Buzz
Building on the success of the PACE 2, the Coros PACE 3 introduces advancements in display, new-gen sensor cluster, and highly accurate GPS, all while maintaining a compact and incredibly light design.
I had the opportunity to get my hands on and quickly experience the Coros PACE 3 smartwatch. It's the latest addition to Coros' budget-friendly PACE series, offering excellent support for both casual and professional athletes.
Now, let's explore what makes the Coros PACE 3 more interesting compared to its predecessor!
The overall design of the Coros PACE 3 doesn't change much from the predecessor Coros PACE 2, with a few refinements to appear sleeker, lighter, and more dynamic. For a sports-oriented watch, simplicity, straightforwardness, and compactness are top priorities.
The main interface features a watch face and two control buttons, which the company has fine-tuned. The watch face is protected by Corning Glass toughened glass. On the Coros PACE 3, the Digital Dial button has been improved to be larger, allowing for smoother and faster rotational control.
My personal experience aligns with this – a simple finger swipe is all it takes to control settings and menus when needed. The sliding speed and responsiveness are fast but not overwhelming, just right. The subtle vibration effect upon reaching a setting is smooth, reminiscent of Haptic Touch on the iPhone.
Even the Back button is larger and longer in this version, ensuring precise and easy taps. The improved design of these two buttons allows for comfortable interaction with the Coros PACE 3 even while wearing gloves during workouts.
The significant change lies in the heart rate sensor cluster, now larger and housed under a protective glass layer on the back of the watch. Next to it is the familiar charging port of Coros, compatible with previous-generation charging cables.
The version I have on hand features a nylon strap. I've always had a positive impression of Coros products, especially the excellent rubber straps, and now the nylon strap provides a similarly light and comfortable feel. No worries about skin irritation or discomfort.
Putting it on is effortless – a simple pull and attachment to the remaining part of the strap, done in less than a minute. The strap is adorned with additional lines, adding a touch of personality. I can wear and go about my day without feeling the presence of the Coros PACE 3; it's that lightweight.
Regardless, the weight of the Coros PACE 3 remains consistent at around 30 grams (nylon strap version, Pace 2 was 29 grams). This is a crucial criterion appreciated by both fitness enthusiasts and professional athletes who want to focus entirely on their exercises.
The display is one of the notable improvements on the Coros PACE 3 this year, featuring a 1.2” Memory In Pixel touch screen. The touch functionality is reserved for modes like map navigation, but you can activate it to use it as a regular smartwatch.
The display quality is impressive, with brightness adjusting based on your surroundings. Outdoors, under intense noon sunlight, the screen remains vivid and detailed on the Coros PACE 3. It's 11 AM, and the clarity is still remarkable.
Regarding touch sensitivity, personally, I find using the control button more intriguing than touch interactions. The touch responsiveness is decent but not exceptionally quick. However, it doesn't significantly impact the overall experience. Next is the new-generation heart rate sensor with 5 LEDs and 4 diodes arranged in a circular cluster, promising more accurate heart rate monitoring.
All your metrics can be tracked on your phone through the Coros app – calories, steps, exercises, daily heart rate, and more. Everything is visually displayed for easy monitoring. You can also organize your workout schedule here for convenient tracking of your progress.
I've learned that the Coros Pace 3 is equipped with a sensor to detect when it's worn on the wrist, optimizing battery usage. When removed, the watch automatically pauses heart rate monitoring and motion tracking. This ensures a durable and comfortable battery life.
The GPS proves to be highly accurate. I took a walk in the nearby park, and the route displayed on the app was clear and detailed, even highlighting small paths. Of course, you can manually customize your route right here as well.
I tested enabling satellite tracking on Coros PACE 3, and it quickly provided results. Within the watch's satellite settings, it estimates the remaining usage time until the next charge. Activating both satellite and dual-band mode ensures optimal GPS quality.
Here's the detailed route I manually set due to the park's layout. It includes heart rate metrics during my light jogging session. You can easily view an overall summary or delve into specific hourly details, even comprehensive sleep metrics after a night.
Whether trekking deep in the forest or scaling high mountains, you can trust the watch's dual-band GPS and satellite system to keep you on track. I'll share more insights in an upcoming post for a better understanding.
Another intriguing feature on Coros PACE 3 is its 4GB internal memory, allowing you to store and listen to music when connected to Bluetooth headphones. It's convenient during workouts, eliminating the need for a phone and helping you stay focused on your exercise.
Overall, if you're a sports enthusiast or even a professional, Coros PACE 3 is a worthy choice. From its sleek and lightweight design suitable for all-day wear to optimizations for enhanced usage, it surpasses its predecessor.
Moreover, you can take it swimming as Coros PACE 3 supports water resistance up to 50m. This makes it a versatile sports accessory, handling everything from light to intense activities with ease.
Additionally, its smart app connectivity empowers you to proactively schedule your sports activities. One feature not yet available in Vietnam is the ability to download workout plans or even create and share your own on the Coros community within the app. I hope the brand swiftly extends support to the Vietnamese market for this feature.
Currently, the Coros PACE 3 is priced at 6,180,000 VND at Mytour for both the nylon and rubber strap versions. The product is expected to be in stock by December. For those interested, you can find more detailed information about the product at the link below:
