Coros Vertix 2S Review

Larger watches tend to stand out more, and the Vertix 2S makes a rugged statement when you wear it. It feels bombproof and ready for anything you throw at it, but it's heavy and easily noticeable when doing high-output activities such as running. The larger screen allows for more data to be displayed, and the topo navigation experience was one of the best we tested because of the larger size. For some, this case size may be a dealbreaker, but we think it holds a place in the GPS watch market.

Performance Comparison

Accuracy

We assessed both the GPS chipset and the heart rate sensor for accuracy. For the GPS evaluation, each watch was taken on a specified 2.8-mile route, and the recorded distances were compared against the actual 2.8 miles. For the heart rate evaluation, we wore a watch on each wrist while running a 0.5-mile distance, comparing the readings with those from the Polar H10 chest strap. These results were used to give a final accuracy score. GPS tests were performed on the same day to ensure uniform weather conditions. For heart rate tests, all watches were securely fastened to maintain a standardized fit. We exported and aligned all data timestamps to facilitate an accurate comparison between the chest strap monitor and the GPS watches.

The updated HR monitor on this model is the most notable new feature, and it's more accurate than the previous version, but we still saw some discrepancies. In our test, the average was +/- 12 BPM. The fit of a GPS watch is critical, and we noticed more side-to-side play, even with the model tighter than we'd like. The GPS was extremely accurate, being +/- .03 miles within our test course.

Activity Use

The Vertix 2S is Coros's highest-performing GPS watch and contains all of the latest sensors and metrics to help you in your training. This is a serious GPS watch, and we recommend it most for those planning multi-day activities. The 51 mm case and MIP display are unchanged, so you can expect the same performance as the previous version. While the bigger display helps give you more data without having to flip through data pages, this also makes navigation easier.

We found this watch to feel a bit heavy during faster runs where your arms are really driving your stride. For trail running at a slower pace, this largely wasn't an issue, but we probably wouldn't want to race in this model unless it were an ultra. One bummer with the Coros system is you can't use the watch face while running. Sometimes, on super long days, we prefer to have the watch perform as a normal watch with the activity running in the background. Coros has added a ton of health stats, data metrics, and sport modes. To see if your activity type is covered, we suggest checking out the product page, as new modes are added often.

Everyday Use

This model receives high marks for its ease of use both in regard to the mobile application and the watch's internal interface. The main scroll wheel is easy to use and precise, and the dedicated back buttons make movement through the settings and menus a breeze. The user interface is almost identical to Garmin products. There are a few differences, but they are easy to learn, even if you are migrating from a different brand.

While the scroll wheel is nice when actively operating the watch, we experienced more accidental presses than with other watches. Having to use the lockout feature is one extra step not required on dedicated button models.

Oddly, the touch screen is not enabled for regular usage outside swiping during an activity or when using navigation. Tapping into widgets and accessing the graph also allows for touch gestures, but we are unsure why the decision was made not to enable touch gestures across the device. Most likely, it is because the scroll wheel is more than sufficient, but we still find this a bit strange.

The integrated mobile application is designed well, and we prefer it even though there are no community aspects like a news feed or friend-following. We suspect most people interested in these features use Strava or a similar third-party application, and Coros knows this. We think this is a good move, for now anyway. Adjusting data fields and watch settings is far superior to the Garmin Connect method, and we found the Vertix 2S to be the easiest to set up and configure via the app. Certain items were a bit buried in the menu systems that we wish had more visibility, such as GPS settings and battery controls. Enabling touch via a toolset would also be a valuable addition.

Despite these things, it's hard to argue that there is anything negative with this model in terms of ease of use. It scores very highly, and we think it's about as smooth of an experience as you can ask for. We appreciate the dedicated buttons in addition to the smooth scroll wheel, and it's clear Coros is thinking hard about how to provide the best user experience when designing their devices.

Extra Features

At this price point, you can expect top-of-the-line features, and the Vertix 2S generally follows the market regarding its feature set. It provides standard smartwatch functions such as music controls and notifications and advanced health metrics such as sleep, fatigue, and recovery.

Similar implementations of widgets and tools are found on this model as other top-tier products, and they work well to allow easy access to all the functions you desire. A unique function, the Vertix 2S, offers the ability to control a GoPro or Insta360 camera remotely from the watch.

Thanks to the size, the navigation features found on the Vertix 2S are some of the best we tested. Topos come preloaded on the watch, and there's 32 GB of storage included for adding music. Unfortunately, you have to do this manually instead of using a service like Spotify. Bottom line: loads of features are found on this watch, and the majority of them all work flawlessly, but they may require a bit more interpretation or work than some of the competition.

The Coros brand has continued to make the news for their substantial firmware updates. In the past, these have provided new features as substantial as fullscreen mapping and navigation. Their latest update has included a few new features that weren't found when we initially published this review, so we wanted to touch on them briefly. More advanced health tracking has been added, allowing for REM sleep to be detected; this added stage can help provide you with insights about one of the most important stages of sleep. Also added is the ability to find both your phone and watch via the devices. We appreciate that this is an added feature that didn't cost us an upgraded model. For all of the latest firmware updates, please visit the manufacturer firmware update page.

Wearability

Just by looking at this device, you can tell it's made for expedition use and rugged outings. The 51mm case looks commanding in all situations, and the screen size attracts attention. The color screen is vibrant, and the various watch faces pop out with their rich data. Readability is great thanks to this larger screen, but we suspect the size will be a limiting factor for some.

If you have a larger wrist or desire the beefy look of a 1.4-inch screen, we don't think you can go wrong with the Vertix 2S. We loved this design for hiking and activities that have less aggressive arm movement. Due to the weight and being among the heaviest we tested, we may recommend a different model if your primary activity is running.

Unfortunately, we experienced more accidental button presses on this model due to the size and the protruding scroll wheel. This mostly happened when wearing jackets or using ski gloves. A few times while ice climbing, the watch unintentionally paused without us noticing. Luckily, there is a lock function with the ability to either scroll or long-press to unlock. This is helpful to have, but it is one more step while running or working out that you'll have to deal with if you want to change data fields or swipe to see your heart rate stats.

Battery Life

The Vertix 2S has dominance in battery life compared to the other models we tested when not accounting for solar displays. Running the GPS nonstop and minimally interacting with the device gave us 116 hours of life. On a four-day backpacking trip, we recorded 15 hours of full GPS while using multi-satellite GPS tracking and got home to a watch still at just over 80%.

Surprisingly, there are no power modes on this watch, maybe because battery life is so good, you just don't need them. However, the GPS modes are hidden in the settings, unlike other models that give you the option right when you start an activity. You also have no battery options in the toolset other than UltraMax mode, which is only available when recording a workout. That said, while it's something we wanted to point out, it's hardly a complaint. With the Vertix 2S, the last thing you have to worry about is battery life and battery modes. With one-second recording for 100+ hours on all available satellites, why would you? On paper, the fastest racers could ride the entire Colorado Trail on one battery charge with the entire route downloaded while using navigation. Incredible!

Should you buy the Coros Vertix 2S?

If you want the best battery life for the price, this is the model for you. This model is for the rugged athlete that needs a multi-day life. Coros offers a dependable product, but we think there are better options out there at this price point if you can accept a few less hours of battery life. If you truly need the most hours for your cash, then this is hands down the model for you.

What Other GPS Watches Should You Consider?

The Coros Apex Pro 2, with its 47 mm case size, may be more desirable for a lighter option, and a lighter price. For a similar price to the Vertix 2S, we would suggest the Garmin Fenix 8 Solar. While you are taking a bit of a battery loss, by choosing this model, you gain better accuracy and a fuller feature set. If you can swing a bit more money, the Garmin Enduro 3 has largely the same feature set and accuracy with an incredible 150 hours of battery life with solar charging.