Suunto Race vs COROS APEX 2 Pro / Best GPS watch under $500?

[@Oc.WildSummit]

Hi, I really liked your review, I think it was as fair as possible, congratulations, for me it would be Coros for its platform.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thank you so much! I do like the COROS ecosystem better as well

[@Oc.WildSummit]

@@UltraTrailSteven Yeah ! I like the ecosystem because it greatly simplifies how you are improving, it is also very easy to schedule training. I personally use the Vertix 2s and it is very accurate

[@FuckAdds]

Suunto app is top notch to me. The reason to buy apex WAS the smaller size. Today I am buying the new suunto race S that is much cheaper and smaller. It Rectifies the optical HR and that makes it perfect for my use. Plus Made in Finland.

[@AD04070]

Personal note….at mile 191 of Tahoe 200, my Garmin Enduro 2 crashed and lost all data. This video came at a perfect time as I have forever lost faith in Garmin 👍

[@UltraTrailSteven]

OMG! Thats horrible! For a 200 mile race, personally I will be using the COROS VERTIX 2 or 2S.

[@MrSeedi76]

Every computer (and that's what these things are) can crash. I doubt you can judge Garmin by one faulty unit. I've read a lot of bad reviews about the Coros app. I'm currently using the Huawei Fit 3 as my main running watch. Of course I'm not an ultra runner. But for my daily 10k round it's perfect. Does everything I want and connection to the phone never failed so far. And you can load music onto it via BT.

[@AD04070]

@@MrSeedi76 yeah but on the one run you want it to work not only for data but for gpx next turn to keep you on course, if it fails, you lose faith and you judge. I’m not doing 10k’s. I’m doing multi day hundred milers. When you spend 1000 usd on a watch, it should work, every time.

[@tjmruns]

The same happened to my Forerunner 955 at about mile 130 in a race a couple months ago. It was caught in a reboot loop and I didn't have they luxury of cell service/clear head to troubleshoot a solution at the time.

[@lpeters2777]

Thanks for this, interesting. Enjoy your videos. I picked up the Suunto Race about 3 weeks ago and am really enjoying it. Coming from the Garmin 955, which is no slouch, I just enjoy the interface more, scroll wheel, buttons, etc. Never loved Garmin's 5-button nonsense, they need to streamline their user experience. Like Suunto's app as well. I don't have any lag on the device, very smooth and quick, tracks well and locks onto GPS very quickly. HR has been fine for me, though use a strap for most of my runs. I have about the same wrist size and it sits a little big, but is relatively sleek and comfortable. Tried the S version, but found the full size Race nicer to use.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Glad you like it!

[@akangichan4165]

One week using Suunto Race after selling my Garmin Fenix 6 Pro. The only regret is that I should have switched to the Suunto Race earlier.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Nice! Glad you like it

[@lespap78]

What do you think about hr accuracy?

[@UltraTrailSteven]

@@lespap78 if you are asking me, watch the review cause I cover that in detail.

[@Running-j5v]

very nice video and very good comparison the apex pro ok it was and was a very good watch but I don't think now it can compete with the Suunto race better and bigger amoled screen I think it's better in general and from what it seems with the upgrade it got it became which its smooth operation

[@UltraTrailSteven]

The Suunto Race is a great watch!

[@AlexSokolovsky]

thank you for this review. question - is it safe to assume Coros Pace 3 is inferior in features (like HR accuracy) to Apex 2Pro? I had fenix 6 but disappointed with a number of things (like serious mileage accuracy issues, huge HR measuring issues compared to a arm\chest band, notably)

[@UltraTrailSteven]

The Pace 3 is a great watch, but lacks the navigation and battery life of the APEX 2 Pro

[@ahmedelshahawi]

Both pace 3, apex 2, apex 2 pro use the same HR sensor

[@justinhongphotography]

Great review! I have a question about battery life while navigating How would you compare battery life while using navigation? I estimate my 100-mile time to be around the 30 hour mark. I won't have the maps screen on for long periods of time, mainly just for turn by turn alerts. Does using turn by turn greatly decrease battery life compared to the advertised capacity? And how would these two compare to the garmin fenix 7 in the same map battery life conversation as I have seen sales recently that bring them down to $450, so comparable to the MSRP of the watches you reviewed. Thank you for any info!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Well I know the APEX 2 Pro can last 28 hours in all systems on mode with a gpx route and navigation, because that’s what I used at Leadville. I have not tested the Suunto Race in a 100 mile race. However, if you use the maps only for turn by turn, then I would think it should be fine. If you leave the bright maps on all the time, then that will definitely reduce the battery life. I’m not sure about the Fenix 7.

[@justinhongphotography]

@@UltraTrailSteven Thank you so much!

[@robturner724]

In my testing the suunto race lasts about 16hours on the map screen, sent it back and swapped for the vertical. I'd think the coros vertix 2 would be fine too. It's just that bright screen on the race that kills the battery. Shame it's a thing of beauty​@@justinhongphotography

[@justinhongphotography]

@@robturner724 Thank you so much! That’s great info, I appreciate it.

[@RichardTorresOfficial]

Please 🙏 do a review of the new Suunto Race S it just came out and I’m really looking into buying it based on its improved features.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

It’s incredibly similar to the Race. Just a bit smaller, less storage for maps, and less battery life.

[@RichardTorresOfficial]

@@UltraTrailSteven I’ve read it has 32gb of storage so not less, and a smaller battery yes. However I’ve also heard it has improved heart rate tracking with double the sensors that have been updated and they have improved the overall performance of the device. Less scrolling lag. Which is why I wanted you to review it…

[@UltraTrailSteven]

@@RichardTorresOfficial yes definitely better heart rate! Hopefully I can do a review

[@eagle63-94]

@@RichardTorresOfficial et surtout la Race S est fabriquée en Finlande, alors que la Race vient de Chine

[@anthonyrampino7734]

Nice comparison. Have you used the Vertical? If so, how do you think it compares to the Race?

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Thank you. No, I have not tried the Vertical yet.

[@anthonyrampino7734]

@@UltraTrailSteven ok thanks.

[@jeffdover6845]

Which setting is dual frequency on the Suunto race?

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Performance Mode

[@jeffdover6845]

@@UltraTrailSteven Just figured it out,thanks!

[@abricot68]

The Apex pro does not mention the distance before the turn. Major issue

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Yeah. The alert for the directional arrow is timed nicely but it’s a one time alert for each turn. If you don’t see it, could be trouble

[@thanhlongkohat]

I'm eye-ing on Apex, but do you know when the Apex 3 come out? Any announced release date yet?

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Not yet. The APEX 2 was out a bout year ago, so probably another 1-2 years

[@YankoMartic]

My first watch was a Garmin, then I change for Suunto, mainly because of the good quality of the materials.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Nice!

[@chrisgore77]

I see you wear the Ultra - is that your daily driver? I’ve been wanting to try the Race. I love my Ultra, but it just falls short in the running watch world of capabilities.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Yes the AWU2 is my daily. I LOVE the smart features like being able to text, make phone calls, and pay for things from the watch. It does a good job for running with the WorkOutdoors app, but not for ultras.

[@regularcyclist4852]

You have missed what is arguably the most important part and that is the app and infrastructure around the watch. COROS is miles ahead of Suunto. I have owned both watches you talk about in this video and the Suunto is long gone. COROS is definitely staying.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

I spoke with Suunto at TRE this week and they are having their tech team work on the app speed

[@regularcyclist4852]

Not really the app speed that is the problem. It is the layout and functionality that they need to work on to draw me back.

[@Reaper4Death]

Suunto got very poor software team. Don't buy suunto if you were to wear the watch more than 3 years. They seems don't care much about the outdated (ex. suunto 9 peak or older) watches.