COROS Vertix 2S In-Depth Review: Worth the Upgrade?

Here's everything you need to know about the COROS Vertix 2S, from the hardware changes, to how well it performs, and more!
Buy the Vertix 2S: amzn.to/3zjC3hE (link helps support the channel, thanks!!!!)
0:00 Quick Intro
0:32 Naming Explained
1:03 Pricing Options
1:44 Optical Heart Rate Sensor Explained
2:26 Battery Life Changes
3:45 Watch Thickness Changes
3:56 Watch Weight Changes
4:26 GPS Antenna Design Changes
6:00 The New Models
7:08 The Included Bands
8:06 The New Case/Box
8:45 Daily Activity Tracking Overview
11:10 Sport Modes Overview
12:36 Navigation Overview
15:25 Heart Rate Sensor Accuracy
17:31 GPS Redesign Accuracy
20:26 Final Recommendations
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#COROSVertix2S #Vertix2S #CoROS

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Funny, the "Space" watchface is my favorite of the bunch lol. The Moon is my least favorite due to the inability to actually read the time! Great video Ray!

[@robturner724]

Original vertix 1 owner here, really wanting an update to that, or an Apex pro 3 perhaps - some stiff competition from the suunto race but the vertix has been absolutely bomb proof, so I'd like to stick with coros.

[@WayeOfLife]

Great to see the update in packaging.🎉

[@huubdrums]

Yeah, that is super important 😂

[@WayeOfLife]

@@huubdrums yeah.. for a 700 dollar watch it isn't something that should be important, and compared to the carbon footprint of the watch itself is trivial may be, but the previous packaging was something that (rightly so) received a lot of criticism. So making this change should definitely be applauded.

[@huubdrums]

@@WayeOfLife carbon footprint LOL 😆

[@k74-martijerrard12]

Like to see the Vertix2S verses the Garmin 7 trial especially in GPS accuracy more so given huge difference in price !

[@Tarkov.]

Funny that they chose the S instead of like, a + or something. We all know what S means with Garmin, and that could confuse buyers.

[@dnserror89]

Yeah. Saw the notification and was hoping for a smaller Vertix that would fit my wrist better.

[@madimajapu]

7​@@dnserror89

[@YoeriNijs]

Hey Ray, are you planning to publish your learnings from the openwater extravaganza? Definitely interested here!

[@anthonyrampino7734]

Looks like a nice watch. How do feel it compares to the new polar grid x2 pro?

[@magnam9492]

Appreciate your vlogs! Can you please recommend me a good budget sports watch, i m on a budget currently, and my concern is HR and Cal burn accuracy. I was having Fenix 5 3 years back and for 1 year I have been using Amazfit Trax Pro for 1 year. I'm confused between Garmin instinct and FR 256. Thanks

[@ActiveIdeas]

Interesting price point, looks like an awesome watch though 🔥

[@RicardGomes76]

Hi, DC! I learned recently about IPS - Indoor position system, as oposed to GPS, you know... I wonder if there is something in it that would fit pool tracking with smartwatches! I mean: isn't the obvious way to go? Thanks

[@SupperUpper]

On a side note, what a nice touch: we’ve been to Gran Canaria four weeks ago, San Agustin. 😊

[@aslam7952]

Display looks good for a MIP. I am guessing that battery will be further reduced when they switch to AMOLED.

[@thecma3]

I bet the battery rating drop on the original Vertix is because of software updates. The HRV status you mentioned (plus maybe a couple other updates) were advertised to take a little more processing power.

[@debriefthat]

Does this mean there’s a Apex update coming this year as well?

[@user-ur4lv4zh4h]

I'll stick to my FR965, the price, the accuracy, the screen ... Where is the F7SS so cheap to buy? I still see it 800+ euro

[@veloester1096]

I'm saving up for the FR965, best watch ever

[@iMaxPatten]

When is someone going to have a true competitor to elevate gen 5 or Apple Watch HR?😊

[@TheBowerbird]

Really wish that this had roads and trails on the maps - not just topo :/ Killer feature for the Fenix series to me!

[@QuentinAub]

It does have roads and trails if you download both topo and landscape

[@TheBowerbird]

@@QuentinAub Interesting. Thank you!

[@RallihSarl]

When it comes down to OHR from the watch it welf, what is according to your tests the best on the market? that also have at least 40~ hours battery for ultras?

[@nachot6592]

That sensor is pretty good, particularly with intervals. The issue with the vertix series (as well as with the larger Fenix ones) is that since they weight more and are physically later, they will wobble more when performing rigorous activities.

[@RallihSarl]

@@nachot6592 I agree, the numbers do look promising. Why I asked this is because I do ultras and long steady runs and I really don't want to use a chest strap other in the gym and on tempo/Interval-runs. And since DC mentioned this topic - without saying what is "best" I wanted to ask :) Today I own a Suunto 9PeakPro that I've had some good results with on the OHR. But, sometimes it can be wobbly. And that watch is fairly small still. But great performance overall with GPS, OHR, Battery and build quality.

[@razznote7586]

Just asking, why isn't there a Vertix 2 vs 2S comparison, that is the point of this release. To improve upon the old Vertix 2, and to see if they really did it. I was really hoping that there would be direct comparison between the 2.

[@ashleyjohansson230]

It must be nice to live in the Netherlands!

[@user-jt5vm3mi1w]

why

[@jimbeam4736]

It´s raining all the time, aggressive cyclists, drug addicts and prostitutes. Well, to each their own, I guess.

[@ashleyjohansson230]

@@jimbeam4736 What you described was America, except america also has the highest violent crime rate of any first world country. Only thing correct was the raining part 🤭

[@abricot68]

Turn by turn is still a major issue on Coros watches. I’ve got a Coros Pace 2 and accuracy is approximate

[@Zimou_98]

When do you think you´ll be able to post the Polar Grit X2 Review?

[@robbied4766]

I'll call it the Captain Planet edition.

[@anthonyrampino7734]

When you pair a chest strap, does the watch show both heart rates?

[@Dcrainmaker]

No, just the paired one.

[@anthonyrampino7734]

@@Dcrainmaker ok thanks

[@korethoe262]

Vertex 1 and Instinct 2x. Both fine with HR. GPS maybe the Vertex is slightly better, but the Garmin connects way faster. Speed and pace. Garmin definitely wins. Battery, Coros definitely wins. Display, I prefer Garmin. Garmin is more comfortable but Vertix seems more durable. Online apps, I don't care, maybe I like Coros' better. I do think Garmin is the better watch (note: torch feature is sweet).

[@TheKniperlight]

How can you win battery when the 2x has infinite battery life

[@korethoe262]

@@TheKniperlight use it one day it goes down like 15%, Sun adds 1%. Still down 14%

[@sachakopa7964]

My Pace2 gps connects fast. Timed gps connection 4 times after I read your comment and I got…7 secs, 14 secs, 7 secs and 11 seconds. How fast does Garmin connect?

[@MonsterHunter0000]

Almost instantly ​@@sachakopa7964

[@thecma3]

Re: GPS accuracy, the software is at least as important as the antenna design. There is a lot of space in algorithm design to improve GPS accuracy with issues like reflection from buildings, and it stands to reason that Garmin (who also makes very high-quality GPS in their avionics) would be the industry leader there.

[@Catcrumbs]

Are building reflections a factor in aviation GPS reception?

[@user-vy9cu6bx4n]

Garmin the best watch 😊

[@splatmatt]

Battery life is insane already, since the new HR sensor marginally hit the battery life (in comparison to the Vertix 2) so they should have added an AMOLED display. Then in conjunction with hardware fixes adding an AMOLED display could have justified the Vertix 3 moniker. I'm pretty sure Omega is going to not be happy with their Earth, Space, Moon colorways.

[@ocrain783]

I see mostly rock climbers sponsored by vertix 2s. I feel like they are really pushing the indoor and outdoor multi-pitch rock climbers with it. they even have a carabiner for it to attach to a climbing harness.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yup, COROS has really doubled-down in that area in terms of features.

[@lhzsdgsfbvv]

MIPS ❤ Coros ❤ A solid case ❤

[@indorock]

I can't understand why some people out there are still preferring MIPS

[@aslam7952]

@@indorock It's truly Always On, unlike AMOLED which goes into a dimmed out state, and gives better battery life.

[@lhzsdgsfbvv]

@@indorock 36days ⌚ 45h of gps activity. What's not to like? My Garmin 965 just has 2 to 3 weeks of amoled

[@indorock]

@@aslam7952 The dimmed state of AMOLED is still looking better than the backlight state of MIPS. I just traded in my Garmin Fenix 7 for Epix Pro and it's just so much better, in all circumstances. The battery life might be a bit less, but 6 days with "always on" enabled is still more than enough for me.

[@indorock]

@@lhzsdgsfbvv Why would you ever need or care about that kind of battery life? It sounds great on paper but so what? Are you living a lifestyle that only lets you have access to a charger once per month? It's like owning a car with a 1000-litre gas tank. Good if you drive all day for weeks without access to a gas station, but that's not a realistic use case.

[@carsons5750]

Coros is who I keep wanting to go to for replacing my old FR235, especially since they focus on the actual sports metrics and not all the "lifestyle" stuff that Garmin does now that I have no interest in... but there's always just enough odd things (or price) that stop me from buying. I'm really not a fan of Coros' recent software/display "update" that changed so much, and at $950CAD I'll probably be able to get an Enduro 2 on sale for about that this year which has better map/pace/climb features.

[@rburnsiv]

You desfit and Chase The Summit must all get together so you upload these at the same time lol

[@indorock]

All the KZbinrs had prepared their reviews in advance, and were just waiting for the press embargo to lift before they can release the video, which was apparently today.

[@toadlguy]

Kind of weird pricing. I remember when Coros first came out. It was basically a Chinese Garmin knock off but for way less money for a triathlon watch with most of the same features. Then their higher end watches were kind of good for a while with battery life. Now they seem to be still basically be a knock off design wise (it's kind of amazing how much their phone app looks like Connect) and their build and software are "pretty good", but nowhere near the features of a Garmin. As a less expensive alternative, this watch could make a lot of sense. But for more money? I don't get it.

[@rotemzucker7342]

How are they getting away with this design without getting sued by Garmin?

[@ceazy1861]

Looks like a Garmin

[@Spenczar1]

90s kid: you are talking about Captain Planet, not power rangers. Don’t forget heart, the crappiest element!😊

[@Pearl-hs4zh]

Dangerous gps

[@paranoidandroid77]

Lost me at 699.

[@TheMegaMrMe]

does it stay connected? Garmin doesn't. Garmin support is also horrible. I'm looking to quickly changer ecosystems. I'm willing to pay up to 1500 for a watch. it just seems like no-one can offer the perfect package in 2024

[@Dcrainmaker]

If the watch isn't staying connected, then either there's something wrong with the specific watch, or your phone. It's not something I hear issues with from really anyone these days, except defective units or phones.

[@trailtillyoudrop]

@@Dcrainmaker this is actually the reason I went away from Garmin. So no it's not always hardware related. I Had some battery life issues on my last watch from them and therefore replaced the battery with a original new one. But the performance didn't change at all and remained bad. So they upgrade the software and at some point you hardware does not follow anymore so you would by a new one. Basically a marketing scam.

[@RunningPhotographer]

no

[@pavement422]

Not amoled?!?!??

[@iberiksoderblom]

Scary expensive... Three month without food and toothpaste and any new stuff, I can pay for it.

[@KC-UT4rmAZ]

So it’s bigger. I saw the S and was excited they came out with a smaller version. But NOPE. 👎🏼

[@Dangling_Carrot]

699 uh I’ll take the ultra over all those

[@huubdrums]

Nobody needs this 😊 we all know a simple Garmin does the job, but we always think that more is better 😂 grow up guys

[@reineroberhaus]

No OLED and no Technical Innovation. Im out