Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Coros Pace 3: The Perfect Running Companion
By Elisabeth Christ
Published March 2024
Choosing between the Garmin Forerunner 165 and Coros Pace 3 is no easy feat, as both watches boast features that appeal to serious athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike. The Garmin Forerunner 165 offers a robust design and a suite of features designed to enhance training efficiency, while the Coros Pace 3 stands out for its incredible battery life and precise performance tracking. Whether you’re pounding the pavement, hitting the trails, or diving into the pool, these watches promise to be by your side, measuring every heartbeat, stride, and lap. This comparison will delve into their design, features, and battery life to help you decide which watch best suits your athletic ambitions and lifestyle.
Key Takeaways
Garmin Forerunner 165 and Coros Pace 3 serve athletes with differing priorities but shared dedication. The Forerunner 165's training recommendations, wide range of exercises, and integration with popular fitness apps make it a versatile companion for those looking to optimize their training routines, while Coros Pace 3 impresses with its dual-frequency GPS, extensive battery life, and focus on data accuracy, making it ideal for endurance athletes and those who value minimalist efficiency over extensive app integration.
Garmin Forerunner 165
Best for Entry-Level Runners
✓ Bright and vivid AMOLED display with 390x390-pixel resolution
✓ Personal safety features
✓ Course creation and Garmin Coach to make basic training plans
✓ Up to 11 days of battery life
Coros Pace 3
Best for Triathletes
✓ 41.9mm x 41.9mm x 11.7mm dimension with 32g weight
✓ 5ATM rating water resistance
✓ Built-in dual-frequency GPS & Gyroscope for cadence and stride
✓ Up to 24 days of battery life
#1 Price & Design
Coros Pace 3
Garmin Forerunner 165, priced at $250, offers a robust design with a bright and vivid AMOLED display, aimed at those who don't mind a bit of bulk for the sake of durability and functionality. It sports a fiber-reinforced polymer case and a choice of 3 color options. The five physical buttons and quick-release bands support a balance of traditional watch feel with modern touchscreen capabilities.
On the other side, Coros Pace 3, slightly cheaper at $229, boasts a slim profile and lightweight design, making it almost unnoticeable on the wrist during runs or daily activities. Its digital crown and additional button enhance navigation without compromising its sleek look. The mineral glass LCD screen and water-resistant design make it a practical choice for athletes of all types, whether you're hitting the pool or the trails.
#2 Features & Performance
Garmin Forerunner 165
Garmin Forerunner 165 excels with its proprietary operating system, offering a suite of features tailored for runners and athletes, including training recommendations, running power metrics, and VO2 max monitoring. While it lacks built-in map support, it compensates with a wide range of exercises, personal safety features, and connectivity with popular apps like Strava and MyFitnessPal. The emphasis on training efficiency and personalized workout plans, along with health-related features like sleep tracking and heart rate variability, positions the Forerunner 165 as a comprehensive fitness tool.
Coros Pace 3 steps up with a focus on high data accuracy, including dual-frequency GPS, aerobic and anaerobic power calculations, and detailed swimming metrics. Though it may lack in the smart features department, with no music control or contactless payments, it shines in performance tracking and battery life. Coros operating system ensures smooth navigation through workout data and recovery metrics, making it a formidable contender for serious athletes who prioritize function over frills.
#3 Battery Life
Coros Pace 3
Battery life is where Coros Pace 3 truly outpaces the competition, offering an impressive 24 days in smartwatch mode and up to 38 hours in GPS mode. This endurance makes it ideal for athletes on extended training cycles or those who dislike the daily charge routine. It's a testament to Coros's focus on efficiency and longevity.
In comparison, Garmin Forerunner 165 offers a respectable 11 days in smartwatch mode, which drops significantly with heavy GPS use. While sufficient for most users, it falls short of Coros Pace 3's marathon battery life, making it a point to consider for those who venture on longer expeditions or prefer less frequent charging intervals.
Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Coros Pace 3
Final Thoughts
Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Fitbit Charge 6
If your training regimen demands a watch that not only tracks your every move but also provides insightful feedback to refine your performance, Garmin Forerunner 165 could be your ideal training partner. Its comprehensive features and robust design cater to those who view data as a crucial component of their athletic progression, offering a wealth of information at your fingertips. The ability to connect with a variety of apps and receive personalized training recommendations places it a step ahead for those who thrive on detailed analytics and community engagement.
However, if you're an athlete for whom every gram and every hour of battery life counts, especially during extended training sessions or competitions, Coros Pace 3's lightweight design and exceptional battery performance make it a standout choice. It strips away the non-essential, focusing on providing accurate, essential data that athletes need to perform at their best without the constant worry of recharging. Whether you're an ultramarathon runner, a triathlete, or someone who simply prefers the elegance of efficiency, Coros Pace 3 offers a compelling argument for simplicity and endurance. Ultimately, your specific needs, from the depth of data to the duration of device independence, will guide you to the watch that best complements your athletic journey.
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