Coros Pace 2 vs Garmin Forerunner 245: Head-to-Head Battle for Running Supremacy
By Elisabeth Christ
Published April 2024
When deciding on a new sports watch, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming. I've taken a closer look at the reviews of two popular models in the market today: the Coros Pace 2 and the Garmin Forerunner 245. Both watches boast impressive features designed for serious athletes and casual runners alike, but they cater to different needs and budgets. With a focus on functionality, GPS accuracy, and extended battery life, these devices are engineered to enhance your training experiences. Let’s break down their specifics to see which one might be the right fit for your athletic pursuits.
Key Takeaways
For runners seeking a lightweight watch with superior battery life (30 hours GPS mode), the Coros Pace 2 boasts impressive durability and advanced training metrics like running power. However, the Garmin Forerunner 245 offers a wider range of activity profiles (including cycling and yoga) with detailed breakdowns, incident detection for safety, and music storage on select versions – all at a slightly higher weight and shorter battery life (24 hours GPS mode).
Coros Pace 2
Better Choice for Battery Life
✓ low-energy component, 64-color MIP screen
✓ Do not disturb setting available
✓ GLONASS and BeiDou GPS support
✓ Up to 20 days of battery life
Garmin Forerunner 245
Better Choice for Serious Runners
✓ 240 x 240-pixel transflective MIP screen
✓ All-day stress monitoring feature
✓ Up to 500 songs onboard storage
✓ Up to 7 days of battery life
#1 Price & Design
Coros Pace 2
At just $200, the Coros Pace 2 is attractively priced for the budget-conscious athlete, offering essential functionalities without the hefty price tag. It comes in two color options, navy and white, and offers the choice between a nylon or a silicone band, catering to both comfort and aesthetic preferences.
This watch is particularly noted for its ultra-lightweight design, weighing only 29g, which is ideal for athletes who prefer a barely-there feel during intense workouts or long races. The design of the Coros Pace 2 emphasizes simplicity and efficiency. The case is made of durable plastic with a matte finish that gives it a premium feel despite its lower price point. The screen, a 64-color memory-in-pixel display, provides sufficient clarity while conserving battery life. Its user interface includes a digital crown for easy scrolling through menus and a back button, aligning with its overall minimalist approach to sports tech.
Garmin Forerunner 245
On the other hand, the Garmin Forerunner 245 is priced at $350 for the version that includes music playback, a feature that justifies its higher cost compared to models without music. This watch not only supports active lifestyles with its robust feature set but also integrates entertainment, allowing you to listen to music directly from your watch without needing a phone. It’s designed for comfort over long periods, featuring a soft silicone strap and a plastic case that keeps it light at 38.5g despite its larger size.
Visually, the Forerunner 245 maintains a practical yet stylish appearance with a 1.2-inch, 240 x 240-pixel resolution screen that uses transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) technology. This technology enhances readability under direct sunlight, making it suitable for outdoor runs and activities. The watch lacks a touchscreen but includes physical buttons that facilitate easier control during activities. Its LED backlight ensures visibility in low-light conditions, making it versatile for all times of day.
#2 Features & Performance
Coros Pace 2
The Coros Pace 2 is designed primarily as a multi-sports watch, supporting a wide array of activities with dedicated modes for running, cycling, swimming, and more. It lacks lifestyle features like NFC payments but focuses instead on delivering robust sports tracking capabilities. This model includes comprehensive sleep tracking that measures light, deep, and REM sleep stages, alongside a suite of sensors such as an optical heart rate monitor, altimeter, and thermometer, which are essential for outdoor and fitness enthusiasts.
Accuracy is where the Pace 2 excels; it features precise GPS tracking that supports GLONASS and BEIDU systems, ensuring location tracking is reliable even under challenging conditions. The watch also includes innovative features like smart stride length detection and an AI trainer, which help optimize training efficiency. The Coros app complements the watch by providing minimalist, functional insights and allowing for the customization of training routes, although it is limited to GPX files.
Garmin Forerunner 245
Moving on to Garmin Forerunner 245, this device excels in providing a comprehensive suite of tracking features that extend beyond basic fitness activities. It includes advanced options like pulse oximetry, stress tracking, and incident detection, which are valuable for users who prioritize health monitoring as well as fitness. The watch also offers detailed insights into athletic performance through metrics like Performance Condition and VO2 max, calculated from pace, heart rate, and heart rate variability data during physical activity.
In addition to these performance metrics, the Forerunner 245 supports pool swimming and has a new strength workout tracking feature, making it versatile for various types of athletes. Its built-in GPS is highly accurate, and for those who opt for the music version, it can store up to 500 songs, providing ample entertainment on the go. The Garmin app displays a range of vital data and workout analysis, enhancing the user experience with graphical representations and easy-to-navigate menus.
#3 Battery Life
Coros Pace 2
Talking about the watches juices, one of the most impressive features of the Coros Pace 2 is its battery life. It boasts up to 20 days of use in standard watch mode and can support extensive training sessions with its robust battery capacity. This makes it an excellent choice for athletes who prefer not to worry about frequent recharges.
While the Forerunner 245 does not match the Coros Pace 2 in battery longevity, it still offers a respectable 7 days of general usage and up to 24 hours of continuous GPS tracking. This should suffice for most training needs, though those participating in longer endurance events might find the battery limitations a concern.
Coros Pace 2 vs Garmin Forerunner 245
Final Thoughts
Coros Pace 2 vs Garmin Forerunner 245
Deciding between the Coros Pace 2 and the Garmin Forerunner 245 depends largely on what you value most in a sports watch. If you prioritize a lightweight design and exceptional battery life for long-duration activities, the Coros Pace 2 is likely the better option for you. It’s ideal for athletes who need a straightforward, durable device that keeps up with demanding training schedules.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a watch that not only supports a wide range of sports but also integrates health and lifestyle features, the Garmin Forerunner 245 is worth the extra investment. With its advanced metrics, safety features, and music capabilities, it caters well to those who view their sports watch as an all-encompassing fitness companion. Each watch stands out in its own right, promising to enhance your training and day-to-day activities according to your specific needs and preferences.
If you like to read more about Smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
The Best Smartwatches in 2024
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro
Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Coros Pace 3
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