Español The Garmin Epix today shares the limelight with the rest of the models in the range. Garmin Fenix 7 which has also been presented at the same time. Garmin has decided to keep the name Garmin Epix when in fact it is the second version of this model.
With today's announcement Garmin renews a model that launched back in 2015 and that differed from the rest of the manufacturer's range by having maps to navigate routes. This time the Garmin Epix stands out with respect to the Fenix 7 for being the first watch in Garmin's "performance" range to use a full-color AMOLED display.
So Garmin brings together all that has been learned with the Venu range and combines it with the Fenix range. From these parents the Garmin Epix is born.
Differences Garmin Epix and Garmin Fenix 7
Compared to the 47mm Fenix 7, the Garmin Epix is the same watch, but with a AMOLED screen. This is the main difference between the two models, because while the Garmin Epix is committed to a full color display, the Fenix 7 continues to offer a traditional transflective display.
The difference in the type of screen used leads to a shorter battery life for the Epix. An AMOLED screen has a noticeable impact on the battery of any device, but it is up to the user to choose between extended battery life or a higher quality screen.
Otherwise, both Garmin Epix and Garmin Fenix 7 are exactly the same in all other respects.
AMOLED display in Garmin Epix
The display of the Epix is the same as the one you can find on the Garmin Venu 2 and Venu 2 Plus. At 1.3″ in size and with a resolution of 454×454 pixels the appearance of the watch changes quite a bit, especially when worn indoors.
As in the Venu and in the Fenix 7 is touch technology, so podrás handle the watch by sliding your finger across the screen. This is going to be especially useful when we are using maps for navigation.
By the way, it is during the use of maps where we will most poder appreciate the colors and resolution offered by an AMOLED display when compared to transflective technology.
But what does the use of the AMOLED screen on the Epix entail? For starters a decrease in autonomy both in daily mode and with GPS use.
And to round out the absences, the Garmin Epix also lacks solar charging.
News Garmin Epix 2nd generation
If you have already gone through the Garmin Fenix 7 article you can skip this section because except for the display everything else is the same. If you're coming straight to the details of the Garmin Epix then read on.
- 1.3″ AMOLED touch screen (same as Garmin Venu 2)
- 5 control buttons for clock operation
- Garmin Elevate V4 Optical Pulse Sensor, which was released with the Garmin Venu 2
- Multiband system on sapphire crystal models
- New "Stamina" metric
- Possibility to change settings from the watch or, finally, also from the mobile application
- HIIT profile for recording activity, with animated workouts and instructions. It was released with the Garmin Venu 2
- Versions with Gorilla Glass or sapphire crystal glass
- Visual race forecast. The same forecast for different distances as up to now but with a graph where podrue see the trend of the last 4 weeks.
- Stamina function, an algorithm that allows you to manage your effort during a full ride by indicating your remaining energy. Very similar to what Xert.
- TopoActive maps of Europe and possibility of downloading worldwide via WiFi
- POI navigation screen showing the remaining distance to the points of interest you have marked on your route
- Direct access from the watch to the Connect IQ store to update items via WiFi
- 16GB capacity on Garmin Epix, 32GB capacity on Garmin Epix with sapphire glass
- Prices from 899€.
As you can see, almost the same specifications as in the case of the Fenix 7, so if you want to know the details of the main new features I recommend you to take a look at the article from presentation of the Garmin Fenix 7.
Autonomy Garmin Epix
If you hesitate when choosing between the Garmin Fenix 7 or the Garmin Epix what you should take into account is the maximum autonomy available on the Epix. Beyond the technology used for the display is what you should take into account.
In the following table I compare the range between the Epix and the 47mm Fenix 7.
| Garmin Epix | Garmin Fenix 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Smart watch mode | 16 days (6 days on screen always active) | 18 days (22 days Fenix 7 Solar) |
| GPS only | 42 hours (30 hours with screen always active) | 57 hours (73 hours Fenix 7 Solar) |
| All satellites | 32 hours (24 hours with screen always on) | 40 hours (48 hours Fenix 7 Solar) |
| All satellites + music | 10 hours (9 hours with screen always active) | 10 hours |
| All satellites + multiband | 20 hours (15 hours with screen always active) | 24 hours (26 hours Fenix 7 Solar) |
| GPS Expedition | 14 days | 40 days (74 days Fenix 7 Solar) |
As you can see, the battery life is shorter in the case of the Epix, but I don't think this is a decisive factor in the choice. Obviously the Fenix 7 has a longer battery life, but the battery life offered by the Epix is more than sufficient.
32 hours with multiple GPS use is a more than reasonable figure and totally sufficient unless you are going to do ultra-distance races or large expeditions.
Garmin Epix, availability and price
Obviously the main barrier to entry to get a Garmin Epix is the price. The base model costs £899 (which is the same as a Garmin Fenix 7X Solar), rising to £999 with the titanium bezel and sapphire crystal, plus another £100 for the titanium/sapphire with leather strap.
As for availability, you can buy it today.
Buy Garmin Epix
Opinion Garmin Epix
The arrival of a high-end watch from Garmin with an AMOLED display was pretty much a foregone conclusion. The possibility had already been hinted at for some time and is the most natural path to take. Garmin also doesn't get its fingers burned by using the Fenix 7 as a base along with the Venu 2 display.
Garmin has waited for poder to offer a watch with a more than respectable autonomy. It does not reach the figures of Fenix 7, but we are talking about numbers that very recently were the ones we had in most watches that we considered to have a good autonomy.
But without any doubt I think the biggest problem we are going to find with the price. It is true that this is a niche model, but paying an additional €200 compared to the Fenix 7 for the simple fact of having an AMOLED screen seems excessive.
There are no other features that justify the additional outlay beyond having a screen that will be more eye-catching indoors and in everyday use, but remember that for daylight sport use transflective screens remain the best choice in terms of visibility.
And with that... thanks for reading!
The Fenix or Garmin in general should extend the use of the life of the load, by means of solar cells or the same light .... I don't know if the Casios ever charge only with the light of a light bulb or face to the sun so they should be for the excessive selling price, I have always bought them but the technology tends to become cheaper, and the Solar is not new they come from the beginning of 2000.
Garmin is slowly losing space to other brands' ranges. It is time for solar to stay at 100% and prices to become more affordable.
Well, they look very little alike. Casio's need to power a small monochrome display and at most one or two sensors. Any sports watch has much higher power demands.
The optical pulse sensor is also different from the Fenix 7, isn't it?
No, both use the same sensor, the Garmin Elevate v4.
Hello:
I'm used to read the comments on these websites and in particular yours, congratulations. The Epix 2 tell you that is the watch I've been waiting a ¨siglo¨y I explain, large screen for > 45 years like me, amoled that serves me for work and for sports (I do almost daily), and I do not like to change watches because as I get to know the watch, ¨he knows me to me ¨.with a duration of about 5 or 6 days with GPS almost daily but one or two hours, and in Smartwatch mode 16 days, I'm doing great. The price, if I think it goes a little of the límetes, but it is a high-end sports watch and today mention me a árelos with these carateristicas (recognized sports brand) and that lasts the same !!!, there is not because the Apple Watch, ahem ... better not talk ... this light years away from this garmin !!!: a greeting ....
Thank you, Carlos.
Is the 16gb enough? Once downloaded maps of Europe, some songs, etc.? It seems that there is little memory left for the rest of the situations that the watch needs.
If you just want to have a map pack and some music, more than enough. The rest of the data hardly takes up any memory space.