What better way to start the new year than with some new product features from COROS.️ In their January 20^th update, they are releasing the following firmware update for COROS watches:

New Features Explained

Adjusted Pace – What is Adjusted Pace

Adjusted Pace is a metric displaying an estimation of what COROS calculates your pace would be if running on completely flat ground. This allows COROS users to easily compare workouts, gauge effort level, better analyze training intensity, and more. When running uphill, Adjusted Pace will be faster than the actual pace of the run (running uphill requires extra effort), while running downhill will result in an Adjusted Pace metric that is slower than the actual pace. 

An additional benefit of our Adjusted Pace is that we are able to take advantage of EvoLab and our global user database. With this data, we are able to refine the Adjust Pace algorithm with correlations between pace, heart rate, and grade. It's important to note that Adjusted Pace is not able to account for all factors in workouts (technicality of the trail, terrain differences, etc.)

Why do we need Adjusted Pace (AP)? 

Improved management of Effort Level 

During trail running or road running with significant elevation gain/loss, Adjusted Pace can give a better idea of effort level, particularly when heart rate is affected by outside factors (those other than running, i.e: work, stress, etc). 

Running Power

The simulation of running power closely relates to pace and slope, both of which are important factors of Adjusted Pace as well. The introduction of Adjusted Pace will also contribute to the improvement of running power accuracy. 

How to utilize Adjusted Pace 

Racing Strategy 

Utilize Adjusted Pace as supplementary data to heart rate as terrain changes. While heart rate often has a delay due to physiological responses, Adjusted Pace will show your effort in real-time. 

Train Smart 

People who live in or travel to mountainous areas can use Adjusted Pace to train for pavement running events. Adjusted Pace can eliminate the uncertainty in training with great elevation gain/loss. 

Other 

• Adjusted Pace only takes slope and pace into consideration. There may be other factors that impact running such as road condition, running efficiency, or weather that is not factored in.

• During downhill, Adjusted Pace has a threshold. For example, when slope exceeds -12%, the relationship between Adjusted Pace and may show a negative correlation. Adjusted Pace is a calculation. Even if Adjusted Pace equals a flat road running pace, the subjective feel of running on slopes may be still different from usual. This could be due to anatomical or gait-related reasons such as using different muscles or running postures. 

• Strong Winds can affect the Barometer reading of the watch which may affect slope readings. During heavy wind periods, Adjusted Pace may be affected by outside factors. 

PACE 2 will support Adjusted Pace in road running mode as an optional data field, users can add it manually.

Virtual Run

Enables COROS watches to broadcast indoor running metrics, including pace, cadence and heart rate. You can now pair COROS watches with software like Zwift and Rouvy. This feature allows users to start a virtual run activity with only a treadmill and COROS watch. 

Instructions 

CORE Body Temperature Sensor

COROS watches now support CORE Body Temperature Sensors. COROS watches can pair with CORE Sensor via Bluetooth to provide the bodies core temperature during activity. Users will also find core temperature data in the workout summary as well. 

Supported data： 

• Core Temperature (real-time) 
• Max Core Temperature 
• Min Core Temperature 
• Avg Core Temperature 

Instructions 

Summary:

The core body temperature is a vital metric for performance and the CORE sensor is the first affordable, wearable, convenient and accurate solution that allows sportspeople to monitor their core body temperature to train and race more effectively. 

• The first wearable sensor that delivers highly accurate core body temperature metrics
• Convenient - like any other sports sensor, easy to use, connect and is discrete
• More affordable than e-pills and invasive thermometers that are usually only accessible for the top elite athletes
• No more guessing - more effective training 
• Medical grade and waterproof housing
• Sensor made in Zurich
• Adoption by top-level athletes including numerous Olympic Gold medalists

Workout Function Optimization 

Every step of the workout (Warm-Up, Run, Rest and Cool Down) now exists independently and can be added separately during workout creation (running, cycling and swimming). 

Groups now exist by default, allowing users to quickly add intervals and rest periods. Users now only need to choose the intensity zone once during the creation process. Previously, this would need to be chosen each time. 

Previously 

The watch will automatically switch back to the default page at the start of the new step.

Now 

Data pages will remain on the page that the user has selected. 

Previously 

No Lap Notification during the implementation of workout. 

Now 

Supports Unique Lap Notifications, the laps count will refresh in each stage of the workout (warm-up, workout, cooldown). Here is an example of a workout using

Notifications: 

• First Stage (Warm-Up) // 2mi - Lap Alerts at: 1mi , 2mi 
• Next Stage (Workout) // 6 Mile Recovery Run - Lap alerts at: 3mi (lap distance, 1mi), 4mi (lap distance, 2mi), 5mi (lap distance, 3mi) 

The new update supports the option for 400m Lap Notifications in Track Run Mode. 

GoPro Connection Optimization

Supports VERTIX 2. After the initial connection, COROS watches will re-connect to the GoPro camera automatically even when the device is toggled on/off. Currently, watches need to manually connect to GoPro cameras every time the user powers off the camera. 

Instructions 

With your GoPro camera in hand:

From your COROS watch: 

Open water and pool swim temperature 

COROS watches will utilize the thermometer built into the barometer to provide temperature data for open water and pool swimming activities. 

Adding Temperature Calibration to watches (Already on VERTIX 2) System > Sensors > Calibration > Thermometer - To measure, take off your watch (setting on any surface) for at least 30 minutes, next enter the real temperature to calibrate the sensor. 

Supported Data:

• Water Temp. 
• Avg Water Temp. 

3D Maps

Outdoor activity summaries in the COROS App now support 3D Maps (Overlays/Layers: Outdoor, Satellite, Winter and Dark) 

The app will automatically overlay activity tracks on a 3D map. Users now can visualize the changes in elevation straight from the COROS app. In addition, COROS users will also be able to view 3D maps in their Navigation Routes Library

❗ This feature has minimum system requirements of iOS 9 and Android 4.3 - there are currently bugs in the beta firmware that will be fixed before public release