Coros Pace 3 GPS Watch Review

Introduction

Overview of Coros Pace 3

The Coros Pace 3 represents the brand's commitment to delivering high-performance GPS watches at an accessible price point. Released in mid-2023 as a successor to the popular Coros Pace 2, this third-generation watch targets serious runners, triathletes, and fitness enthusiasts who demand accurate tracking without compromising on battery life or durability.

What sets the Pace 3 apart from its competitors is its exceptional battery life-up to 50 hours in GPS mode-and a lightweight design that weighs just 30 grams. Unlike many sport watches that prioritize smart features over performance metrics, the Pace 3 focuses squarely on running dynamics, recovery tracking, and long-term battery endurance.

The watch appeals particularly to athletes who train outdoors for extended periods. If you're someone who runs marathons, completes Ironman triathlons, or simply wants a watch that won't die halfway through your longest training session, the Pace 3 deserves serious consideration. It's also an excellent choice for budget-conscious runners who don't want to sacrifice professional-grade features.

Compared to its predecessor, the Pace 3 improves upon nearly every aspect: brighter display, more accurate sensors, and better connectivity options. It also competes directly with offerings from Garmin, Polar, and Suunto-but with a more attractive price-to-performance ratio.

Design and Build

Physical Design

The Coros Pace 3 maintains the sleek, sporty aesthetic that Coros established with its earlier models, but with refined proportions that make it comfortable for all-day wear. The watch case measures 46mm in diameter and 12.6mm in thickness, which is notably slimmer than many running watches that prioritize large screens for smart notifications.

The construction uses a fiber-reinforced polymer case that feels surprisingly robust despite its lightweight (30g) profile. The watch strap is made from silicone with a quick-release mechanism, allowing for easy swapping between different strap colors and materials. Coros offers both standard black and vibrant color options like electric blue and lime green, catering to athletes who want to match their gear to their personality.

The back of the watch features Coros's signature optical heart rate sensor array, which includes four LED sensors and four photodiodes for accurate heart rate monitoring during exercise. The sensor array is protected by a sapphire crystal lens, which not only enhances durability but also ensures consistent optical readings in various lighting conditions.

The optical heart rate sensor array on the Pace 3's back

Display and Interface

The Pace 3 features a 1.2-inch transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display with a resolution of 240 x 240 pixels. While this doesn't match the pixel density of modern smartwatches, it's perfectly adequate for a running watch. The MIP technology ensures excellent visibility in direct sunlight, which is crucial for outdoor athletes.

The display is rated at 1500 nits of brightness in high-brightness mode, making it readable even in the brightest conditions. The watch uses a simple, menu-driven interface navigated entirely through three physical buttons on the right side. This button-based system eliminates the frustration of trying to use a touchscreen with sweaty fingers that most runners experience.

The watch face can be customized with various data fields, and Coros offers several pre-designed layouts optimized for running, cycling, swimming, and triathlon. The interface is intuitive once you learn the button combinations, though it may feel limiting if you're used to smartwatch app ecosystems.

Features and Performance

GPS and Tracking

The Coros Pace 3 uses a dual-frequency GPS chipset (L1 + L5) that provides exceptional location accuracy. In real-world testing, the Pace 3 consistently matched routes recorded by high-end Garmin watches within 1-2 meters of deviation. This level of accuracy is particularly important for trail runners who need precise tracking on technical terrain.

The watch supports multiple satellite systems including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS, ensuring reliable signal acquisition even in challenging environments like urban canyons or dense forests. Coros claims cold-start acquisition time of approximately 30 seconds in ideal conditions, which is faster than many competitors in this price range.

For running-specific metrics, the Pace 3 tracks all essential parameters including pace, distance, cadence, stride length, and ground contact time. It also includes advanced metrics like running power (estimated from heart rate and speed) and training load analysis. For triathletes, the watch automatically switches between sports modes when detecting transitions.

Battery Life

The most impressive feature of the Coros Pace 3 is its battery life. The watch uses a 220mAh lithium-ion battery that lasts up to:

• 25 days in standard watch mode with all sensors active
• 50 hours in GPS mode (single frequency)
• 30 hours in GPS+HR mode (heart rate monitoring enabled)
• 100 hours in UltraMax GPS mode (corner-cutting mode)
• 200 hours in expedition mode (extreme power saving)

These figures are based on Coros's testing protocols and have been verified by numerous independent reviewers. For comparison, the Garmin Forerunner 265 offers only 15 days in smartwatch mode and 31 hours in GPS mode. The Pace 3's battery performance is particularly notable for ultrarunners and multi-day events where charging opportunities are limited.

The watch includes a proprietary magnetic charging system that connects to the back of the watch. A full charge takes approximately 2.5 hours from 0% to 100%. The charging cable is included in the box, which is a nice touch compared to some competitors that require separate purchase.

Health and Fitness Tracking

The Coros Pace 3 includes a comprehensive suite of health monitoring features that go beyond basic activity tracking:

• 24/7 Heart Rate Monitoring: Optical heart rate sensor with 1-second intervals
• Heart Rate Variability (HRV): Tracks recovery status and stress levels
• Sleep Tracking: Monitors sleep stages, duration, and quality
• Blood Oxygen (SpO2): Measures oxygen saturation levels
• Respiratory Rate: Tracks breathing rate during sleep
• Stress Monitoring: Estimates stress levels based on heart rate variability
• Body Battery: Tracks energy levels throughout the day
• Menstrual Cycle Tracking: For female athletes
• Pregnancy Tracking: Monitors metrics relevant to expecting mothers

The sleep tracking feature is particularly noteworthy. It provides detailed breakdowns of sleep stages (deep, light, REM) and offers sleep score ratings. The watch includes a "Sleep Coach" feature that provides personalized recommendations for improving sleep quality based on your tracked patterns.

For recovery tracking, the Pace 3 uses a combination of HRV data, sleep quality, and training load metrics to generate a daily "Recovery Score" from 0-100. This score helps athletes determine whether they're ready for their next intense workout or should focus on rest and recovery.

The watch also includes a built-in thermometer and barometer, which contribute to weather forecasting features. While not as sophisticated as dedicated weather stations, these sensors provide general trends in atmospheric pressure that can help athletes plan outdoor activities.

Connectivity and Smart Features

The Coros Pace 3 offers essential smart features while maintaining its focus on sports performance:

• Bluetooth 5.0: Connects to smartphone for notifications, data sync, and firmware updates
• ANT+ Compatibility: Supports heart rate monitors, foot pods, and bike speed/cadence sensors
• Smart Notifications: Displays calls, texts, and app notifications (requires smartphone connection)
• Music Storage: 500MB internal storage for music files (supports MP3 format)
• Music Controls: Play/pause/skip tracks directly from the watch
• Find My Phone/Watch: Locates misplaced devices via Bluetooth connection
• Weather Forecasts: Displays 7-day weather forecasts using connected phone data
• Coros Coaching Plans: Access to structured training plans via Coros app

One limitation worth noting is the lack of Wi-Fi connectivity. Unlike some Garmin models that can sync data directly to the cloud when connected to Wi-Fi, the Pace 3 requires a direct Bluetooth connection to your smartphone for data synchronization. This means you'll need to have your phone with you to get the most recent workout data.

The watch supports music streaming through Bluetooth headphones (music must be stored on the watch itself) and includes basic media controls. However, it lacks advanced smartwatch features like app installations, contactless payments, or voice assistant integration.

Pros and Cons

Advantages