Coros Vertix 2 – turn off the dual-frequency mode on the GNSS Chip?
My initial testing with the Vertix 2 only used the all-constellation mode plus dual-frequency mode. Sorry! I got a bit carried away with the excitement of the new tech appearing on a sports watch for the first time (the dual-frequency).
However, I was pleasantly pleased with the results which, considering it was a new chip in a new watch, were good. Inevitably, sportswatch makers tune performance over the 6-24 months after release so the initial results bode well for further improvements.
Must Read: Detailed Coros Vertix 2 Review
How about using the recommended mode?
I toyed with using the recommended GNSS mode which has the dual-frequency disabled but thought better of it as my attention turned instead to the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 which was the first watch to run Wear OS 3. Too much tech excitement from another new product in the same month!
Then a reader (@Jason) contacted me and suggested that his results with the Vertix 2 showed that the recommended mode was better than the dual-frequency mode. My interest was piqued and, a few runs later, this is what I think…
Coros Vertix 2 – GNSS is one of the best
Regardless of the dual-frequency setting, the Coros Vertix 2 does have moments where it tracks slightly parallel to the correct track. However, that’s relatively rare and less rare when dual-frequency is disabled. It’s good most of the time when running, even when there are some constraints on satellite reception. However, like all watches, it does struggle when there are difficult urban reception conditions but still gives results that are ‘in the ballpark’ and which won’t make your post-run track look too crazy.
I’ve done quite a lot of testing now with the Vertix 2 and you can see 30 odd miles of testing here just on my standard test route – obviously, I use it elsewhere as well. You can click on this image (or this link) and look at the tracks on DCR’s Analyze software where you can zoom in or out on various sections and also compare against the Ambit 3 and V800 over the same route.
Note: These results are from different days and weather, satellite and other conditions ARE also different.
Explanation: Full Methodology is here.
Mountains – Mount Whitney (the Rockies, USA. Source: Coros)
Note: Coros states this test has all frequency mode ENABLED on the wrist-worn Coros. The Garmin has GLONASS enabled and is mounted on a backpack for better reception.
This image also clicks through to DCR’s site to let you analyze two tracks from Coros when one of their employees recently ascended Mt Whitney. The Vertix 2 track is clearly better. Coros (the company) seem excited and proud with the performance they get in the mountains, especially as one of their target markets is mountaineers.
The ascent data in the source data files DO roughly match so I don’t think the files have been doctored in any way.
Take Out
I’m getting some good tracks with this new chip folks!
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Completely tangential to any of the technical specs, what’s your take on the sheer size of the Vertix 2? I’m thinking it would be a non-starter for smaller-wristed people (i.e. most women). Am I wrong?
yeah it’s big.
other watches are small
different people like different sizes!
some people will wear this kind of watch over their clothing in cold conditions
I suspect even that might not work for me — plus, what would I do during the half of the year where long sleeves are out of the question?. My wrist is maybe 50mm wide (more like 49mm at the place where the watch sits). The Vertix 1 is 47mm and while this size works well enough that it’s my daily driver, I do think that 3mm extra width plus the extra weight would be too much for a reasonably comfortable fit, and, equally importantly, a bounce-free ride while running.
It’s a crying shame as I’m really tempted by the GPS specs. Guess I’ll just have to hope that Coros takes pity on the more petite population and releases a Vertix 2S at some point with a more manageable diameter.
coros make a smaller Apex model. https://the5krunner.com/2018/12/05/coros-apex-review-triathlon-multisport/
Do you have any intel that the new GPS chip will be coming to an updated Apex? Bc if that isn’t on the cards the existence of the Apex isn’t helpful for present purposes. ?
all the intel i am willing to share is always usually updated here: https://the5krunner.com/2021/06/25/july-2021-sports-watch-update-all-new-current-bike-run-tri-fitness-models-with-gps-rumors-replacement-dates-for-garmin-apple-polar-suunto-wahoo-samsung-fitbit/
to answer: no i don’t have any intel on that question. however, i would guess, based on no intel, that it would be a reasonable assumption to make.
having said that it’s not simply the chip that affects gnss performance there are algorithm and antennae issues as well. it’s quite possible the same performance might not be replicated on a smaller and new device
FWIW: if you check out my fulltest results the 46mm Apex had better gnss results than from the vertix 2 (42mm was still quiet good ie at garmin levels). 46mm has the joint-second best-ever score. just saying!
wrist curls?
?
I dunno. That part of my forearm is all tendon and no muscle. Even if I bulk up I don’t think I could make enough gains to accommodate an oversized watch!
So disabling the feature you were possibly most excited about gets better results 🙂
yes!! tho the Coros mountain test has L1/L5 enabled
I remember how Suunto tracks looked like when S9B launched a while back with that new Sony chip. I’d say COROS is pretty much impressive, coming straight out the gate. Give them a few months to bake things in and we’ll see the real impact of that dual-frequency all-system goodness. Then, it may be that in regular conditions where there’s enough satellite coverage and signal is decent, dual-frequency will be an overkill.
My V2 is coming today, after a week of being stuck on some flooded roads of the great North East. I’m really interested to see if GPS lives up to hype. So far I can see V1 being noticeably worse than Apex, though still better than most Garmins I ever had and certainly more consistent.
Gulp!! Pressure’s on.
No worries! The GPS is strong with this one, indeed. Better than V1 and on par with what I’m seeing from S9P and Apex. Nice kit! Too bad screen is noticeably dimmer than V1 and haptic feedback is almost as weak as on Suunto devices. Could have been perfect.
was that a “strong in this one, the gps is.” comment?
Got really good tracks running in a place where most watches give me wondering drunk type of tracks, cutting corners and running through houses, and not quite agreeing how long a loop is.
The bit about the dimmer screen doesn’t sound good — rather decreases my regret that the watch is too big for my wrist. I suppose sacrificing brightness is one of the reasons they managed to increase the battery life even more?
maybe, sounds sensible
different glass/crystal has different visible properties not necessarily linked to the illumination underneath
It’s not sapphire me thinks. The screen colors just look more washed out, with less pop, and less brightness. It’s still a gorgeous screen, don’t get me wrong, but I think Vertix was brighter as are most Garmins.
I definitely think it’s a battery preserving measure, similar to running 24/7 heart rate every 10 minutes. The difference between that and the real time was roughly half the stated battery life for me on Vertix. It still chugged along for 14-16 days with plenty of training, but it was no longer 35-45 days for sure. Will see how a bigger V2 fares.
” definitely think it’s a battery preserving measure, similar to running 24/7 heart rate every 10 minutes. The difference between that and the real time was roughly half the stated battery life for me on Vertix.”
Hang on, you can turn 24/7 HR off on the Vertix 1? Where’s the setting for that?
Go to Settings > Sensors > Wrist HR and change from 10 min to Real Time. Beware, the battery hit will be substantial. But you’ll be getting a real 24/7 HR, with real RHR, and no a random number generator that’s the 10 min sampling.
Sorry, didn’t read closely. You can’t turn off Wrist HR, though I’d say once every 10 min is as good as off