COROS POD 2 Review: A Missed Opportunity

[@vrta]

Appreciate an honest review of a product you didn't like. KZbin is too full of reviewers trying to please every company just to get more free stuff to review.

[@paulcelmare6926]

And keep it after ;)

[@nathanenns]

@DesFit & @ChasetheSummit seemed to love it. Weird. Quite the opposite here.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

@@nathanenns I'm not sure I'd say I "love it". At the end of my video I actually say "this is not something you need" but it does do what it advertises for the most part. 👍

[@sachakopa7964]

What’s wrong with the carrying case? It’s smart and a nice touch. It keeps the the 2 shoe clips, the belt clip, the dock, cable and pod in one place. I appreciate that they included it.

[@brunocassettari]

Sounds like the “effort pace” is the way Coros is using power on the pod without infringing any patent, by translating it to a respective (effort) pace. If they do that, plus adding temperature and humidity impact, etc, they may have something very interesting there. But without knowing for sure I’d rather going for the new Stryd update.

[@MateHegyhati]

my thoughts exactly, I also felt like this is going in the direction of "running power". Humidity would be super interesting data. I'd love to see a Tempe2 with it.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Lemme get my popcorn 🍿

[@fitgearhunter]

You are so good, man. So so good! So honest and clear with the benefits and issues. I don't run but was so good and so clear - watched the whole thing. I genuinely respect you so much as a reviewer - no limitation to just stating the facts of capabilities in simple form (here's what it does) but stating the comparisons to what already exists and how it fares in that world. Great work

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks Hunter - appreciate it!

[@iMadrid11]

I remember a similar product Nike+ that works with iPod or Nike watch. Before Nike or Apple decided to discontinue it. There was even a special Nike+ shoe that hides the sensor under the sole.

[@mccluskey_xyz]

Great data comparison and honest review. Agreed that Coros isn’t doing themselves any favors by coming up with new names for established metrics and choosing not to be compatible across brands. I will say though, if this works with their cheaper watches like the Pace and Apex, it could be worth it for a data-driven road runner to get top-market accuracy at a bottom-market price.

[@zacchaeuswidner6896]

I agree that the POD is not worth it, but effort pace does make sense if you are calculating all of your factors and not just hills. Humidity, snow, rain etc. If you look at it as a workout view, not as a race view, you can adjust workouts according to your plan race, V02 and effort. For example: lets say you are a marathoner and about travel somewhere that has more idea weather in four weeks. Now lets also say at home weather is warm with like 90% humidity, you have a marathon workout that consists of 10-15 miles at marathon goal pace. Actually doing it at that pace can cost you and set you up for depletion/strain. It will be better to adjust to that day and focus on quality. Side note: I am not taking sides or know if the other companies do the same with their adjusted pace. I am just saying, effort pace makes sense when it comes to intelligence towards quality. Heart rate, sleep, weather, v02, , hills, etc.

[@jmyyer]

Will be much interested in review on how responsive is the new Stryd coming in nov

[@willbert7715]

same here! also because the new stryd is 3 times the price

[@Mamilian]

NGL, Coros lost me at "Coros only". Watched the whole video waiting for something, anything, compelling to pop out, then it got worse :). Great content, as always.

[@the_mid_night_runner]

I think when they start combining temp/humidity into Effort pace, it will be a game changer. I now live in a very hot and humid country and I notice my abilities changing.

[@mart2.n]

Thanks for the video. I just quit Garmin "family" and will try Coros Pace 2, but it seems no reason to buy some or any "pod" no matter if it works with all systems or not. I think some of us (incl me) watch too much for the best technologies and/or the best and most expensive shoes, but less than our workout. Anyway, I know it is your channel, but I'll be happy to see some videos with your running/cycling/swimming advice.

[@_J.F_]

The era of the pod might already be behind us but I bought the Garmin RD pod a month ago as it was on offer from Garmin UK (Roughly 25% off normal price) and for £44.99 I think it was worth it to get the extra data that the pod offers. I am not particularly scientific in my running but I like having data, which I find is great for motivation, and allows me to better focus on areas where I need to improve the most. I never owned a Coros so I have no idea what data is offered on the watch alone but $99.00 seems quite a lot for the extra data their pod provides. Oh, plus all the other reasons you mention in the video 😃

[@rafailloparev2070]

Just for information - Garmin RD POD works with Coros Pace 2.

[@XLJansen]

@@rafailloparev2070 Still? Someone said that that was not possible anymore.

[@XLJansen]

Coros Pod 2 measures also speed, Garmin RD pod doesn’t. That is the main difference.The old Coros Pod didn’t measure speed and had about the same price as the Garmin RD pod.

[@abnerssantana]

In the product specifications on the Coros website, they talk about supporting the KIPRUN GPS 500 watch, which is a Decathlon product, I found it strange maybe it is a partnership. Well they could increase to other watches as he commented, it would be a great move.

[@dariocanas7704]

Its made by Coros for Decathlon.

[@abnerssantana]

@@dariocanas7704 I didn't know that

[@PhilippBorn]

To be more precise. I think it's even the Coros Pace 1 :)

[@dariocanas7704]

@@PhilippBorn if the pace 1 didn't have altimeter , yes.

[@jeffreytillack4709]

@@PhilippBorn the Kiprun is the original Pace, only they left out a few of the big features (otherwise it'd be an awesome buy) that the new Pace doesn't have (Trail Run for instance), and they shortened the battery life (that was 25/40hrs). Sold mine a year ago and now run with a range of Garmin's and Suunto's..

[@Trushpravi]

I had some issues with my stryd power data while running in rain. It just showed over values ( unrealistic)than my actual effort. At the end my CP changed to higher value which is not accurate. In that case effort pace with or without pod may help you better.

[@marc5279]

have you tried comparing coros+pod vs coros(alone)? that'd be a good comparisson for the ones that already have a coros watch. Very good vid and interesting info!

[@aslam7952]

Hmm, effort pace that accounts for gradient, temp, humidity, wind, hr, etc. Sounds a lot like running power. Effort pace is way to get around Stryd's foot pod running power patent?

[@dvdpfstr1971]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@toadlguy]

It also might be a more normalized metric. So win - win.

[@TimGrose]

Umm I had missed that the pod needs to higher or lower as it were to get different metrics and supposed advantages. Could you technically pair 2 pods to get "everything"? Thing is that the advantage of a modern day watch like the 955 is that you don't need to take out accessories that were last in vogue what 20 years ago. And, as you shown, to deliver no benefits compared to competitor products.

[@b09d4n]

I am waiting your review on Coros Pod 2. How it works with different shoes, how it compares with Stryd, how accurate is instant pace, how fast acts to pace changes etc.

[@loserpro43210]

Would've liked to see the distances from each device (POD 2, Stryd, HRM-PP, multiband GNSS) compared with a known distance. After all, distance is the most fundamental metric isn't it? If distance is wrong then all other distance-derived metrics like pace, stride length, power (in the case of Stryd) must also be wrong. Stryd is very tricky to mount correctly in my experience to get accurate distance, especially with asymmetrical/slanted laces and I wonder if it's the same with Coros Pod 2. P.S. for some reason I cannot say the name of the chest strap used in this review, otherwise my comment will get automatically shadow-hidden. Even tried multiple permutations, both abbreviated and spelt out in full. Apparently the shortened version of the word "Professional" is a banned word for me.

[@XLJansen]

GPS distance in my opininion is also not always correct. Besides, if you use the Pod 2 while GPS mode is activated, then the Pod 2 will automatic adapt to GPS distance.

[@Joker757]

Many thanks for a great video again! Odd one, what running shorts are you wearing? Been looking for a good pair that has sufficient room for a modern sized Smartphone.

[@timvanmonero2720]

so, what i take from here: if i take the shoe pod, i get pace from the actual pace i run, rather than GPS. how fast does it refresh and how accurate is it? I run in Amsterdam west, and if i do some 30/30 Billat training, where my target pace is 4:30, sometimes it takes 25seconds till my pace actually refreshes to my "pace" and then i see i was running 4:06 or 4:50. a faster update on pace, which i can use for those trainings would be 100% worth it to me.

[@XLJansen]

Ik denk dat zo’n footpod je heel erg kan helpen. De redenen die jij aangeeft met betrekking tot die tempo’s is exact waarom ik met een Garmin footpod loop met een Garmin horloge en om mijn andere pols een Coros Pace 2 GPS. Een pod geeft wisselingen in snelheid binnen een paar seconden aan en vrij accuraat, GPS doet dat niet. Ik ben het daarom ook niet eens met de review van DC Rainmaker. Ik moet wel aantekenen dat ik met deze Pod 2 geen ervaring heb, maar hij is wel om de door jouw genoemde redenen op de markt gebracht.

[@XLJansen]

This is why I don’t agree with DC Rainmaker. This Pod 2 is in the market to refresh speed/pace very fast, where GPS doesn’t.

[@timvanmonero2720]

@@XLJansen yeah, i'll order it. if no good, i'll return

[@timvanmonero2720]

@@elisantiago ty. ordered last night :P

[@gudboyngdisyerto]

@@timvanmonero2720 how is it?

[@stryder99]

Its one of those things I'll have to try for myself. Despite all the so-called advances in GPS, my pace still drops 30 or so seconds per mile whenever I run into the trees, and it's a similar experience for everyone else in our training group. It happens enough that we make sure to do speedwork in clear areas where we get more accurate pacing. And also, the general advice when running a race like Chicago with lots of buildings is still "ignore your GPS", and those Strava maps definitely confirm that. We're a long way from being able to rely only on our watches for tracking, so it's good to have options like this if they actually work.

[@XLJansen]

I don’t know the Coros Pod 2 but I prefer the Garmin running footpod above GPS. GPS gives no constant speed, even when you are running constant, Par example, when you run about 12 km/h, GPS Will gave you 10,8 km/h and a few seconds later 12,4 km/h while you didn’t change your speed. If the Coros Pod 2 has the same quality for speed as the out of stock Garmin footpod I disagree with DC Rainmaker that it is a missed opportunity.

[@Allancrossac]

Did you try the Pod 2 on a treadmill? Would it give more accurate paces when used for Indoor running?

[@arleenm7367]

If I get a new footpod, it would be primarily to record my treadmill pace. I have an older treadmill and I use a Stryd on it now. It seems like these companies are trying to make up and sell new fancy metrics, but do they really mean anything training-wise? Just give me a cheaper footpod that accurately records my pace. Is that too much to ask?

[@XLJansen]

The Garmin footpod is out of stock, that measured speed and cadence. But it was about 70 euro’s.

[@XLJansen]

I agree with you btw.

[@arleenm7367]

@@XLJansen Both the Garmin and the Suunto footpods are no longer being made unfortunately. The only real choice now is the Stryd, which is very expensive and now they want you to sign up for a subscription when you buy it. Coros here missed the boat making this footpod Coros-only compatible.

[@XLJansen]

@@arleenm7367 Maybe the Zwift Runpod is something for you. My answers from yesterday with links to Zwift are removed.

[@ShervinShares]

would love to see this data compared to Apple Watch Ultra

[@sansin6250]

I am looking for a foot pod mainly for tracking pace and distance on indoor workouts on inclined treadmill, elliptical machines, stationary bike. Which foot pod would be the best fit for me - Coros, Stryd or Garmin?

[@AleCardenasRealtor]

Is there an alternative like this for garmin cheaper than srtryde?? Im intrested in the real time pace

[@AlexanderBrowne]

Grade adjusted pace / effort pace - aren't we just talking about power converted to distance/time units? Surely to be true effort pace then you need to account for wind and all the other factors that influence power?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yeah, GAP is mostly useful for non-windy scenarios. For example, in the woods/trails where the wind isn't meaningful, but the incline is. Effort Pace lacking wind is a challenge (as is running power). One of the many challenges of running power...

[@Adakoz1]

Got the pod 2 the other day for some reason it won't connect go my Apex

[@FWPlants]

🤔.. Thank you for that

[@bdanimation2801]

Does it support coros pace 2?

[@filoniz]

Worth $50-60..its an accessory. Price it accordingly.

[@Inpreesme]

Thank you

[@DonGib888]

Keeping it real !

[@thefrannys9200]

It only works with coros watches. (pauses video and goes to watch something else) 🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️

[@timvanmonero2720]

160$ for EU customers. lol Description Price Subtotal $99.00 Shipping $40.00 Estimated taxes $20.79 Total USD $159.79

[@XLJansen]

Tim, op Amazon nl. 119 euro. Overigens als je de Pod 2 op je schoen hebt meet hij niet het grondcontact, de staphoogte en links rechts balans en de stapratio. Dus dan kan het handig zijn de Pod 1 en Pod 2 tegelijk te gebruiken, dat is mogelijk. Dan heb je niet voor niets die Pod 1 gekocht.

[@timvanmonero2720]

@@XLJansen coros support told me that using both pod1 and pod2 at the same time isn't possible. i already bought POD2 in germany and enjoy it. faster pace, very important for me. running amsterdam with GPS doesn't give accurate pace, now i have more precise trainings. dankjewel

[@XLJansen]

@@timvanmonero2720 Vreemd. Op de site van Coros stond dat dat wel kon, nu kan ik het niet meer terugvinden. Zelf heb ik overigens een footpod van Garmin die alleen snelheid en cadans meet. Die gebruik ik met een Garmin Forerunner 35 om mijn linkerpols. Om mijn rechterpols gebruik ik de Pace 2 met de Coros Pod1. Je hebt dan wel afwijking in afgelegde afstand tussen GPS en footpod maar de footpod reageert veel sneller en accurater dan GPS en is constanter. Ik deel dus exact jouw mening.

[@XLJansen]

@@timvanmonero2720 I contacted Coros support, they told me it was possible, Pod1 on the waist with Bluetooth, and Pod2 on the shoe wit Ant+.

[@massi888]

if it was from garmin it would have been great 🤣missed opportunity

[@Dcrainmaker]

Nah, it'd still be a missed opportunity if they released a running footpod that wasn't compatible with anything else except their watches. Watch the video next time.

[@massi888]

@@Dcrainmaker i watched the video, it is a bit surreal when you say that the garmin watches are precise at picking up the pace. I have a garmin fenix 6 x and it is kind of terrible especially in short intervals. After the run when you upload the run, i think the software adjust the data, but real time what i see on the watch is way off. i compared the garmin with Suunto baro 9 and with polar vantage v2 and what i see on the watches is completely different, based on my experience garmin is the worst. I usually enjoy your review, but in my opinion when you talk about garmin you seem to have a soft spot, maybe i am wrong, and honestly it doesn't matter, it is your job and i respect that. Can you connect a garmin running dynamics pod to a polar or suunto watch and actually see the running dynamics? it is expensive to write code for multiple OS with dedicated interfaces, security and api, i understand the choice of coros, and i thing garmin does it too ;)

[@XLJansen]

@@massi888 GPS picking up the pace fast is indeed bullshit. Glad that you compared some different brands.

[@SimonLahaye]

You just saved me 99$ .

[@jason-white]

Unfortunately I have to stop 2.5 minutes in. I have no interest in a device that would require me to buy yet another device.

[@mikeburton8426]

…. This does not support…. ( Mike closes video and moves on)… Great content though as usual Ray

[@mikeday7653]

Thanks I didn't have to watch the whole video. I already have a garmin watch so this product isn't for me.

[@timvanmonero2720]

jsut bought the Pod (1) and feel scammed now. lmao

[@nardixbici]

Lost interest when you said Coros only. Thanks for the review.

[@paulwilson6934]

Something gone wrong with the upload. Only available at 360p highest quality.

[@010MACS]

Higher resolutions take longer to load. It’s a new vid, suspect higher will come as they load.

[@dbenzhuser]

Watching in 4k right now. All good.

[@paulwilson6934]

Came back to watch it later and all good now.

[@melainewhite6409]

4'26" per mile, wow! Oh, that's per kilometer, ho hum.

[@GarminPro]

I think this product is awesome. I have a Garmin watch, and I’ve compared the data between Garmin 965. The Coros watch updates pace more frequently with the pod compared to the Garmin watch. Also, the elevation data is way more accurate and power def shows crisper on the graphs when I’ve hit a hill section of my run.

[@okaydoubleu]

Seems like the focus is on responsive movement and pace measurements, not so much about power.

[@XLJansen]

Yes, that’s a pity.

[@sachakopa7964]

I like that it gives me my pace after 2-3 seconds. I believe that puts it above the competition in terms of responsiveness…and it seems to give me accurate pace even if I lose gps. I’m happy with it so far.

[@chriskennedy1076]

Bummer they didn’t take the approach of the niche hr straps out there. Like the optical scosche or verity or proven H10 chest strap, a sought after accessory that works in whatever watch ecosystem you live in. Pods are basically obsolete at this point unless your name is stryd. Thanks for the objective review Ray.

[@danontherun]

The only reason I want one is for a treadmill where gps isn't useful. I think that's a relevant use case.

[@justned123]

Are you able to test on a treadmill? The only reason I need a foot pod without needing to calibrate speed of the watch with the treadmill.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yup! I include it in my written review, but sorta ran out of time to get all the details included here. Written bits: www.dcrainmaker.com/2022/10/coros-pod-2-in-depth-review-a-missed-opportunity.html

[@justned123]

@@Dcrainmaker Great thanks man! You're the best!

[@jq9474]

Do you know how good the Coros foot pod performed while using it in a treadmill. Would love to have an accurate peace while running in a treadmill.

[@sandstromj]

Thank you again for a honest review.

[@ojmotswane]

Spot on, honest review.

[@Cookefan59]

Yeeeouch! 😂

[@Eirikkinserdal]

I live in a valley, and the gps struggles a lot here. Use my stryd for pace 😅

[@Papa-Bogey]

Ouch, that’ll leave a mark ...

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

That’s how you get the ecosystem wrong 😑

[@newsnetworkz]

It seems Coros wants to build their ecosystem with their own standards

[@MichaelLoweAttorney]

Stryd is still much more accurate than 955, IME. GPS will always be unreliable.

[@Dcrainmaker]

And yet the data here demonstrated quite easily that’s not true.

[@MichaelLoweAttorney]

@@Dcrainmaker I’ve compared it on a track. You should do a Stryd calibration test protocol and and compare a calibrated stryd to the 955 GPS not in track mode. That’s what I did. I even repeated it. The 955 GPS isn’t comparable.

[@MultiJones93]

@@Dcrainmaker you're GPS testing is nowhere near scientificly accurate, it doesn't proof anything for certain

[@Dcrainmaker]

@@MichaelLoweAttorney Did you use the 955 in track mode? Also, while a track is a good test for testing tracks, it’s not a great test for testing other terrain types. For example, in steep mountainous terrain, Stryd struggles where multiband GPS tends to do better than footpods.

[@b09d4n]

@@MichaelLoweAttorney you are right but someone that does not train at specific paces does not understand the need of this kind of accuracy. I see a lot of youtubers that are screwing their races because they have gps glitches during the race.

[@jesusgjchuza6491]

😎

[@GeoffreyHiggs]

Great review! I only use a foot pod for indoor treadmill running.

[@alex-dk2rj]

Is it accurate for treadmill?

[@nadlirfakhry4189]

Not woth to buy..because I do not use coros... If only they make it universal so it can work with other devices such as zwift and other brand such as Garmin... I will buy it without any hesitation

[@charlesoutthere]

Nice review! I was thinking about getting it, I think I'm going to pass :D For what it's worth, GAP on Strava is already using HR as well.

[@trailzrock2]

What would be great is if this little pod had a GPS built in it and Coros made a watch that switches to using the pod GPS to save it's internal battery while paired to the pod 👍 throw in the rest of the metrics, because why not. Would be an awesome way to further increase the batter life in your Coros 👍

[@XLJansen]

I wonder if you understand why this Pod 2 is introduced.

[@trailzrock2]

@@XLJansen tell me

[@trailzrock2]

@@elisantiago i know why they designed it, but it would have made it more useful if they also added gps to it to help conserve the watch battery 👍 kinda like you do with watches that piggyback on your phone's gps. Just another way to extend your watch battery 👍

[@XLJansen]

@@trailzrock2 Of course, and then the battery life of the Pod will go down with your brilliant idea.

[@RumbleBack-iz3tl]

Sold my 955. This seems to be very innovative. Coros again. Like the track feature. Garmin is 1980s. Coros is using from my point of view a very good approach. I like it. The pod is ordered

[@MateHegyhati]

I'm not trying to defend Garmin or anything, but Id like to argue with those statements. You mentioned the track running feature. It is true, that Coros had it before Garmin. (I'm not sure, if they were the first or not.) It is definitely a nice feature, although nowadays a GPS track is very-very close. Anyhow, Coros introduced it before Garmin. I think maybe half a year earlier or so. Kudos to that. I'd be surprised, however, if it were not in the making at that time for Garmin. I assume, that aside of bugfixes, feature releases have a much longer development time. The other option is, that they saw what Coros was doing, and they could replicate it in 6 months with good accuracy. Neither option seems so bad to me. Multiband was also first introduced by Coros, but I'm pretty sure, it was already planned for F7. (And for that case, the release accuracy was much better in case of Garmin than Coros). Correct me if I'm wrong, but regarding multiband, Coros doesn't have an equivalent feature for SatIQ. I'm not bashing Coros, they are a much smaller company, with much smaller resources. I just wanted to argue against your statement.

[@b09d4n]

@@MateHegyhati My findings is that Garmin is more geared towards the average Joe that runs sometimes but is mostly focus on daily steps and other "badges" and Coros is focus more towards the athletes or serious runners that know stuff like Threshold, Critical Velocity and need corect paces to train at.

[@XLJansen]

@@b09d4n Average Joe 😂