The Coros Vertix 2 is best summed up as a smartwatch made for running and the outdoors, including hiking, climbing, and mountaineering. You would think that Garmin has locked down the ‘rugged GPS sports watch’ niche with the Garmin Fenix. However, the Vertix 2 is a viable challenger, although with some relatively uninspiring headline features.
It is reasonably priced at US$699.99 / £599.99. Nobody is going to buy the Coros Vertix 2 on the spur of the moment. However, it’s a superbly designed device with outstanding build quality and features aplenty. The most notable of them is its dual-frequency GNSS chip. This allows you to locate your exact location with incredible precision by utilizing five unique satellite constellations. This is especially critical in locations like valleys & gorges, and much more so if you’re climbing a sheer rock face where satellites may be obscured or physically blocked or reflected.
Furthermore, it boasts basic smartwatch functionality, inbuilt music storage support, the largest display yet seen on a Coros wearable, and Wi-Fi compatibility for software updates.
What will you see here?
Coros Vertix 2 – Price & Availability
The Coros Vertix 2 is priced at a startling $699 on the company’s website. Obsidian and Lava are the two major silicone band colors available. Extra nylon or silicone bands can be purchased for $29 apiece. The sturdy packing that the Vertix 2 came in is also commendable.
The new Garmin Fenix 7 is undoubtedly a rival here, with prices ranging from $699 to $999 for the Sapphire Solar Version. Whereas the Fenix 7 has three different diameter choices and numerous “editions” to suit different budgets, fitness goals, and wrist sizes, the Vertix 2 only has one model with a case size of 50.3mm — up from 47mm on the original Vertix. The Coros Vertix 2 has no solar versions.
Instead of wearing the watch on your arm, Coros sells a $79 carabiner attachment that allows you to fasten it to your belt. Coros also sells a $25 keychain watch charger for when you’re completely disconnected from the grid, as well as the $69 Coros POD for enhanced running analytics.
Coros Vertix 2 – Design
The Coros Vertix 2 is a really sturdy, tough, and well-made product. It measures 503 x 503 x 15.7mm & weighs 89g, which is somewhat higher than its predecessor due to the inclusion of a 1.4inch 280 x 280-pixel touch panel. It has super-strong sapphire glass and a scratch-resistant titanium casing with a thin film coating for added corrosion protection. There’s a textured soft rubber band that’s rather broad and has a dull orange hue. It’s rather large on the wrist. Very large.
How does the Coros Vertix 2 contrast to the original Coros Vertix, which was released in May 2019? This latest version is waterproof to 100m/328 ft – interestingly, a third less than its forerunner – and works in colder conditions. The Coros Vertix 2’s all-satellite dual-frequency GNSS chipset, which detects your precise position with either GPS, Beidou, GLONASS, Galileo, or QZSS, is the most notable difference. That should be enough.
Handful Of Sensors
A barometric altimeter accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, and temperature are standard navigation watch sensors, as are an optical heart rate sensor, an optical pulse oximeter, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor.
The Coros Vertix 2 also has a charming and extremely sturdy flying case. It’s a beautiful item that adds to the tough look, but we’re not sure why it needs further protection. Isn’t it already difficult?
Rotating Bezel
On the side is a big digital bezel that must be fully spun in order for the user to get access. It’s sandwiched between two additional buttons, one of which fades the screen on the fly. There is a slot on the back of the watch for the magnetic charging wire.
Unfortunately, the watch requires a proprietary adapter to recharge, which may put some people off. After all, who wants to go trekking with a specific USB cable that they can’t afford to lose? It’s a vexing feature in an otherwise well-designed product.
Endurance athletes should be aware that the Coros Vertix 2 does not support the ANT+ connection standard. Which means it will not work with smart trainers or power meters. They’re a little out of date, but they still work.
Coros Vertix 2 – Software & Application
It’s a snap to set up the Coros Vertix 2 after a tidy unpacking from the flight case; just install the Coros app & scan a QR code that displays on the watch itself. After pairing, add your personal information, including heart rate zones, and you’re ready to run/walk/swim, etc.
In fact, the amount of activity modes offered by the Coros Vertix 2 is astounding. Its somewhat 27 modes, including open and flatwater swimming, pool swimming, outdoor and indoor rowing, and windsurfing.
The app’s front page includes basic data such as steps, heart rate, sleep, and so on, as well as a page that lists statistical data and thumbnail maps for all workout sessions, a page for the Coros EvoLab, and a page for tweaks such as changing the watch face, adding GPX files, and configuring which app notifications appear on the watch.
All of the information gathered may be sent to a variety of third-party fitness applications, including Apple Health, Running Quotient, Strava, TrainingPeaks, Final Surge, Runalyze, Adidas Running, Relive, and WeRun. It may also be used in conjunction with the Stryd Sensor ‘footpod’ power meter.
MP3 Playback
Another new feature is MP3 playback, as well as the ability to (stupidly) link Bluetooth headphones. The Coros Vertix 2’s internal storage is limited to 32GB, and the drag-and-drop manual addition and refreshing of MP3 files won’t appeal to most users. However, the existence of Wi-Fi here means that streaming services may be accessible shortly.
Coros Vertix 2 – Fitness Performance and Sports Modes
Vertix 2 has more outdoor workout profiles than Coros Pace 2. It’s ideal for runners with a variety of running profiles, including run, indoor run, trail run, plus track run. It also includes indoor biking, mountain climbing, hiking, biking, pool swimming, open water, speedsurfing, windsurfing, rowing, indoor rowing, whitewater, gym cardio, cross-country skiing, ski touring, GPS cardio, ski, snowboard, multisport, multi-pitch, and walking.
An excellent fitness wearable should be able to monitor your heart rate, sleep patterns, stress levels, and almost any physical activity on your list. The Vertix 2 contains an optical heart rate monitor, temperature, optical pulse oximeter, and ECG sensor. Also, an Altitude mode periodically monitors blood oxygen Sp02 levels at elevations over 2,500 meters, which is useful for keen climbers and alpinists.
The Vertix 2 records your active energy, heart rate, exercise time, and sleep patterns automatically. However, you must manually take daily HRV measurements, which is inconvenient.
The Coros platform is no exception. Today’s fitness technology tends to grow subjectively wiser the longer you use it. Enter the EvoLab, a software that estimates your weekly training volume to maintain you in peak condition. It’s also motivating to see all of your own records in one location.
ECG & SPo2 Sensors
Mountaineers concerned about altitude sickness might use the SpO2 sensor, which measures blood oxygen saturation above 2,500 meters.
The ECG feature is a touch strange, requiring the user to physically cross their other hand across the watch, following which a 60-second haptic countdown starts. However, you will only receive a heart rate variability (HRV) rating and a remark on your stress level. So it’s not actually an ECG at all.
Coros Vertix 2 – Battery Life
The Coros Vertix 2 is certified for 140 hours & 60 days of regular GPS operation, and 90 hours including all systems turned on. However, in UltraMax GPS mode, Coros claims you can get up to 240 hours out from the Vertix 2, which is amazing, to say the least.
In contrast, the Garmin Fenix 7 has a battery life of up to 57 days in battery saver mode and 136 hours in Max Battery GPS mode. Garmin, on the other hand, adds solar power to its vast list of capabilities, giving this tried-and-true GPS brand advantage for outdoor activity monitoring. Indeed, it took an entire month of everyday use over conventional GPS to reduce the Vertix 2’s battery from 100% to 19%.
Is Coros better than Garmin?
The main distinction between brands is how the watch is used. To navigate, Coros features a dial on the side. Garmin includes at least four buttons, two on each side. Some people adore the dial and find it significantly more convenient.
Is the Coros Vertix 2 waterproof?
The Coros Vertix 2 is waterproof to 10ATM, includes an optical heart-rate monitor, and can detect blood oxygen content.
Conclusion
The Coros Vertix 2 is a fantastic wearable for the adventurous among us. However, it falls short on all of its most critical aspects. The heart rate monitor has to be calibrated. Also, while worldwide offline mapping is convenient, the navigation functions are simple and might benefit from additional information. These will undoubtedly persuade some prospective consumers to choose the Vertix 2 over Garmin’s Fenix range.
However, Garmin’s adventure watches do not have 2-month battery life. It’s wonderful not to have to worry about battery life at all. Furthermore, Coros’ dual-GNSS functionality outperforms the competition in terms of total accuracy. If you’re looking for something that will correctly and consistently monitor your location, the Vertix 2 is an excellent choice.
The Coros Vertix 2 will please some customers while disappointing others. If you value battery life plus GPS accuracy, the Vertix 2 will not disappoint. If overall value, heart rate tracking, or several size options are important to you, look into Garmin or Suunto.
