Coros Pace 3
Buy Coros Pace 3 at today's best price
6 minute read
Overview
The Coros Pace 3 is a GPS running watch designed to offer a balance of performance and affordability. This watch is known for its lightweight design and extensive battery life, making it a practical choice for runners.
Key Features:
- Dual-frequency GPS: Provides enhanced accuracy for tracking runs in challenging environments.
- Optical heart rate and SpO2 sensors: Monitors heart rate and blood oxygen levels for comprehensive health tracking.
- Transreflective touchscreen: Ensures clear visibility in various lighting conditions.
The Coros Pace 3 is an ideal choice for runners who prioritize accurate tracking and long battery life for extended training sessions. Its lightweight design offers comfort, making it suitable for daily wear.
Based on our monitoring of prices across the internet, it's currently in the cheapest 20% of running watches today.
Verdict
The consensus on the Coros Pace 3
The Coros Pace 3 is widely regarded as a strong contender in the affordable GPS watch market. It excels in providing accurate GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring, making it a reliable choice for runners. The watch's battery life is impressive, offering up to 38 hours in GPS mode, which is a significant advantage for long-distance runners. However, the plastic construction and limited software features, such as music playback only via MP3, may not appeal to those seeking a more premium experience. The Pace 3's simplicity and focus on core functionalities make it a great option for those who prefer minimal distractions. While it lacks some advanced features found in higher-end models, its performance and value for money are commendable. Overall, the Coros Pace 3 is a solid choice for runners looking for a dependable and budget-friendly GPS watch.
Updates to Coros Pace 3
The Coros Pace 3 introduces several updates over its predecessor, the Coros Pace 2. Notable enhancements include the addition of dual-frequency GPS for improved accuracy and a new optical heart rate sensor. The Pace 3 also features a touchscreen interface and increased battery life, offering up to 38 hours in GPS mode. These updates make the Pace 3 a more versatile and reliable option for runners, building on the strengths of the Coros Pace family.
Comparable Watches
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is a good alternative for those seeking more advanced features and smartphone integration. While the Coros Pace 3 offers excellent GPS accuracy and battery life, the Forerunner 255 provides additional functionalities like music streaming and contactless payments. However, the Garmin model comes at a higher price point, which may not be ideal for budget-conscious runners.
The Polar Pacer Pro is another option for runners who value detailed training metrics and advanced features. While the Coros Pace 3 excels in GPS accuracy and battery life, the Polar Pacer Pro offers more comprehensive health tracking and training analysis. However, the Polar model is typically priced higher, which may not suit all budgets.
6 Coros Pace 3 Pros & Cons
3 Pros
3 Cons
In Depth
Battery life
The Coros Pace 3 boasts an impressive battery life, making it a standout choice for runners who need long-lasting performance. With up to 38 hours in GPS mode and 24 days in smartwatch mode, this watch is ideal for ultra-endurance athletes. The extended battery life ensures that runners can focus on their training without worrying about frequent recharging. This feature is particularly beneficial for those who engage in long-distance running or multi-day events, where reliable battery performance is crucial.
Screen quality and brightness
The Coros Pace 3 features a transreflective touchscreen that provides excellent visibility in various lighting conditions. This type of screen is designed to reflect ambient light, making it easy to read even in direct sunlight. The always-on display ensures that runners can quickly glance at their stats without needing to activate the screen. While the backlight may not be as powerful as higher-end models, the screen's clarity and readability are well-suited for outdoor activities, enhancing the overall user experience.
Strap comfort
The Coros Pace 3 offers a comfortable wearing experience with its lightweight design and choice of silicone or nylon straps. The strap width has been increased to 22 mm, providing a more secure fit for runners. This design change addresses previous concerns about the strap's thinness, ensuring that the watch stays in place during vigorous activities. The tool-less strap design allows for easy customization, catering to individual preferences and enhancing overall comfort during long training sessions.
Heart-rate monitor accuracy
The Coros Pace 3 is equipped with an optical heart rate sensor that provides reliable heart rate monitoring for runners. This feature is essential for tracking workout intensity and ensuring optimal training performance. The heart rate monitor is designed to deliver accurate readings, even during high-intensity activities. While some users may experience occasional discrepancies, the overall accuracy of the heart rate sensor is commendable, making it a valuable tool for runners focused on heart rate-based training.
GPS accuracy
The Coros Pace 3 excels in GPS accuracy, thanks to its dual-frequency GPS system. This feature enhances the watch's ability to track runs accurately, even in challenging environments such as urban areas or dense forests. The improved GPS performance is a significant advantage for runners who require precise distance and pace measurements. The watch's ability to maintain strong GPS signals ensures that runners can rely on accurate data for their training sessions, making it a top choice for those who prioritize GPS accuracy.
Sleep tracking
The Coros Pace 3 includes sleep tracking capabilities, allowing runners to monitor their sleep patterns and quality. This feature provides insights into sleep duration and stages, helping users understand their recovery and overall well-being. While the sleep tracking function is generally accurate, it may occasionally miss brief wake-ups or naps. Despite these minor limitations, the sleep tracking feature is a useful addition for runners who want to optimize their recovery and performance.
Virtual coach and recovery
The Coros Pace 3 offers virtual coaching features that assist runners in optimizing their training and recovery. These features include training load analysis and recovery time recommendations, helping users balance their workouts and avoid overtraining. While the virtual coach provides valuable insights, some users may find the recovery time suggestions to be overly conservative. Nevertheless, the virtual coaching capabilities are beneficial for runners seeking guidance in their training regimen.
Who should buy the Coros Pace 3?
The Coros Pace 3 is an excellent choice for runners who value GPS accuracy and long battery life. It's particularly suitable for those who engage in multi-sport activities and require a watch that can handle various environments. Runners who prefer a lightweight and comfortable design will appreciate the Pace 3's minimalistic approach. This watch is ideal for athletes who prioritize core functionalities over advanced smartwatch features.
Who should not buy the Coros Pace 3?
The Coros Pace 3 may not be the best fit for runners who seek advanced smartwatch features like music streaming or contactless payments. Those who prefer a more premium build with metal materials might find the plastic construction less appealing. If smartphone integration and a wide range of apps are important, alternatives like the Apple Watch or Garmin models could be more suitable. Runners who need extensive health metrics beyond basic tracking might also consider other options.
Coros Pace 3: What's it good for?
The Coros Pace 3 is well-suited for running and multi-sport activities, offering reliable performance in various environments. Its GPS accuracy makes it ideal for trail running and urban settings where precise tracking is essential. The watch's long battery life supports ultra-endurance events, allowing athletes to focus on their performance without frequent recharging. Additionally, the Pace 3's lightweight design is perfect for daily wear, ensuring comfort during extended use.
5 Coros Pace 3 FAQs
How accurate is the GPS on the Coros Pace 3?
The Coros Pace 3 features dual-frequency GPS, which enhances its accuracy in various environments. This makes it a reliable choice for runners who need precise tracking in urban areas or dense forests.
What is the battery life of the Coros Pace 3?
The Coros Pace 3 offers up to 38 hours of battery life in GPS mode and 24 days in smartwatch mode, making it ideal for long-distance running and multi-day events.
Does the Coros Pace 3 support music streaming?
The Coros Pace 3 supports music playback via MP3 files, but it does not offer streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music.
Is the Coros Pace 3 suitable for swimming?
Yes, the Coros Pace 3 is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water-based activities.
Can the Coros Pace 3 track heart rate continuously?
Yes, the Coros Pace 3 features an optical heart rate sensor that can monitor heart rate continuously, providing valuable data for training and recovery.
- Feb 2022
Pace 3Latest model
Viewing - Nov 2018
