COROS PACE 3: A Guide to Route Navigation for Training and Exploration

How to use routes on COROS PACE 3?

The COROS PACE 3 offers robust route navigation capabilities, empowering athletes to explore new terrain, follow predefined courses, and enhance their training with confidence. Utilizing this feature involves creating or importing routes into the COROS app, syncing them to your watch, and then activating navigation during a compatible activity.

Understanding Route Navigation on COROS PACE 3

Route navigation on your COROS PACE 3 transforms your watch into a powerful guide for outdoor activities. Instead of relying solely on a phone or memorizing a course, the watch provides real-time guidance directly on your wrist. This feature is invaluable for:

• Exploration: Discovering new trails, roads, or urban paths without fear of getting lost.
• Training Consistency: Following specific routes for structured workouts, such as long runs, tempo efforts, or cycling segments.
• Safety: Having a reliable guide in unfamiliar areas, especially during endurance events or solo adventures.
• Race Preparation: Pre-running or pre-riding race courses to familiarize yourself with the terrain and elevation changes.

The PACE 3 primarily uses a "breadcrumb" trail navigation, displaying your pre-loaded route as a line on a blank background, with your current position marked. It also provides off-course alerts and an elevation profile.

Prerequisites for Route Navigation

Before you can embark on your navigated adventure, ensure you have the following:

• COROS PACE 3 Watch: Fully charged and updated to the latest firmware.
• COROS App: Installed on your smartphone (iOS or Android) and paired with your PACE 3.
• A Route File: In GPX or FIT format, or a route created within the COROS app.

Creating or Importing Routes into the COROS App

The COROS app serves as the central hub for managing your routes. You have several options for populating your route library:

Importing Existing Routes (GPX/FIT files)

If you have a route file (e.g., from a friend, a race website, or a route planning tool), you can import it directly into the COROS app.

1. Locate the File: Access the GPX or FIT file on your smartphone (e.g., from an email attachment, cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox, or downloaded directly to your phone).
2. Share to COROS: Tap on the file. Your phone should present an option to "Open with" or "Share to" another application. Select the COROS app.
3. Confirm Import: The COROS app will open and prompt you to import the route. Confirm the import, and the route will be added to your Explore tab under Route Library.

Creating Routes within the COROS App

You can design your own routes directly on your phone using the COROS app's mapping tools.

1. Navigate to Explore: Open the COROS app and tap on the Explore tab (compass icon at the bottom).
2. Create New Route: Tap the "+" icon in the top right corner and select "Create New Route."
3. Draw Your Route:
   • The map will display your current location.
   • Tap on the map to place waypoints. The app will automatically connect these points, typically following roads or known paths.
   • You can drag existing points to adjust the route.
   • Use the "Undo" button if you make a mistake.
   • Zoom in and out for precision.
4. Save the Route: Once satisfied, tap the "Save" icon (diskette) in the top right, give your route a name, and choose the appropriate activity type (e.g., Run, Bike). This route will then appear in your Route Library.

Syncing from Third-Party Platforms

COROS integrates with popular platforms like Strava and Komoot, allowing for seamless route syncing.

1. Link Accounts: In the COROS app, go to your Profile (person icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Third-Party Apps. Select Strava or Komoot and follow the prompts to link your accounts.
2. Sync Routes: Once linked, routes you create or save as "starred" or "planned" on these platforms may automatically sync to your COROS app's Route Library. Ensure the sync settings are enabled for routes.

Syncing Routes to Your COROS PACE 3

After your routes are in the COROS app's Route Library, the next step is to transfer them to your watch.

1. Open COROS App: Ensure your COROS PACE 3 is connected to your phone via Bluetooth.
2. Go to Explore: Tap on the Explore tab, then Route Library.
3. Select Route: Tap on the route you wish to sync to your watch.
4. Sync to Watch: On the route detail page, tap the "Sync to Your Watch" button.
5. Choose Watch: If you have multiple COROS devices, select your PACE 3.
6. Confirmation: The app will indicate that the route is syncing. A confirmation message will appear on your watch once the transfer is complete.

Note: The COROS PACE 3 has a limited capacity for routes. Manage your routes by deleting old ones from your watch via the app or directly on the watch if you need space.

Starting a Workout with Route Navigation on Your PACE 3

Once a route is on your watch, you can activate it during a compatible activity.

1. Select Activity Mode: From the main watch face, press the Digital Dial to enter the activity menu. Scroll and select a GPS-enabled outdoor activity that supports navigation (e.g., Run, Trail Run, Hike, Bike, Mountain Climb).
2. Access Navigation Menu: Before starting the activity (on the "Start" screen), press and hold the Digital Dial.
3. Select Navigation: Scroll down and select "Navigation."
4. Choose Route: Select "Select a Route" and then choose the desired route from your list.
5. Start Activity: Once the route is loaded, press the Digital Dial again to return to the activity start screen. Ensure GPS is acquired, then press the Digital Dial to begin your workout. The navigation screen will be one of your data pages.

Understanding On-Watch Navigation Features

While navigating, your COROS PACE 3 provides several key visual and auditory cues:

• Breadcrumb Trail: This is your primary navigation screen, showing a line representing the pre-loaded route and a small arrow or dot representing your current position. Your direction of travel is always "up" on the screen.
• Off-Course Alerts: If you deviate from the loaded route, the watch will vibrate and display an "Off Course" alert, guiding you back to the path.
• Elevation Profile: This screen shows the entire elevation profile of your loaded route, your current position along that profile, and remaining ascent/descent. This is crucial for pacing and understanding the terrain ahead.
• Directional Cues: While the PACE 3 doesn't offer full turn-by-turn spoken directions, it will show directional arrows on the breadcrumb trail to indicate upcoming turns, especially if the route file contains such data.
• Back to Start/Checkpoint: During an activity with navigation, pressing and holding the Digital Dial will bring up options, including "Back to Start" (guides you back to your starting point via the shortest path) or "Checkpoint" (allows you to mark specific points on your route).
• Zooming/Panning: On the navigation screen, you can use the Digital Dial to zoom in or out on the map. You may also be able to pan by pressing the back button and then using the dial.

Best Practices for Route Navigation

To ensure a smooth and effective navigation experience, consider these tips:

• Charge Fully: Always start with a fully charged watch, especially for longer routes, as GPS and navigation consume more battery.
• Review Route Pre-Activity: Before starting, take a moment to review the route details and elevation profile in the COROS app or on the watch to familiarize yourself with the course.
• Maintain Watch-App Connection: Periodically sync your watch with the COROS app to ensure firmware updates and accurate data transfer.
• Consider a Backup: While reliable, technology can fail. For critical or remote routes, consider carrying a printed map, a fully charged phone with a mapping app, or a small power bank for your watch.
• Practice: If you're new to watch navigation, try a familiar route first to get comfortable with the interface and alerts before tackling a complex or unknown course.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Route Not Syncing to Watch:
  • Ensure your watch is connected to the COROS app via Bluetooth.
  • Check if your watch has enough storage space for the route.
  • Restart both your phone and watch, then try syncing again.
  • Ensure the COROS app is updated to the latest version.
• GPS Accuracy Problems:
  • Ensure you have a clear view of the sky when acquiring GPS.
  • Wait for a strong GPS signal (green indicator) before starting your activity.
  • Ensure your watch's firmware is up to date, as updates often improve GPS performance.
• Off-Course Alerts Not Working:
  • Check your activity settings on the watch; ensure navigation alerts are enabled.
  • Ensure the route is properly loaded and active for your current workout.

Conclusion

The COROS PACE 3's route navigation feature is a powerful tool for athletes seeking to expand their horizons, adhere to structured training, and enhance safety during outdoor pursuits. By understanding how to create, import, sync, and utilize routes, you unlock a new dimension of freedom and precision in your fitness journey. Embrace the technology, explore with confidence, and let your PACE 3 guide you to your next adventure.