How to find the right product for you
This Product Comparison Calculator will allow you to compare products in one of two ways. Choose from the two dropdown menus below to auto-populate the product boxes with results, or click on the product boxes to activate your own personalized choices. Once the product boxes are shaded per your liking, click the “COMPARE NOW” button to retrieve a customized product comparison graph.
Currently there are eight product types:
– Watches (and bike computers!!!!)
– Trainers (for cycling indoors)
– Activity monitors (things like Fitbits and step counters)
– Power meters (for cycling)
– Action Cams (things like GoPro’s and the like)
– Heart Rate Sensors (Straps and Optical sensors that measure HR)
– Trainer Apps (for cycling indoors on trainers)
– Drones (primarily sport focused options)
For trainers, the focus is primarily on computer-integrated trainers that provide resistance control. Additionally, like the watches I only include units that I’ve personally reviewed and/or used.
Select product use/budget for a comparison from the drop down menus:
Note: While many running watches have a basic bike mode, only running units that are multi-sport focused are also included in the bike-only results (in addition to bike-specific units). Hiking units are those that include a Barometric Altimeter, Magnetic Compass and navigational functions.
Or select products for comparison by clicking the product boxes below:
Comparison Results:
Function/Feature | COROS Pace 2 | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated February 22nd, 2021 @ 5:17 am New Window | ||
Price | $199 | $299/$349 |
Product Announcement Date | Aug 2020 | Apr 30th, 2019 |
Actual Availability/Shipping Date | Sept 2020 | Apr 30th, 2019 |
GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes |
Data Transfer | Bluetooth Smart (smartphone) | USB, Bluetooth Smart, WiFi (Only Music has WiFi) |
Waterproofing | 50m | 50 Meters |
Battery Life (GPS) | 30 hours (regular), 60 hours (UltraMax) | Up to 24hrs regular GPS, 24hrs+ for UltraTrac |
Recording Interval | 1-second | 1-second, Smart, UltraTrac |
Quick Satellite Reception | Great | Great |
Alerts | Audio/Visual/Vibration | VIBRATE/SOUND/VISUAL |
Backlight Greatness | Great | Good |
Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | No | Yes |
Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | Yes | Yes | Music | COROS Pace 2 | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
Can control phone music | No | Yes |
Has music storage and playback | No | Yes (Music version) |
Streaming Services | N/A | Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, iHeartRadio | Payments | COROS Pace 2 | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
Contactless-NFC Payments | No | No | Connectivity | COROS Pace 2 | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | Yes | Yes |
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | Yes | Yes |
Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | No | Yes |
Group tracking | No | No |
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | No | Yes (via phone) |
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | Cycling | COROS Pace 2 | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
Designed for cycling | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Capable | Yes | WITH SOME CONNECT IQ APPS (BUT CANNOT RECORD DATA) |
Power Meter Configuration/Calibration Options | No | N/A |
Power Meter TSS/NP/IF | NP only | N/A |
Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | Yes | Yes |
Strava segments live on device | No | No |
Crash detection | No | Yes | Running | COROS Pace 2 | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
Designed for running | Yes | Yes |
Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | No | YES (Also has INTERNAL ACCELEROMETER) |
Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | Yes | Yes (with accessory) |
Running Power | Yes (wrist based + Stryd support) | No |
VO2Max Estimation | Yes | Yes |
Race Predictor | No | Yes |
Recovery Advisor | Yes | Yes |
Run/Walk Mode | No | Yes |
Track Recognition Mode | Yes | Yes | Swimming | COROS Pace 2 | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
Designed for swimming | Yes | Yes |
Openwater swimming mode | Yes | No |
Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | Yes | Yes |
Record HR underwater | Yes | Yes |
Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | Yes | N/A |
Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Drill Mode | Via Drill Log | Yes |
Indoor auto-pause feature | - | No |
Change pool size | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | 15y/m-300y/m | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M |
Ability to customize data fields | Yes | Yes |
Can change yards to meters | Yes | Yes |
Captures per length data - indoors | Yes | |
Indoor Alerts | Yes | Triathlon | COROS Pace 2 | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
Designed for triathlon | Yes | No |
Multisport mode | Yes | No | Workouts | COROS Pace 2 | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
Create/Follow custom workouts | Yes | Yes |
On-unit interval Feature | Yes | Yes |
Training Calendar Functionality | Yes | Yes | Functions | COROS Pace 2 | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
Auto Start/Stop | Yes | Yes |
Virtual Partner Feature | No | Yes |
Virtual Racer Feature | No | Yes |
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | No | Yes |
Day to day watch ability | Yes | Yes |
Hunting/Fishing/Ocean Data | No | No |
Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No |
Jumpmaster mode (Parachuting) | No | No |
Geocaching | No | No |
Weather Display (live data) | No | YEs | Navigate | COROS Pace 2 | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | No | Yes |
Markers/Waypoint Direction | No | No |
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | No | No |
Back to start | No | Yes |
Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | No | No |
Download courses/routes from phone to unit | No | Yes | Sensors | COROS Pace 2 | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
Altimeter Type | Barometric | GPS |
Compass Type | Magnetic | N/A |
Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | Yes | YEs |
SpO2 (aka Pulse Oximetry) | No | Yes |
ECG Functionality | No | |
Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Footpod Capable | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Power Meter Capable | Yes | No |
ANT+ Weight Scale Capable | No | No |
ANT+ Fitness Equipment (Gym) | No | NO |
ANT+ Lighting Control | No | Yes |
ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | No | Yes |
ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | Yes | NO |
ANT+ Remote Control | No | YES FOR GARMIN VIRB |
ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | NO |
ANT+ Muscle Oxygen (i.e. Moxy/BSX) | No | Yes |
ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP) | No | No |
Shimano Di2 Shifting | No | NO |
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | Yes | NO |
Temp Recording (internal sensor) | No | NO |
Temp Recording (external sensor) | No | YES (TEMPE) | Software | COROS Pace 2 | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
PC Application | No | Garmin Express |
Web Application | No | Garmin Connect |
Phone App | iOS/Android | iOS/Android/Windows Phone |
Ability to Export Settings | No | No | Purchase | COROS Pace 2 | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
Amazon | Link | Link |
Backcountry.com | Link | |
Competitive Cyclist | Link | |
REI | Link | Link |
Wiggle | Link | DCRainmaker | COROS Pace 2 | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
Review Link | Link | Link |