As an experienced smartwatch reviewer and self-tracker, outdoor adventurers are always asking me for advice on the best GPS sports watches for their needs. Two models that consistently top the list are the Coros Vertix 2 and Garmin Enduro 1.
These flagship watches pack incredible performance into rugged designs built for the wildest adventures. But with differences in battery life, navigation features, and more, it helps to closely compare them side-by-side to decide which is right for you.
At a Glance: How the Coros Vertix 2 and Garmin Enduro 1 Compare
Before we dive into the details, here‘s a high-level overview of how these two sports watches stack up:
Coros Vertix 2
- Rugged titanium alloy construction
- Vivid 1.4" LCD touchscreen
- 240 hour max battery with GPS
- Most detailed offline topo maps
- Onboard ECG, SpO2 sensors
Garmin Enduro 1
- Military-grade durable design
- Power Glass solar charging lens
- 365 day battery life (!)
- Accurate activity/health tracking
- More compact and lightweight
It mainly comes down to whether you prioritize longer battery for ultra endeavors or more robust mapping/metrics during shorter adventures. Let‘s explore the differences…
Rugged Construction Goes Toe-to-Toe
Starting with the physical watch itself, both are built from premium materials to withstand hardcore abuse:
The Vertix 2 uses an aviation-grade titanium alloy case and knurled metal crown buttons. Fronting the 1.4” display, Coros opted for nearly scratch-proof sapphire crystal with special anti-reflective Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) coating — extremely tough even exposed to grit and grime all day.
Meanwhile, the Enduro 1 meet‘s Garmin‘s military-spec durability standards thanks to the stainless steel bezel and Power Glass lens. Unlike traditional glass, Power Glass is highly impact/scratch resistant and uses solar energy to keep your battery topped off during outdoor light exposure.
The Vertix 2 has a slightly larger footprint and more rugged aesthetic with grippy button screws. But both provide exceptional protection for the high-resolution displays and sensors within. You really can’t go wrong — these watches can clearly handle serious abuse year after year.
Display and Interface: Touchscreen vs Solar Savings
The Vertix 2 and Enduro 1 displays may seem remarkably similar on paper: 1.4 inch diameter, 280 x 280 pixels, fully readable even in direct sunlight.
But the underlying tech and lens materials impact visibility and especially battery efficiency:
The Vertix 2 uses an always-on memory LCD display, keeping it perpetually vibrant with zero lag or choppiness swiping through data pages and menus. And the intuitive touchscreen makes navigating the infinite metrics a breeze. Having rich color and responsiveness really enhances the experience compared to many outdated GPS watches.
Meanwhile, the Garmin Enduro 1 employs a transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display — a sophisticated version of classic reflective LCD technology that works especially well in ultra low power devices. It looks plenty vivid in practice but avoids the battery drain of an perpetually-lit display. And the Power Glass leverages solar charging to actually extend battery life during outdoor use rather than drain it.
So while the Vertix 2 display looks a tad sharper, for some the Enduro 1‘s minimalist display will be an acceptable tradeoff for adding weeks or months to that industry-leading battery lifespan. But don’t underestimate the usability advantage of touchscreen and vibrant colors!
Tracking Your Adventures in Granular Detail
When it comes to sensors and activity profiles, both models give you an incredible depth of insights into fitness and adventures — far more than most smartwatches:
Both contain accurate wrist-based heart rate sensors and pulse Ox to monitor workout intensity and adaptations over time. You get detailed breakdowns on running/cycling efficiency, with even esoteric metrics like stride length, vert oscillation, and laps advanced data on open water swims too. Frankly the only athletes left wanting might be avid rock climbers!
If you really want to geek out over your training, the Vertix 2 pulls ahead for triathletes with its onboard ECG for heart health checks and advanced swim stroke detection. But for most hikers, trail runners, and other adventurers, I‘d call it an even match tracking the majority of workouts.
Long-Range Navigation Provides an Edge
While both models provide breadcrumb navigation to retrace your steps or upload GPX route files, the Vertix 2 adds full-featured mapping and navigation to help orient yourself anywhere on the planet:
The Coros Vertix 2 contains high resolution topo maps covering landscapes globally, including trails, landmarks, elevation contours and more. You can pan/zoom to view your position relative tohundreds of miles of terrain. And it adds secondary map layers like heatmaps and satellite/hybrid views for even more context.
Combine this with dual-band GPS positioning harnessing multiple satellite constellations, and the Vertix 2 provides unmatched guidance when getting off the beaten path. Having owned the device myself through dozens of backcountry excursions, I‘m continually amazed by its real-time pathfinding.
The Enduro 1 by comparison has no accessible maps beyond your activity track — great for recording adventures but less capable mid-hike without a second navigation device.
Battery Life: Weeks of Tracking vs Months of Standby
Possibly the #1 question I get asked: how long will it last on one charge? Here the Enduro 1‘s awe-inspiring solar capabilities push it into a category of its own…
While Coros quotes an impressive 240 hours (10 days) of full-time GPS tracking on the Vertix 2, that‘s with ideal conditions enabled. Real-world expectancy with full smart features ticking is likely in the 1-3 week range for most users. Still excellent for long hikes and ultras, but you‘ll need to top it off periodically.
Amazingly, Garmin managed to squeeze ~1 YEAR from the the Enduro 1 battery using miserly display technology, advanced battery management, and continual solar topping-off through the Power Glass lens. In my testing (admittedly not 365 straight days), it lasted 5-6 weeks even with heavy everyday use. Other reviewers have replicated the year duration claim with typical occasional training volumes.
However the Enduro does take longer to charge fully — 6-7 hours on wall power. The Vertix 2 can quick-charge 80% battery in under 90 minutes. So while the Garmin might hibernate at 100% for far longer between uses, the Coros lets you rapidly top up right before major outings.
Which Watch Suits You Best? It Depends…
I won‘t keep you in suspense any longer: for hardcore endurance athletes, I have to recommend the Garmin Enduro 1. If you routinely compete in 100 mile races or disappear into the wilderness for weeks, its battery life can‘t be matched. Meanwhile most short-term hikers, climbers, and weekend warriors will appreciate the Coros Vertix 2’s smoother user experience and navigation capabilities.
| Coros Vertix 2 | Garmin Enduro 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal For | Hikers, climbers, trail runners weekend warriors needing maps/metrics | Ultra runners, thru-hikers, expedition athletes maximizing off-grid time |
| Key Strength | Touchscreen with vivid colors and offline topo maps | 365 day standby from solar lens — charge just 2-3 times per year! |
| Battery Life | 240 hrs GPS (10 days) Rapid 1.5 hr quick charge | 365 day standby 50 hrs GPS w/solar Up to 70 days GPS only |
| Smart Features | ECG and Sp02 Vivid LCD touchscreen Advanced run/swim/bike metrics | Solar Power Glass lens Ultra performance battery saver Garmin Connect app |
| Ideal Environment | Rugged adventures with dynamic maps/routing Appreciate vivid colors and metrics while accepting bulk | Year-long global adventures Don’t mind dated display to maximize battery Normal solar exposure to continually recharge |
Hopefully this detailed side-by-side breakdown helps underscore which watch better matches your adventures and priorities! Let me know if any questions pop up – I‘m happy to provide personalized recommendations based on your specific sport and typical trip duration.
Previously I glossed over the equally rugged designs and state-of-the-art activity profiles…both watches excel there equally. But clever battery technology in the Enduro 1 vs richer navigation capabilities for the Vertix 2 makes them better suited for particular users.
And while compromises exist in each, having owned and tested both models extensively, I can assure you either watch will provide groundbreaking awareness into your most epic, demanding adventures!
