This Coros sports watch feature keeps me motivated to exercise – and it's coming to more models

I primarily run and bike by myself, which is one reason I became a Strava premium subscriber in 2016. With my subscription, I use Strava Segments and Local Legends status to compete against records and timed laps set by nearby users. The nice thing about Segments is that you can break up extended activities into smaller chunks and work hard to set PRs throughout your activity.

For the past week, I have been testing out the beta version of the Coros application on my smartphone, which enables support for Strava Live Segments on the Pace 3, Apex 2 and 2 Pro, Vertix 2 and 2S, Pace Pro, and Dura bike computer. Given that the Pace Pro is the newest wearable available and has that lovely AMOLED display, it has been my wearable of choice from Coros for the past couple of months.

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Today, Coros has announced the public beta availability for everyone interested in trying out this new feature. If you are a Strava premium subscriber and have a Coros wearable, then you can join the beta test program here. Once you update the Coros smartphone application on your iPhone or Android phone, select your Coros device, and you should see Strava Live Segments now in your list of options below My Workouts and My Routes.

The first 30-starred segments from your Strava profile will sync and appear in the Coros application. You must manage these segments in the Strava app or website, not in the Coros application. With your preferred segments now in the Coros smartphone app, pick up your Coros device and make sure to toggle on the Strava Segments option in the run, trail run, road bike, gravel bike, or mountain bike activity.

Another option in Strava Live Segments is to select your competitor for the segment. This can be one of the following:

• Carrot: The Strava user you follow who is the next fastest ahead of you on the segment leaderboard.
• PR: Your own personal record for the segment.
• KOM/QOM: The person who holds the fastest time on the segment, even if you do not follow them on Strava.
• Wolf: The Strava user you follow who is just behind you on the leaderboard.

Once everything is set up in the Coros app and Strava, sync your device and head out for the activity. As you approach the segments, a countdown to the starting distance will appear. When you reach the start of the segment, your device data display will change to show you the time ahead/behind your competitor, current pace or speed, distance remaining in the segment, and a virtual pacer that shows you in relation to your competitor.

After you reach the end of the segment, a notification appears to show you your results. Live segment details will then appear in the Coros app and on the Coros Training Hub website when you complete your activity.

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Strava Live Segment support is a key factor when choosing my preferred watch, and the fact that Coros added it propelled them up near the top of my list. The long battery life, affordable prices, and exhaustive online Coros Training Hub make Coros a compelling brand to consider for your GPS sports watch.