When it comes to choosing a fitness watch, the battle often narrows down between two giants: Coros and Garmin. In this article, we are going to delve deep into user experiences with the Coros Apex Pro 2 and Garmin Fenix 7.
Battery Life: An Edge for Coros
For many users, the key attraction of the Coros Apex 2 Pro lies in its remarkable battery life. Compared to the Garmin Fenix 6, which boasts a 16-day battery life, and Fenix 3, with a 4-6 weeks battery life, the Coros Apex 2 Pro outperforms both with a projected 30 days.
The secret to Coros’ exceptional battery performance? The device checks your heart rate every 10 minutes, unlike Garmin watches which monitor constantly. Of course, this setting is adjustable and if you’re engaged in an activity, the watch does switch to constant heart rate monitoring. For most users, the longer battery life is a fair trade-off for slightly less granular heart rate data during non-activity periods.
Price Comparison: A Matter of Cost
Next to battery life, cost is a crucial factor drawing users to Coros watches. With the Apex 2 Pro priced at $500, it comes in significantly lower than the Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar, priced at $900.
One note that’s important to address is that some reviews have compared the Apex 2 Pro to the cheaper Garmin 955. This comparison seems a bit off the mark given the different build qualities. The Apex 2 Pro and Fenix 7, with their metal faces and sapphire screens, are far more robust than the 955’s full plastic case and Gorilla Glass screen.
User Interface: A Matter of Preference
The user interface (UI) on the Coros watches comes with a twist – quite literally. Instead of multiple buttons, navigation on the Apex 2 Pro is done by twisting a crown. While initially sceptical, users have reported getting accustomed to this within a couple of weeks, finding the return to Garmin’s button-strewn interface somewhat daunting. However, some criticisms do remain, with complaints about the Coros’ UI being dated and lacking functionality.
Display and Build: Trade-offs and Comparisons
Opinions about the display vary among users. Some found the Apex 2 Pro’s sapphire screen to be slightly clearer and less reflective than the Vertix 2’s, while others argued the reverse. Regardless, differences were minimal and only noticeable under side-by-side comparison with indoor lighting.
The Apex 2 Pro sports a solid build, and the choice of a nylon band was appreciated by many. Yet, some found the Garmin watches to be better built, with a superior transflective MIP display.
Features and Functionality: Room for Improvement
When it comes to features, the Coros Apex 2 Pro does come with a few limitations. Mapping and navigation features, for example, fall short of what Garmin offers. Similarly, the music functionality is restrictive, with a large storage space that only caters to mp3 files.
The lack of a comprehensive compass app and the inability to mark bearings were also pointed out by users. Plus, while the Coros Apex 2 Pro’s GPS performance is decent when all satellite systems are used, it seems to perform poorly when this is not the case.
Alternatives to Consider
For those seeking cheaper alternatives to Garmin, watches from the Amazfit line – such as the T-Rex 2, Ultra, or Falcon – were suggested. These watches reportedly outperform Coros’ top tier watches in terms of UI, GPS performance, mapping, and sport tracking.
Personal Experiences: A Mixed Bag
Experiences vary greatly among users. While some praised the heart rate sensor, battery life, and overall look of the Apex 2 Pro, others found its heart rate measurements to be laggy and the sleep tracking feature underwhelming due to the lack of automatic HRV measurement.
In the end, the Coros Apex 2 Pro emerged as a popular choice for those looking for a watch with a longer battery life, but some users found it lacking in terms of its health fitness tracking capabilities. For some, this was a deal-breaker and they sought other options on the market with similar price points.
In summary, while the Coros Apex Pro 2 has notable advantages in terms of battery life and cost, it falls short on several fronts compared to the Garmin Fenix 7. Choosing between these two ultimately depends on your specific requirements, with considerations to be made about what aspects are most important to you in a fitness watch.