COROS PACE 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 165 β Which Should Australian Runners Buy?
The COROS PACE 3 and Garmin Forerunner 165 are the two most debated GPS watches in the AU$300-400 price range. Both are excellent. But they are built around completely different priorities. Here is how to choose.
The Most Common GPS Watch Decision in Australia Right Now
Walk into any running store in Australia and ask for a GPS watch recommendation under AU$400 and you will almost certainly be shown one of two options: the COROS PACE 3 or the Garmin Forerunner 165. Both represent exceptional value. Both are genuinely capable running watches. And both have loyal followings among Australian runners for good reason.
But they are built around fundamentally different priorities β and choosing the wrong one for your needs is a mistake that is frustrating to live with for two or three years. This comparison cuts through the marketing to help you make the right call.
The Numbers Side by Side
- COROS PACE 3: AU$299 | 30g | MIP display | 38hr GPS | 17-day smartwatch | Dual-frequency GPS | Running power
- Garmin Forerunner 165: AU$349-399 | 39g | AMOLED display | 19hr GPS | 11-day smartwatch | Single-frequency GPS | Garmin ecosystem
GPS Accuracy β Closer Than You Think
On paper the COROS PACE 3 wins on GPS: dual-frequency GPS using five satellite systems versus the Forerunner 165's single-frequency setup. In practice, the difference is meaningful in specific conditions and negligible in others.
On open roads and footpaths β the majority of running in Australia β both watches track accurately. Distance errors in testing were under 1% for both watches on a measured 10km road route.
The gap opens up under tree canopy and in urban canyons. Testing on a Blue Mountains trail with heavy eucalyptus coverage showed the PACE 3 maintaining accuracy while the Forerunner 165 drifted noticeably on tight switchbacks. For Australian trail runners, this is a meaningful real-world advantage for the COROS.
For road runners in suburbs and parks, the difference is academic. Both watches will serve you well.
Winner: COROS PACE 3 for trail running, near-equal on roads.
Battery Life β COROS Wins Decisively
This is the most significant practical difference between the two watches and it matters more than most people expect before they own a GPS watch.
The COROS PACE 3 offers 38 hours GPS and 17 days smartwatch mode. The Garmin Forerunner 165 offers 19 hours GPS and 11 days smartwatch mode. The COROS nearly doubles the Garmin on both metrics.
In practice this means charging the COROS roughly once a fortnight versus every four to five days for the Garmin. Forget to charge the Garmin for a few days before a long run and you are scrambling. The COROS forgives this completely.
For ultramarathon runners and anyone doing events over 15 hours, the Forerunner 165 simply cannot complete many Australian trail events β Six Foot Track Marathon, Gold Coast 100, Ultra-Trail Australia β without creative battery management. The PACE 3 handles most of these comfortably in standard GPS mode.
Winner: COROS PACE 3, clearly.
Display β Garmin Wins Clearly
The Garmin Forerunner 165 has a bright AMOLED touchscreen. The COROS PACE 3 has a MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) display. The difference is obvious the moment you see both side by side.
AMOLED displays are vivid, colourful, and have deep blacks that make data easy to read at a glance. The Forerunner 165 is genuinely attractive as a daily watch β you would not feel self-conscious wearing it to work or dinner.
The PACE 3's MIP display is functional. It is perfectly clear in direct Australian sunlight β actually clearer than AMOLED in very bright conditions, which is relevant for Australian summer running β but it looks utilitarian compared to the Garmin. In low light it is adequate but unremarkable.
If you care about your watch looking good off the run, the Garmin is the better choice.
Winner: Garmin Forerunner 165, clearly.
Smartwatch Features β Garmin Wins
The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a more capable daily smartwatch. It offers smartphone notifications, music storage and playback, a broad Connect IQ app store, and deep integration with third-party apps. Garmin's ecosystem β built over decades β is the most mature in the running watch category.
The COROS PACE 3 handles notifications and has music storage, but its smartwatch capabilities are minimal beyond these basics. There is no payment capability, no ANT+ for gym equipment, and no equivalent to Garmin's Connect IQ app store. The COROS is a running watch that also functions as a watch. The Garmin is closer to a running-focused smartwatch.
For Australian runners who use their watch heavily off the run β tracking sleep, getting phone notifications throughout the day, using health monitoring features β the Garmin experience is more polished and capable.
Winner: Garmin Forerunner 165.
Running Metrics β COROS Has a Hidden Advantage
Both watches track all the standard running metrics: pace, distance, heart rate, cadence, elevation, VO2 max, and training load. At this point they are near-equal.
The COROS PACE 3 edges ahead on one specific metric: running power. Most running watches require a chest strap accessory (AU$100+) to calculate running power. The PACE 3 calculates it from the wrist, giving you effort-based training data on Australian hills without additional equipment.
Garmin counters with better recovery analytics. Body Battery and the daily readiness score on the Forerunner 165 give a more nuanced picture of your day-to-day fatigue than COROS's recovery time estimate. For runners who follow structured training plans, Garmin's recovery data is genuinely more actionable.
Winner: Draw β COROS for power data, Garmin for recovery analytics.
Weight and Comfort
The COROS PACE 3 weighs 30g with its nylon band β one of the lightest GPS watches available at any price point. The Garmin Forerunner 165 weighs 39g. Neither feels heavy on the wrist, but the difference is noticeable when running, particularly on long efforts where even small weights accumulate as fatigue.
Both watches are comfortable for 24/7 wear. The COROS's slimmer profile makes it marginally better for sleep tracking without disturbing sleep.
Winner: COROS PACE 3.
Price
In Australia, the COROS PACE 3 typically retails at AU$299 while the Garmin Forerunner 165 sits at AU$349-399 depending on the retailer and whether it includes music storage. The COROS is roughly AU$50-100 cheaper for comparable base functionality.
Winner: COROS PACE 3.
The Verdict β Which Should You Buy?
Choose the COROS PACE 3 if you:
- Run trails or do events longer than 15 hours β battery life is critical
- Run under heavy tree canopy regularly β dual-frequency GPS makes a real difference
- Prioritise running performance data over smartwatch features
- Regularly forget to charge your watch
- Want running power without buying a chest strap
- Are primarily a runner, not a smartwatch user
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 165 if you:
- Want an attractive watch you would wear to work or dinner as well as running
- Value Garmin's mature ecosystem and Connect IQ apps
- Do mostly road running under 4 hours where battery differences do not matter
- Want better recovery analytics and daily readiness data
- Are a beginner runner who benefits from Garmin Coach's guided training plans
- Would use music storage and smartwatch notifications heavily
Our Pick for Most Australian Runners
For pure running value, the COROS PACE 3 wins. It is cheaper, lighter, has better GPS accuracy in tough conditions, and nearly double the battery life. These are the metrics that matter most when you are actually running.
For runners who want a more complete daily companion β something that looks good, integrates with a mature ecosystem, and functions as a capable smartwatch as well as a running watch β the Garmin Forerunner 165 is worth the premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the COROS PACE 3 better than Garmin Forerunner 165 for trail running?
Yes, primarily because of dual-frequency GPS accuracy under tree canopy and significantly longer battery life. For trail events over 15 hours, the PACE 3 is the more practical choice for Australian conditions.
Which has better training features β COROS or Garmin?
Both are strong. COROS includes running power from the wrist. Garmin has better recovery analytics and daily readiness data. For structured training plans, Garmin's Garmin Coach feature is more beginner-friendly.
Can I use the COROS PACE 3 with Strava in Australia?
Yes. The COROS app connects to Strava, TrainingPeaks, and Apple Health. Automatic syncing works reliably and setup takes a few minutes.
