The Coros Vertix 2 is the second edition of the most robust watch in the Coros lineup. This new iteration has longer battery life, added features, and an improved screen. The watch took the best GPS battery life in the original version and extended it even further while adding updated offline map capability, music streaming, Bluetooth headphone pairing, and the ability to pair the watch with an Insta360 Camera.
I used the original Coros Vertix for nearly two years and recently switched to the Vertix 2. After a month and a number of long days and multiple runs, I finally feel ready to give it an honest review.
The watch is made for those looking to track adventures exceeding well beyond a couple of days while also storing maps, music, and coordinates on the watch. For those who want a watch for shorter daily use, there are other options in the Coros lineup like the Apex or the Pace.
Modes and Activities
Coros has a wide array of different ways to track activities. With 27 in total, and multisport options like Triathalon and more obscure activities like indoor rowing, windsurfing, and ski touring, there simply is an option for just about every possible form of exercise.
| Supported Activities on the Coros Vertix 2 |
| Run, Indoor Run, Track Run, Bike, Indoor Bike, Open Water, Pool Swim, Flatwater, Rowing, GPS Cardio, Gym Cardio, Triathlon, Indoor Rower, Strength, Training (Structured Programs), Training Plan, Multisport, Trail Run, Hike, Mountain Climb, Ski, Snowboard, XC Ski, Ski Touring, Speedsurfing, Windsurfing, *Whitewater* *New activity not on the original Vertix |
Battery Life
The Vertix 2 further builds on the best in class battery life that the original Vertix had by almost doubling it. With UltraMax GPS Mode enabled and a limitation on live tracking and playing music, the watch can run for nearly 10 days. This is such an impressive amount of time that it is nearly reaching the limit of any unsupported adventure. I did find the UltraMax GPS mode to be less accurate, but it is nice that the feature exists.
| Battery Life | Vertix 2 | Vertix |
| UltraMax GPS Mode | 240 Hours | 150 Hours |
| Standard Full GPS (GPS/QZSS) | 140 Hours | 60 Hours |
| All Systems On (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS) | 90 Hours | N/A |
Ease of Use
The latest Vertix provides an overwhelming amount of data. There are charts for everything from VO2 max to cadence, and everything in between. It is nice to have this large amount of data and I am sure that some people make better use of it than myself, but at first, the new amount of information is a bit overwhelming. I stick to the basic interface of Strava for a lot of split analysis and vertical gain numbers. Unlike some of the competitors, the Coros app is not a social app. There is no ability to follow others. Also, with the number of times I have left my watch running on the drive home after an activity, I have been unable to edit down the data in the app to only include the run portion. Strava has a simple feature for this, but the Coros app does not have the same ability at the moment. Upon following up with them, it sounds like something is in the works.
Accuracy
My Original Vertix always struggled with vertical gain and elevation accuracy, especially if it got wet. It would always correct, but that correction would add an unprecedented gain into the middle of an activity. The most notable of these was on the Teton Crest Trail when a friend’s watch showed nearly half a vertical mile less in elevation gain than my original Vertix did. I have not had the same issue with the Vertix 2, especially if I let it acquire the satellites before starting the activity. Also, while I believe wrist heart rate technology is improving, I have found it to be wildly off at times. This is related to a number of factors, ranging from dirty sensors, or not picking up the pulse in my wrist. I have seen this gap in accuracy across the board with most watches during activity. A chest strap for monitoring heart rate is simply the most accurate method.
Connectivity
One of the best features of the Coros watches is their ease of use right out of the box and the speed at which activities are uploaded. Even after a full day of tracking, the activity uploads quickly and syncs directly to fitness tracking applications like Strava. Setting up the watch initially with a phone is easily done by downloading the Coros application and then simply pointing the phone at the QR code. Mine was ready for a run within only a few minutes.
Downsides
Being a new product, some of the ancillary features like watch faces and data displays are still being improved. On the original Coros, I liked the subtle standard analog style watch face, but that addition has not been added to the list of options on the Vertix 2. The bezel has also changed on the Vertix 2. Instead of unlocking the watch by twisting the small knob, the new watch unlocks by simply pushing in. This makes it much easier to unlock than the original, but also means that I have inadvertently started the watch in an activity mode while not intending to. A quick bump or bending my wrist in a certain way is likely to start the watch. As a result, I switched the bezel to the opposite side of the watch (away from my wrist) to eliminate the unintended starting of activities.
Final Words
The new Coros Vertix 2 improves on a number of features that the original Vertix had while also adding connectivity, music, a larger screen, and the potential for controlling a camera. The watch is heavier, larger, and has a wider band, but it is also the same cost as the most expensive variation of the original Vertix. If considering battery life alone, this is simply the best option, but if thinking through value and using a daily watch for shorter activities, the Apex may be a more affordable option. For a long thru-hike, I would choose the Vertix 2, but for day-to-day life, I would lean toward a more affordable watch in the Coros line.
