By dint of excellent features, good design and ambassadors such as Kilian Jornet or Eliud Kipchoge, Coros has taken over an important part of the smart watch sector for athletes. A very complex market in which Suunto, Garmin and Amazfit are also competing for the podium. And now Coros presents its latest watch, the Pace Pro.
The first thing that stands out is that it is the first Coros watch that has a AMOLED screen and it backs that screen up with 1500 nits of brightness. All this is translates into better (much better) definition, something that is very appreciated when we are running and a shine that is not daunted by the sunniest days.
The second thing is its design: it weighs just 37 grams and the straps (silicone or nylon) distribute the “fit” on the wrist very well: it does not move easily, perspiration is not an obstacle and they can be easily exchanged. Detail: The silicone strap has dozens of holes to close it, something that makes it much easier to grip and improves measurements linked to heart rate. Coros has done a good job in this, as it has focused less on a sensor and more on better contact between the skin and the watch. An economical and intelligent way to increase sensitivity. As for colors, the Pace Pro is available in blue, black or gray. Personally, this is the best of the three.
It’s also easy to use the different faces available in the app to personalize the watch. But let’s go with what matters. First of all, the GPS: it has a dual-frequency one and is very efficient. we have compared to others that have information from three satellites and the result has been more than approved. It does it very well, very precisely and without consuming much more battery (38 hours with full GPS and up to 20 days without this option).
Another important detail that, although it is becoming more common, does not mean that it is less important: offline maps, a huge advantage when it comes to getting a little off the beaten path.
The distribution of the buttons is very appropriate and in the app we can choose the wrist we want and whether the buttons will go inwards or outwards. Very good versatility. The touch screen is also very tight, so, between the buttons and the touch screen it is easy to navigate in the middle of a physical routine without falling into false touches or trying to find an option. The dial is made of stainless steel rather than plastic, meaning the Pace Pro can take ECG measurements, although it should not be used as a medical device.
One detail: the box It is not metal and the screen does not have sapphire either. (something present in the more expensive Coros, such as the Vertix 2 and the Apex 2). Simply put, it is not as durable as those mentioned above.
Of course, it tries to compensate with a more powerful brain, according to Coros, the fastest a watch has ever had. This is very noticeable when we have enlarged maps on the watch and the result is almost instantaneous. Added to that is much more storage than, For example, the Pace 3: 32 GB, compared to 4 GB.
Despite not being the tallest in the catalogue, the Pace Pro Features the same training analysis as its bigger brothers, including training load breakdown, race predictions, a VO2 max estimate, and a recovery advisor.
An important detail: the load. Coros has changed the charging port on the watch to be deeper so that pre-cables cannot be used. In exchange for this, the box includes an adapter so that it can be charged using a USB-C cable, instead of including a dedicated charging cable for the watch.
Verdict: The Coros Pace Pro is not for those who are going to start routinely in the world of sports. It is more likely to satisfy the more professional end than to be used properly by neophytes. It is a watch with very important assets such as the screen, memory, brain and its GPS. For €399 it costs less than it’s worth, without a doubt.