Coros Pace 3 vs Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm

Coros Pace 3 (38 h GPS, 39 g) vs Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm (60 h GPS, 60 g). Side-by-side spec comparison: battery, weight, maps, multi-band GPS and price. Which GPS watch should you buy?

Coros Pace 3CorosCoros Pace 3

Trail running GPS watch with track navigation, barometric altimeter and up to 38 h battery life in GPS mode. Lightweight (39 g), accurate and with offline maps. Best value for mountain navigation.

View on Amazon
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mmGarminGarmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm

Ultra-rugged GPS watch with solar charging: up to 40 days in smartwatch mode (unlimited with sun), 60 h GPS and 34 h multi-band. Military-standard case, LED flashlight and dual-frequency GPS. For those who prioritise toughness and battery over onboard maps on their mountain outings.

View on Amazon

Spec-by-spec comparison

SpecCoros Pace 3Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm
GPS battery38 h60 h
Multi-band battery15 h34 h
Smartwatch24 days40 days
Weight39 g60 g
Maps
Multi-band
Music
DisplayMIPMIP
PriceEntryMid-range

GPS battery = each manufacturer's standard GPS mode; multi-band = dual-frequency (maximum accuracy). On Suunto, Polar Grit and Amazfit T-Rex the GPS figure already corresponds to dual-band mode. Figures verified against the manufacturer.

Verdict

For maximum autonomy on long ultras, Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm lasts longer in GPS mode. If you want the lightest watch on your wrist, go for Coros Pace 3. Only Coros Pace 3 brings onboard topo maps for navigation. On budget, Coros Pace 3 is the more affordable option.

View on Amazon: Coros Pace 3View on Amazon: Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm

Frequently asked questions

Which lasts longer, Coros Pace 3 or Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm?
Coros Pace 3 offers 38 h of GPS battery and Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm offers 60 h, so Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm lasts longer for long efforts.
Which one is lighter?
Coros Pace 3 weighs 39 g and Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm weighs 60 g; Coros Pace 3 is the lighter of the two.
Do both have onboard maps?
Only Coros Pace 3 includes onboard topo maps.
See all 14 watches compared