Are you wondering if the Coros Pace 2 is the perfect fitness watch for you? In this Coros Pace 2 review, we'll cover its standout features, real-world performance, and overall value to help you make a decision.
I have personally used the Coros Pace 2 as my primary running watch for the last six months. Having used running watches for over 15 years, I am perfect for explaining the key features and how to get the most from the Coros Pace 2.
Key Takeaways
- The Coros Pace 2 is a lightweight, affordable GPS watch packed with features like advanced fitness tracking, impressive battery life, and seamless app integration. It is both easy to use and offers plenty of statistics to review.
- Its standout features include a quick time to locate satellites, accurate GPS tracking for various activities, and a durable yet comfortable design.
- Though it lacks some premium extras like a touchscreen, onboard music storage, and contactless payments, the Coros Pace 2 offers incredible value for those focused on core fitness functionalities, which are most important as a runner.
Introduction to Coros Pace 2
The Coros Pace 2 is the first running watch I have purchased outside of the Garmin range. My key reasoning for doing this was the battery life and price. These are the top reasons to consider the Coros Pace 2.
- It is made for runners who want to track and monitor their training and those who are just starting to explore GPS watches and their features.
- It's an excellent watch with all the key features and no huge price tag.
- An incredibly light watch, in which you almost forget you are using it.
- The battery life lasts for so long you occasionally forget where you last had your charger.
Key Features Highlights
The Coros Pace 2 is a fantastic choice if you love your running stats but don't necessarily want to have a complicated watch or app interface. It's easy to view stats such as cadence and stride length, and it can also provide some power data. Power data can be particularly useful when it comes to running uphill and ensuring you can account for the extra effort.
Screen shot of the Coros App: Running Stats
Thanks to advanced GPS tracking, your routes and distances are mapped out with high accuracy, whether you're pounding the pavement or exploring off the beaten path.
Of course, all these features would be limited without a fantastic battery life to ensure you don't miss a run. Fortunately, the Coros Pace 2's battery life is nothing short of impressive—reliable for long workouts and extended use. This is a watch that's absolutely in it for the long run.
All these features are packaged in a design that's as sleek as it is functional, boasting a digital crown that provides a tactile and responsive way to navigate through menus and data pages without the need for touch controls.
Unboxing and Initial Setup
The excitement of a new gadget begins with the unboxing.
When you open up your cores pace 2, you will find.
- The watch itself
- A comfortable strap, I went for the silicone band, but nylon is also an option.
- A charging cable designed for quick power-ups
- The manual
The process of setting up the Coros Pace 2 is extremely easy. It can be done without any difficulty. In about five minutes, you'll be ready to hit the ground running, thanks to an intuitive setup process that's straightforward and hassle-free.
There's no need for any tools or complicated procedures; just charge it up, which is very fast and that's it – quick, simple, and ready for action.
Getting Started with the Coros App
The journey with your Coros Pace 2 truly begins when you pair it with the Coros app. Here are the steps to get started:
- Download and create an account in the Coros app.
- Enable Bluetooth on your phone.
- Open the Coros app and follow the prompts to connect your Pace 2 to your phone.
- Once connected, you can sync your workout data to view and upload any workouts of your own.
Although I had never used the Coros app before, having always had a Garmin watch, the app was still really easy to understand, and I had access to all the features I wanted.
The app is your one-stop shop for all things Coros, from setting personal records to analyzing your performance.
Things like adding workouts can take some time to get used to if you like to create your own, but again, it didn't cause me any great issues, and I managed to create and upload my workout to the watch.
How to upload your workout
As a certified running coach, I like to create my own running workouts and then upload them to the watch.
Screen Shot of Coros App
Here is one I created below. This was quick to do, and once saved, you can easily and quickly sync to your Coros Pace 2 watch.
Screen Shot of Coros App
As you can see, the workout is set on my phone.
Now, when I click sync, it will transfer to my watch.
Screen Shot of Coros App
A Closer Look at Design
The Coros Pace 2 weighs under 30 grams with the Coros nylon band.
I have the silicone band, which makes it approximately 36 grams, but it's as if it's barely there, a significant weight reduction from other watches I have owned.
The slim display doesn't just look good; it enhances overall comfort, making it an unobtrusive addition to your daily wear,
Built to withstand the rigors of your workouts, the Pace 2's features include:
- Mineral glass display
- Fiber-reinforced polymer bezel
- Premium feel without the premium price
- Customizable silicone and nylon bands
These features make the Pace 2 durable and stylish, perfect for your active lifestyle.
But the design isn't just about aesthetics; it's about functionality. The fitness tracker features fitness tracking capabilities, including:
- A non-touchscreen color display that offers clear visibility under various lighting conditions.
- Night Mode, which ensures you can see your stats even during those early morning or late evening workouts
- A locked screen during your activities to prevent accidental touches
User Interface and Navigation
The Coros Pace 2 takes a different approach to navigation, rather than the now common touchscreen for a digital crown. This allows you to scroll through menus, select options, and view notifications with a simple twist.
It's a tactile experience that feels both novel and refreshingly simple in a world of swipes and taps.
Starting a workout is straightforward: tap the right button, a scroll through the menu, and you're off on your chosen sport.
The interface is designed to be unlocked and navigated with ease, providing a fluid and intuitive user experience.
Core Features Breakdown
Diving into the Coros Pace 2's capabilities, it's clear that this watch is built for accuracy.
The GPS tracking is reliable. I actually decided to use the Coros Pace 2 and a Garmin on the same run, and the results were practically the same.
There's even a dedicated mode for track running to ensure every lap is counted correctly. You can select the lane you are running in if the track is busy.
The watch isn't just about tracking your location; it's also keeping an eye on your heart rate 24/7. Whether you're pushing through a tough workout or monitoring your resting heart rate.
Sleep is just as important as exercise, and the Coros Pace 2 doesn't skimp on sleep tracking.
With a variety of activity modes, including:
- run (including trail running)
- bike
- swim
- gym cardio
- strength
- Triathlon
The Coros Pace 2 is a versatile tool for any athlete's arsenal. Each mode offers tailored metrics catering to the specific demands of your chosen sport.
While personally, I have used the run mode most, I also like the treadmill feature, which allows me to record my runs when I head to the gym to run on the treadmill.
Performance in the Real World
When it comes to performance, the Coros Pace 2 offers:
- Reliable workhorse performance
- 5ATM water resistance, making it suitable for surface water activities
- lap counting for in the pool
- Dependable open-water tracking (as long as you remember to lift your arms out of the water regularly)
Cyclists will find the GPS feature particularly useful, delivering precise measurements of routes and distances. Trail runners, too, will appreciate the detailed data the watch provides.
Overall if you are looking for a triathlon watch the Coros pace 2 could still suit as it ticks the 3 sports off nicely.
While it doesn't have map features like some of its more expensive counterparts, the data it does offer is on par, giving you all the essentials for a trail run without the extra fluff.
As a runner, I have also found the metronome option really useful; while there is no perfect cadence, one of the workouts I like to do is a higher cadence to really try and work on my leg turnover, which I personally find drops off as I get tired.
Having this beep to work from allows me to dial in the cadence I am aiming for.
Battery Life Analysis
One of the standout features of the Coros Pace 2 is its battery life. In standard smartwatch mode, you can expect up to 20 days of usage – a figure that puts many of its competitors to shame.
Even in full GPS mode, the watch can last up to 30 hours, ensuring it keeps up with your longest workouts or races.
I have been extremely happy using the Coros Pace 2 when it comes to battery life. I have never had it run out or made me late for a run due to battery life.
My Favourite Features
I really like the "watch find" option from the coros app. I find this so useful you can select it and if its in Bluetooth range it will set off an alarm so you can find your watch.
I also really like the fact you can choose between a range of watch face designs. Here is what I am currently using on mine.
While the Coros Pace 2 watch does all the things I expect, I find these features particularly cool.
Collecting gps data is important for me to look back on to have accurate paces and distances for my training log and to monitor my training load.
Whereas some features I have not explored as much such as running power its something that I plan on looking into in the near future.
Pros and Cons
The Coros Pace 2 brings a lot to the table, but it's not without its quirks. On the plus side, its user-friendly interface and accurate tracking make it a strong candidate for most athletes.
Its price and the overall fact that it does the key things well make it a perfect watch for most.
However, I would say that when doing run workouts the wrist-based heart rate is not very accurate, this is actually a problem which I have experienced on a number of occasions, with different watch brands. Having the nylon strap may improve this, I have not tested that, but in my opinion it is certainly worth purchasing the additional heart rate strap if you like to use your heart rate during training.
Is the Coros Pace 2 Worth It?
It's important to consider your specific requirements and preferences before making a decision.
If you're after accurate tracking and a lightweight design and don't mind the absence of a touchscreen, it's certainly worth considering.
With its solid performance and affordability, it's one of the very best GPS watches out there.
That said, the lack of onboard music storage and some premium features like contactless payments and apps may be a deal-breaker for some. If you're willing to forego these luxuries and focus on the core functionalities of a fitness watch, the Pace 2 is an excellent option.
For those with a bit more to spend, the Garmin Enduro 2 or Fenix 7 offer more alternatives.
When doing a price comparison the Coros pace 2 does seem to lead in this aspect which was my initial attraction to the watch.
Alternative Sport Watch Recommendations
If you're still on the fence about the Coros Pace 2, there are other options to consider. Here are some alternatives:
- Garmin Forerunner 265: Offers a more feature-rich experience with additional tools like music storage, morning report based on a variety of stats and a fantastic looking touch screen but a higher price point.
- Garmin Forerunner 255: it strikes a good balance between cost and features, making it worth a look in the Garmin range.
And if you're keen on staying within the Coros family, the Apex Pro 2 or Apex 2 are worth a look, offering a different set of features, particularly surrounding navigation to suit various preferences.
Summary
After an in-depth exploration, the Coros Pace 2 emerges as a formidable contender in the realm of fitness tracking and particularly for runners looking for there first gps watch. It's a device that punches above its weight class, offering a suite of features that cater to serious athletes and casual fitness enthusiasts alike.
With its featherweight design, robust battery life, and precision tracking, the Pace 2 makes a strong case for itself against more expensive alternatives.
While it may not boast the fancy features of high-end models, the Coros Pace 2 excels in what it sets out to do – provide a reliable, user-friendly, and cost-effective way to track fitness.
Whether you're training for a triathlon or simply keeping an eye on your daily activity levels, the Pace 2 stands as a testament to the fact that you don't need to break the bank for quality performance tracking.
With fantastic gps battery life and a range of additional features and settings, while certainly being the lightest gps watch I have ever owned. I would certainly recommend giving the coros pace 2 a try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Coros Pace 2 support music storage or playback?
No, the Coros Pace 2 does not support music storage or playback, so you'll need to bring your phone or another music device with you for workouts.
How does the battery life of the Coros Pace 2 compare to other GPS watches?
The Coros Pace 2 features a longer battery life compared to many other GPS watches. It can last up to 20 days in smartwatch mode and up to 30 hours in GPS mode, outlasting many of its competitors.
Are there any suitable alternatives to the Coros Pace 2 if I'm looking for more features?
If you want more features than the Coros Pace 2, you could check out the Garmin Enduro 2, Fenix 7, Forerunner 255, or the Coros Apex Pro 2 for additional options.
