Coros Vertix: alternative to Garmin and Suunto for outdoor?

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Technical characteristics

Coros Vertix: in brief

A top-of-the-range outdoor watch

Coros is a Chinese start-up that originally specialized in connected bicycle helmets. In 2018, it launched its first watch, the Coros Pace, an entry-level triathlon watch at an unbeatable price of less than 200 € (read our review and opinion). A few months later, she announced the launch of a new watch, still running and triathlon oriented, but even more complete, more robust, with better autonomy and a totally revised and more practical interface: the Coros Apex (read our review and opinion).

In 2019, Coros launched an outdoor-oriented multisport watch, the Coros Vertix. This new model offers everything you need for hiking, trail riding and mountaineering in addition to triathlon and its activities. Coros offers a watch that has reached a certain maturity and that competes seriously with the top-of-the-range watches of the leaders in the sports watch market.

Who is the Coros Vertix for?

This model is particularly suitable for mountaineers or high mountain enthusiasts, adventurers and explorers. It is also suitable for classic hiking, trail riding, running, cycling and swimming. It is suitable for triathlon. It can also be used in diving, with a record waterproofness of 15 ATM, equivalent to a depth of 150 m!

The main features of the Coros Vertix: touch screen, altitude mode, oximeter

The Vertix is available with a one-size-fits-all case (47 mm) and high-quality materials (synthetic diamond-covered sapphire crystal, titanium case back and bezel), tool-free interchangeable bracelets, and a further improved user interface with, including a touch screen, a new mountaineering profile (in addition to the hiking, trail and cardio profile already added to Pace and Apex via firmware updates) and a record range (up to 150 hours in Ultra mode and 45 days in watch mode with activity monitoring). It has been designed to withstand extreme conditions: operating between -30°C and 70°C and waterproofing 15 ATM (equivalent to 150 meters underwater).

Its particularity is to offer an altitude mode that can be activated above 2500 meters. The watch evaluates, by a 24-hour reading of the blood oxygen level (SpO2), the acclimatisation to altitude and indicates whether the progression can continue without risk.

We find the sensors already present on the other models: heart rate monitor on the wrist working underwater, GPS chip, barometric altimeter, compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, thermometer. The watch offers advanced sports functions (guided training, programming of simple fractionated training, programming of alerts), relatively complete physiological measurements (VO2max, lactic threshold, aerobic and anaerobic Training Effect, evaluation of endurance and recovery time in particular), a new "Track Run" function to assist runners on 400 m races, weather functions (forecasts based on atmospheric pressure and storm alerts) and more.

Detailed review of the Coros Vertix

Design: a touch screen, quality materials, a revised interface

Coros has equipped this top-of-the-range model with a new 240 x 240 px colour touch screen (such as the Forerunner 245 and 945 or the Fenix 6S). Combined with the "digital knob" (see below), it makes navigation user-friendly and very practical, even when wearing gloves. It is transflective for perfect readability in direct sunlight or with backlighting when it is dark. The backlight is activated by pressing a button or moving the wrist. It can be completely deactivated (movement + button) or only deactivate the lighting by wrist movement during the night.

As with other Coros models, up to 6 fully customizable data fields can be displayed (including the 6 ^ème field that is no longer reserved for the stopwatch as in previous versions of the firmware). In comparison, Garmin offers 4 fields on its watches but up to 6 to 8 fields (depending on the model) on its latest Fenix 6.

Since March 2019, the French language has been added (after German and Spanish). The menus can therefore be read in French.

Compared to the Coros Apex, which comes in 2 case sizes to fit all wrists, even thin ones, this model is only available in one size (47 mm diameter and 15.6 mm thick). Its design is very similar to that of the Garmin Fenix 6 (same size as the intermediate model, case with screws, same quick release system for the interchangeable strap).

The Vertix is available in 4 colours: black with grey strap (Dark Rock model), orange with silver bezel (Fire dragon), green with copper bezel (Moutain hunter model) and an exclusive blue-grey model with transparent fibre case (Ice breaker model).

It is equipped with a sapphire crystal covered with a layer of synthetic diamond, a material that is highly resistant to shocks and scratches. The case back and bezel are made of titanium, a robust and lightweight metal. These high-quality materials are generally only available on "luxury" versions of high-end watches. So you have to pay more to benefit from it. At Garmin, the sapphire crystal alone or the titanium bezel adds €100 to the price of the watch...

Thanks to titanium, the watch is relatively light, 76 g, the same weight as Suunto 9 Titanium and 4 g more than the Garmin Fenix 6 Titanium.

The silicone strap is interchangeable without tools. Coros, here again, was inspired by Garmin, for the quick coupler, moving from a first technical solution for the Apex (that of the Forerunner 245) to that of the Fenix 5 Plus or Fenix 6 for the Vertix.

Designed for use in extreme conditions

The Vertix has been designed to operate under extreme temperature and pressure conditions. Whether it is to practice mountaineering in the high mountains, running in the desert (sand marathon, HMDS, etc.) or diving in deep water, she knows how to do it. Coros guarantees a use between -30 °C and +70 °C and up to 15 ATM in diving (equivalent to 150 m). Even the battery has been designed for optimal operation in extreme cold (see below). Finally, the Vertix lens is ultra-resistant (shocks and scratches) and benefits from the additional protection of the titanium bezel. In short, it is perfect for mountaineering, high mountain, climbing and diving.

User interface and digital crown: new features

Coros has again revised its user interface. This is improved with each version and according to the needs related to the sports profiles offered by the watch. On the Pace, there were 4 buttons (1 less than at Garmin). On the Coros Apex, there are only 2 left, including the famous digital crown (knurled button) which also acts as a push button for validation. This concept, based on the Apple Watch, allows you to scroll through commands and menus or zoom a screen with a simple movement of your finger. Turn the knob in one direction or the other and validate by pushing it. This practical solution makes it possible to use the watch with gloves, even large ones, and makes it easier to navigate during a sporting activity, including underwater.

On the Vertix, a third button is added to make navigation even more flexible. The digital crown takes on a little volume to make it even easier to handle when wearing gloves (skiing, climbing, mountain) or for underwater activities. This system is the most advanced of the 3 and offers practical and easy navigation even in difficult conditions.

The Chinese manufacturer also realized that the Coros Apex, with its digital crown, was a concern for left-handed people. It is difficult to turn a wheel on the right side of the watch when you wear it on the right wrist! To solve this problem, Coros has planned to be able to wear the watch...backwards. The ditigal knob is then on the left and a change of configuration allows the display to be reversed and an inverted direction of rotation of the knob to be taken into account.

The Vertix's touch screen combined with the digital crown makes navigation even more convenient. Note that it is not active by default. It must be activated by pressing the digital crown and can only be used for certain functions: scrolling widgets, route tracking, displaying altitude profiles.

Sensors

The Coros Vertix has the sensors already fitted to the Coros Apex with, in addition, a new heart rate monitor on the wrist incorporating a pulse oximeter (saturometer), as at Garmin.

• Pulse oximeter: integrated into the optical heart rate monitor on the wrist, it is used to assess the level of blood oxygen at the extremities (wrist in this case).



• Heart rate sensor on the wrist: it measures heart rate and its variability. As with Polar and Garmin, it works underwater. This model is also equipped with sensors that detect good contact with the skin, a bit like Polar and its latest watches (Ignite, Vantage). The idea is to improve the results by considering only those measurements where the watch is really in contact with the skin.
• GPS: the chip is compatible with the main satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and the Chinese Beidu system (BDS)) but Coros currently only uses GPS and GLONASS.
• Barometric altimeter with manual or automatic calibration: it measures atmospheric pressure and deducts altitude (GPS is not used). It can be calibrated manually to correct errors related to changes in atmospheric pressure or the watch can be allowed to use GPS for calibration (less accurate, however). The Vertix displays pressure and altitude (instantaneous values, 4-hour average, min and max over the last 24 hours) as well as graphs. It offers a weather forecast based on atmospheric pressure and storm alerts.
• Flash with azimuth: it allows you to orient a topographic map during a hike. It is also used by the intelligent stride algorithm to extrapolate the GPS track when the signal is weak. It can be calibrated manually.
• The other sensors: the Apex is also equipped with a gyroscope and an accelerometer. They are used for classroom activities and to evaluate the GPS track when the signal is weak (see below). The watch also comes with a thermometer.

The Coros Vertix is waterproof to 150 m (15 ATM). It can therefore be used for swimming but also for deep-sea diving.

The watch is compatible with ANT+ sensors, for example a cardio belt or cuff, a footpod, speed, cadence and power sensors (Stryd, etc.) for cycling. Coros will soon add the Bluetooth Smart protocol. This is currently only used for data transfer between the watch and a smartphone.

Autonomy: excellent!

With 60 hours in GPS mode and 150 hours in Ultra mode, the Vertix's range is impressive. It is equivalent to that of the Fenix 6X Pro (60 hours in GPS mode and 120 hours in Ultra mode), the largest model in the series, and exceeds that of the Suunto 9 (25 hours in GPS mode and up to 120 hours in Ultra mode), the watch that broke all records when it was launched in 2018. But it is also in watch mode with activity monitoring that Coros still creates the surprise: the Vertix can indeed last up to 45 days without being recharged! In comparison, Suunto 9 only lasts 7 days and Fenix 6X Pro 21 days.

And if the battery life is still too short for ultra-trailers, the Vertix can be recharged during operation. But you will have to remove it from your wrist because, as with Garmin, the connector is located on the back and the charging cable is connected vertically to the case.

The Vertix has been designed to be able to switch from one battery mode to another during operation. So you can start recording in standard mode and, if you realize that the battery won't hold, change the mode later. This preserves the best accuracy of the data.

Regarding the accuracy of the UltraMax mode, the results are quite satisfactory according to the tests performed on the Vertix. Coros saves battery power by activating the GPS for only 30 seconds every 120 seconds. The rest of the time (90 seconds), the trace is extrapolated from compass, accelerometer and gyro data (on the same principle as Suunto and its "FusedTrack" algorithm) and refined using "Coros Intelligent Stride", an intelligent stride algorithm developed by Coros engineers. The latter uses "machine learning" to learn the runner's habits and build a stride model.

Finally, Coros guarantees that its watch is usable in very cold weather. We know that batteries do not work properly at low temperatures. The Vertix would last until 9 pm (instead of 60 pm) at -30°C! Enough to make a nice outing, provided you're well dressed!

Altitude mode 2500 m : your ascent under supervision

The Vertix offers a mountaineering profile for high mountain activities in addition to a hiking profile also available on the Pace and Apex. It includes relevant data such as vertical speed, elevation gain, speed and 3D distance (it takes slope into account in the calculation) and route tracking.

Beyond 2500 meters of altitude, the watch proposes to activate the Altitude mode. In this mode, the Vertix monitors the blood oxygen level 24 hours a day via the pulse oximeter. But the novelty here, compared to Garmin (Forerunner 245, Forerunner 945, Fenix 6), is that it assesses the athlete's ability to climb higher and explicitly indicates whether or not further climbing is risky.

Acclimatization to altitude is assessed according to the blood oxygen level and the physical condition of the athlete at the time. All this is reflected in a score between 0 and 100 displayed in clear on a gauge. Below a certain acclimatisation threshold (red zone), it is advisable to take a break or even go down in case of discomfort (headache, high pulse rate, purple lips, difficulty breathing for example). In the orange zone (medium acclimatisation), the athlete is invited to take a break from the ascent in order to get used to the altitude. In the green zone (good acclimatisation), you can continue the ascent. These indications should not take precedence over perceived sensations. In case of discomfort, it is recommended to stop the ascent and rest or even descend if the discomfort persists.

To be reliable, oximeter measurements must be taken during a break, without moving. This raises questions about the reliability of the data recorded during the activity. For a better result, it is better to take advantage of breaks to check the degree of acclimatization regularly.

The oximeter can also be used below 2500 meters, provided it is manually launched.

Other functions to assist the athlete

The Vertix therefore offers a mountaineering profile in addition to the 11 other profiles already present on the Coros Apex (hiking, trail, running, running on carpets, outdoor cycling, indoor cycling, open water swimming, swimming in the pool, triathlon, indoor cardio, outdoor cardio). The Mountaineering and Hiking profiles display, among other things, the altitude difference, distance and 3D speed and have route tracking.

There is no Ski profile yet but Coros should offer one soon. However, it is still not possible to create custom profiles. As for the multisport profile, it is not configurable because it uses the other profiles. It allows you to combine 2 or 3 different activities among cycling, swimming and running.

Among the tools to help athletes, Coros offers several metrics as well as a complete performance analysis on the Smartphone application.

• Running time estimation: Coros proposes, as Garmin, a function estimating running time over a 5 km, 10 km, half-marathon and marathon according to physical condition (VO2max in particular).
• Track Run function: this new function (November 2019) is designed for runners who practice 400 metres on the track outdoors. The watch measures race data even more accurately, including distance and pace.
• Alert programming: they allow you to follow a programmed cadence, pace or speed or to train in a defined heart rate zone without having to look at your watch.
• Split session scheduling: the watch allows you to schedule simple split sessions (running and cycling), for example 5 sets of 30"/10", but no complex training, for example 2 sets of 5 x 30"/10". This should happen during a next firmware update.
• Running dynamics: they are not yet available on the Vertix but Coros should add them soon. They will allow you to know, with a footpod connected to the watch, the stride length, the cadence, the contact time with the ground, the vertical oscillation, the efficiency of the stride and more.
• Performance analysis: it is performed on the Smartphone, after data transfer. The app displays statistics and graphs on training and activity tracking. We find all the data of the course as well as the physiological measurements that we describe below (VO2max, estimation of the lactic threshold, training load over the last 7 days, estimated recovery time).

The Vertix has the classic basic functions (route and output data recording) that can be viewed on the Smartphone after the output. It also displays data and graphs on its screen (altitude, pressure, etc.). We describe this in more detail in our detailed review of the Coros Apex. Slope, elevation, vertical speed are also available for some profiles. The power measurement is available for the bike only (Coros is working to make this measurement available for running).

The Vertix has a metronome on board to work at a rate of between 120 and 240 strides per minute. For example, we can train to run at a pace of 180. It has an auto-pause function.

Since a recent update, Coros has been evaluating the 3D distance (3-D distance) in the Trail and Hiking profiles. The 3D distance takes the slope into account when calculating the distance travelled. Indeed, on slopes, the distance seen flat on a map (2D distance) is always shorter than the distance actually covered (3D distance). In the extreme case of climbing a vertical wall, the 2D distance is even zero! In reality, the difference between 2D and 3D distance is almost negligible, unless you are climbing really steep slopes.

Physiological measurements

Coros offers several physiological measurements. The Chinese company does not use Firstbeat algorithms (such as Garmin or Suunto). It works in partnership with an independent company to provide this data.

• Stamina or endurance: the Vertix indicates, in real time, the resources still available for the current training session (running only). It is a bit like Garmin's "body battery" or Suunto's "Body Resource" but applied to a training session. The idea of the stamina is to optimize training while preventing overtraining injuries. If, at the end of the outing, the stamina is still high (for example 50%), it means that the training was too short or too moderate. If, on the other hand, the stamina is close to 0 well before the end of the training, it is because it has been too long or too intense and it would be better to stop and rest.
• Training Effect (TE) aerobic and anaerobic, or training efficiency: this indicator informs the user about the benefits of training on his aerobic (medium and long term efforts such as endurance efforts) and anaerobic (short but intense efforts, above the anaerobic threshold) capacities. The watch indicates whether the session had an impact and if so, to what extent (maintenance or improvement of skills). This indicator is only available for running.
• Recovery time: the watch indicates the number of hours or days it will take to recover from a sports outing;
• Training load: the watch displays a 7-day graph of the training load with a score between 0 (undertraining) and 120 (excessive load). It assesses whether or not physical activity maintains the level of training. A score of less than 40 indicates a lack of training with loss of skills. A score between 41 and 60 indicates a low but sufficient load to maintain training. Between 61 and 100, the training is optimal. Above 101, the load is too high with a risk of overtraining.
• Resting heart rate
• Fitness index : the watch evaluates the VO2max, the heart rate at the threshold (threshold above which one enters anaerobic labor with accumulation of lactic acid) and the rate at the threshold. It will be necessary to carry out 3 running outings beforehand. This index is only available for running, trail and hiking.
• Fitness level: Vertix evaluates fitness and endurance levels (score from 0 to 100, evolution since the last activity and indication of the level reached: passionate, athlete, athlete, elite)

GPS navigation

The watch displays the GPS track of the route taken. The profiles Mountaineering, Hiking, Trail and Running and, recently, Cycling, also offer route tracking. You can follow a path previously recorded in the watch (10 paths can be recorded) or retrace your steps by following the recorded path. And if we move away from the trail, the watch issues an alert. The touch screen and digital crown allow you to move from left to right, up and down and zoom in on the plot. For cyclists, Coros has planned to be able to pause route tracking during stops or refreshments.

As on the Apex and Pace, it is not possible to create routes from the application on the Smartphone. It is necessary to use a third party application.

Activity monitoring

Coros Vertix monitors activity 24 hours a day: distance, number of steps, calories expended during the activity, duration of activity, quality of sleep (light, deep, paradoxical/REM), number of floors climbed, intensive minutes (cumulative duration of sports training and minutes where the number of steps exceeds 130).

Calories expended are those measured in activity only, i.e. during training or when the number of steps per minute exceeds 130. Basal metabolism is not taken into account. To know how much we spent in total during the day, we will have to add 1400 to 1900 kcal more depending on age, sex, size (see how to calculate your basal metabolism).

The Vertix allows you to program objectives to achieve in terms of calories and activity time. We can't disable them. To avoid reminders, it is necessary to indicate values that cannot be reached.

Connected functions

They're basic. Vertix can only handle notifications from Smartphones (SMS, emails, incoming calls) and traditional applications (WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, FB, WeChat, FB Messenger). There is also an assistance function in the Smartphone application but nothing on the watch.

The interface

Coros does not offer any computer interface. It is therefore necessary to have a compatible smartphone or to use a third-party application such as Strava or Apple Health to use the watch data on a computer.

The interface allows you to manage the recorded data, display the route on a map, display activity monitoring (sleep graphs, etc.) and customize the watch.

Coros highlights a data transfer speed up to twice as fast as its competitors, thanks to "UltraSync", an ultra-fast transfer function based on optimizing the size of data files.

Coros Vertix: the next evolutions

Coros has already announced several changes to its watch, including:

• Compatibility with Galileo (European system) and Beidu (Chinese system) satellite systems in addition to GPS and GLONASS
• The addition of a shape test based on the variability of HR
• Measuring power in running
• Running dynamics: stride length, ground contact time, vertical oscillation, stride efficiency, etc.
• The possibility of programming complex split training sessions

Our opinion: an alternative to Garmin, Suunto and Polar watches

A top-of-the-range outdoor watch of high quality

The Coros Vertix seems to us to be an interesting watch for its elaborate outdoor features and advanced training functions (running, cycling, swimming, trail). All this for a relatively high price, that of the basic Fenix 6, but with, in addition, a sapphire crystal covered with a layer of synthetic diamond and a titanium bezel and case back. The watch also offers an unequalled autonomy at the time of writing.

Its GPS measurements are as reliable as those of leading brands. It offers practical functions to progress in your sport (guided training, VO2max evaluation, endurance evaluation, recovery time, stamina indicator, dedicated function for the 400 m on track). It's a pity, for the riders, that it doesn't yet offer the race dynamics but it shouldn't be long now.

In short, for training, it is a good alternative to the Polar Vantage V, Polar's top-of-the-range triathlon watch with advanced training, or the Suunto 9, an outdoor watch that is also suitable for running, trail and triathlon. But it doesn't match the Fenix 6, the best sports watch on the market today.

Why choose the Coros Vertix?

The advantage of the Vertix is its outdoor use, especially for mountaineering or hiking in the high mountains. GPS navigation with route tracking, ascent data (distance and 3D speed, slope, elevation gain, vertical speed, barometric altitude with manual calibration), pressure and altitude graphs over the last 6 hours, compass and thermometer, weather forecasts and storm alerts provide everything you need to manage your trip.

Mountaineers or high-altitude hikers (over 2500 metres) will also appreciate the watch's concrete recommendations for climbing. Depending on the physical condition assessed by the watch and the degree of acclimatization, we will immediately know whether it is prudent to continue the ascent or, on the contrary, whether it is better to take a break or even descend. Garmin offers a similar but not so elaborate function.

We also appreciate the practicality of the digital crown, which allows the watch to be used even with thick gloves. The quality materials (ultra-resistant sapphire crystal, titanium) make the watch both robust and lightweight. Coros has also designed its watch to withstand extreme conditions (temperature, underwater pressure, low temperature battery)

Autonomy is also an asset of the Vertix that can make the difference for fans of ultra-trail or ultra-deep sea. Even the less accurate power-saving mode provides a quality trace through intelligent data extrapolation.

All these advantages make the Coros Vertix an interesting watch, provided that you do not need advanced connected functions or special sports profiles (see below).

Why not choose the Coros Vertix?

Despite all the advantages mentioned above, the Coros Vertix only offers the bare essentials. The functions are refined, there is no mapping (unlike Garmin, which offers it on all Fenix 6 models), nor advanced connected functions as at Garmin (camera control, mp3 player, payment solution). The number of sports profiles is limited: no ski profile (Coros should offer it soon), no cross-country skiing profile, mountain biking, rowing, etc. The watch is clearly oriented towards hiking and mountaineering in addition to the activities of the Coros Apex (running, trail and triathlon). If you play other sports, you may be disappointed.

Physiological measurements depend on the accuracy of heart rate measurements and their variability (so it is better to use a cardio belt for accuracy) but also on their proper use by Coros. The reliability of the drive tools (calculation of recovery time, Stamina, etc.) depends on it. Can we rely on Coros here as much as on the leading brands?

Price and availability

The Coros Vertix is available in France at the recommended retail price of 599 euros. Discover it at our partners and enjoy our bonbons de réduction.

Buy Vertix Coros

Commercial links. Prices are not contractual. Please visit the merchant site.

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Soldes, c'est parti ! Découvrez notre sélection des meilleures promos actuelles. De bonnes affaires à saisir rapidement !

Voir les meilleures offres

 
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