At first glance, the COROS NOMAD could easily be mistaken for a Garmin Instinct. Its appearance—complete with a metal ring around the plastic bezel—is strikingly similar. However, a closer look reveals that both brands borrow design elements from each other, with Garmin’s early models even taking cues from Casio.

Retailing at $349, the COROS NOMAD offers a $50 to $150 price advantage over the latest Garmin Instinct 3 models, yet it comes packed with features that put Garmin’s offerings to shame. Unlike the Instinct series, the NOMAD boasts full-color maps, voice notes with geotagging, music playback, and a dedicated suite of fishing modes—none of which the Instinct provides.

Of course, every watch has its drawbacks. Garmin Instinct models come with built-in LED flashlights, various size options, and solar energy capabilities that greatly extend battery life. The real question is: how do these options stack up against what the COROS NOMAD brings to the table?

What Sets the COROS NOMAD Apart?

Though the NOMAD is a new line for COROS, it’s best considered a more advanced version of the COROS Pace. Alternatively, you could view it as a more affordable iteration of the recent COROS APEX 2. Comparatively speaking, the NOMAD shares similarities with the COROS Pace, which is the company’s budget offering at $229.

Key Upgrades in the NOMAD:

The innovations in the NOMAD compared to the COROS Pace include:

– Enhanced mineral glass display.

– Aluminum reinforcement in the plastic bezel.

– A brighter, higher-contrast 1.3” MIP touch display.

– Full offline maps with 32GB storage.

– New customizable ‘Action’ button.

– Dual microphones for voice notes.

– A weather widget with saved locations.

– Improved offline map features, including street names and POI databases.

– Advanced fishing modes for various fishing activities.

– Ability to save photos/videos of completed activities through the app.

Daily Use Experience:

Starting with everyday usage, the COROS NOMAD keeps things user-friendly with three physical buttons, including a customizable Action Button on the left. The 1.3” touchscreen is bright and responsive, allowing users to swipe through screens easily. The NOMAD’s upgrades make it easily distinguishable from its predecessor, particularly in its clear and vibrant display.

Track Your Sports and Activities:

For sports enthusiasts, the NOMAD doesn’t disappoint. It includes an extensive range of activity profiles, such as running, cycling, swimming, and even niche sports like dairy cow tipping and a variety of fishing modes. Users can also customize data fields for each sport profile through the COROS app.

Unleashing the Voice Pins Feature:

One standout feature of the NOMAD is its voice pins capability. Users can capture geo-tagged voice notes during activities, though it requires GPS access and is somewhat cumbersome to navigate. However, once recorded, these notes are easily accessible and even transcribed for easier retrieval.

Advanced Mapping & Navigation:

The COROS NOMAD features robust navigation capabilities with offline maps. Users can select routes, receive turn-by-turn navigation, and benefit from newly added features like street names and POIs. While it doesn't offer the same flexibility as some competitors, its high-quality map rendering and tracking performance are noteworthy.

Fishing Features Galore!

COROS is stepping into the fishing market with features tailored for fishing enthusiasts. The NOMAD provides specific modes for various fishing styles and includes logging capabilities to track catches, environmental data, and optimal fishing times.

Accuracy and Performance:

Testing the NOMAD in challenging environments, such as dense forests and urban landscapes, revealed strong GPS accuracy and reliable heart rate monitoring, though there are still areas for improvement in heart rate accuracy compared to leading models.

Final Thoughts:

The COROS NOMAD stands as a compelling option in the smartwatch market, particularly for outdoor sports enthusiasts. With its array of features, robust build, and advantageous pricing, it poses a serious challenge to competitors like the Garmin Instinct 3. While there are areas needing refinement—such as navigation details and heart rate precision—the NOMAD ultimately delivers a fantastic value.

For those looking for an affordable, feature-packed alternative in outdoor smartwatches, the COROS NOMAD is a worthy contender.