Long story short: I am really really happy with this product. A few things I'd change. --
I am running my first ever half marathon this coming April. I have about 5-6 years experience with running but have never done more to track my runs than use my stopwatch on the timer app and Google Maps, both on my phone. Prior to my training for the half, I knew I needed something more reliable, more responsible, and more accurate than just my phone. I did my research and talked to my friends and family who are runners about the type of exercise watch I should buy that is accurate and benefits my training and how to change and help myself. Of course I saw Garmin, Apple, Samsung, and other massively known brands, but I was reading similar negative things about each of them. Their accuracy. That is when I landed on the Coros Pace 3.
Everything you need to know about your running is here. Using the watch, choose what workout you are doing, and that is it. The watch does everything for you. Once you have completed the workout, go to the app. Now is when the real magic happens. It shows you your times (Activity Time, Avg. Pace, Avg. Effort Pace, Best Mile, Avg. Heart Rate, Calories, Elev. Gain, Running Performance, Training Load) in the first section. This is the best way to quickly understand your ultimate time and how much you are pushing yourself.
This watch will tell you how a run impacts your Aerboic TE (how your body improves physically while training). I will say, some of the verbiage used is a little above my knowledge. So, it may take some time to research each section so that you know what each means and how you can work from it and continue to progress. It tells you your Cadence, Running Power, Stride Length, and more.
When you're not running, and want to use it as a typical watch, there are hundreds of watch faces to choose from. It took me about 2 weeks of playing around with different ones to find the one that I loved, which I have now been using for the last 4 months. On the face it tells you time, BPM, calories burned, activity time, steps, elevation, date (mm/dd/year), and battery life.
Battery Life: IT IS INSANE!! On 2%, it takes about 40-50 minutes to charge to 100%. On 100%, using it for a workout 4 times/week, the battery lasts for up to 10 days. When not working out during the week, it can last up to 2 weeks. It is crazy. Probably one of the best things I like about the watch.
WHAT I WOULD CHANGE:
The interface. The notifications I get from my phone pop up on my watch and the text seems like what I would get on my Blackberry in 2010. It gets the job done, but the notification text could use a change.
Screen. It is a little dim at times. You can not change the brightness of the watch. When in a dark area, it will go black, but if you're in a dim-light area, it will still be on, but very hard to see. You have to click one of the buttons to unlock it and is then better to see. That's just me.
Music. You cannot use Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, or Soundcloud on your watch. You have to download an MP3 of a song and put it on the file when plugged into your computer. It is a pain, but I figured out how to do it and stick to 3 1-hr playlists each time.
That's it.
I will say the accuracy of the BPM, Stress Levels, Steps, and Calories Burned is immaculate. I have tested this while using certified machinery to track these levels, and the watch has been 1-2 points around what the test is showing.
This has been a lot, but I hope it helps. Overall it is very accurate, benefits me and what I was looking for in a watch. The pros DEFINITELY outweigh the cons.
Mahmoud E