Coros Apex 2 Pro Review: The Ultimate Multi-Activity GPS Watch
The Coros Apex 2 Pro is a premium GPS sports watch designed for adventurers, endurance athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts. With its rugged yet lightweight design, advanced dual-frequency GPS, and exceptional battery life, it’s built to handle anything from ultra-trail running to multi-day hiking expeditions.
But does it live up to the hype? We’ve put it through its paces—here’s our full review.
Design & Build Quality: Tough Yet Lightweight
The Coros Apex 2 Pro is crafted for durability and comfort. It’s designed to withstand harsh environments while being light enough for all-day wear.
Key Features:
- Scratch-Resistant Sapphire Glass Screen – Ensures durability even in rugged conditions.
- Grade 5 Titanium Bezel with a PVD coating – Offers 2x scratch resistance compared to its predecessor.
- Water Resistance of 5 ATM – Suitable for surface water activities like swimming and kayaking.
- Lightweight Design – Weighs just 53g with the Nylon band or 66g with the Silicone band.
- Operating Temperature – Performs in extreme temperatures from -20°C to 50°C.
The Titanium bezel and Sapphire glass combination gives the watch a premium look and feel, while its lightweight design makes it comfortable to wear 24/7, even during sleep.
Display: Clear & Customizable
The Coros Apex 2 Pro features a 1.3-inch Always-On Memory LCD with a resolution of 260 x 260 pixels and 64 colors.
Pros:
✅ Excellent sunlight visibility – Ideal for outdoor adventures.
✅ Customizable Watch Faces – Choose from a variety of faces via the Coros App.
✅ Touch Screen Navigation – Responsive and intuitive, great for navigating maps.
Cons:
❌ Topo Maps are quite basic – Although functional for navigation, they lack detail compared to other premium GPS watches.
❌ No turn-by-turn alerts (yet) – Coros is reportedly working on this feature.
Battery Life: Built for Endurance
One of the standout features of the Coros Apex 2 Pro is its incredible battery life, making it perfect for ultra-endurance events and multi-day hikes.
Mode | Battery Life | Battery Life with Music |
---|---|---|
GPS Only (Standard Full GPS) | 75 hrs | 17 hrs |
All Systems On (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS) | 45 hrs | 14 hrs |
Dual Frequency GPS | 26 hrs | 11 hrs |
Daily Use | 30 days | N/A |
🔋 What does this mean for you?
- 75 hours in GPS-only mode – Perfect for ultra races and multi-day adventures.
- 45 hours with All Systems On – More accurate tracking with multi-GNSS support.
- 30 days of daily use – No need to constantly recharge.
The watch charges fully in less than 2 hours, ensuring minimal downtime.
GPS Accuracy: Dual-Frequency Precision
The Coros Apex 2 Pro stands out with its Dual-Frequency Multi-GNSS chipset, supporting all major satellite systems:
- GPS (US)
- GLONASS (Russia)
- Galileo (EU)
- Beidou (China)
- QZSS (Japan)
Why Dual-Frequency Matters:
🚀 Enhanced Accuracy – Tracks multiple signals on different frequencies, reducing errors from environmental interference like tall buildings or dense forests.
⛰️ Better Performance in Challenging Environments – Ideal for trail runners, hikers, and mountaineers navigating through valleys, canyons, or urban jungles.
Our Experience:
During our tests, the Dual-Frequency GPS performed exceptionally well, especially in dense forests and mountainous terrains where other GPS watches struggled.
- Ultra Trail Event: Distance deviation was minimal (< 1%) compared to the official race distance.
- Montane Spine Challenger Event: Maintained reliable GPS accuracy in remote, challenging environments.
Navigation Features: Reliable but Room for Improvement
The Coros Apex 2 Pro offers reliable navigation tools for outdoor adventures:
Key Navigation Features:
✅ Route Tracking with GPX Import – Easily upload routes via the Coros App.
✅ Breadcrumb Navigation – Navigate back to your starting point using breadcrumb trails.
✅ 3D Electronic Compass & Barometric Altimeter – Accurate navigation with elevation data and storm alerts.
✅ Off-Course Alerts – Alerts you if you stray approximately 70 ft off your route.
Room for Improvement:
❌ No turn-by-turn navigation – Currently under development by Coros.
❌ Basic Topo Maps – Maps lack detail compared to other premium GPS watches.
Despite the basic maps, following a route line is straightforward, with clear directional arrows and elevation graphs for better planning.
Training & Fitness: Advanced Metrics & Customization
The Coros Apex 2 Pro is designed with serious athletes in mind, offering comprehensive fitness tracking and advanced metrics through Coros EvoLab.
Training Metrics Include:
- VO2 Max & Threshold Heart Rate Zones – Optimize your training intensity.
- Race Predictor & Running Performance – Estimate race times and track performance.
- Training Load & Recovery Timer – Ensure balanced training and recovery.
- HRV Sensor – Monitor heart rate variability to track stress and recovery.
Customizable Data Screens:
- Up to 6 data screens per activity with customizable fields.
- Choose from 2 to 8 data fields per screen.
- Easily configured via the Coros App.
The watch’s scroll wheel and touch screen make navigating data screens smooth and intuitive, even with gloves on.
Smart Features: Basic but Functional
The Coros Apex 2 Pro is primarily a fitness and navigation watch, but it includes some basic smart features:
- Smart Notifications – Receive calls, texts, and app alerts.
- Music Storage – Upload MP3 files via USB and pair with Bluetooth headphones.
- Camera Control – Control Insta360 or GoPro cameras directly from the watch.
What’s Missing:
❌ No contactless payments (e.g., Garmin Pay).
❌ Music limited to MP3 files (no streaming support).
Who Should Buy the Coros Apex 2 Pro?
Perfect for:
✅ Ultra runners & endurance athletes needing long battery life and accurate tracking.
✅ Trail runners, hikers & mountaineers who need reliable GPS navigation in challenging environments.
✅ Adventure racers & multi-sport athletes – Thanks to the wide range of supported activities.
✅ Athletes seeking advanced fitness metrics for optimized training and recovery.
Not ideal for:
❌ Those needing detailed maps or turn-by-turn navigation (Consider the Garmin Fenix 8 or Epix).
Final Verdict: Is the Coros Apex 2 Pro Worth It?
The Coros Apex 2 Pro is a powerful, rugged, and reliable GPS watch, built for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. Its incredible battery life, advanced GPS accuracy, and premium build quality make it an excellent choice for anyone who pushes their limits in the great outdoors.
✅ Outstanding battery life for ultra-endurance events
✅ Accurate Dual-Frequency GPS
✅ Premium build with Sapphire Glass & Titanium Bezel
✅ Comprehensive fitness tracking with advanced metrics
🌟 Rating: 9/10 – A top choice for serious adventurers and athletes!
👉 Available now at the Outdoor GPS Shop.
- Coros Apex 2 Pro - more here
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