After months of anticipation, the GPS watch brand Coros launched its first-ever bike computer in mid-June. As with each of Coros’s releases, the DURA was supposed to be a turning point in the market, bringing a high-performance bike computer on a decent budget. Briefly, it did not disappoint. Today, after testing one unit for over a hundred consecutive days, we are ready to give our honest opinion, what we like, and what could be improved.
As we already stated in our previous review, the major highlight of the DURA was its long lifetime. Coros claims that after a full charge, you can use the DURA for up to 120 hours, and we definitively put it to the test. We have been using the device an average of 4-5 days a week for over a hundred days, and after all this time we have only charged it once. Besides, the solar cell on top of the DURA recharges the device while riding. In our case, riding in southern Europe, this translated to around 50% of charging during the ride (for instance, if 3% of the battery was used, 1.5 % was regained thanks to the solar cell). Another surprising feature is that the DURA uses so little battery that it never turns off unless you force it. It just goes into sleep mode after your ride, which results in extremely fast turning on and satellite finding when you restart it.
Being able to try the unit for a long time has also allowed us to see its progression in terms of updates. In their latest release in mid-October new screens were added, allowing you to easily do interval training and follow the elevation of your route. Besides, they are constantly fixing minor bugs, improving the device’s responsiveness, and adding new functionalities. This is one of the strong points of Coros, which being younger than other brands of sports GPS, forces them to always keep up to date. In this regard, do not hesitate to send a message to the Support team as they are open to listening and very responsive.
In terms of looks, the Coros DURA differs a bit from other brands for its longer front and lateral dial. However, after using it, we have finished liking its sleek design. First, the narrow longer front gives place to the solar cell, and the overall case and computer holder are designed in such a way that it follows a continuous aero line and does not compromise the bike’s aesthetics. Secondly, as in their watches, the dial allows you to easily navigate the different screens and it is very easy to use single-handed, especially in technical sections or if you are wearing gloves. Nonetheless, you can also employ the touchscreen to navigate if necessary.
Regarding the screen, despite being smaller than other brands, the contrast is very clear and the data is easy to read. Even under direct sunlight or at night, you can see it with no problem. We also used it under heavy rain and even if there was no ‘rain lock’, we had no unexpected switching of screens by raindrops. Another strong point is the easy customization through the cellphone app, you can choose the number of screens, the tiles, and the information you want to display (power, heart rate, speed, elevation, temperature, statistics…). In this regard, before starting any activity you can also choose a different profile depending on the riding discipline (MTB, road, indoors…), which will allow you to have different screens on each profile.
For navigation, routes get directly loaded from the Coros app or third-party applications like Komoot. The maps were already installed for our region, which simplified the setting up. The traced route is easy to follow and you can clearly distinguish city areas from water masses or green areas. However, if you want to go off-course it is hard to say what kind of terrain you will find ahead. The map distinguishes main roads from off-road but it is hard to tell a gravel path from a single track. Besides, you need to pause the activity to switch routes which can be sometimes problematic.
The setting up of the Coros DURA for first-time users or current Coros customers is straightforward. Out from the box, you will only need to input some data, connect it to your cellphone, add third-party apps, and search for sensors. In our case, we connected an ANT+ heart rate monitor and Bluetooth powermeter pedals from other brands. The connection was immediate and stable during all this time. Besides, if you already have a Coros GPS watch this will improve your experience, as you can use it as a heart rate monitor, or employ it in multi-sport activities. After each ride, the activity immediately loads to the app either through the watch or the cellphone and then to third-party applications with no lag.
The DURA also comes with Coros support, which includes training modes, training programs, and the option to upload your training plans. This is easily set up from the app and you can follow all your progress over time. In terms of security, we liked the ‘bike alarm’ when you stop for a coffee or similar and you leave your bike unattended, and the ‘safety alerts’ that are sent to your emergency contacts in case of an accident.
Overall, our experience with the Coros DURA is very positive. From day one, we have seen how the brand has constantly updated its functionality and enhanced what was already a high-performance bike computer. Despite the DURA can be employed for all kinds of riding from daily commuting to racing, bikepacking seems the most indicated one as its battery is endless and you can just ride for days and days. Nonetheless, do not forget this is not the only highlight. It also features neat all-black aero finishes to match any bike, the connectivity with sensors and apps is fast and reliable, the screen is clear and easy to navigate, and you will always have updates. All in all, do not hesitate to get a DURA if you are looking for a low-budget bike computer offering high-end performance.
