COROS - NOMAD

I've just moved from a Pace 3 to a Nomad and, honestly, they're cracking pieces of kit. I've not had any issues with them since moving to Coros watches in February. For trails I would lean towards at least the Pace Pro or the Nomad/Apex 4 (they're basically the same) simply due to offline maps. Either way, Coros or Garmin, there's a device that meets your needs at a price you are willing to pay.

I've just moved from a Pace 3 to a Nomad and, honestly, they're cracking pieces of kit. I've not had any issues with them since moving to Coros watches in February. For trails I would lean towards at least the Pace Pro or the Nomad/Apex 4 (they're basically the same) simply due to offline maps. Either way, Coros or Garmin, there's a device that meets your needs at a price you are willing to pay.

He might be saying that because of how expensive a new Garmin is. If money is no object for you and you're giving it to him as a gift then a Forerunner 970 is a far superior watch. If he really wants to try Coros, he should do it with his own money and buying it from somewhere that you can return it without paying a restocking fee or shipping such as REI (in-store returns) or Amazon. I'm coming from Garmin and I've been pretty happy with my Coros Nomad, though there are a lot of mostly UI quirks. Functionality wise it's FAR better than Suunto and close but not quite there to Garmin. There is at least 1 completely dealbreaking flaw for me which is that the fonts are way too small in certain places and can't be increased. I can't read my notifications at all which kind of kills all the smartwatch functionality for me.

Interesting choice with the Apex 4, I think the Nomad is a better and cheaper watch 🙂 although I'm a sucker for a ruggedized plastic watch.

I returned my Coros Nomad because the font was just too small. They make pretty decent products but they fall short of Garmin with not being customizable in quality of life ways such as font size, screen brightness (way too bright), beep sounds (too loud and can't turn off or make quieter), and their watch faces aren't customizable. 

I switched from an apple se2 to a coros nomad and I will never go back. My apple almost died when I was doing a trail race. We have the same concerns, battery life. I only switched because I really wanted the data, I think you probably should think about it. But the aw was a really good daily watch, notifications and all that jazz. But being away from that was pretty good detox too.

People are being a bit mean, but basically if you are not having battery life issues with your Pace Pro, then there is ZERO reason to switch to the Nomad or Apex. They are likely all using the same processor. They will all have the latest features (basically the more detailed maps) that are missing on models with older processors. And they are all likely using the same GPS, and heartrate hardware. If you don't need multi-day gps tracking between charges (i.e. hiking, or ultra running) then you would likely find the Nomad or Apex a downgrade. The screens are lower resolution, less bright, and have much less vivid colors when compared to the Pace Pro.

I bought my Ultra 2 a couple years ago and used it for a year, switched to a Instinct Solar I had laying around because I wanted more battery life. Didn’t like the one color MIP display so I bought a Suunto Vertical Solar insane battery life but UI was lacking, exchanged that for a Coros Nomad which was ok and had good battery life, but even that didn’t scratch my itch. I switched back to the Ultra 2 I had sitting in a box and fell in love with the thing again, only downside was I wanted offline maps and behold I found out about an app called WorkOutDoors. After finding that app, I stuck with it and ended up trading in for an Ultra 3 for the satellite connectivity. I think the screen quality, actually smartwatch features like being able to leave your phone at home and just have the watch, getting notifications, using it as a remote for your iPhone camera, using it as a remote for your Apple TV when you lose the remote, etc. really puts the Apple Watch in a league of it’s own. I just pop it on the charger every other night, and if I’m hiking or something I carry a little portable charger that charges it if I need the extra battery life. It really really depends on what you prefer, for me I don’t care that the metrics for workouts are the most precise since I want a smartwatch first and fitness tracker second. Some people are the opposite so they go for Garmin and the other brands which there is nothing wrong with, it’s just Apple all the way for me

The new Coros Nomad!! I have a Coros Apex, charge the battery probably every 14-20 days.

If you don't use on-watch routing if you can step out of the Garmin ecosystem , and you want maps, go for the Coros Nomad. Huge battery life, very fast maps, faster than garmin, and affordable in its class.

Another option could be the coros nomad. I currently have the coros nomad and the instinct 3 solar. Nomad is 349usd and has maps, color MIP touchscreen, over 20 days of battery life, ecg. The Instinct 3 solar 45mm is 400usd has slightly better battery life not including solar charge but no maps, no touchscreen but has flashlight. Ultimately it depends if you'd use maps or not. Both have been great for me thus far.

This here is why I'm staying with Garmin for now even as I hope to see more competition -- just ordered the COROS NOMAD to try out but already know that I will struggle with the lack of variable screen brightness, a way to turn off the backlight once on, and other small things that seem nitpicky but make using the watch a smooth experience when taken in aggregate. 90% of Garmin's features may be faff to 90% of the people but the depth of customization is remarkable.  Anyway, this release looks worthwhile if the oHR is truly improved and if I were in the Suunto ecosystem and rocking the amoled I'd probably upgrade. Vertical 2 is a curiosity. If it too is amoled then I wonder what the difference here is.  My one must feature is labeled maps. COROS just went there. Too bad Suunto didn't. If they do I'll consider them. 

I have had every Garmin since the Fenix 3. Recently picked up the Race. Not sure I’ll go back to Garmin. The watch itself feels years ahead of Garmin. The Fenix line has more or less had the same case since its inception. Suunto app is more user friendly and cleaner IMO. Currently testing a Coros Nomad. If that doesn’t suit my fancy I will definitely be picking up the Race 2. (Still In the return period on the Race 1)