COROS VERTIX 2 In-Depth Review: 11 New Things To Know!

It’s been just shy of a year since COROS’s last new model hardware release, the Pace 2. And while we’ve seen the many software updates over the last year, it appears their hardware team has been well-fueled with Mountain Dew & Red Bull. The new VERTIX 2 drops a bombshell of features into their lineup, including full color topographic mapping, music playback, dual-GNSS functionality (the first sports/fitness watch with it), ECG functionality, longer battery life, and Insta360action cam controls. Plus a larger screen, titanium allow bezels/case, and even WiFi.

But all that’s gonna cost you. The price comes in at a conversation-stopping $699USD. I’ve been using the watch 24x7 for the last month, including everything from trail runs to openwater swims, bike rides to road runs. Plus day to day usage, including things like music playback. And while the features I outlined in the first paragraph might draw your attention in, I’d really encourage you to read the full review (or at least the next section), as this is a watch that shows lots of future promise, but probably isn’t quite as polished or complete as you’d expect for the price.

Still, it does show that promise, and so I’ll outlined all the pieces that worked super well for me – and then the pieces that were more challenging.

0:00 Intro
0:41 Mapping
2:43 Music Playback
4:06 Dual-Frequency GPS
5:51 ECG Functionality
6:42 HRV Recording
6:48 New Optical HR Sensor
7:25 Insta360 Camera Control
7:59 Battery Life Updates
9:17 User Interface Revamp
10:11Improved Specs
11:27 Removed ANT+ Support
12:53 Wrap-up & Recommendations

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#COROSVERTIX2 #Vertix2 #COROS

[DarklingThrush]

The battery life is what makes it worth the cost. For some of us, that is far more important than streaming music.

[alancampbell]

Finally another company brings maps to a watch! It's definitely good for consumers to have competition among the manufacturers.

[letriciabrowder]

Can't justify spending a little over 1k on the fenix 7 but this one doesn't hurt the wallet too bad. Thanks for the review

[ChaseTheSummit]

Excellent review Ray! To get into the map without loading a course you can hold the bottom right button in an activity and select "map" without actually leaving the activity. It's not great because you can't jump back and forth from the map view quickly since it doesn't become a data page but in a pinch you could still view it while your mid-activity. Nice work as always! Looks like you've been spending lots of time on the trails!

[jacquesdahlet]

Look at that ! On the gpx track, they display arrows to tell you where to go! Extremely handy when the track crosses itself! Many people have been asking such feature to Garmin for years. Hopefully they react!

[TheManWithTwoWatches]

I often watch your videos in place of reading the manual 😊

[thestamsvideoproduction]

As always Ray! Super in depth, love your delivery! So well informed of course. Walking encyclopedia of fitness products.

Will check out your in depth review for sure!

[PeterHerget]

Yeah, turn-by-turn directions would be helped and audio cues... Nice review D.C. Rainmaker :)

[TomJeffery-wg]

Great video. Thanks. Just a couple of Qs 1. Are maps available to use even when not using a uploaded route even with updated firmware? 2. Is that button easily pressable if you bend your wrist? Thanks!

[radhakrishnaayyalasomayaju]

Speaking of the price, would it make sense to take into account that it has sapphire glass and titanium bezel? Or do you still think that it is over priced? Trying to decide between this and a garmin fenix 6x pro.

[upsetuloss]

I love this channel, always keeping it real. $499 price point would be spot on, you can't charge premium prices when you copy the best brand and not do it better. I have the Garmin Forerunner 945 Lte.👌🏾

[alcala]

Just got it for $599 I would say it's worth it.

[gamevortex]

Man if the Fenix 7 had ECG it would have been sooo awesome. Does coros have the same screen as Garmin?

[stefanw]

Hi. Liked your review. Is it possible to connect the vertix/vertix 2 with the garmin speed sensor for more accuracy in mtb mode? thanks for response in advance. stefan

[tranthai]

Thanks for your review, did you have problems with HR Sensor? My one was pop-up HR above 150 while I was sitting on the chair...

[davidlynch]

Thanks Ray. Great review. Are you still HQed in The Netherlands? Asking from Munich. It appears that Coros's main claim to fame remains their excellent battery life.

[HardBashersRC]

If price was not an issue would you pick this or the Garmin 6x pro sapphire or the Tactix Delta Sapphire?

[fitgearhunter]

Awesome job! And hammering not really an issue!

[rollerrabauke]

What I miss is the torchlight functionality in general, I knew from Garmin and could be put as shortcut direct to one button. I use this on daily basis. I pleased Coros to set this up as well.
Additional I miss the opportunity for weather/temperature widget to be shown at all, or maybe at main catch face page.
Last but not least, I miss the opportunity to modify watch faces itself, so that I can choose the data I would like to see, until now most of them are setup by default.
If this will be changed I will take the chance to buy coros vertex 2 and sell my Garmin Enduro, maybe...
Sounds silly, but I love the Coros watch faces at all, which I miss from Garmin, as most of them still very old fashioned, also the external once from the store. You're looking so often at the watch (face) so for me a nice one makes the difference.
DCR - You're doing outstanding nice job with your channel and hard work behind :-) I love it!

[gabrielgarbarino]

I get the price is high, but really the reason people pay big money for watches like this over a plastic watch with similar, if not more mature features, is ultimately the same reason people have paid big money for watches long before they became smart... materials, craftsmanship, bullet proof finishes, and ultimately, how many times someone says "that's a killer looking watch bro"... I've tried every single one of Garmin's latest watches to replace my aging F3 HR, and while sure I like the better sensors and sleep metrics and V4 HR sensor of the venue 2, the 955, I just couldn't get excited about putting them on every day. So for those of us who are not climbing mountains every weekend, or running full iron mans, this watch is very tempting, as it's freaking awesome looking. Also, the larger screen is a big plus for these aging eyes. I can remember when I got my Fenix 3, I'd get a nice watch comment weekly. While the watch is still my favorite watch of all time, those days are gone (it still looks cool, but it's pretty scratched up/grey, sans the sapphire screen) and I never once got complements with any non metal watches. The Suunto 7 garnered a few, but it was truly a horrible experience with Wear OS and half day battery.

Thus, I'll likely plunk down the money for this new big screen diamond studded bracelet, optimistic Coros improves some of the caveats in time. Also, many other reviewers did note a small improvement over Garmin's RE GPS accuracy, so I suspect if you are often in challenging tracking areas, this is best-in-class, and as Ray says, competitors are likely to follow suit. The music loading looks clunky ( sounds like Coros didn't/couldn't pay the big bucks to Spotify and others to integrate services), the HR sensor is probably not perfect, and the maps hopefully someday will at least include trail names, but as a mountain biking, roadie, and cross fit enthusiast: HR straps are still vital (particularly for intervals), one giant downloaded playlist is a good enough fit, and a watch will never fully supplement a bike PC for things like power (indoor or out). So the only question for me is: which color garners more "what type of watch is that bro!?!?!" comments??