COROS PACE 3 REVIEW

COROS PACE 3 WATCH

PLEASE NOTE: I paid for the Coros Pace 3 myself and was not gifted this watch or paid by Coros to give a honest review. This page may contain affiliate links. Making a purchase via our affiliate link means I may receive a small share of the sale.

The Coros Pace 3 is a lightweight, feature-rich GPS running watch designed for runners and multisport athletes seeking accuracy, long battery life, and strong value for money. Building on the success of its predecessors, the Pace 3 introduces several notable upgrades while maintaining a focus on simplicity and performance.

WHO IS COROS?

Coros is a relatively new sports technology brand, founded in 2016. The company initially made waves with a smart cycling helmet and soon pivoted to GPS sports watches, quickly earning a reputation for affordable, high-quality wearables with exceptional battery life and robust software support.

WHEN WAS COROS PACE 3 RELEASED?

The Coros Pace 3 was announced at the start of September 2023 and became available for purchase shortly thereafter.

IS IT WATERPROOF?

Yes, the Coros Pace 3 is water resistant up to 50 metres, making it suitable for swimming and other water-based activities.

SIZE

The Pace 3 is remarkably lightweight, weighing just 30 grams with the nylon strap or 39 grams with the silicone strap.

Its minimalist design ensures comfort for all-day wear without feeling bulky.

FEATURES

Key features of the Coros Pace 3 include:

• Dual-frequency GPS with support for five satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS) for improved accuracy.
• Touchscreen interface and two button navigation (including a digital crown).
• Upgraded optical heart rate monitor with SpO2 (blood oxygen) measurement.
• Barometric altimeter, compass, and breadcrumb trail navigation.
• Music storage and playback, allowing you to download and play music directly from the watch.
• Regular firmware updates that add new features and improvements.

DOES IT TRACK SLEEP?

Yes, the Pace 3 offers comprehensive health tracking, including detailed sleep statistics, daily steps, and resting heart rate.

CAN YOU PLAY MUSIC?

The Coros Pace 3 introduces music downloads and playback, a new feature for the Pace series.

You can store music on the watch and listen via Bluetooth headphones, making it convenient for runs without your phone.

TIPS

• Use the "All Systems + Dual FREQ" GPS mode for the most accurate tracking, especially in challenging environments.
• Take advantage of the breadcrumb navigation for route guidance, though note it is not a full map display.
• Regularly update the firmware for new features and optimisations.

CAN YOU USE IT FOR OTHER SPORTS?

Absolutely. The Pace 3 supports a wide range of sports modes, including running (road, trail, track, indoor), cycling, swimming, strength training, hiking, and even snow sports.

It is optimised for accurate measurement across these activities.

DOES IT HAVE MAPS?

The Pace 3 features breadcrumb trail navigation, allowing you to follow pre loaded routes and receive turn alerts. 

However, it does not offer full topographic or street maps like some higher end models.

Vo2 MAX

The watch estimates VO2 max and provides fitness tests to give users an overview of their aerobic capacity and training progress.

BATTERY

Battery life is a standout feature:

• Up to 38 hours in full GPS mode (an increase from the Pace 2’s 30 hours).
• Up to 20 days in regular use.
• UltraMax GPS mode extends battery further for ultra distance events.

COST

The Coros Pace 3 launched at around $229 (USD) or €249, positioning it as a highly competitive option in the mid-range GPS watch market.

UK pricing is similar, making it one of the best value watches available for runners and multisport athletes.

COROS PACE 3 vs COROS PACE PRO

TABLE

CONCLUSION

The Coros Pace 3 is an outstanding GPS running watch for those who value accuracy, battery life, and simplicity at a reasonable price.

While it lacks full mapping capabilities, it more than compensates with its dual-frequency GPS, music support, robust health tracking, and lightweight design.

For runners and multisport athletes seeking a reliable, affordable training companion, the Pace 3 is hard to beat.