{"id":27725,"date":"2023-12-14T15:17:42","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T14:17:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/8dd49798-0740-4a12-ad86-bc548699e739"},"modified":"2023-12-14T16:46:02","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T15:46:02","slug":"coros-pace-3-review","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/rss_feed\/coros-pace-3-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Coros Pace 3 review"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Matt Baird\n <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 14 December 2023 at 14:17 PM<\/p>

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Three years on from the launch of its well-respected previous iteration, the Coros Pace 3 is finally here. But does it hit the heights of its predecessor? Let’s hand over to former 220<\/em> features editor Matt Baird to find out…<\/strong><\/p>

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a confession to make. This tester is a technological idiot; a man who has yet to successfully transfer a GPX file or change a microwave\u2019s clock. <\/p>

We long applied this digital dizziness to our tri training, until the arrival of the original Coros Pace in 2018. <\/p>

Here was a sports watch that was easy to use, lacked superfluous features and excelled in both its GPS pick-up and battery life. <\/p>

That original Coros Pace is still giving us a host of metrics (VO2 max<\/strong><\/a>, running fitness, predicted race times\u2026) today. <\/p>

Hardware<\/strong><\/h2>

But here comes the Pace 3, which, like 2020\u2019s Pace 2<\/strong><\/a> (\u00a3179), continues with a single button and dial but adds a touchscreen for swiping through the modes. <\/p>

You can pick a silicone or nylon strap, with early testing of the latter suggesting that heart-rate data is more reliable as it sits flusher on the skin to prevent light impacting readings (a chest strap is still the most reliable HR guide, however). <\/p>

What\u2019s less clear, however, is when that nylon starts to smell like our trusty tri-suit\u2026 <\/p>

The 30g weight (the equivalent of two compact discs) and small 4.19cm size (1.2\u201d display) is barely noticeable on the wrist. <\/p>

Battery life, display and features<\/strong><\/h2>

Coros also again blows the competition away in the battery life stakes, with 38hrs in GPS activity mode and 30 days in normal tracking mode. Ultra triathletes take note. <\/p>

The LCD screen is adequate in terms of display and brightness, but there\u2019s an array of fun faces you can choose from on the app, including doughnut-themed backdrops. Custom data screens are available, too. <\/p>

Again, there\u2019s no music streaming, but both MP3 playback and an on-device 4GB music storage are now present. <\/p>

Worth noting is that Coros only uses Bluetooth and not ANT+. <\/p>

Navigation and activity tracking<\/strong><\/h2>

The Pace 3 lacks maps on the watch screen, but it\u2019ll offer turn-by-turn instructions and breadcrumb navigation if you have your smartphone with you. <\/p>

You can also create routes on the app, which isn\u2019t the most intuitive and struggles when planning trail runs. <\/p>

There are now 20 sport profiles, again including triathlon and swim, bike and run sessions both indoor and out, although sadly there\u2019s still no MTB option. <\/p>

Swim metrics include stroke rate data and a SWOLF<\/strong><\/a> score; running has stride length, cadence and more (the Coros Pod<\/strong><\/a> offers further data for \u00a3100); and training plans can be uploaded from the brand\u2019s website. <\/p>

Coros Pace 3 final thoughts<\/h2>

If you\u2019re already happily embedded in the Garmin, Polar or Wahoo ecosystems (Coros doesn\u2019t make a bike computer<\/strong><\/a>), for example, then it\u2019s admittedly hard to make the case for a Pace 3 switch.<\/p>

However, if you’re starting (a)fresh there\u2019s much to admire in a unit that offers usability, a wealth of metrics, incredibly quick GPS syncing and monster battery life. <\/p>

And it comes in at \u00a380 cheaper than its chief competitors \u2013 the Forerunner 255<\/strong><\/a> or Elemnt Rival<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 too.<\/p>

Verdict:<\/strong> Swift GPS, huge battery and a decent price make this another fine Coros.<\/p>

Score:<\/strong> 86%<\/p>

Read more:<\/h4>