Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Coros - PACE 3 | Garmin - epix Pro (Gen 2) |
|---|---|---|
| GPS mode | 38 h | 82 h |
| Smartwatch mode | 17 days | 16 days |
| ECG | false | true |
Between the PACE 3 and epix Pro (Gen 2), the PACE 3 comes out ahead in smartwatch mode, while the epix Pro (Gen 2) wins on gps mode / ecg. Overall, the PACE 3 scores 71.4 and the epix Pro (Gen 2) scores 70.9 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
These two are nearly even on the Mars Score (71.4 vs 70.9). The decision is not about overall quality — both clear the bar — it is about which specific trade-offs fit your use.
Pick the PACE 3 if you care most about smartwatch mode. The biggest gaps in its favor are smartwatch mode. The single most decisive one: Smartwatch mode — 6.25% more. 17 days vs 16 days.
Pick the epix Pro (Gen 2) if you care most about gps mode / ecg. Its strongest claims are gps mode, ecg. The single most decisive one: GPS mode — 115.79% more. 82 h vs 38 h.
Both ship with comparable multi-band gps, solar charging, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity says both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Which should you buy: Coros - PACE 3 or Garmin - epix Pro (Gen 2)?
Coros - PACE 3 leads the current Mars Score by 0.5 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare smartwatch mode, gps mode against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Coros - PACE 3 if…
Coros - PACE 3 has the measurable edge on battery smartwatch days.
Choose Garmin - epix Pro (Gen 2) if…
Garmin - epix Pro (Gen 2) has the measurable edge on battery gps hours, has ecg.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Coros - PACE 3 wins
- ▲Smartwatch mode — 6.25% more. 17 days vs 16 days.
Why Garmin - epix Pro (Gen 2) wins
- ▲GPS mode — 115.79% more. 82 h vs 38 h.
- ▲Has ECG.
Spec comparison
GPS & Sensors
| Spec | Coros - PACE 3 | Garmin - epix Pro (Gen 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-band GPS | true | true |
| Barometric altimeter | true | true |
| Heart rate | true | true |
| ECG | false | truelead |
| Pulse Ox | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Coros - PACE 3 | Garmin - epix Pro (Gen 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | 17 dayslead | 16 days |
| GPS mode | 38 h | 82 hlead |
| Solar charging | false | false |
Design
| Spec | Coros - PACE 3 | Garmin - epix Pro (Gen 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Case size | 42 mm | 47 mmlead |
| Weight | 39 glead | 76 g |
| Water resistanceⓘ | 5 ATM | 10 ATMlead |