Between the PACE 3 and Instinct 3 Tactical, the PACE 3 comes out ahead in multi-band gps, while the Instinct 3 Tactical wins on gps mode and smartwatch mode. Overall, the PACE 3 scores 46.6 and the Instinct 3 Tactical scores 56.8 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Instinct 3 Tactical is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 10.2 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the PACE 3 if you care most about multi-band gps. The biggest gaps in its favor are multi-band gps.
Pick the Instinct 3 Tactical if you care most about gps mode and smartwatch mode. Its strongest claims are gps mode, smartwatch mode, solar charging.
Both ship with comparable ecg, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Instinct 3 Tactical is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Coros - PACE 3 wins
- ▲Has Multi-band GPS.
Why Garmin - Instinct 3 Tactical wins
- ▲GPS mode — 84.21% more. 70 h vs 38 h.
- ▲Smartwatch mode — 76.47% more. 30 days vs 17 days.
- ▲Has Solar charging.
Spec comparison
GPS & Sensors
| Spec | Coros - PACE 3 | Garmin - Instinct 3 Tactical |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-band GPS | truelead | false |
| Barometric altimeter | true | true |
| Heart rate | true | true |
| ECG | false | false |
| Pulse Ox | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Coros - PACE 3 | Garmin - Instinct 3 Tactical |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | 17 days | 30 dayslead |
| GPS mode | 38 h | 70 hlead |
| Solar charging | false | truelead |
Design
| Spec | Coros - PACE 3 | Garmin - Instinct 3 Tactical |
|---|---|---|
| Case size | 42 mm | 50 mmlead |
| Weight | 39 glead | 70 g |
| Water resistanceⓘ | 5 ATM | 10 ATMlead |
Spec-level deep dives
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