COROS APEX – New Running Watch

COROS have just sneaked out a new running watch. The COROS APEX

The details are somewhat thin on the ground right now but this looks like a rather sweet-looking, nice-screened running watch with quite a few nice features. (Ty @PeteA for the heads up)

BACKGROUND

COROS do smart helmets and recently the bizarrely well-performing GPS on the Pace. The COROS Pace is a triathlon watch akin to the Garmin 735XT.

The Pace is/was a specifically sport-focused device. None of those smart niceties that sometimes get in the way AND that are hard to build and deliver.

COROS APEXThe new COROS APEX comes as something of a surprise. Both the timing (Christmas!?!) and the slight change of tack from COROS.

I don’t know much right now but let’s start of with specifications that include 100 hours of GPS usage

 

#GULP

 

The Apex has an UltraMax GPS setting which periodically records GPS and can record a workout for up to 100 hours (it uses the new low-powered Sony GPS chip). That should be long enough. ‘Normal’ GPS mode is still an extremely respectable 35 hours and ‘tell-the-time’ mode is 30 days.

There are some great-looking screens which show aerobic TE, anaerobic TE and Stamina, the latter of which reminds me of a chest strap from GoMore from a couple of years ago.

 

So the Stamina data field together with the 100 hours may well suggest the Ultra runner as a target market. Maybe.

There is a titanium alloy or ceramic bezel finish and sapphire glass. The Apex also comes with interchangeable bands for the fashion conscious and perhaps that single button (two?) might not appeal to some more serious runners? Although as a way to scroll through screens…”why not?”

It looks to have different training modes; Interval, Aerobic, and Anaerobic Training modes. Which, if you think about it, might signal some special kinds of functionality for different kinds of workout.

MODELS

There are two similar but differently-sized models. The larger model has more superior construction and is probably slightly larger because of a physically larger batter (and hence better battery life and slightly extra weight)

 

SPECIFICATIONS

We are also tempted by these potentially fine-looking specifications.

  • Titanium alloy bezel finish with sapphire glass for APEX 46mm
  • Ceramic bezel finish with sapphire glass for APEX 42mm
  • Multisport functionality
  • COROS Trainer for advanced training and analysis
  • Intelligent Stride model that learns your running form
  • Wrist-based heart rate monitor
  • UltraMax battery setting
  • 100m water resistance
  • Digital knob
  • Built-in barometer, altimeter, and compass
  • Pre-load breadcrumb trail maps
  • GPS and GLONASS satellite connections
  • ANT+ and BLE connections
  • Interval, aerobic, and anaerobic training
  • Fully customizable home screen
  • Ultra comfortable silicone band
  • Connect to 3rd party applications STRAVA and TrainingPeaks and automatically upload workouts
  • Post-workout advanced analyses to include VO2 max, recovery advisor, threshold pace, last-7 days training load, personal fitness index and more.

THOUGHTS

Details are thin on the ground right now. But this looks like a sport-capable multisport watch of the Fenix 5 mould but without the niceties and without the price tag of the Fenix 5 – ie a proper sports watch and not one that says its a sports watch. COROS REALLY HAVE already demonstrated their competence with the earlier COROS Pace. This COULD be good.

#VeryExciting

Ships in November 2018 $299 (42mm) -$349 (46mm) from coros

 

 

PRESS RELEASE INFO BELOW

Tustin, CA ─ COROS Wearables is now announcing its premium-style GPS multisport watch. The concept behind APEX was to design a watch that allows you to train harder, safer and much more efficiently every day and to be ready for the complex outdoor world. Exploring innovative ideas and putting them into action is what drives COROS each day. Their team of researchers and engineers worked with numerous athletes from around the world to identify areas of improvement to their extreme training needs. The result is a premium watch with our exclusive COROS Training software, specifically geared towards enabling your inner inspiration.

APEX is designed with an exclusive personal trainer that will precisely predict your stamina level, aerobic/anaerobic training effects, and recovery time. These calculations are based on COROS’ ability to obtain your lactate threshold, which is 97% accurate stacked against their extensive real-world lab testing. Allowing the COROS Trainer to structure a complete workout specifically geared towards your fitness level and training needs.

“APEX, along with COROS Trainer, is simply the most incredible watch for multisport training and races. We are very excited to enable athletes worldwide to effortlessly track the stamina level, lactate threshold speed, training effect, recovery time and many other key fitness metrics. So, you can train more efficiently to meet your personal goals. Meanwhile, we’ve extended the battery life to the next level by offering up to 35 hours in normal GPS hours, which has never been seen in any other type of watch in this class. Lastly, we are now offering two sizes of APEX watch with many different watch band options, to give athletes more flexibility of picking your favourite style.” – Lewis Wu, CEO, COROS Wearables

APEX Key Features

Your Complete Training Guide

The COROS Trainer dials in your training based on calculations from your heart rate. It will be split up into three different stages: Warm Up, Training, and Cool Down. The COROS Trainer will then provide the duration and target hear rate throughout each stage. This is available for Aerobic and Anaerobic Training modes.

Training Efficiency Without Injury

To prevent injury, there’s nothing more crucial than training correctly. COROS is able to accurately determine your overall effort, broken down into stamina level (0-100) and training effect (0-6). Exerted way too much stamina?  COROS Trainer will notify you it’s time to rest up. “Goal Achieved! Time to cool down.” Now, who doesn’t love hearing that?

What’s even more important is recovery time. Based on the effort level and training history, you will then be able to see an advised recovery window before you begin your next activity. This is available for Interval, Aerobic, and Anaerobic Training modes.

Advanced Training Analysis

Once you’ve finished your workout, the best part begins. The COROS App will give you a complete graphical analysis of your training – including: VO2 max, recovery advisor, threshold pace, last-7 days training load, personal fitness index and plenty more. Additionally, you can connect to your favourite 3rd party applications such as STRAVA and TrainingPeaks and automatically upload your workouts.

Premium Build Quality

Being able to transition from the workplace, into your training element is made much easier with the quality build and design. COROS manufactured the APEX 46mm with a titanium alloy bezel finish and APEX 42mm with a ceramic bezel, complete with a sapphire glass for extreme protection.

Easily swap-in and out the silicone watch band to a color or material that matches your personality. Not to mention, the watch band will also sit comfortably on your wrist, allowing for more accurate heart rate readings.

Simplicity at its Finest

Using buttons to change screens can be overwhelming at times, especially in the middle of a workout. With the digital knob, you can easily navigate through the APEX inside and out with a single turn of the knob by using only a single finger.

Ultra-Durable Battery Life

Make constant charging of your watch a thing of the past. With APEX, you will have a watch that is built to last above and beyond your workout. In UltraMax setting, the APEX 46mm battery is carefully engineered to last up to 100 hours using GPS.  While using normal mode will yield up to 35 hours, and regular usage up to 30 days. See a detailed battery performance chart below.

Normal GPSUltraMax GPSRegular Use
APEX 46mm35 hours100 hours30 days
APEX 42mm25 hours80 hours24 days
PACE25 hoursN/A30 days

One Size Does Not Fit All

A watch should not only fit your lifestyle, but it should also be physically fit to your liking. The APEX 42mm does just that and is designed for those who prefer a lower profile, smaller watch bezel.

The APEX Premium GPS Multisport watch is available via COROS, at an MSRP of $299.99 for APEX 42mm and $349.99 for APEX 46mm. The contents of the box include the APEX multisport watch, USB charging clip, quick start guide and warranty registration card. COROS will start shipping APEX to consumers from mid-Nov.

 

 

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14 thoughts on “COROS APEX – New Running Watch

  1. Potentially interesting option for those considering the Polar vantage for trail and ultra running.

    If this pairs with Stryd, and allows for the composition of complex interval sets with power zones it would make a good option.

  2. I was wondering when you might notice it there. 🙂

    Had it on my Friday round-up list. Been there about a week now. Fwiw, the new metrics are not FirstBeat unfortunately, but also not directly COROS, rather, another unnamed 3rd party company.

      1. It’s actually funny – they had only mentioned it to me in passing about something else. And I was like ‘Umm…wait, slow your roll…this ‘Apex’ thing, tell me more.’, only to have them send a link to the already public page.

        Yeah, they let go their US PR firm for some reason.

      2. the unnamed 3rd party sounds interesting. I’d gathered it wasn’t FB for a few reasons. i might ping fb/hb and see what he knows.
        i dont think it was on any post of yours?? (re friday roundup list…i assume you meant your personal list)

      3. Oh, no unnamed 1st party. Rather, CEO of COROS. Sounds like they’re handling PR internally now.

        My Friday roundup list/post for tomorrow. Though, it might just end up in my Week in Review if I go with a different review for tomorrow instead. See how the night with a sick kiddo goes.

      1. 🙂
        I mean changing the pages rotating the crown. I thought it was a peculiarity of the Apple Watch. I’m waiting to hear comments if this function is useful for sport watches, given the fact that the Apple Watch is more fitness oriented (even if DCRainmaker says that it outperforms Polar, Garmin and Suunto in GPS and optical heart rate).
        For sure less buttons is a better looking watch from an aesthetic point of view. But I don’t think that I would be comfortable rotating the crown while running.

      2. yes i think less buttons LOOKS better
        but i think it will work LESS better
        i also think that ONE large button looks silly
        i dont think it will work too well when you are running fast eg polar has a ‘watch tap’ to change screen…much better

      3. Ok, so remaining inside Coros you think that the Coros Pace works better for sport usage than the Coros Apex.
        I partially disagree with you for the number of buttons:
        – I have a Garmin Forerunner 610 of year 2011 with 3 buttons (and touch screen) and I have to say that it’s very easy to action the lap button (right low button) because on the left low side there is no button and I can hold the watch better without touching other buttons.

        – I had also a Garmin Forerunner 35 of year 2016 with 4 buttons. When I was still it was very easy to action the buttons, but while running at the end of the interval it was not so easy because when I hold the watch to push the lap button sometimes I pushed also the left low button and the screen page on the watch changed. I have to say that the buttons of the Garmin 35 were very poor, probably with the other Garmin watches (235, 735, 935, Fenix) there are no problems.

        – One month ago I lost the Garmin 35 and I returned to train with the Forerunner 610.
        I have to say that the Forerunner 610 is far superior from a sport usability view point.
        I’m now using a Garmin footpod for instant pace.
        I didn’t use it any more because I couldn’t calibrate it correctly, because the watch needs a different calibration factor for each speed. Finally I succeed in calibrating it, because I decided to calibrate it with my interval pace that is near my race pace (around 4 min/km) and I’m happy now, at the end of the interval I have the time that I wanted (I mean I can pace myself correctly for the entire interval). Instant pace when I run slow, for example 5 min/km, is not accurate but for me it’s not so important because to run 5 min/km, 5:10 min/km or 4:50 min /km is the same thing, it’s just slow run. Near my threshold pace, running 4:00 min/km or 4:10 min/km or 3:50 min /km is an entire world of difference.

        Nevertheless, I’m wishing to upgrade to a Stryd or Runscribe footpod. I’m waiting for your final review and for DCR review of the new Runscribe plus. I want to know if with the recent firmware Runscribe is good also for instant pace and running power, or if Stryd is still better. I would like to have notice of my symmetry while running to improve my running form (Runscribe gives it, Stryd not), but instant pace and (maybe, I have to try) running power are more important for me.

        P.S. With this I do not want to rush you for the new review of the Runscribe plus 😉

      4. First thing, excuse me for the off topic from Coros Apex.
        Extracts from your first post about Runscribe plus:
        1-
        “RunScribe are working on auto-calibrating their distance algorithm. For now (Q1.2018), after your first few runs you should edit the distance of selected workouts which then calibrates how the pods interpret distance-based metrics. It is possible to trim parts of workouts and enter distances that correspond to selected parts of the workout rather than the workout as a whole (just do that online)”
        2-
        ACCURACY
        This section is left intentionally incomplete at this stage. Pace and power accuracy will be added to this RunScribe Plus Review at some point in 2018.

        3-
        However two KEY metrics that need to be compared are PACE and POWER. As of September 2018 the pace/distance metric is finalised it looks accurate once calibrated.

        4-
        Eight months ago in the comments you writed:
        “they are working on the pace algorithm now.”

        Let’s talk just about “instant running pace” and not “running power” or other metrics.
        From your extracts I understand that RunScribe needs till now to be calibrated. After my experience with the calibration of Garmin footpod I’m a little worried about it. I’m using the fellrnr tool to calibrate my Garmin footpod but I found it extremely difficult because for every speed I need a different factor. After each run the fellrnr tool says me that I should change the calibration factor.
        I like of Stryd that you write that it doesn’t need a calibration factor.
        With Runscribe after you calibrate the footpods the first time with the correct distance, are they accurate for instant pace for all the speed or just the speed that you were running that day (like Garmin footpod)?
        Do you need to calibrate the Runscribe footpod just once or do you need to recalibrate them after some time?
        In conclusione: you write that “as of september 2018 the pace metric …looks accurate once calibrated”.
        Is the calibration process easy for a normal user?
        You write: “ RunScribe are working on auto-calibrating their distance algorithm”
        Is Run scribe still working on auto-calibrating their distance algorithm?

      5. hmmm yes, i may have to revisit that accuracy section.
        pace algorithm s called SENSOR FUSION..that is LIVE.

        calibration: FLAT calibration and SHOE calibration take a matter of seconds and are done via the app. if they stay on the shoe you would not have to repeat
        calibration: distance calibration needs to be done over a known distance – this is a bit of a faff to do. after that it seems pretty good and i don’t think there is a need to repeat unless you want to.

        (comments appear to me in same place…best you comment under the review for other people to see)

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