Garmin Epix Pro review: Should you buy it?

To the enjoyment of petite and wide-wristed customers in all places, the Epix Pro is now accessible in three sizes: 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm. These are the identical sizes discovered within the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro collection which launched in tandem. As when Garmin added a second dimension to its Instinct 2 lineup, I gratefully tip my hat to the corporate for extra inclusive choices.

With that out of the way in which, there are many treats in each the brand new Epix and Fenix goodie baggage. I already coated many in our Fenix 7 Pro assessment, however I’ll contact on a couple of shortly as a refresher:

• Endurance Score and Hill Score: Two new metrics for superior coaching, Endurance Score measures customers’ capability to maintain efficiency, whereas Hill Score measures customers’ energy and energy on incline grades larger than 2%.
• Weather map overlays: While very cool, climate overlays can solely be accessed from the climate widget. They will not be displayed over in-use maps like throughout a hike, which is what we have been hoping to see.
• Split display screen and perimeter information pages: Additional display screen views preserve stats in view alongside maps so you’re not left toggling between information and instructions.
• Relief shading on maps: Automatically added to all maps, aid shading makes it simpler to interpret the landscapes you’re protecting.
• New sport modes: 30 extra exercise modes embody a slew of staff sports activities in addition to extra area of interest modes like motocross.

Since all of the above will be discovered on each multisport strains, distinguishing between the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro fashions primarily boils right down to show. On the Epix Pro, customers will discover a vibrant, colourful AMOLED touchscreen. The Fenix Pro opts for a Memory in Pixel (MIP) show to be able to stretch battery life. That show additionally harnesses and faucets into photo voltaic charging which the Epix Pro doesn’t. On the opposite hand, the Epix Pro gives quick charging that can energy up your machine in beneath an hour, which the Fenix 7 Pro, sadly, doesn’t.

The Epix Pro line additionally provides Garmin’s LED flashlight which I already beloved on the Fenix 7 Pro; a flashlight strapped to your wrist is extra helpful than you’d suppose. Whether you like to camp or simply usually depend on your cellular phone to mild up your storage, the Epix Pro now has you coated.

In addition to this standard function, the Epix Pro additionally provides one other software for late-night use. Tucked into the Garmin Epix Pro’s management menu customers will now discover Red Shift Mode (pictured above). This overlay turns every thing on the display screen into red-only hues, from the watch face to coaching metrics, to the deepest menu you can discover. The concept in fact is that crimson mild preserves evening imaginative and prescient. This is the kind of function that gained’t get subject minutes from each person. Those who do use it although will love the comfort. Plus, even when you simply wish to really feel like a part of a tactical unit at 2 AM on the way in which to the lavatory, Red Shift Mode is the play.

Back to the {hardware}, the Epix Pro packs a brand-new Elevate Gen 5 optical coronary heart fee sensor. In addition to updating its algorithms, Garmin spaced out the sensor’s LEDs for higher accuracy, particularly throughout exercises with extra wrist motion. After one week of testing, it’s clear that area is ace. The sensor proved extremely correct in comparison with my chest strap all through this Garmin Epix Pro assessment, together with throughout weight lifting and circuit coaching.

At current, Garmin’s ECG app continues to be solely accessible on the Garmin Venu 2 Plus, but it surely appears probably this up to date sensor package deal may assist that function sooner or later as nicely. For now, the center fee accuracy, coupled with multi-band GNNS assist throughout the board, makes this a implausible health tracker. GPS routes recorded by my Epix Pro have been among the most correct I’ve dug into.

Finally, the Epix Pro additionally gives considerably up to date battery life on its greatest watch. The 51mm mannequin will now last as long as 31 days in smartwatch mode or 58 hours in GPS solely. This is excellent efficiency for a tool with an AMOLED show. With my miniature wrists, I examined the 42mm possibility as an alternative which incorporates a a lot smaller cell, and its personal extra humble battery life specs. Still, the watch simply made it three to 4 days with about an hour of GPS exercises per day. If you don’t thoughts disabling the always-on show, Garmin claims as much as 10 days between costs.

All of that stated, the Epix Pro isn’t with out its quirks. Primarily, the brand new coaching options don’t appear absolutely baked simply but. It’s additionally very attainable that extra information and exercises will enhance that have although so I’m not overly apprehensive. Notably, all new software program options may even roll again to the earlier technology. Upgrading from the Gen 2 is simply worthwhile if you’d love another case dimension or in case your coronary heart’s set on a flashlight (which we absolutely assist).

The Epix Pro isn’t the one possibility for athletes on the lookout for a robust health companion. Check out a couple of of those alternate options as nicely.

• Garmin Epix (Gen 2) ($889.99 at Amazon): The Epix Pro’s older sibling, the Epix (Gen 2) is available in only one case dimension and gained’t have the identical coronary heart fee sensor or built-in flashlight. However, it’s a formidable machine now prone to go on sale.
• Garmin Forerunner 965 ($889.99 at Amazon): A Garmin wearable with an equally enticing AMOLED show, the Forerunner 965 is our high suggestion for devoted runners.
• Fenix 7 Pro ($799.99 at Amazon): Though the 51mm Epix Pro gives a powerful battery, true endurance athletes on the lookout for hours and hours of GPS monitoring will nonetheless probably discover the Fenix 7 Pro a greater match with its MIP show and photo voltaic charging.
• Apple Watch Ultra ($799 at Amazon): The finest smartwatch for adventurous iOS customers stays the Apple Watch Ultra. It doesn’t provide the identical degree of coaching options, but it surely’s a sturdy machine with correct monitoring instruments.