What it’s good to know
- The COROS VERTIX 2S is an adventurer’s watch introduced on April 25 and transport on April 27 for $699.
- Changing 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 gadget finest suited to folks spending days (or weeks) in nature at a time.
The COROS VERTIX 2S has arrived practically three years after the VERTIX 2, and never a lot has modified on the floor. It is one other “Journey 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 refined, however doubtlessly important.
Whereas 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.” Additionally they declare to have developed an “optimized GPS algorithm” to fight points with outside climbing maps on steep slopes with the unique VERTIX 2.
As well as, the COROS VERTIX 2S receives the identical optical coronary heart charge monitor because the COROS PACE 3, with 5 LEDs and 4 photodetectors. Whereas it attracts extra battery life, it does higher accuracy-wise — the PACE 3 did fairly effectively in our current HR and health check — and can deal with stats like each day stress higher.
Due to these 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).
Whereas that 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 Professional Photo voltaic, for instance, lasts 37 days or 122 GPS hours, solely equaling the VERTIX 2S if it has a gradual supply of daylight.
| Class | COROS VERTIX 2S |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 50.3 x 50.3 x 17.6mm |
| Weight | 61g (case); 70g (nylon); 87g (silicone) |
| Show | 1.4-inch (280×280) MIP touchscreen |
| Supplies | Titanium bezel, polymer casing, sapphire glass |
| Safety | 10ATM, works in -22ºF to 122ºF |
| Battery life (GPS) | 118 hours; 73 hours (All-systems); 43 hours (dual-frequency) |
| Battery life (normal) | 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 | Twin-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 longer, deprecating the VERTIX 2.
Having solely briefly examined the VERTIX 2S, I can not converse to its hardcore adventuring options but. Hold a watch out right here this Sunday for a GPS and coronary heart charge accuracy check in opposition to another smartwatch flagships. I can nonetheless give some early information and impressions, nevertheless.
The COROS VERTIX 2S is available in a recyclable container — it is made from recycled supplies, however can also be designed to be reused as storage — and ships with each nylon and silicone straps, with a Fast Match connector.
Given how heavy the VERTIX 2S is, you may need to default to the nylon choice, which makes it really feel considerably manageable, on par with my Apple Watch Extremely 2 regardless of being considerably thicker. That is most likely because of the polymer supplies, whereas most all-steel or titanium watches take extra getting used to.
Delivery in House (black), Moon (white), and Earth (blue), the VERTIX 2S is pre-installed with a watch face impressed by your chosen coloration. Our assessment unit, for instance, has a spinning Earth seen from the moon’s floor, and it is a cute contact — although mild on precise knowledge.
As with most COROS watches, your expertise will rely in your perspective on digital crowns. I am used to most “severe” health watches having up/down buttons, however COROS has the middle dial for rotating and choosing, with the highest button for the backlight and backside button for backing out and settings.
The VERTIX 2S is a distinct segment gadget, as the value suggests. For a pair hundred additional in comparison with, say, the Garmin Intuition 2X Photo voltaic, you get a full-sized show for offline mapping, waypoints with turn-by-turn navigation, and correct widgets throughout actions. Mountaineers will be capable to examine their altitude efficiency or real-time storm alerts, whereas climbers will admire options like fall detection or auto pitch-type detection.
That is all vitally helpful for a sure class of athlete, however an on a regular basis runner like me is best suited in direction of the PACE 3 or APEX 2 Professional. 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.
For those who choose MIP shows to AMOLED to get that insane battery life, then the VERTIX 2S will fall proper in your wheelhouse. I am 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 might see what time it was with out having to press a button.
General, when you already personal the VERTIX 2 and prefer it, then I can not say for sure when you’ll need to improve for an additional $699 / €699 / £599. Higher coronary heart charge accuracy and GPS maps make an actual day-to-day distinction, in concept; I am going to report again quickly as soon as I do know whether or not it is particularly correct in real-life testing.