Coros Pace 3 vs Pace 2: Coros recently launched the new Pace 3, an ultra-light, rock-solid, and affordably priced GPS sports watch. I tried out this watch and I’m excited to share my experiences with you.
I loved the earlier model, the Coros Pace 2. This watch wowed me with its cutting-edge features, wide variety of functions, and stylish design.
COROS has a watch called the PACE. It’s great for sports and outdoor adventures, and it’s not too expensive. This watch has cool features like a tool to measure height and a battery that lasts a long time. Plus, it’s light!
In 2023, COROS is launching a new version called the PACE 3. It has even more features and is more reliable, but it costs a bit more. So, how is it different from the PACE 2? Is it worth switching to the new one.
COROS Wearables Inc makes cool gadgets for sports and software to help athletes train better. They have a variety of sports watches, from the basic PACE model, which is great for many sports like triathlons, to the fancy VERTIX model 2, which is perfect for mountain adventures. Want to see how they stack up against each other? Check out our comparison of the COROS watches.
In 2020, COROS launched the PACE 2. Now, they have a new version called the PACE 3. This new watch has some cool updates, like a better GPS, a touch screen, longer battery life, and a few other neat features. It costs $229.00, which is $50 more than the older model.
Let’s dive deeper and compare the two watches to see which one’s better!
Table of Contents
Specifications
| Coro’s Pace 2 | Coro’s Pace 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 42 x 42 x 11.7 mm | 41.9 x 41.9 x 11.7 mm |
| Weight | 36g | 39g |
| Material | Fiber reinforced polymer + mineral glass | Fiber reinforced polymer + mineral glass |
| Bracelet | 20mm / Silicone/Nylon | 22mm / silicone/nylon |
| Display | 1.2 inch | 1.2 inch |
| Resolution | 240 x 240px | 240 x 240px |
| Touch screen | No | Yes |
| Battery life | 24 days 38 hours with GPS | 20 days 30 hours with GPS |
| Sensors | Optical RF sensor barometer acceleration sensor gyroscope 3D compass thermometer | Optical RF sensor barometer acceleration sensor gyroscope 3D compass thermometer pulse oximeter |
| Main functions | Dual band GNSS GPS GLONASS Galileo Beidou VO2max | GPS GLONASS Galileo Beidou VO2max |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth / WiFi | Bluetooth / WiFi |
| Water Resistance | 5ATM | 5ATM |
What’s new in the PACE 3
The PACE 3 has some cool new things to show off. Let’s see what’s new:
- New Pace 3 comes with Touch screen display.
- It has a super GPS chip that works with different systems.
- On-board music player (MP3) and 4 GB of memory
- It measures your heart rate better and can even check your oxygen level.
- The battery lasts longer.
- It connects with Wi-Fi, not just Bluetooth.
- It runs faster and smoother because of a better processor.
- It’ll have new sports modes (these will also come to the PACE 2 soon).
- But remember, it does cost more.
Let’s dive deeper into the comparison! While the PACE 3 doesn’t have big new functions compared to the PACE 2, it does have better tech features. This means the PACE 3 is more reliable, lasts longer, and is even simpler to use.
Design
The PACE design remains mostly the same, but it now has a slightly slimmer case and a new version called the “Track Edition.” This new edition features a stylish nylon strap with red and white stripes that remind you of an athletic track. You can wear this watch casually in the city or at work, not just for sports.
The strap is now 22 mm wide, compared to the previous 20 mm. If you’re considering the nylon model, note that it’s shorter at 20.5 cm, which might feel tight on larger wrists.
The screen keeps its original size and resolution but now responds to touch.
The PACE 3 introduces new sensors:
- It features a multi-band and multi-GNSS GPS for sharper accuracy, especially in areas where GPS often struggles. We have an article explaining the benefits of multiband GPS on a heart-rate watch – we’ll be testing this feature soon.
- It has an upgraded optical heart rate monitor on the wrist that promises better accuracy. This monitor is already in other COROS watches. With 5 LEDs and 4 photodetectors, it pauses automatically to save battery when you take the watch off.
- It includes a pulse oximeter, which measures blood oxygen levels – super useful for those climbing at high altitudes.
Moreover, COROS has enhanced the watch’s power for even quicker navigation. Lastly, the watch now supports Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz) for faster data transfers.
Sports Features
The PACE 3 offers around twenty sports profiles. There are 5 new profiles which will soon be added to PACE 2:
- Trail, Hiking, Ski, Cross-country skiing, Snowboard.
Both models, the PACE 2 and PACE 3, give you all the tools you need for training and navigation. While these watches don’t have maps like other brand models, they do have full GPS navigation features.
This includes tracking your route, which we call “breadcrumb navigation.” The PACE 3 also has a new feature: it gives you step-by-step directions. They recently added this feature to the APEX 2, APEX 2 Pro, and VERTIX 2 models too.
Sports Functions
| PACE 2 | PACE 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Training programming | Yes | Yes |
| Split | Yes | Yes |
| Training plans | Yes | Yes |
| Training load | Yes | Yes |
| Recovery time | Yes | Yes |
| Race time prediction | Yes | Yes |
| Resting HR test | Yes | Yes |
| Evolab running aptitude test | Yes | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes | Yes |
| FC broadcast | Yes | Yes |
| SpO2 | No | Yes |
Outdoor Functions
| Pace 2 | Pace 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| GPS track on the watch | Yes | Yes |
| Breadcrumb navigation | Yes | Yes |
| Turn after turn guidance | No | Yes |
| Mapping | No | No |
| back to the starting point | Yes | Yes |
| Elevation details | Yes | Yes |
| GPS position recording | Yes | Yes |
| Weather trend | Yes | Yes |
| Thunderstorm alert | Yes | Yes |
Connectivity
| PACE 2 | PACE 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Music (MP3 player) | No | Yes |
| GoPro, Insta360 camera control | Yes | Yes |
| SOS call | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless | No | Yes |
The PACE 3 has something extra compared to the COROS PACE 2. It comes with a built-in MP3 player and 4 GB of storage. This means you can listen to music using earbuds or a Bluetooth headset without needing your phone nearby. However, COROS hasn’t added the feature to stream music from popular platforms like Amazon Music, Deezer, or Spotify using a close-by phone.
Battery Life
Coros Pace 3: Delivers up to 38 hours in GPS mode and approximately 24 days for regular use.
Coros Pace 2: Lasts around 20 days under standard use and 30 hours with the GPS mode on.
The PACE 3 has better battery life than before. It lasts 8 hours longer in standard GPS mode, which is a 27% increase. If you wear the watch all day and do one hour of sports in the most accurate GPS mode (multiband), you’ll only need to charge it once every 7 to 10 days.
Price
Coros Pace 3: Priced at $229.00, it provides numerous features, making it an excellent value for its cost.
Coros Pace 2: At $199.00, it’s regarded as one of the best value GPS multi-sport watches as of early 2021.
Conclusion: Coros Pace 3 Vs Pace 2
The PACE 3 is $30 more expensive than the PACE 2. Should you pay extra for the new model or even sell your old PACE 2 to get the PACE 3? I say, “Yes!”
The multiband GPS and the improved heart rate sensor in the PACE 3 make it worth the extra $30. With this watch, you get more accurate GPS tracking, especially in places like forests, cities, and mountains. This accuracy is crucial for events like marathons so you can know exactly where the finish line is! The better heart rate sensor means you get more reliable readings on things like VO2max, race time predictions, recovery times, and it makes your training more effective.
When we talk about features, the PACE 3 doesn’t offer a ton more than the older model. Any new features will also come to the PACE 2 by the end of the year. The MP3 player isn’t for everyone. The turn-by-turn directions are helpful for tracking routes but aren’t a must-have. The SpO2 measurement is mainly for those who hike at very high altitudes or want to keep a closer eye on their health. Think of these features as a bonus.
The new touchscreen on the PACE 3 makes navigating easier, and the longer battery life is a great plus.
Currently, the PACE 3 gives you the best bang for your buck when it comes to sports and outdoor watches. It’s hard to find a watch with so many features for less than $229.00. However, if you’re on a tight budget or you’re into sports just for fun and don’t need the top precision, the PACE 2 is still a good choice.
