What it’s good to know
- The COROS VERTIX 2S is an adventurer’s watch introduced on April 25 and delivery on April 27 for $699.
- Replacing the unique VERTIX 2, it has a redesigned GPS antenna, revamped HR sensor, and a barely lighter case, however barely shorter battery life.
- Its epic battery life, MIP show, and bulky-but-rugged design make this machine finest suited to folks spending days (or weeks) in nature at a time.
The COROS VERTIX 2S has arrived almost three years after the VERTIX 2, and never a lot has modified on the floor. It’s one other “Adventure Watch” for climbers, XC skiers, and mountaineers with epic battery life and dual-frequency monitoring, with the identical value, ruggedness, and MIP show. The variations between them are delicate, however probably important.
While the 2021 VERTIX 2 had dual-band and multi-GNSS monitoring, COROS says that the VERTIX 2S has a “redesigned” antenna constructed to “enhance positioning accuracy in dense metropolis/ mountain environments.” They additionally declare to have developed an “optimized GPS algorithm” to fight points with outside climbing maps on steep slopes with the unique VERTIX 2.
In addition, the COROS VERTIX 2S receives the identical optical coronary heart price monitor because the COROS PACE 3, with 5 LEDs and 4 photodetectors. While it attracts extra battery life, it does higher accuracy-wise — the PACE 3 did fairly properly in our current HR and health take a look at — and can deal with stats like day by day stress higher.
Because of those enhancements, the unique VERTIX 2 beats the 2S battery in days (43 vs. 36 days with sleep monitoring), GPS hours (127 vs. 118), and dual-frequency GPS hours (49 vs. 43).
While which may look like a downgrade, the VERTIX 2S nonetheless matches or beats lots of the finest MIP watches on the market for longevity. The Fenix 7X Pro Solar, for instance, lasts 37 days or 122 GPS hours, solely equaling the VERTIX 2S if it has a gradual supply of daylight.
| Category | COROS VERTIX 2S |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 50.3 x 50.3 x 17.6mm |
| Weight | 61g (case); 70g (nylon); 87g (silicone) |
| Display | 1.4-inch (280×280) MIP touchscreen |
| Materials | Titanium bezel, polymer casing, sapphire glass |
| Protection | 10ATM, works in -22ºF to 122ºF |
| Battery life (GPS) | 118 hours; 73 hours (All-systems); 43 hours (dual-frequency) |
| Battery life (commonplace) | 46 days; 36 days w/ sleep monitoring |
| Sensors | HR (5 LEDs + 4 photodetectors), SpO2, HRV, barometric altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Key options | Dual-frequency GPS, offline maps, deviate course alert, offline music, sleep & stress monitoring, restoration timer, EvoLab, |
The VERTIX 2 and 2S largely share the identical specs, besides that the 2S is 2g lighter with the nylon band, and is available in new colours. COROS will solely promote the 2S any more, deprecating the VERTIX 2.
Having solely briefly examined the VERTIX 2S, I can not converse to its hardcore adventuring options but. Keep an eye fixed out here this Sunday for a GPS and coronary heart price accuracy take a look at in opposition to another smartwatch flagships. I can nonetheless give some early data and impressions, nonetheless.
The COROS VERTIX 2S is available in a recyclable container — it is fabricated from recycled supplies, however can also be designed to be reused as storage — and ships with each nylon and silicone straps, with a Quick Fit connector.
Given how heavy the VERTIX 2S is, you will wish to default to the nylon choice, which makes it really feel considerably manageable, on par with my Apple Watch Ultra 2 regardless of being considerably thicker. That’s most likely due to the polymer supplies, whereas most all-steel or titanium watches take extra getting used to.
Shipping in Space (black), Moon (white), and Earth (blue), the VERTIX 2S is pre-installed with a watch face impressed by your chosen shade. Our assessment unit, for instance, has a spinning Earth considered from the moon’s floor, and it is a cute contact — although mild on precise information.
As with most COROS watches, your expertise will rely in your perspective on digital crowns. I’m used to most “severe” health watches having up/down buttons, however COROS has the middle dial for rotating and deciding on, with the highest button for the backlight and backside button for backing out and settings.
The VERTIX 2S is a distinct segment machine, as the value suggests. For a pair hundred additional in comparison with, say, the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar, you get a full-sized show for offline mapping, waypoints with turn-by-turn navigation, and correct widgets throughout actions. Mountaineers will have the ability to verify their altitude efficiency or real-time storm alerts, whereas climbers will respect options like fall detection or auto pitch-type detection.
That’s all vitally helpful for a sure class of athlete, however an on a regular basis runner like me is healthier suited in the direction of the PACE 3 or APEX 2 Pro. I can not essentially put these VERTIX 2S options via their paces until I drive hours to a ski slope or (die attempting to) scale a sheer cliff face or boulder.
If you favor MIP shows to AMOLED to get that insane battery life, then the VERTIX 2S will fall proper in your wheelhouse. I’m not an MIP fan, personally, however this show is high-res sufficient to be comfortably readable, and it appears nice outside. Indoors, I needed to dive into the settings to activate the all-day gesture backlight, simply so I may see what time it was with out having to press a button.
Overall, when you already personal the VERTIX 2 and prefer it, then I can not say for sure when you’ll wish to improve for one more $699 / €699 / £599. Better coronary heart price accuracy and GPS maps make an actual day-to-day distinction, in concept; I’ll report again quickly as soon as I do know whether or not it is particularly correct in real-life testing.