The most recent working tech from Coros is fairly forgettable–however that’s precisely what I would like from my gear. With each the Tempo 4 smartwatch and coronary heart price monitor, it’s straightforward to overlook you’re sporting it, letting you focus absolutely on performing, as an alternative of the tech itself.
Two weeks in the past, I attempted out my first HYROX in Ottawa and recorded my race utilizing the Tempo 4’s hybrid health setting. At an ultralight 32 g with the nylon band, the Tempo 4 is particularly perfect for runners with small wrists, whereas the snug armband-style HR monitor made me severely query why anybody nonetheless makes use of a chest strap. From monitoring sleep to exercises, each merchandise make coaching less complicated whereas nonetheless delivering all of the metrics I care about. And the battery life is on one other stage: I went greater than two weeks with out charging both machine.
Let’s dive into the main points.
Tempo 4 specs
Weight (with nylon band): 32g
Show materials: AMOLED
Show dimension: 3.05 cm (1.2 in.)
Typical use battery life: 19 days
GPS mode battery life: 41 hours
Particular options: dual-band GPS, music, built-in mic, display-based flashlight, digital pacing, hybrid health mode
Value: C$349
I’ve all the time been an avid Garmin Forerunner person and was hesitant to maneuver from Garmin Join. However after the Tempo 4, I’m undecided I’ll be going again. The Coros mannequin is priced extra affordably, and the battery life (as a result of no runner has the time or persistence to cost their watch a number of instances per week) is a big improve. Charging can be easy; the watch makes use of the identical USB-C cable I take advantage of for my telephone, with a small keychain adapter included within the field, and it solely takes two hours to completely cost.
As a result of I sometimes discover smartwatches uncomfortable, I’m not within the behavior of sporting mine 24/7. However with the Tempo 4, I’ve repeatedly forgotten it was on my wrist. The silicone wristband makes use of a quick-button fastening system that stays securely in place (not like the loop setup on different fashions, which tends to slide unfastened mid-workout).
The intense AMOLED show additionally makes it straightforward to trace your most vital metrics, with as much as six customizable knowledge screens, every with eight knowledge fields. I did discover that the dial sometimes modifications the show mid-workout when it brushes in opposition to my gloves, which might be irritating throughout periods.
Two standout options are the Tempo 4’s voice notes instrument and the flexibility to undo unintentional laps. The built-in mic lets me shortly file coaching notes post-workout or drop Voice Pins mid-run, which is far simpler than attempting to recollect all the main points later.
COROS HR monitor specs
Weight (sensor + band): 19g
Exercise mode battery: 38 hours
Standby mode battery: 80 days
Value: C$119
For sports-bra wearers particularly, conventional chest-strap HR displays sit in the identical spot because the bra’s band, making layering awkward and uncomfortable. Throughout actions resembling burpee broad jumps in HYROX exercises or races, when tapping your chest on the bottom, the sensor may also get in the way in which.
The COROS HR monitor is a significant improve in consolation and appears extra seamless below clothes, too–so I really need to put on it for coaching. I used to be initially frightened about slippage as soon as I received sweaty, however even in the course of the sweatiest exercise periods, it stayed safe. Battery life is great, lasting weeks between expenses, and in addition recharges shortly by way of USB-C; I significantly respect not having to take care of coin-cell batteries anymore. The strap can be straightforward to wash, dries shortly and feels much less sweaty than a chest strap total.
