Test long life of the Coros Dura bike computer/GPS

The Coros Dura is the first cycling computer from Coros, a brand well-known for its GPS watches for running and ultra-trail running. Drawing on its experience in high-performance sports equipment, the brand decided to enter the cycling computer market with a device that focuses on battery life, ease of use, and an attractive price. But after 3000 km of testIn real-life conditions, can the Coros Dura really compete with giants like Garmin and Wahoo? The answer is in this test thorough.

By David Polveroni – Photos: ©3bikes.fr

Autonomy: a real feat

The Coros Dura impresses first of all with its autonomy, an area where it clearly outperforms its competitors. With a claimed battery life of 70 hours, the meter delivers remarkable performance. And in reality, this promise is kept, and even largely exceeded. Depending on use (GPS, Bluetooth, sun exposure), the actual battery life varies between 60 and 90 hours, a figure well above that of its direct competitors.

Comparison with the competition:

• Garmin Edge 1040 Solar : 45 hours (with solar charging)
• Wahoo Element Roam v2 : 20 hours
• Hammerhead Karoo 2 : 12 hours
• Wahoo Element ACE : 15 hours

The Coros thus becomes a preferred choice for long-distance cyclists and those going on bikepacking, where autonomy plays an important role. In practice, a single charge is enough to last several weeks without worrying about the battery, unlike most other devices that require an intermediate recharge. It's also daily use for those who drive a lot, one less thing to think about. Although we would almost forget to recharge it!

=> Buy the Coros Dura counter/GPS for €289

Design and ergonomics: light but solid

From an aesthetic point of view, the Coros Dura adopts an angular and robust design, which does not go unnoticed. However, once in hand, we appreciate its lightness: with only 101g, it is lighter than many competitors, such as the Garmin Edge 1040 (133 g) and the Hammerhead Karoo 2 (131 g). This light weight, combined with a comfortable grip, makes it an easy device to carry and handle. It has a button, as well as a wheel/button that can replace the touchscreen. Innovative.

The Coros Dura is equipped with a 2,7-inch color transflective display, offering good readability in full sunlight while consuming little energy. I really liked it, reminiscent of the small Garmin 130.

This type of screen, although less bright than AMOLED, is an excellent choice for maximizing battery life.

• What makes <span style="font-family: 'arial black', 'avant garde';">inlingua</span> different : lightweight, well designed, good outdoor readability.
• The - : design a little too angular, no high-end finish compared to more premium models like the Garmin 1040.

Ease of use: a minimalist but intuitive device

The Coros Dura adopts a simple interface, which focuses on efficiency rather than complexityUnlike other devices, customizing profiles and data pages is done solely through the Coros app, like with Wahoo. This canrouter some users who prefer to configure directly on the device, but Once configured, the device is smooth and easy to use..

The touchscreen is responsive and works well, even with gloves on in winter. The side button and scroll wheel also allow for easy navigation, even in difficult conditions. Although personally I'm not a fan because it lacks the precision of a single button click and the scrolling can be difficult. route not to be precise.

Synchronization is fast with the Coros application, nothing to report on this side, everything has always been transferred well to Strava for example.

Compatibility: progress to be made

In terms of connectivity, The Coros Dura supports both ANT+ and Bluetooth sensors, including cadence sensors, power sensors, and Garmin radars. However, I have never managed to connect an SRM PM7 to it despite a request to customer service.

The meter supports Wi-Fi connectivity, convenient for data synchronization and updates.

• What makes <span style="font-family: 'arial black', 'avant garde';">inlingua</span> different : support for standard sensors (heart rate, cadence, power, etc.), stable connection via Bluetooth and ANT+.
• The - : some compatibility issues with my SRM not resolved, lack of advanced controls with Di2, to date we can only scroll through the pages, I would have liked at least a possible triggering of the laps, for training it is more practical.

Mapping and navigation: functional but simplified

The Coros Dura offers preloaded mapping and point-to-point navigation. However, these features remain basic, and the mapping lacks details (points of interest, shops, etc.). The ClimbPro mode, which displays the profile and distribution of slopes, is not present and does not detect climbs, unless you have reloaded the route, in which case each climb will be listed and detailed. This remains with a less modern interface than the competition, but the essentials are there!

• What makes <span style="font-family: 'arial black', 'avant garde';">inlingua</span> different : smooth navigation with clear directions, easy import of GPX tracks via the Coros app, integration with platforms like Komoot or Strava Routes.
• The - : maps are too simplistic and lacking in detail, no sound alerts for changes of direction, no automatic climb detection (Climb Pro)

GPS and performance: very good but not perfect

The Coros Dura uses a multi-band chip to capture signals from the GPS systems GLONASS, Galileo, and Beidou, ensuring better accuracy, even in urban or mountain environmentstagneux. During the tests, the accuracy was excellent on routes cleared and in mytagne, although a little less responsive than on models like the Garmin Edge 1040.

Test in real conditions compared to the Garmin Edge 1040:

• Routecleared : very good precision.
• Forests and mytagnes : solid GPS tracking with some minor imperfections.
• Dense urban areas : some positioning errors, but generally reliable.

Value for money: autonomy above all

The Coros Dura is clearly positioned as an entry-level device with a price between €250 and €300 (€289 retail price), well below the models premium like the Garmin Edge 1040 or the Hammerhead Karoo 2. For cyclists looking for a reliable, autonomous, and affordable bike computer, the Dura is an excellent choice..

However, those looking for more advanced features, especially in mapping or performance analysis, might prefer models like the Garmin Edge 540 or the Hammerhead Karoo 2. No doubt these features will arrive little by little...

Conclusion: a promising bike computer, but still in need of refinement

The Coros Dura stands out for its exceptional battery life, lightweight design and simple, intuitive interface.. It will be perfectly suited to long-distance cyclists and bikepackers who favor simplicity and autonomy.

However, It still suffers from notable shortcomings: too basic mapping, a lack of certain advanced features, and compatibility problems with certain sensorsThese elements may limit its appeal to cyclists demanding performance and navigation data.

But is it really useful after all? Overall, I found the Coros extremely promising; it has all the basic functions without too many gimmicks...

Coros Dura for whom?

•✅ Ideal for ultra-cyclists and bikepackers looking for a meter with maximum autonomy.

•✅ Perfect for recreational cyclists who want a simple and reliable computer at a competitive price.

•❌ Not ideal for competitors or those who need advanced analysis features (Training Peaks for example)

•❌ Not recommended for those who need detailed mapping and advanced navigation (although this remains subjective)

In summary, if you are looking for a reliable, durable and easy-to-use meter, the Coros Dura will be an excellent choice.

=> Buy the Coros Dura counter/GPS for €289

=> Our posts Tests