I recently obtained a Coospo CS600 cycling computer to review. Full disclosure from the outset: I didn’t pay for the unit. However, I do honest reviews, and that’s exactly what this one is.
Overview
The CS600 is the top-of-the-range bicycle computer from Coospo, a Chinese manufacturer. This is by no means the best cycling computer available, but it packs a mighty punch for a comparatively low price.
For example, the Garmin Edge 540 has a 2.6″ screen (slightly larger) but doesn’t have a touch-screen, and has only a 26 hours battery life, all for around three times the price of the CS600!
Touchscreens can be problematic on cold winter rides, while wearing full gloves. You will therefore be relieved to know that the CS600 also sports hardware buttons, and has a setting to switch off the touchscreen, should you prefer to simply use the buttons.
The CS600 comes with an industry-standard quad-lock mount, and O-rings to attach the included mount to your bike, as well as a USB-C cable, and a glass screen-protector. The screen has a slightly-raised bevel around it, which makes it fairly easy to fit the screen protector.
The CS600 (via the app) allows for seamless integration with Strava (which works well for me) and they claim, also with Training Peaks. I don’t use Training Peaks, so couldn’t test that, but given how well it works with Strava, I don’t doubt Training Peaks would be the same. When I asked them about integration with RideWithGPS, they were quick to add it to their future roadmap.
Key specifications
- 2.4″ colour touchscreen
- GPS + BDS + QZSS + GLONASS + GALILEO
- Map navigation
- Supports rear radar(ANT+ only), power, speed, cadence, and heart rate, plus electronic shifting
- Integrates with Strava and Training Peaks
- 8 GB storage
- 36 hours (claimed) battery life
- Auto backlight
- Smart trainer compatible
- Bluetooth and USB connectivity
- 84 x 53 x 18 mm
- 69 g
- Barometric altimeter
Navigation
With navigation, the CS600 shows why it’s not the very best available. While it uses Open Street Map mapping (or more accurately, MapBox mapping) the navigation options are more limited. It’s miles better than breadcrumb-only navigation, but doesn’t deliver route-back-to-course options, nor route-to-start options.
It uses either GPX or FIT files, which you can transfer via the app, or via USB, and it does a very decent job of helping you follow a pre-set route. Unfortunately, the CS600 doesn’t support TCX files at all, and Coospo confirmed they have no plans to add TCX support (though they said they are considering adding support for custom navigation prompts)..
Settings
Far too many devices, apps, and websites follow the lazy option of allowing you to only choose between metric, or imperial measures. The CS600 is impressive, in that it allowed me to choose miles for distance, metres for elevation, kilogram for weight, centimetres for (my) height and Celsius for temperature.
You can mix and match and use any combination you like. Also, changing it is simple to do, either in the app, or directly on the CS600. However, some settings can only be done on the device, and that includes what satellite systems to use. My CS600 wouldn’t get satellite lock-on until I changed that setting, to use ALL the systems available. I’m somewhat at a lost why that’s not the default.
The good bits
This is a very capable cycling computer, for an extremely competitive price. You have the option of using only the hardware buttons, only the touch-screen, or a combination of both. When removing the unit from your bike, at a café stop, you can lock the touch-screen, so handling the computer will be fine.
The screen isn’t the largest available, but I found it comfortably big enough. Navigation is reliable, provided you have a pre-prepared FIT or GPX file. The computer uses now-default Garmin-type mounts, and of course the battery life is excellent.
The screen is perfectly viewable, even in bright daylight, though it works best when viewed at a slight angle. The app is quite basic, but easy enough to use. You don’t need to use the app at all to use the unit, but with the very reliable Strava integration, using the app can make your life easier.
It supports various sensors, either via ANT+ or Bluetooth, including rear radar, power meters (ANT+ only), speed & cadence sensors, and heart rate straps. It also supports electronic shifting (check compatibility before purchasing!)
Also, no more forgetting to start recording your ride. The CS600 can be set to automagically start recording all your rides. Just be aware that when you manually pause a ride, it won’t autoresume.
The bad bits
The navigation occasionally has the annoying habit of alerting you to an upcoming turn, when in fact the road curves, and you should remain on the same road. That took me a little while to adjust to, though overall isn’t a big deal.
There’s no “route back to course” or “route back to start” options in the navigation, either, which is a pity. Oh, and obviously no “route back to the nearest point of the course”. To be fair, my previous cycling computer didn’t offer any of that, either, so I’m unfazed by that, but you might feel differently.
The computer is simple to charge, and the USB-C cable clips firmly into the charge port. However, to have a data connection over USB, I frequently had to jiggle the cable a bit, and Coospo really should improve the charge port on these devices.
Finally, the map doesn’t by default rotate as you ride, but that’s controlled by a setting. Only trouble is, you really have to hunt for that setting. On the CS600, tap Setting, then Ride Mode, then Outdoor, then Fields, scroll to near the bottom, then tap Map. On the screen that’s displayed, tap Map Settings, then tap North Up, ensuring the toggle is in the “off” position.
The CS600 doesn’t display custom information added to a route, which for me is a problem. You see, I fully load my GoCycle multi-day route guides with extra information, and none of that would display on the CS600.
Verdict
Overall, the CS600 is superb value for money. No, it isn’t the best cycling computer in the world, but it doesn’t pretend to be that. For the money, I sincerely doubt you’d find anything else as good. As I pointed out above, a Garmin Edge 540 (non touch-screen) costs far more than twice as much, but has roughly the same functionality. Having said that, the iGPSport BSC300 is around the same price (but doesn’t have a touch-screen, and only has just over half the battery life).
I always rate items by whether or not I’d regret spending money on them. In this case, I didn’t buy the unit, but if I had, I’d have been happy with my purchase.
If you’re in the market for a decent cycling computer, with built-in mapping, I expect you’ll be rather happy with the CS600. If you’re interested, you can get yours here.