August 19, 2025 • 20 mins
A detailed 17-minute friendly discussion about the Coros NOMAD, discussing pros, cons, the latest features and answering that age-old question, "Is it worth it?"
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Source Written Article by the5krunner:https://the5krunner.com/2025/08/20/coros-nomad-review/
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—Credits: Content in this episode was generated using AI tools (NotebookLM) based on original content from @the5krunner, and other sources as cited.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to the Deep Dive, where we plunge into the tech and
trends shaping our world, transforming complex information
into those clear, concise insights you crave.
Glad to be here. Today we're embarking on a
pretty fascinating deep dive into a new piece of wrist worn
tech. It promises to be well more than
(00:20):
just a tracker. Yeah, the idea is it's designed
to capture memories, really enhance your outdoor adventures.
And our mission today, really driven by your curiosity
listener, is to explore the new chorus Nomad.
We've looked through a stack of sources including some really
detailed reviews from the 5K runner website, DC Rainmaker,
(00:40):
Desfit, quite a few others actually, so we can bring you
the full picture. The goal is really to unpack the
nomads features. It's performance, you know how
it actually works in the real world, and crucially, how it
stacks up against other Koros watches and it's big rival, the
Garmin Instinct series. Right, the comparison piece is
key. Absolutely.
So by the end of this, you should be totally informed on
whether this new outdoor adventure watches you know the
(01:03):
right fit for your next trip. All right.
Let's dig in the Koros Nomad. It just kind of burst onto the
scene, didn't it? Grabbing attention as this
dedicated outdoor adventure sports watch.
It did, and the look is pretty distinct.
You really can't miss it. Reviewers like the 5K Runner
highlighted its rugged, sort of retro design, and they pointed
(01:24):
out pretty strongly the visual similarity to the Garmin
Instinct series. Which itself borrowed from G
Shock. Yeah, it's a known look.
It's a popular aesthetic, no doubt, but it does make you
wonder. Is Koros leaning into something
familiar, or are they carving out their own space here?
It's an interesting balance, isn't it?
Koros seems very strategic with where they're placing the Nomad.
(01:46):
You know their lineup usually goes from the Pace series, which
is more budget friendly right tothe apex with premium materials
than the Super rugged top tier Vertex.
The Nomad looks like it's tryingto bridge that gap.
Offering durability, but maybe not at the verdicts price.
Exactly. Significant durability, advanced
features, but at a more accessible price.
It's coming in at 349 US or 319 towns in the UK.
(02:08):
Which, yeah, most tech folks aresaying that's pretty competitive
for what you're getting, definitely.
So let's talk about those capabilities, core specs first,
because this is where the Nomad makes some very deliberate
choices for outdoor folks, right?
It's got a 1.3 inch memory and pixel display MIP touchscreen 2.
160 by 260 pixels and it's theirthird Gen MIP, right?
(02:32):
What does that actually mean forusability?
Well, it means the screen isn't just sharp enough for maps, but
it gets more readable in bright sunlight, which is exactly when
you need it outdoors. Unlike say an AMOLED which can
struggle and drains battery faster in sunlight.
Precisely, it's a conscious choice for adventure, endurance
and readability over like super vibrant colours indoors.
(02:53):
And that MIP choice definitely impacts battery life positively,
I assume. Absolutely, and under the hood
it's got the same faster processor they put in the Pace
Pro, which translates directly to what reviewers are calling
lightning speed, map performance, panning, browsing
maps. Despot even said it was easily
best in class. Wow.
OK, that's high praise for map speed on a watch.
(03:14):
What about physically? Buttons.
Three physical buttons, including a new customizable
action button on the left side. That's a new layout for Koros,
actually. Maybe hints at a new UI
direction? Interesting, a new button and
fast maps. I'm always curious about build
materials for an outdoor watch though.
How tough is it really? Good question.
The screens hardened mineral glass, which they say is a step
(03:38):
up in scratch resistance from older mineral glass.
Not quite sapphire, but better. The main case is fibre
reinforced polymer and there's an aluminium alloy reinforcement
in the bezel. So a mix of tough plastics and
metal, How does that feel weightwise?
Surprisingly light actually. Only 61 grammes with the
silicone band and just 49 grammes with the nylon band.
Oh wow, that is light for a rugged.
(04:00):
Watch yeah, you might not even notice it's there.
It's also got 5 ATM water resistance good for swimming
surface stuff, and a decent 32 gigs of internal storage for
maps and music. Connectivity.
Standard stuff. Pretty much Bluetooth for phone
and accessories, Wi-Fi for data sync and map downloads.
But, and this is a big one for some people, no A&T Plus sensor
(04:21):
support. OK.
So if you're deep in the Garmin ecosystem with A&T Plus sensors.
Might be a sticking point. You'd need Bluetooth sensors
instead. Got it.
OK, hardware covered, but this next bit, the Adventure
Journaling feature. Yeah, this sounds genuinely
different. It really is.
Koros is shifting focus here from just raw data to turning
(04:41):
your activities into a, well, a digital journal or scrapbook, as
they put it. How does that actually work?
How does it change things after a run or hike?
It's pretty unique, so for the first time a Koros watch, the
Nomad has a built in microphone.On the watch itself?
Yep. Which enables voice pins.
You can record voice notes rightfrom the watch during an
activity. You can set up a shortcut button
(05:03):
or use the Toolbox menu. OK, these notes get saved at the
exact GPS spot, and impressively, they get
transcribed to text in the Korosapplet.
Whoa, how's the quality? Can it actually hear you if
you're like cycling fast? Reviewers like the 5K Runner
were pleasantly surprised, said the clarity was good even over
20 mph, despite the mic being, you know, tiny compared to a
(05:25):
phone's. So it's not just a gimmick, it
could genuinely change how you capture moments.
Instead of just data points, youget context emotion.
That seems to be the idea, turning runs and rides into more
than just numbers. A personal narrative, reliving
the feeling, not just seeing thepace.
(05:46):
That's fascinating. If you hit a viewpoint you're
knackered but you can just quickly say wow amazing view
instead of fiddling with a phone.
Exactly, and you can add photos and videos too.
How does that work? You can take them directly from
the Koros app using their extender feature while you're
active that mirrors watch data on your phone screen.
OK. Or just upload media later from
your phone's camera roll. Yeah, pin them to the route
(06:06):
where they were taken. And this all feeds into some
kind of summary. Yeah, a new 3D fly over feature.
It creates these customised videos of your route mixing in
your voice, pins, photos, videos, key stats, plus new
sharing templates. It makes your activity a dynamic
story you can share. That does sound cool re
experiencing the journey and I saw these pins can be specific
(06:28):
to the activity. Yeah, clever touch.
Like water stops for gravel biking, catch locations for
fishing, maybe hazards for hiking.
They're trying to think about how people actually use these
things. Speaking of fishing, they really
went deep on that, didn't they? Enhanced environmental data
specific fishing modes. They did.
Seems like a clear targeting of a niche market. 8 specific modes
(06:49):
Fly, lure, kayak, fishing, etcetera.
Log catches Track best times based on conditions mark spots.
Using tide data, moon phases. Exactly.
All integrated with real time environmental data to help you
fish smarter. You could even save up to five
locations in the app to check conditions before you go out.
That's pretty specialised. OK, let's pivot to, well, the
(07:10):
bread and butter for an outdoor watch, navigation and mapping.
What's the Nomad packing there? It's got dual frequency or dual
band GNSS. OK, explain that simply.
Like better accuracy in tricky spots.
Pretty much. Think of it as the watch having
two years listening for satellite signals on different
frequencies. It's much better at filtering
out bad signals bounced off buildings or blocked by dense
(07:32):
trees. So more precise tracks in cities
or forests. Exactly 1 reviewer called it
Koros's most accurate GPS watch they've ever made, said the
tracks were nearly flawless. And maps, Does it have proper
maps? Yes, full global offline colour
maps with street names, points of interest and importantly, a
visual difference between roads and trails.
(07:54):
Trails are dotted lines. Super helpful.
Offline maps are crucial and theresponsiveness we heard it was
fast, but is it usable on the wrist?
Panning around, that's a major highlight according to multiple
sources. Super fast, probably one of the
fastest, most responsive map experiences.
DC Rainmaker even called it easily best in class.
OK, that's impressive. Navigation tools back to start
(08:15):
off course. Warnings.
Yep. Checkpoint navigation, back to
start, deviation alerts if you wonder off course, and touch
screen map control. You can also reverse routes in
the Corros app. Any limitations on the NAV
front? A few no automatic rerouting on
the watch. If you go off course it just
gives you a compass direction back to the planned route, no?
OK, not like Garmin's rerouting.Right.
(08:37):
Also LAX Climb Pro like pages showing upcoming climbs which
their Durabyte computer has but not the watches.
And map downloads are sometimes only available in big chunks,
like whole countries, not smaller regions.
And syncing routes from Strava or commute still manual.
Yes, still requires a manual sync to the watch, not seamless
cloud sync. OK, good to know.
(08:57):
So features in NAV covered. How does it actually perform?
Let's talk accuracy GPS first. Does that dual frequency deliver
in real tests? Yeah, sources say it's very
strong, even boringly perfect. It did great even in tough spots
like New York City streets, handling stops, building
canyons, underpasses. Compared very well against other
dual frequency watches. Mostly nearly flawless tracks,
(09:20):
just occasional minor blips likeslight overshoots.
What about swimming? Open water is always tricky.
Described as one of the best Coral Slims to date.
Very solid. So yeah, the dual frequency
really seems to deliver on accuracy.
That's genuinely impressive, especially for the price point.
How about the altimeter and the wrist heart rate?
Altimeter generally lined up well with other good devices and
(09:43):
things like Strava's corrected elevation.
Maybe a couple of minor high readings on some rides, but
mostly consistent. And the heart rate wrist HR is
always a mixed bag. It did really well for indoor
cycling, almost matching chest straps.
Outdoor cycling was pretty well so wandering on really rough
gravel. Really good results for running,
even with changing paces. The usual challenges came with
(10:05):
weight training and HIE. Lots of arm movement and
gripping, but it's still trendedpretty well.
No huge errors. So the verdict on HR?
Overall good but not great. Seems fair, but reviewers felt
it was the best implementation of the Koros HR algorithms to
date. And you can always pair a
Bluetooth chest strap if you need top tier HR accuracy.
(10:26):
Makes sense? OK, shifting gears to training
and Wellness, what is the Nomad offer beyond tracking the
activity itself, Progress, recovery, health?
It's got over 40 built in sport modes.
Running, cycling, climbing, swimming, those fishing modes,
triathlon, strength, yoga, you name it.
Customizable data, screens, up to 8 fields per page, alerts all
(10:48):
the standard stuff. And the Evalab metrics,
training, load recovery. Yep, it integrates with Koros
Evalab so you get training load,base fitness, training status,
recovery timer, running fitness,race predictor, VO2 Max
estimates. I remember Desfit mentioned
something about the training load calculation, like a rolling
seven day load being sort of introduced.
What's that about? Yeah, that was a bit of an
oddity at launch, he noted. Koros was sort of introducing
(11:11):
it, but it only showed up properly on one specific widget
in the app. Other views still reset weekly.
Which isn't ideal for tracking cumulative fatigue, right?
Especially for, say, an ultra runner.
Exactly. For someone training for an
ultra, seeing that continuous buildup of stress over weeks is
crucial for managing load and recovery.
Koros did say they plan to implement a full 7 day rolling
(11:33):
load across the board, which is good.
But as it stands, it provides the metrics, but maybe the
interpretation or usefulness isn't quite perfect yet.
Some reviewers found the race predictions or VO2 Max estimates
a bit off. Yeah, some found estimates like
VO2 Max or race times consistently underestimated or
FTP estimates a little bit high didn't always match up with
(11:53):
actual performance or recent tests.
So the training feedback is useful, but maybe not perfect by
any means. Needs context.
OK. And what about just daily
tracking sleep stress, that kindof thing?
Smart feature. It monitors daily stuff, sleep
duration phases, quality, thoughsleep stage accuracy isn't its
strong suit. Tracks HRV which match other
(12:13):
devices well, resting heart rate, daily stress set PO2 for
altitude and has a Wellness check feature.
Smart features, notifications, music, payments.
Get smartphone notifications fine.
Music is MP3 files only. You have to manually load them.
No Spotify or Deezer streaming. OK, no music streaming is a
drawback for some, definitely. Also no NFC payments and no
(12:35):
third party App Store like Garmin's Connect IQ.
Right, Connect IQ is a big ecosystem for Garmin apps Watch
faces. Huge.
It allows for a lot more personalization and adding
features Chorus doesn't offer natively.
The Nomad does have the screen extender feature to mirror data
on your phone and live track safety alerts, but those need
your phone's connection. And that microphone we talked
(12:57):
about just for voice pins. Yep, only voice pins.
No taking calls on the watch or using a Voice Assistant.
Gotcha. OK, let's place the nomad within
the Koros family. How does it compare to its
siblings? It feels like it's filling a
specific slot. Same price as the Pace Pro $349
but aiming for more durability and outdoor focus without
(13:17):
hitting Apex or verdicts. Material cost.
It's not replacing anything. So versus the Pace Pro at the
same price, what are the key differences?
Pace Pro has an AMOLED screen, Nomad has the MIP better for
outdoor battery visibility, but the Nomad adds the hardened
mineral glass, the aluminium bezel bit that newer MIP display
full offline maps. Maps are a big one.
Huge. Plus the action button, the
(13:38):
voice pins make weather widget, phishing modes, the photo video
integration. It's packing a lot more
adventure stuff for the same money.
Sounds like a clear step up for outdoor users at that price.
Rice. What about against the next tier
U the apex 2 pro that's 449. OK.
Versus the Apex 2 Pro, Nomad is actually lighter 61G versus 66
G. Both have the same 13 inch 260
(13:59):
by 260 display, but Nomads is the newer, brighter third Gen
MIP. But the apex has better
materials right? Sapphire.
Apex 2 Pro has sapphire glass which is much more scratch
resistant and grade 5 titanium for the bezel cover.
Nomad has the hardened mineral glass and Palmer aluminium
combo. Interesting trade off.
What about battery life between those two?
Here's where it gets interesting.
The Nomad actually boasts betterbattery life in the demanding
(14:22):
GPS modes. All systems on is 50 hours for
Nomad versus 41 for Apex 2 Pro. Yep, and dual frequency mode is
34 hours for Nomad versus 24 forApex 2 Pro.
Wow, so for someone doing multi day events, the cheaper nomad
might actually last longer in G mode.
It seems so. That's a significant wait for
(14:43):
the Nomad. Both have 32DB memory, same 5
ATM water resistance. It really highlights that
battery performance isn't solelytied to price tier here.
That's a potential game changer for ultra endurance folks.
OK, and against the big boss, the Verdex 2S at $699.
Obviously different price league, but how does it compare
on paper? Nomad is much lighter and
smaller than the Verdex 2S87-G. Verdex 2S has a bigger 1.4 inch
(15:07):
screen, higher resolution, even more premium materials,
sapphire, titanium and higher ten ATM water resistance.
Battery verdict still king theiroverall.
Generally, yes, the Verdicts 2S boast longer overall battery
life figures, but the Nomad's duration is still seriously
impressive for its price. And notably, all three Nomad
Apex 2 Pro Verdicts 2 S share the exact same all satellite
(15:28):
dual frequency GNSS chip. So top tier GPS accuracy isn't
reserved for the most expensive model.
Exactly. You get that core accuracy
across this range. That's a big plus for Koros
lineup all. Right now for the main event
Nomad versus Garmin Instinct, specifically the Instinct 3
Series, this feels like the corebattleground.
Is the Nomad the Instinct killersome are suggesting?
(15:51):
Well, it's definitely a fierce fight.
The Nomad certainly throws down a gauntlet, especially on Price.
Remember, Nomad is $349, the Instinct 3 AMOLED is $499, and
the Solar is $400. So right off the bat, Chorus has
a price advantage. A significant one.
Reviewers definitely see it as agood deal for the features
packed in. So what are the nomads biggest
(16:12):
wins over the Instinct 3 according to the sources?
The absolute #1 highlighted by DC Rainmaker as a massive
omission for Instinct 3 is full offline maps.
Nomad has them, Instinct 3 doesn't at all.
Correct, Nomad has proper detailed offline colour maps
with streets. Poi's Instinct 3 just doesn't
have that level of mapping, which feels like a major miss
(16:34):
for an outdoor watch. Wow.
OK, that's huge. What else?
Price Obviously touchscreen Nomad has a MIP touchscreen.
Neither Instinct 3 model does, which apparently was a huge
surprise from Garmin. No touch screen on the new
instincts. Interesting.
Yeah, and map speed. We talked about how fast the
nomads maps are easily best in class.
(16:54):
Garmin maps can sometimes take like 10 seconds plus to fully
render. That's a big usability
difference on the trail. Definitely.
And finally, the 5K runner mentioned that the Nomad
software felt more stable duringpre release testing compared to
the Instinct 3's launch firmware, which apparently had
some early issues. OK, those are strong points for
Nomad Vaps, price, touchscreen speed, stability.
(17:16):
But Garmin's the giant here. What advantages does the
Instinct 3 still hold? Garmin definitely still has key
strengths. The built in LED flashlight on
the Instinct 3. That's a massive practical
feature. Reviewers love calling it almost
a can't live without thing. Nomad doesn't have one.
Flashlight is definitely handy. What else?
Battery life, specifically on the Instinct 3 solar.
(17:37):
It offers far longer battery life, potentially even unlimited
GPS battery life in some modes. With enough sun.
It's solar charging is apparently much more effective
now. Nomad has no solar.
Right Solar is a big Garmin play.
And then the whole ecosystem. Garmin has the vast Connect IQ,
App Store apps, watch faces, data fields, Just way more
customization and extended features.
(17:59):
More smart features too, presumably music payments.
Exactly. Music streaming services like
Spotify directly on the watch Garmin pay for NFC payments.
Nomad has neither. Garmin also arguably has more
nuance to the sports and health metrics within its broader
platform. And navigation features.
Any edge there for Garmin? Yes, the Instinct 3 offers on
(18:19):
device rerouting. If you go off course, Nomad, as
we said, just points you back. So it really is a trade off
isn't it? Nomad wins on maps, price, maybe
map speed and touchscreen. Instinct.
Three wins on flashlights, solarbattery potential, app
ecosystem, smart features like payments, music, and on device
rerouting. That sums it up pretty well.
It depends entirely on what you,the user, prioritise for your
(18:40):
adventures. And DC Rainmaker also pointed
out something interesting about Garmin's own lineup.
Right how the Instinct 3 pricingsits awkwardly.
Yeah, he made a good point with the Instinct 3 priced at 400,
500 older but arguably more feature rich Garmin models like
the Phoenix 7 around $429 or Epics Gen two 399 seven, $490.00
(19:04):
suddenly look very appealing. Because they do have offline
mapping Wi-Fi music. Exactly features the Instinct 3
lacks, sometimes for less money than the Instinct 3 AMOLED.
It makes the Instinct 3's value proposition, especially the lack
of maps, seem a bit strange within Garmin's own range.
A confusing internal dynamic forGarmin buyers, perhaps?
OK, let's wrap this deep dive up.
(19:26):
Final verdict on the chorus nomad.
Where does it land? Is it a real contender?
I think the consensus from reviewers is yes, it's a good
watch targeted at the right people for the the right price.
It delivers solid accuracy, especially GPS, and those map
features are genuinely impressive.
Definitely enough to quote embarrass the more expensive
Garmin Instinct. Who's the ideal user then?
Probably outdoor adventurers, hikers, maybe those anglers who
(19:48):
want a really feature rich GPS watch but are price conscious,
especially if good maps are highon the list.
Could be great for a first time serious GPS adventure.
Watch buyer or someone may be burned by cheaper options that
didn't deliver. And areas where Quoros could
still improve the nomad. Maybe future updates?
(20:09):
The main things mentioned, we'refully implementing that rolling
seven day training load properlyacross the app, maybe expanding
the voice note use so it doesn'talways need GPS active like for
quick voice memos anytime. Yeah, that'd be handy.
And maybe making the action button customization a bit more
intuitive. But overall, the Nomad brings
excellent mapping and that unique journaling capability to
(20:30):
a really competitive price. It's definitely shaking things
up. It really does seem to offer a
compelling package, especially pulling that top tier GPS and
mapping down to this price. It's not just tracking where you
went, but helping you tell the story of the adventure.
Exactly. It really makes you think,
doesn't it? With a watch focused on
journaling the experience, what adventures would you want to
capture and what kind of story would your data actually tell?
Welcome to the Deep Dive, where we plunge into the tech and
trends shaping our world, transforming complex information
into those clear, concise insights you crave.
Glad to be here. Today we're embarking on a
pretty fascinating deep dive into a new piece of wrist worn
tech. It promises to be well more than
(00:20):
just a tracker. Yeah, the idea is it's designed
to capture memories, really enhance your outdoor adventures.
And our mission today, really driven by your curiosity
listener, is to explore the new chorus Nomad.
We've looked through a stack of sources including some really
detailed reviews from the 5K runner website, DC Rainmaker,
(00:40):
Desfit, quite a few others actually, so we can bring you
the full picture. The goal is really to unpack the
nomads features. It's performance, you know how
it actually works in the real world, and crucially, how it
stacks up against other Koros watches and it's big rival, the
Garmin Instinct series. Right, the comparison piece is
key. Absolutely.
So by the end of this, you should be totally informed on
whether this new outdoor adventure watches you know the
(01:03):
right fit for your next trip. All right.
Let's dig in the Koros Nomad. It just kind of burst onto the
scene, didn't it? Grabbing attention as this
dedicated outdoor adventure sports watch.
It did, and the look is pretty distinct.
You really can't miss it. Reviewers like the 5K Runner
highlighted its rugged, sort of retro design, and they pointed
(01:24):
out pretty strongly the visual similarity to the Garmin
Instinct series. Which itself borrowed from G
Shock. Yeah, it's a known look.
It's a popular aesthetic, no doubt, but it does make you
wonder. Is Koros leaning into something
familiar, or are they carving out their own space here?
It's an interesting balance, isn't it?
Koros seems very strategic with where they're placing the Nomad.
(01:46):
You know their lineup usually goes from the Pace series, which
is more budget friendly right tothe apex with premium materials
than the Super rugged top tier Vertex.
The Nomad looks like it's tryingto bridge that gap.
Offering durability, but maybe not at the verdicts price.
Exactly. Significant durability, advanced
features, but at a more accessible price.
It's coming in at 349 US or 319 towns in the UK.
(02:08):
Which, yeah, most tech folks aresaying that's pretty competitive
for what you're getting, definitely.
So let's talk about those capabilities, core specs first,
because this is where the Nomad makes some very deliberate
choices for outdoor folks, right?
It's got a 1.3 inch memory and pixel display MIP touchscreen 2.
160 by 260 pixels and it's theirthird Gen MIP, right?
(02:32):
What does that actually mean forusability?
Well, it means the screen isn't just sharp enough for maps, but
it gets more readable in bright sunlight, which is exactly when
you need it outdoors. Unlike say an AMOLED which can
struggle and drains battery faster in sunlight.
Precisely, it's a conscious choice for adventure, endurance
and readability over like super vibrant colours indoors.
(02:53):
And that MIP choice definitely impacts battery life positively,
I assume. Absolutely, and under the hood
it's got the same faster processor they put in the Pace
Pro, which translates directly to what reviewers are calling
lightning speed, map performance, panning, browsing
maps. Despot even said it was easily
best in class. Wow.
OK, that's high praise for map speed on a watch.
(03:14):
What about physically? Buttons.
Three physical buttons, including a new customizable
action button on the left side. That's a new layout for Koros,
actually. Maybe hints at a new UI
direction? Interesting, a new button and
fast maps. I'm always curious about build
materials for an outdoor watch though.
How tough is it really? Good question.
The screens hardened mineral glass, which they say is a step
(03:38):
up in scratch resistance from older mineral glass.
Not quite sapphire, but better. The main case is fibre
reinforced polymer and there's an aluminium alloy reinforcement
in the bezel. So a mix of tough plastics and
metal, How does that feel weightwise?
Surprisingly light actually. Only 61 grammes with the
silicone band and just 49 grammes with the nylon band.
Oh wow, that is light for a rugged.
(04:00):
Watch yeah, you might not even notice it's there.
It's also got 5 ATM water resistance good for swimming
surface stuff, and a decent 32 gigs of internal storage for
maps and music. Connectivity.
Standard stuff. Pretty much Bluetooth for phone
and accessories, Wi-Fi for data sync and map downloads.
But, and this is a big one for some people, no A&T Plus sensor
(04:21):
support. OK.
So if you're deep in the Garmin ecosystem with A&T Plus sensors.
Might be a sticking point. You'd need Bluetooth sensors
instead. Got it.
OK, hardware covered, but this next bit, the Adventure
Journaling feature. Yeah, this sounds genuinely
different. It really is.
Koros is shifting focus here from just raw data to turning
(04:41):
your activities into a, well, a digital journal or scrapbook, as
they put it. How does that actually work?
How does it change things after a run or hike?
It's pretty unique, so for the first time a Koros watch, the
Nomad has a built in microphone.On the watch itself?
Yep. Which enables voice pins.
You can record voice notes rightfrom the watch during an
activity. You can set up a shortcut button
(05:03):
or use the Toolbox menu. OK, these notes get saved at the
exact GPS spot, and impressively, they get
transcribed to text in the Korosapplet.
Whoa, how's the quality? Can it actually hear you if
you're like cycling fast? Reviewers like the 5K Runner
were pleasantly surprised, said the clarity was good even over
20 mph, despite the mic being, you know, tiny compared to a
(05:25):
phone's. So it's not just a gimmick, it
could genuinely change how you capture moments.
Instead of just data points, youget context emotion.
That seems to be the idea, turning runs and rides into more
than just numbers. A personal narrative, reliving
the feeling, not just seeing thepace.
(05:46):
That's fascinating. If you hit a viewpoint you're
knackered but you can just quickly say wow amazing view
instead of fiddling with a phone.
Exactly, and you can add photos and videos too.
How does that work? You can take them directly from
the Koros app using their extender feature while you're
active that mirrors watch data on your phone screen.
OK. Or just upload media later from
your phone's camera roll. Yeah, pin them to the route
(06:06):
where they were taken. And this all feeds into some
kind of summary. Yeah, a new 3D fly over feature.
It creates these customised videos of your route mixing in
your voice, pins, photos, videos, key stats, plus new
sharing templates. It makes your activity a dynamic
story you can share. That does sound cool re
experiencing the journey and I saw these pins can be specific
(06:28):
to the activity. Yeah, clever touch.
Like water stops for gravel biking, catch locations for
fishing, maybe hazards for hiking.
They're trying to think about how people actually use these
things. Speaking of fishing, they really
went deep on that, didn't they? Enhanced environmental data
specific fishing modes. They did.
Seems like a clear targeting of a niche market. 8 specific modes
(06:49):
Fly, lure, kayak, fishing, etcetera.
Log catches Track best times based on conditions mark spots.
Using tide data, moon phases. Exactly.
All integrated with real time environmental data to help you
fish smarter. You could even save up to five
locations in the app to check conditions before you go out.
That's pretty specialised. OK, let's pivot to, well, the
(07:10):
bread and butter for an outdoor watch, navigation and mapping.
What's the Nomad packing there? It's got dual frequency or dual
band GNSS. OK, explain that simply.
Like better accuracy in tricky spots.
Pretty much. Think of it as the watch having
two years listening for satellite signals on different
frequencies. It's much better at filtering
out bad signals bounced off buildings or blocked by dense
(07:32):
trees. So more precise tracks in cities
or forests. Exactly 1 reviewer called it
Koros's most accurate GPS watch they've ever made, said the
tracks were nearly flawless. And maps, Does it have proper
maps? Yes, full global offline colour
maps with street names, points of interest and importantly, a
visual difference between roads and trails.
(07:54):
Trails are dotted lines. Super helpful.
Offline maps are crucial and theresponsiveness we heard it was
fast, but is it usable on the wrist?
Panning around, that's a major highlight according to multiple
sources. Super fast, probably one of the
fastest, most responsive map experiences.
DC Rainmaker even called it easily best in class.
OK, that's impressive. Navigation tools back to start
(08:15):
off course. Warnings.
Yep. Checkpoint navigation, back to
start, deviation alerts if you wonder off course, and touch
screen map control. You can also reverse routes in
the Corros app. Any limitations on the NAV
front? A few no automatic rerouting on
the watch. If you go off course it just
gives you a compass direction back to the planned route, no?
OK, not like Garmin's rerouting.Right.
(08:37):
Also LAX Climb Pro like pages showing upcoming climbs which
their Durabyte computer has but not the watches.
And map downloads are sometimes only available in big chunks,
like whole countries, not smaller regions.
And syncing routes from Strava or commute still manual.
Yes, still requires a manual sync to the watch, not seamless
cloud sync. OK, good to know.
(08:57):
So features in NAV covered. How does it actually perform?
Let's talk accuracy GPS first. Does that dual frequency deliver
in real tests? Yeah, sources say it's very
strong, even boringly perfect. It did great even in tough spots
like New York City streets, handling stops, building
canyons, underpasses. Compared very well against other
dual frequency watches. Mostly nearly flawless tracks,
(09:20):
just occasional minor blips likeslight overshoots.
What about swimming? Open water is always tricky.
Described as one of the best Coral Slims to date.
Very solid. So yeah, the dual frequency
really seems to deliver on accuracy.
That's genuinely impressive, especially for the price point.
How about the altimeter and the wrist heart rate?
Altimeter generally lined up well with other good devices and
(09:43):
things like Strava's corrected elevation.
Maybe a couple of minor high readings on some rides, but
mostly consistent. And the heart rate wrist HR is
always a mixed bag. It did really well for indoor
cycling, almost matching chest straps.
Outdoor cycling was pretty well so wandering on really rough
gravel. Really good results for running,
even with changing paces. The usual challenges came with
(10:05):
weight training and HIE. Lots of arm movement and
gripping, but it's still trendedpretty well.
No huge errors. So the verdict on HR?
Overall good but not great. Seems fair, but reviewers felt
it was the best implementation of the Koros HR algorithms to
date. And you can always pair a
Bluetooth chest strap if you need top tier HR accuracy.
(10:26):
Makes sense? OK, shifting gears to training
and Wellness, what is the Nomad offer beyond tracking the
activity itself, Progress, recovery, health?
It's got over 40 built in sport modes.
Running, cycling, climbing, swimming, those fishing modes,
triathlon, strength, yoga, you name it.
Customizable data, screens, up to 8 fields per page, alerts all
(10:48):
the standard stuff. And the Evalab metrics,
training, load recovery. Yep, it integrates with Koros
Evalab so you get training load,base fitness, training status,
recovery timer, running fitness,race predictor, VO2 Max
estimates. I remember Desfit mentioned
something about the training load calculation, like a rolling
seven day load being sort of introduced.
What's that about? Yeah, that was a bit of an
oddity at launch, he noted. Koros was sort of introducing
(11:11):
it, but it only showed up properly on one specific widget
in the app. Other views still reset weekly.
Which isn't ideal for tracking cumulative fatigue, right?
Especially for, say, an ultra runner.
Exactly. For someone training for an
ultra, seeing that continuous buildup of stress over weeks is
crucial for managing load and recovery.
Koros did say they plan to implement a full 7 day rolling
(11:33):
load across the board, which is good.
But as it stands, it provides the metrics, but maybe the
interpretation or usefulness isn't quite perfect yet.
Some reviewers found the race predictions or VO2 Max estimates
a bit off. Yeah, some found estimates like
VO2 Max or race times consistently underestimated or
FTP estimates a little bit high didn't always match up with
(11:53):
actual performance or recent tests.
So the training feedback is useful, but maybe not perfect by
any means. Needs context.
OK. And what about just daily
tracking sleep stress, that kindof thing?
Smart feature. It monitors daily stuff, sleep
duration phases, quality, thoughsleep stage accuracy isn't its
strong suit. Tracks HRV which match other
(12:13):
devices well, resting heart rate, daily stress set PO2 for
altitude and has a Wellness check feature.
Smart features, notifications, music, payments.
Get smartphone notifications fine.
Music is MP3 files only. You have to manually load them.
No Spotify or Deezer streaming. OK, no music streaming is a
drawback for some, definitely. Also no NFC payments and no
(12:35):
third party App Store like Garmin's Connect IQ.
Right, Connect IQ is a big ecosystem for Garmin apps Watch
faces. Huge.
It allows for a lot more personalization and adding
features Chorus doesn't offer natively.
The Nomad does have the screen extender feature to mirror data
on your phone and live track safety alerts, but those need
your phone's connection. And that microphone we talked
(12:57):
about just for voice pins. Yep, only voice pins.
No taking calls on the watch or using a Voice Assistant.
Gotcha. OK, let's place the nomad within
the Koros family. How does it compare to its
siblings? It feels like it's filling a
specific slot. Same price as the Pace Pro $349
but aiming for more durability and outdoor focus without
(13:17):
hitting Apex or verdicts. Material cost.
It's not replacing anything. So versus the Pace Pro at the
same price, what are the key differences?
Pace Pro has an AMOLED screen, Nomad has the MIP better for
outdoor battery visibility, but the Nomad adds the hardened
mineral glass, the aluminium bezel bit that newer MIP display
full offline maps. Maps are a big one.
Huge. Plus the action button, the
(13:38):
voice pins make weather widget, phishing modes, the photo video
integration. It's packing a lot more
adventure stuff for the same money.
Sounds like a clear step up for outdoor users at that price.
Rice. What about against the next tier
U the apex 2 pro that's 449. OK.
Versus the Apex 2 Pro, Nomad is actually lighter 61G versus 66
G. Both have the same 13 inch 260
(13:59):
by 260 display, but Nomads is the newer, brighter third Gen
MIP. But the apex has better
materials right? Sapphire.
Apex 2 Pro has sapphire glass which is much more scratch
resistant and grade 5 titanium for the bezel cover.
Nomad has the hardened mineral glass and Palmer aluminium
combo. Interesting trade off.
What about battery life between those two?
Here's where it gets interesting.
The Nomad actually boasts betterbattery life in the demanding
(14:22):
GPS modes. All systems on is 50 hours for
Nomad versus 41 for Apex 2 Pro. Yep, and dual frequency mode is
34 hours for Nomad versus 24 forApex 2 Pro.
Wow, so for someone doing multi day events, the cheaper nomad
might actually last longer in G mode.
It seems so. That's a significant wait for
(14:43):
the Nomad. Both have 32DB memory, same 5
ATM water resistance. It really highlights that
battery performance isn't solelytied to price tier here.
That's a potential game changer for ultra endurance folks.
OK, and against the big boss, the Verdex 2S at $699.
Obviously different price league, but how does it compare
on paper? Nomad is much lighter and
smaller than the Verdex 2S87-G. Verdex 2S has a bigger 1.4 inch
(15:07):
screen, higher resolution, even more premium materials,
sapphire, titanium and higher ten ATM water resistance.
Battery verdict still king theiroverall.
Generally, yes, the Verdicts 2S boast longer overall battery
life figures, but the Nomad's duration is still seriously
impressive for its price. And notably, all three Nomad
Apex 2 Pro Verdicts 2 S share the exact same all satellite
(15:28):
dual frequency GNSS chip. So top tier GPS accuracy isn't
reserved for the most expensive model.
Exactly. You get that core accuracy
across this range. That's a big plus for Koros
lineup all. Right now for the main event
Nomad versus Garmin Instinct, specifically the Instinct 3
Series, this feels like the corebattleground.
Is the Nomad the Instinct killersome are suggesting?
(15:51):
Well, it's definitely a fierce fight.
The Nomad certainly throws down a gauntlet, especially on Price.
Remember, Nomad is $349, the Instinct 3 AMOLED is $499, and
the Solar is $400. So right off the bat, Chorus has
a price advantage. A significant one.
Reviewers definitely see it as agood deal for the features
packed in. So what are the nomads biggest
(16:12):
wins over the Instinct 3 according to the sources?
The absolute #1 highlighted by DC Rainmaker as a massive
omission for Instinct 3 is full offline maps.
Nomad has them, Instinct 3 doesn't at all.
Correct, Nomad has proper detailed offline colour maps
with streets. Poi's Instinct 3 just doesn't
have that level of mapping, which feels like a major miss
(16:34):
for an outdoor watch. Wow.
OK, that's huge. What else?
Price Obviously touchscreen Nomad has a MIP touchscreen.
Neither Instinct 3 model does, which apparently was a huge
surprise from Garmin. No touch screen on the new
instincts. Interesting.
Yeah, and map speed. We talked about how fast the
nomads maps are easily best in class.
(16:54):
Garmin maps can sometimes take like 10 seconds plus to fully
render. That's a big usability
difference on the trail. Definitely.
And finally, the 5K runner mentioned that the Nomad
software felt more stable duringpre release testing compared to
the Instinct 3's launch firmware, which apparently had
some early issues. OK, those are strong points for
Nomad Vaps, price, touchscreen speed, stability.
(17:16):
But Garmin's the giant here. What advantages does the
Instinct 3 still hold? Garmin definitely still has key
strengths. The built in LED flashlight on
the Instinct 3. That's a massive practical
feature. Reviewers love calling it almost
a can't live without thing. Nomad doesn't have one.
Flashlight is definitely handy. What else?
Battery life, specifically on the Instinct 3 solar.
(17:37):
It offers far longer battery life, potentially even unlimited
GPS battery life in some modes. With enough sun.
It's solar charging is apparently much more effective
now. Nomad has no solar.
Right Solar is a big Garmin play.
And then the whole ecosystem. Garmin has the vast Connect IQ,
App Store apps, watch faces, data fields, Just way more
customization and extended features.
(17:59):
More smart features too, presumably music payments.
Exactly. Music streaming services like
Spotify directly on the watch Garmin pay for NFC payments.
Nomad has neither. Garmin also arguably has more
nuance to the sports and health metrics within its broader
platform. And navigation features.
Any edge there for Garmin? Yes, the Instinct 3 offers on
(18:19):
device rerouting. If you go off course, Nomad, as
we said, just points you back. So it really is a trade off
isn't it? Nomad wins on maps, price, maybe
map speed and touchscreen. Instinct.
Three wins on flashlights, solarbattery potential, app
ecosystem, smart features like payments, music, and on device
rerouting. That sums it up pretty well.
It depends entirely on what you,the user, prioritise for your
(18:40):
adventures. And DC Rainmaker also pointed
out something interesting about Garmin's own lineup.
Right how the Instinct 3 pricingsits awkwardly.
Yeah, he made a good point with the Instinct 3 priced at 400,
500 older but arguably more feature rich Garmin models like
the Phoenix 7 around $429 or Epics Gen two 399 seven, $490.00
(19:04):
suddenly look very appealing. Because they do have offline
mapping Wi-Fi music. Exactly features the Instinct 3
lacks, sometimes for less money than the Instinct 3 AMOLED.
It makes the Instinct 3's value proposition, especially the lack
of maps, seem a bit strange within Garmin's own range.
A confusing internal dynamic forGarmin buyers, perhaps?
OK, let's wrap this deep dive up.
(19:26):
Final verdict on the chorus nomad.
Where does it land? Is it a real contender?
I think the consensus from reviewers is yes, it's a good
watch targeted at the right people for the the right price.
It delivers solid accuracy, especially GPS, and those map
features are genuinely impressive.
Definitely enough to quote embarrass the more expensive
Garmin Instinct. Who's the ideal user then?
Probably outdoor adventurers, hikers, maybe those anglers who
(19:48):
want a really feature rich GPS watch but are price conscious,
especially if good maps are highon the list.
Could be great for a first time serious GPS adventure.
Watch buyer or someone may be burned by cheaper options that
didn't deliver. And areas where Quoros could
still improve the nomad. Maybe future updates?
(20:09):
The main things mentioned, we'refully implementing that rolling
seven day training load properlyacross the app, maybe expanding
the voice note use so it doesn'talways need GPS active like for
quick voice memos anytime. Yeah, that'd be handy.
And maybe making the action button customization a bit more
intuitive. But overall, the Nomad brings
excellent mapping and that unique journaling capability to
(20:30):
a really competitive price. It's definitely shaking things
up. It really does seem to offer a
compelling package, especially pulling that top tier GPS and
mapping down to this price. It's not just tracking where you
went, but helping you tell the story of the adventure.
Exactly. It really makes you think,
doesn't it? With a watch focused on
journaling the experience, what adventures would you want to
capture and what kind of story would your data actually tell?
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