VO₂max at 69 and, after the second ride, 66. Garmin calculates 61 for me. Perhaps I will stick with iGPSPORT now. FTP was estimated too.
Naturally, that is tongue-in-cheek: the higher figure is not automatically more accurate. Systems can use different algorithms and underlying data. Further rides expand the basis for estimates. I will observe whether and how the figures converge or stabilise; greater accuracy after each individual ride cannot be assumed generally.
The figures mainly help me track developments over time. I also find post-ride load and estimated recovery useful. Such estimates do not replace diagnostically determined VO₂max or FTP values.
Structured sessions and further training features
Manufacturer documents also list training plans, interval training and FTP test sessions, as well as compatible smart trainer connectivity and route simulation.
These features extend the device beyond navigation alone. However, I have not yet fully tested the individual training processes and structured workout transfers in this initial review version.
Strava Live Segments
During my test, Strava Live Segments were not yet available. The feature is expected through an update. Its timing and usage requirements remain open.
Battery Life
The initial power consumption impression is promising. Display brightness was automatic. A heart rate sensor, Di2 drivetrain, power meter and radar were connected. The calculation is 78 minutes ÷ 3 × 100 = 2,600 minutes, or 43 hours and 20 minutes. Assuming constant consumption, that would be very strong endurance.
Why this figure is not yet a complete battery test
The measurement covers only 78 minutes and three displayed percentage points. Battery indicator rounding alone has a large effect on extrapolation from such a short sample. A battery also does not necessarily discharge evenly across its entire range. The 43 hours and 20 minutes are therefore an initial linear extrapolation, not a measured runtime from 100 to 0 percent.
Display brightness, navigation, satellite mode, audio, temperature and connected sensors can change actual consumption. I will monitor the battery on longer rides and update the review for a more accurate assessment. The manufacturer specifies at least 30 hours in standard mode and at least 50 hours in power-saving mode. The briefing also mentions a full charge in around 1.5 hours. I have not verified this charging time myself.
View on Amazon*Resume a route later
The “Resume Later” feature made a positive impression. It is intended for longer interruptions followed by continuing a ride. An obvious example is an overnight stop on a bikepacking trip.
Such features may initially look unspectacular on a specification list but can be very helpful on longer trips. I want to examine overnight resumption, including battery consumption and subsequent synchronisation, more closely. I already like having the option.
Particularly Suitable
The BiNavi Ultra is interesting if you …
- want a large display with clear maps and data fields,
- want to combine a touchscreen, physical buttons and a side rotary dial,
- find voice guidance directly from the bike computer practical,
- want offline route planning while on the move,
- use heart rate sensors, power meters, electronic shifting and radar,
- want to track VO₂max, FTP, training load and recovery,
- want saved rides uploaded automatically to Strava,
- want particularly long battery life for extended rides—the initial test extrapolated to around 43 hours and 20 minutes,
- plan longer trips and value Resume Later.
Less Suitable
The current test version is less suitable if you …
- want independent volume adjustment for radar warnings and navigation prompts,
- expect the most consistent possible display across all lighting conditions and viewing angles.
This assessment reflects my testing so far before launch. Automatic transfer of completed rides to Strava also worked during further testing. The extrapolated battery life of 43 hours and 20 minutes is still based on a short measurement, not a complete runtime test.
Verdict
- Display: 3.7 inches, touchscreen and 480 × 854 pixels.
- Controls: rotary dial, metal buttons and touchscreen.
- Navigation: voice guidance, turn instructions and digital bell.
- Sensors: heart rate, power meter, Di2 and radar paired easily.
- Battery: initial extrapolation to around 43 hours and 20 minutes.
Note: the display is sometimes harder to read in partial shade.
* Affiliate link: I may receive a commission if you buy. There is no extra cost to you.
My iGPSPORT BiNavi Ultra test verdict: the BiNavi Ultra makes a good impression, particularly in hardware. Its 3.7-inch display, rotary dial, metal buttons and integrated speaker are clear developments over the BiNavi.
Connectivity also impressed. Heart rate sensors, power meters, Shimano Di2 and Garmin Varia paired without difficulty. Saved rides also uploaded automatically to Strava.
VO₂max, FTP, load and recovery time expand training analysis. Resume Later is also practical for longer trips.
The initial battery impression is promising too: three percentage points used in 78 minutes extrapolate to around 43 hours and 20 minutes. A complete runtime test remains outstanding, however.
Display readability may decline in partial shade.
Overall, the BiNavi Ultra already offers a comprehensive package for navigation, training and longer rides.
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Improved display
3.7 inches, rich colours and good contrast. -
Rotary dial and metal buttons
Practical additions to the touchscreen. -
Voice guidance
Timely navigation instructions through the speaker. -
Trouble-free sensor connections
Heart rate, power meter, Di2 and radar worked in the test. -
Extensive training data
VO₂max, FTP, load and recovery time. -
Good initial battery impression
Extrapolated to around 43 hours and 20 minutes. -
Good build quality
Metal buttons, 122 grams and practical Resume Later feature.
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Display in partial shade
Harder to read in certain lighting conditions.
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