The COROS Pace 4 is getting a major navigation upgrade that makes it much more useful for runners, hikers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts. With the latest public beta firmware update, COROS has added full offline map support to the Pace 4, bringing an important feature previously associated with higher-end COROS watches.
The new mapping experience includes pan, zoom, offline regional maps, and route overlays, giving Pace 4 users a much more detailed view of their surroundings during outdoor activities.
COROS Pace 4 Offline Maps: What’s New?
Until now, the Pace 4 offered route navigation, but the addition of full offline maps makes navigation considerably more useful. Users can now browse maps directly on the watch without needing a phone or an internet connection.
The feature supports two main modes. You can open the map independently and pan or zoom around the area, or start navigation with an active route displayed over the topographic or landscape map.
This brings the COROS Pace 4 closer to more expensive models such as the COROS Pace Pro and COROS Nomad.
How to Download Maps on COROS Pace 4
The offline maps feature is currently being introduced through a public beta firmware update. After installing the update, users get access to the new Map Manager.
Instead of downloading huge areas such as entire continents, COROS allows you to select specific regional map tiles and download them directly to the watch over Wi-Fi. This gives users more control over storage.
The Pace 4 has 4GB of total storage, although around 1.3GB is available for user content after the operating system and other files are taken into account. While this is less than some higher-end watches, it should still be enough to store several regions that you regularly visit.
How Does Navigation Perform?
The Pace 4 uses its AMOLED display to show colorful and detailed maps. Map panning and zooming are reportedly similar to the experience on higher-end COROS watches.
However, because this is still beta software, there can be some small performance differences. In particular, the map heading or orientation may feel slightly slower when you turn compared with the COROS Nomad.
There is also an important limitation: COROS does not provide on-watch route recalculation or turn-by-turn rerouting when you leave your planned route. Instead, the watch indicates the direction you need to travel to return to the original route.
COROS Finally Catches Up
Offline maps are not a completely new idea in the smartwatch market. Samsung Galaxy Watch, Apple Watch, Garmin, and Amazfit watches already offer mapping capabilities on supported models.
That makes this update particularly important for COROS, because the Pace 4 is now gaining a feature that outdoor users increasingly expect from modern GPS watches.
However, remember that this is public beta firmware. If you have an important race, hike, or outdoor event coming up, it is safer to wait for the stable release rather than installing beta software immediately.
Overall, COROS Pace 4 offline maps are a significant upgrade and make the watch a much stronger option for outdoor navigation.
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