U.S. performance sports tech firm COROS has launched its new POD 2 training accessory which measures your run directly from your foot or body movements.
The clever compact clip-on (about the size of a thumbprint) connects to your COROS watch to provide real-time data, so you can always train or race with the most accurate information.
POD 2 can be worn in two ways, either on the forefoot of your shoe or clipped on to a waistband or shorts. POD stands for Performance Optimisation Device.
POD 2 can be used in tandem with any of the firm’s currently available GPS watches – such as Pace 2, Apex and Vertix 2 – to provide the user with more precise running data for optimal training and racing.
The firm said the Bluetooth device tackles the GPS tracking issue that some sports watches encounter, even high end dual band GPS watches such as Vertix 2.
For example: when running in cities with tall buildings or areas where there are weak signals, when there are sudden pace changes and when running indoors.
POD 2 is aimed at indoor runners, urban runners looking to improve their GPS track quality and data consistency, road runners who need instant pace measurement and distance data superior to what GPS watches currently offer and trail runners who want to find the easiest and most accurate way to manage effort on hilly terrains.
Inside the tiny grey device’s frame are a barometric altimeter, thermometer, geomagnetic compass, accelerometer and gyroscope.
In the box
Like with all COROS products, POD 2 comes in a package that screams premium.
Inside the box is a handy carrying case, your charging dock and USB-C cable, which connects to your laptop or any USB-A charging brick, along with the clips for your running shoes and a clip for your waistband.
In practice
Pace is arguably one of the most important metrics a GPS watch provides.
However, many runners are not aware that their watches have a significant delay in real-time pace measurements.
It’s similar to what it would be like driving a car with a slow responding speedometer.
And if you have ever tried to navigate walking around a city for the first time using your smartphone, you’ll notice that if you take any wrong turns or make sudden changes to the route then your watch takes seconds to catch up.
When using POD 2 with your watch, for example, during sudden bursts of pace you notice the resulting data is more precise than by using the watch on its own.
POD 2 is also more accurate at measuring distance than a COROS watch or indeed other brands' wearables. I’ll cover this in more detail in my full review.
If you do a lot of treadmill running, then you may know that sports watches are not the most reliable for measuring distance.
Higher end treadmills generally provide accurate distance measurements, but many machines do not.
POD 2 is a great tool for indoor runners who maybe don’t have access to a high-end treadmill.
Effort Pace
Alongside the launch of POD 2, the firm is updating its Adjusted Pace metric which will now be known as Effort Pace.
It will now be developed to consider many environmental factors other than just uphill and downhill gradients.
The company said that by utilising instruments within the POD 2 and pairing those with GPS capabilities, Effort Pace will be the most advanced training metric available on the market today ahead of the currently trendy wrist-based Running Power metric.
Effort Pace is more aligned to how your body feels during a run.
It takes the current grade you are running, combines it with your current pace, and provides you with a measurement telling you what your equivalent effort running flat would be.
Battery life
POD 2 will last for 28 hours of continuous running. It will also retain power for 50 days when in standby mode.
The charging dock holds five full charges for POD 2.
POD 2 pricing and availability
COROS POD 2 costs €119 and is on sale now at Ready 2 Run, Cormac Street, Tullamore Co Offaly or from coros/com.
POD 2 Key specs
Dimensions: 27.1mm x 33.9mm x 8.6mm
Weight: 5.6g
Case material: Fibre-reinforced polymer
Sensors: Barometric Altimeter, Thermometer, Geomagnetic Compass, Accelerometer and Gyroscope
Battery life: 28 hours of continuous running; 50 days in Standby Mode
Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium Battery
Water rating: 3 ATM
Working Temperature: -10 to 60 ℃
Connectivity: Bluetooth
Charging dock
Dimensions: 33.9mm x 52.1mm x 15.5mm
Weight: 17.6g
Case material: Fibre-reinforced polymer
Battery life: Able to fully charge POD 2 unit five times
Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium Battery
Charging: USB-C
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