Coros Watches – The Power of Dual Frequency GPS Tracking
In this article, we look at how dual frequency GPS tracking works, one of the key features you find on a Coros Apex 2 Pro or Coros Vertix 2s Watches.
On a daily basis, it may be difficult to identify the differences between standard and dual-frequency GPS tracking, however, when recording activities in the most challenging environments these differences become impossible to ignore.
To understand how big of an impact dual-frequency GPS technology can have on the accuracy of your activity measurements, it’s necessary to first explain how GPS watches track and measure activities. In an over-simplified explanation, single-frequency (standard) GPS watches measure distance by receiving information communicated via a radio signal from a singular satellite above, interpreting the data, then producing an estimation of your current location based on the information available.
To receive the most accurate measurements with standard GPS tracking, it’s vital that there are clear paths between your watch and the satellites it is receiving information from. This creates obvious challenges when your watch is subjected to environments that inhibit the clear path of communication, such as cities with skyscrapers, mountainous regions, canyons, overhangs, cliffs, heavy tree coverage, etc. With single frequency technology, there is a higher risk that a device loses signal from a satellite when the mentioned challenges are present.
While standard GPS watches may struggle in a metropolitan area with tall buildings or deep in the mountains, these are exactly the situations that dual-frequency technology was designed to improve measurements. The key difference with dual-frequency GPS is that it allows for a device to receive more information from multiple satellites simultaneously, using different wavelengths of radio signals to differentiate one from another, thus reducing the risk of error in information greatly.
With dual frequency, based upon the information received, your watch may also be able to determine what is a “direct” vs “reflected” signal, further demonstrating how the likelihood of error is much smaller with this technology. In addition, if one GPS signal fails, with dual frequency there is no data loss as the additional line of communication serves as a backup.
While in standard running environments the differences in dual-frequency vs standard GPS may be hard to tell, we highly recommend turning All Systems + Dual FREQ On during technical climbs or in incredibly challenging GPS environments, this satellite mode reduces the battery life of GPS tracking on a Coros Apex 2 Pro from Standard GPS tracking of 66hrs or All Systems tracking of 41hrs to All Systems with Dual Frequency down to 24hrs, which is why we only recommend using when necessary.
On a COROS watch such as the Apex 2 pro or Vertix 2s which both have dual-frequency capabilities, you will have the option to specify which “Mode” of satellite tracking you want to record an activity with. To use the dual-frequency technology, hold the back button to access your Toolbox -> More Settings -> Satellite Systems -> Mode -> All Systems + Dual FREQ On. Here is our definition of this tracking mode.
With the Coros Vertix 2s watch standard GPS tracking is 118hrs this is reduced to a still impressive 43hr with All Systems + Dual Frequency turned on.
All Systems + Dual FREQ On: is the most powerful and accurate satellite mode available. This powerful mode enables the Apex 2 Pro or Vertix 2s watches to communicate with satellite systems in two simultaneous frequencies, bringing next-level accuracy even when you are in challenging conditions or environments.
Examples of when to use All Systems + Dual FREQ On: Rock/Ice climbing sheer rock faces in narrow canyons, hiking deep within forests, in between mountain peaks, or near sheer cliff drop-offs such as the Grand Canyon. Any time that you want to ensure the most accurate GPS route, so long as the activity duration is anticipated to be less than 24 hours of continuous GPS tracking.
Further information on the Coros Watches with Dual Frequency: