Evaluation: Coros Dura Photo voltaic GPS Bike Pc

PEZ readers in all probability know Garmin, Wahoo, and Hammerhead in relation to bike computer systems. Please welcome the Coros (well-known for his or her GPS watches) DURA as the most recent child on the block. What units it other than the group is that the Coros DURA is photo voltaic powered with a claimed 120 hours on a full cost plus as much as 2 additional hours of experience time per hour from photo voltaic charging, in accordance with the producer.

What’s within the field: (1) Out entrance handlebar mount, (2) shims for various diameter handlebars (the mount is sized for 31.8 mm bars), (3) the DURA unit, (4) USB-C to USB-C charging twine, (5) hex wrenches, (6) fast begin information and different documentation

Coros Dura Photo voltaic GPS Bike Pc – $249

Full specs per Coros:

Spec weight is 99 grams

A whopping 10 grams lighter than spec!

Chuck Peña PEZ sez: If you wish to know my backside line up entrance (BLUF), right here it’s …

• For me, the Coros DURA ticks all the mandatory containers for what I would like a GPS bike laptop to do (I admit that I will not be as demanding as different riders, so YMMV), which is principally to:
  • show (and monitor) experience information/metrics that matter most to me, i.e., velocity, distance, cadence, energy, coronary heart price (climbing information/metrics are of secondary significance and don’t actually come into play using down within the SC Lowcountry)
  • have the ability to obtain routes and have turn-by-turn navigation through a map display screen
  • sync my rides to Strava (which syncs to Xert for me to maintain monitor of my efficiency metrics and using progress)
• As with all new tech, there’s a studying curve however it’s not overly steep (the Coros app makes it just a little simpler/extra intuitive as a substitute of getting to do the whole lot on the DURA itself)
• IMHO the mapping/navigation might be improved, however it’s usable
• What units the Coros DURA other than different GPS bike computer systems is the claimed extremely lengthy battery life (as much as 120 hours) and photo voltaic re-charging (one hour for each two hours of using
• At $249, it’s very competitively priced in opposition to comparable GPS bike computer systems (even ones that don’t have photo voltaic re-charging)

However the satan is usually within the particulars, so please learn on.

Getting began

As with all new piece of techy tools, there’s a studying curve. Beneficial studying is the Coros Getting Began consumer information that walks you thru:

• What’s within the field
• Set-up
• Button format
• Firmware updates
• How you can cost DURA
• Recording your first experience
• Navigation
• Settings/preferences
• third social gathering integrations/information syncing
• What sensors are within the DURA?

Coros additionally has a video tutorial  to pair and arrange a DURA:

General, the method is comparatively simple and simple. All through this evaluation, I’ll let photos do as a lot of the speaking as potential. First issues first … cost the Coros DURA.

Charging port is USB-C

Obtain the Coros app (in my case, through the Apple App Retailer, but additionally on Google Play for Android). And arrange your account/profile.

Then pair and arrange the DURA, together with your actions (in my case, street bike) and notifications settings (I’m effective with textual content messages in case my spouse or daughter have to come up with me, however eschew the whole lot else).

Lastly, replace the firmware!

I forgot to take a screenshot for offering your community password

Voila!

The app

I’m not going to enter the whole lot (everyone knows who the maestro is for diving deep into all the small print in relation to bike tech and I’m not right here to compete), however the app is the place you get a variety of stuff performed, similar to:

Health information (though that is extra for Coros watches than the DURA) and different private settings.

Loading maps for the a part of the world the place you’re using.

However maybe most significantly, exercise settings which embody the screens (pages) on the DURA. By default, there are three screens however you possibly can add extra if you need.

I arrange my major display screen (web page) on the DURA to show velocity, energy, cadence, coronary heart price, and distance

I arrange my second display screen with climbing information (that I’ll by no means use using down within the SC Lowcountry)

The third display screen is a map and you may determine what you need displayed on the backside

When using, you possibly can change screens both by turning the scroll knob or swiping up/down on the touchscreen.

My three using screens (left-to-right: major, climbing, map)

You additionally have to determine what information to show in cut up display screen mode, which is a partial map with three information fields. NOTE: Cut up display screen is a distinct show from the total display screen shows and you’ve got navigate the DURA to alter from full display screen to separate display screen mode, which isn’t so simply performed whereas using — so one other niggle.

Cut up display screen

There’s much more you are able to do within the app, however that needs to be sufficient to get you began.

Pairing sensors

DURA helps pairing through Bluetooth and ANT+. As much as 12 sensors might be paired to DURA concurrently. Sensors are paired utilizing the DURA unit not the app. The process is fairly easy.

• Flip the DURA on by urgent and holding the BACK/LAP button (2) on the decrease proper facet of the unit
• Scroll (utilizing the DIGITAL DIAL/CONFIRM knob (1))) to System > Equipment > Add Equipment after which press the knob (NOTE: You can too swipe up or down on the touchscreen to navigate after which faucet the touchscreen)
• Activate the sensor
• DURA will start looking for close by gadgets
• When the sensor seems, choose it on DURA display screen to finish the pairing course of
• DONE!

Pairing my energy meter

I additionally paired a Coros Coronary heart Price Monitor ($79) that’s rechargable (no extra fussing with coin cell batteries) and has 38 hours of full operation or 80 days in standby mode on a single cost, in accordance with Coros.

The Coros Coronary heart Price Monitor is an optical sensor HRM worn round your arm

Right here’s the Coros web page with extra particular data about pairing sensors.

NOTE: Turning the DURA off isn’t so simple as urgent and holding the BACK/LAP button (and qualifies as a minor niggle — I’d reasonably have the ability to simply press and lengthy maintain the BACK/LAP button). As an alternative:

• Scroll to System > Extra Settings >Flip Off
• Press the dial knob
• Press the dial knob another time to verify

Downloading routes

There are 3 ways to load routes onto the Coros DURA:

• Create a route on the Coros app and sync to the DURA utilizing the app (performed similar to you’d in most different mapping apps, i.e., choosing a place to begin after which dropping waypoints on the roads you need to experience)

Making a route on the Coros app

• Import a route (GPX file) to the Coros app and sync to the DURA utilizing the app
• Combine a 3rd social gathering mapping app (similar to Trip With GPS, which I exploit) with the Coros app and it’ll mechanically sync routes from the app on to the Coros app

Right here’s the Coros web page with extra particular data about downloading routes.

NOTE:  Integrating Trip With GPS with Coros is completed on the RWGPS web site as follows:

• Click on your Profile Icon within the higher proper nook of the display screen

• Click on Settings

• Click on Linked Providers

• Click on Join with Coros (you might be requested to signal into your COROS Account or confirm your credentials if you’re not actively logged in)

• Click on the Authorize button in order that Trip with GPS has permission to add routes to your Coros profile

As soon as Trip With GPS is linked with the Coros app, right here’s the way you load a route onto the DURA:

Third social gathering integration/syncing

So now that I’ve talked about integrating third social gathering apps, right here’s how to do this:

• Open the Coros app to the Profile web page
• Go to Settings > third Celebration Apps
• Choose the app you want to sync, then log in through the pop-up browser

Linking Strava to Coros app

Extra apps that may join than you possibly can shake a stick at!

NOTE: One other minor niggle (that’s definitely fixable through a future firmware replace) I’ve is that the DURA doesn’t but have integration with the FasCat coaching app that I exploit together with Xert. Not that I’m racing or coaching for something, however I admit to being a little bit of a numbers geek and similar to to see how I’m measuring up.

Driving with the Coros DURA

In case you don’t have already got a Garmin-compatible bike laptop mount (or a mount the place the puck might be swapped out), you should use the Coros-supplied out entrance mount, which is formed to combine with the DURA and is definitely fairly glossy, i.e.,  #aero.

Driving with the Coros DURA is way that very same as some other bike laptop:

• Flip it on
• Scroll to ROAD and press the  dial knob
• Scroll to START and press the dial knob
• Trip on!

To finish your experience:

• Press the dial knob and scroll to FINISH
• Press the dial knob and maintain for 3 seconds
• Press the dial knob to avoid wasting the exercise (or press the again button to delete the exercise
• You’re performed!

All kinds of information/stats after you’ve saved your experience

Navigation

In case you’ve loaded a route that you just need to experience:

• Scroll to ROAD and press the dial knob
• Scroll to NAVIGATION and press the dial knob
• Scroll to the route you need to experience and press the dial knob
• Scroll to START ROUTE and press the dial knob
• Comply with the route!

Navigating through the map is much like different bike computer systems:

• The route is proven in blue with white arrows to point the course of journey
• Roads you’ve beforehand ridden are proven in purple
• Directional cues are displayed in a inexperienced field (however doesn’t show avenue title)

You should utilize the minus and plus to zoom out or in on the map. The center quantity on the backside is the mileage to the top of the route. The quantity on the underside proper is velocity (zero since I finished to take this pic).

NOTE: The map show itself is principally a collection of roads with nothing to point several types of roads, differentiation of motorbike paths vs roads, and no street names or some other location indicators. So fairly naked bones primary. IMHO, that is one thing that must be improved.

What occurs should you miss a flip and end up off track? Based on Coros:

In case you are following a route and go off track, DURA will mechanically show a dotted line to point out you the shortest distance to get again on track.

Nevertheless, in case your telephone is close by with the COROS app operating within the background, DURA will immediate you “Reroute again to vacation spot”.  If you choose this feature, DURA will use map information from the COROS app to calculate the most secure method again to the deliberate route, together with flip instructions to information you again on track.

If there’s one space that I believe wants work, it’s the re-routing. I rode off track on goal and listed here are some observations primarily based on my expertise:

• The dotted crimson line was often only a straight line connecting again to the route, however not essentially following precise roads. I suppose this might be helpful for strolling/operating/mountaineering, however not a sensible resolution using a motorcycle.
• After I did veer off track, the route I used to be using nonetheless confirmed as blue on the map. A distinct shade, e.g., crimson, can be higher visually to know should you’re on or off track.
• It could be a perform of the street system, however re-routing was often only a U-turn to get again on track. To be honest, that is additionally usually the case with in-car navigation and isn’t a shock provided that — in accordance with Coros — the re-routing makes use of real-time street situation information powered by Google Maps, which isn’t at all times bike pleasant/sensible, e.g., telling you to make a U-turn on a 4-lane street (much more troublesome/harmful to do should you’re on an adjoining bike path). Nevertheless, should you’re in acquainted environment, your mind may very well higher. NOTE: As a result of the re-routing is powered by Google Maps, which means the DURA must be related to the Coros app in your telephone which in flip has to have an web/information connection.

The crimson dotted line (inexperienced arrow) is the DURA re-routing me, however it’s  only a straight line connection not on an precise street

Solar energy

In case you’ve gotten this far, I’ve saved the very best (IMHO) for final. If there’s one benefit the Coros DURA has over different bike computer systems, it’s the battery. I can’t confirm Coros’ declare of as much as 120 hours of battery life on a full cost (with 1 hour photo voltaic re-charge for two hours using in direct daylight), however that’s nearly 3 times extra it’s nearest competitor’s declare (Garmin claims as much as 45 hours for its Edge 1040 Photo voltaic, which carries a hefty $749.99 price ticket) . However what I can inform you that’s after eight rides totalling nearly 16-1/2 hours of using (with various daylight circumstances), the remaining battery life proven on my Coros DURA was 76 % (NOTE: That is with my Wahoo POWRLINK energy meter pedals related and the DURA display screen backlight degree on excessive plus one experience principally utilizing the map display screen, so not an try to energy save and lengthen battery life). Based on my math, that may common out to nearly 68 hours. So possibly 120 hours is a stretch and solely achievable beneath “excellent” circumstances, however 60+ hours of battery remains to be quite a bit and nothing to sneeze at in comparison with different bike computer systems.

This yr has been “mild” using for me given work, my catheter ablation for AFib, and shifting from Babylon on the Potomac to the Lowcountry, however 60 some odd hours would get me by greater than a month of using — possibly even two months. The truth is, since I’ve used Strava to file my using (2014), I’ve solely had one month the place I rode greater than 60 hours.

So if battery life is of paramount significance (or should you do epic ultra-long endurance using), the Coros DURA is a ‘droid try to be taking a look at.

A experience with almost zero battery drain!

Be aware: When you have different experiences with gear or one thing so as to add, drop us a line. We don’t declare to know the whole lot (we simply suggest it at instances). Give us a pat on the again should you just like the evaluations or a slap within the head should you really feel the necessity!

PezCycling Information and the writer ask that you just contact the producers earlier than utilizing any merchandise you see right here. Solely the producer can present correct and full data on correct/secure use, dealing with, upkeep, and or set up of merchandise in addition to any conditional data or product limitations.

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