It's interesting how Garmin watch models differ. My Fenix 5x vibrates like crazy for every mile with pacing data large enough for a blind moose to read. I know the Coros is great for multi-day events! That battery life is killer.
It's funny you mention about the pace. Becausey Garmin 965 was super accurate with the current pace. Unfortunately, I lost it :( and I had to buy a new one. I decided to go with the coros pace 3 and I'm finding that the current pace is a bit delayed (close to 20 seconds ) I did my first speed workout on Thursday and the watch was showing me paces of 8:30 when my pace was 7:15. However, when I looked at the coros app the pace was correct 7:15 . This is so frustrating. I hope this can be fixed with a software update .
Yeah, the 965 is a more high end watch than the Pace 3. However, it was dead on for me during my 10K. It’s not super accurate on the weird rectangle track I use, but it’s close enough for what I need.
Man, the temperature swings around here have been rough. I totally understand the mental worn-out-ness. It can be really tough. I think I need to find a watch that vibrates more when I hit every mile. I miss mine all the time.
The watch vibration is a game-changer for me. Its really useful when using a pre-programmed workout, because I don't need to constantly check the watch to see if I'm done with each segment.
Just curious what Garmin model did you own? Some of the shortcomings you mention, like not being able to customize data screen layouts with arbitrary data fields or automatically advancing through a workout w/o requiring manually Lapping, is functionality that's existed in the Forerunner line for a long time? My old FR 305 from 2009 had fully customizable screens. It also had a workout builder that allowed for either manual or automatic lapping at the end of each individual work or recovery segment (same as modern Garmins). Of course if you just wanted a new watch that's lightyears ahead in terms of speed, accuracy, new sensors (HR in particular), running power from the wrist, and battery life, well then I don't blame ya for upgrading. I just couldn't see MYSELF jumping platforms at this point due to data lock-in. All my data is in Connect, and I like the platform.. well liked... not a fan of new redesign. But trying to learn a whole new platform would be tedious even if I could easily export all my data. Also navigating with Garmin's 5-button controls is pure muscle memory for me. A perfect control scheme while running hard. I can't see myself fumbling with a rotary dial while running. I DO WISH my haptic motor was stronger. Totally agree w/ that criticism. ps: regarding your "rectangle" track, I'm cursed w/ one of these too. Garmin's "track mode" DOES NOT LIKE 400m rectangular tracks!!! How does the Coros deal with oddly shaped tracks? Garmin doesn't keep a centrally maintained, pre-calculated/computed list of running tracks to ensure maximum accuracy like Apple... the disadvantage being if Apple engineers don't know about your personal track then the Apple Watch won't recognize it. Garmin gathers track telemetry on-the-fly so it works with very track worldwide... but I guess the smoothing algorithm *still* assumes your track will be OVAL. Not have corners like my running local track, so has issues dealing with. LOL. How does Coros do it? Pre-mapped or on-the-fly? And how does their track algorithm deal with corners?
I had the Vivoactive 3, so really the entry level Garmin. It got the job done for the past few years, but it was lacking a few features and the touchscreen was not super responsive, especially on the run. I mostly use Strava, but also RunGap to port over all my workouts from fitness platform to fitness platform, so the change from Garmin to Coros was pretty seamless from a platform perspective. The Coros is actually pretty good with the rectangle track. A while back I used a wheel to measure the actual distance (because the sign at the entrance just says the track is "around" 400 meters), and the distance I got from the Coros was pretty spot on using the on the fly GPS. Corners get a little weird when it comes to the current pace, but it levels out. Overall very happy with the watch, as 6 or so years of tech improvements go a long way.
I don't think so. I don't run with my phone, but I know you can download MP3 files to the watch and listen that way. But I didn't see anything saying you can control another device with the watch
Cost effectiveness, essentially. Garmin's similar model was a bit more expensive, and I really liked the weight and battery life of the Coros. I'm not super picky, and if Emma Bates can use the Pace 3 at the Boston Marathon, I can use it to run a decidedly average time in my races haha
It's interesting how Garmin watch models differ. My Fenix 5x vibrates like crazy for every mile with pacing data large enough for a blind moose to read. I know the Coros is great for multi-day events! That battery life is killer.
Yeah, I went from a very basic Garmin, so it didn't have the best features.
It's funny you mention about the pace. Becausey Garmin 965 was super accurate with the current pace. Unfortunately, I lost it :( and I had to buy a new one. I decided to go with the coros pace 3 and I'm finding that the current pace is a bit delayed (close to 20 seconds ) I did my first speed workout on Thursday and the watch was showing me paces of 8:30 when my pace was 7:15. However, when I looked at the coros app the pace was correct 7:15 . This is so frustrating. I hope this can be fixed with a software update .
Yeah, the 965 is a more high end watch than the Pace 3. However, it was dead on for me during my 10K. It’s not super accurate on the weird rectangle track I use, but it’s close enough for what I need.
Man, the temperature swings around here have been rough. I totally understand the mental worn-out-ness. It can be really tough. I think I need to find a watch that vibrates more when I hit every mile. I miss mine all the time.
The watch vibration is a game-changer for me. Its really useful when using a pre-programmed workout, because I don't need to constantly check the watch to see if I'm done with each segment.
12:16 HURDLES! Go for it, you got this!
Ha!!
Just curious what Garmin model did you own? Some of the shortcomings you mention, like not being able to customize data screen layouts with arbitrary data fields or automatically advancing through a workout w/o requiring manually Lapping, is functionality that's existed in the Forerunner line for a long time? My old FR 305 from 2009 had fully customizable screens. It also had a workout builder that allowed for either manual or automatic lapping at the end of each individual work or recovery segment (same as modern Garmins). Of course if you just wanted a new watch that's lightyears ahead in terms of speed, accuracy, new sensors (HR in particular), running power from the wrist, and battery life, well then I don't blame ya for upgrading. I just couldn't see MYSELF jumping platforms at this point due to data lock-in. All my data is in Connect, and I like the platform.. well liked... not a fan of new redesign. But trying to learn a whole new platform would be tedious even if I could easily export all my data. Also navigating with Garmin's 5-button controls is pure muscle memory for me. A perfect control scheme while running hard. I can't see myself fumbling with a rotary dial while running. I DO WISH my haptic motor was stronger. Totally agree w/ that criticism.
ps: regarding your "rectangle" track, I'm cursed w/ one of these too. Garmin's "track mode" DOES NOT LIKE 400m rectangular tracks!!! How does the Coros deal with oddly shaped tracks? Garmin doesn't keep a centrally maintained, pre-calculated/computed list of running tracks to ensure maximum accuracy like Apple... the disadvantage being if Apple engineers don't know about your personal track then the Apple Watch won't recognize it. Garmin gathers track telemetry on-the-fly so it works with very track worldwide... but I guess the smoothing algorithm *still* assumes your track will be OVAL. Not have corners like my running local track, so has issues dealing with. LOL. How does Coros do it? Pre-mapped or on-the-fly? And how does their track algorithm deal with corners?
I had the Vivoactive 3, so really the entry level Garmin. It got the job done for the past few years, but it was lacking a few features and the touchscreen was not super responsive, especially on the run. I mostly use Strava, but also RunGap to port over all my workouts from fitness platform to fitness platform, so the change from Garmin to Coros was pretty seamless from a platform perspective.
The Coros is actually pretty good with the rectangle track. A while back I used a wheel to measure the actual distance (because the sign at the entrance just says the track is "around" 400 meters), and the distance I got from the Coros was pretty spot on using the on the fly GPS. Corners get a little weird when it comes to the current pace, but it levels out. Overall very happy with the watch, as 6 or so years of tech improvements go a long way.
Good video, 4 out of 5.
Can you control music streaming on your phone from the watch?
I don't think so. I don't run with my phone, but I know you can download MP3 files to the watch and listen that way. But I didn't see anything saying you can control another device with the watch
What made you go with a Coros instead of another Garmin?
Cost effectiveness, essentially. Garmin's similar model was a bit more expensive, and I really liked the weight and battery life of the Coros. I'm not super picky, and if Emma Bates can use the Pace 3 at the Boston Marathon, I can use it to run a decidedly average time in my races haha
Are you running a marathon this year?
Yep, Toronto in the fall