Nearly a year after releasing the second-generation version of their Epix smartwatch family, Garmin has released a mid-generation update known as the Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2). The particular version I am reviewing today on aBlogtoWatch is the Epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition model, which is 47mm wide. Admittedly, this naming convention is a little confusing, but so are many of the versions of the Epix smartwatches currently on sale from Garmin. The one I will be focusing on is the Epix Pro (Gen 2), which comes in three case sizes: 42, 47, and 51mm wide. The Epix Pro Gen 2 is available in both sapphire and Gorilla Glass crystal versions, as well as this white color and natural titanium version, or a combination of a dark gray DLC-coated titanium case and an all-black look for the watch. Garmin offers a truly dizzying array of options, but if you can sort them out, we’d say they’re all among the best activity-tracking smartwatches on the market.
Garmin still sells the Epix Gen 2 model that I reviewed last year. It’s now $100 cheaper than it originally was, putting the Epix Pro (Gen 2) in the same price range as last year’s original model. On the plus side, it’s nice to see that Garmin hasn’t increased the price of this upgrade. The concern for consumers is that Garmin is releasing new models so quickly that they’ll hesitate to upgrade with each new product cycle. This is what happened with Apple and the iPhone, where many consumers intentionally skipped entire generations because new models weren’t innovative enough or were released faster than consumers could afford to upgrade.
I mention this to let current owners of the Garmin Epix Gen 2 know that while there are certainly upgrades in this Epix Pro (Gen 2) version, you won’t lose much if you choose to wait a little longer before stepping up to the next generation of Garmin smartwatch products. Garmin has kept the case and materials pretty much the same as before, with relatively few changes to the overall look, aside from one major new feature: a flashlight on the case.
The relatively powerful LED-based flashlight built into the Epix Pro Gen 2 is the watch’s major hardware innovation. On previous smartwatches, you’d turn a white version of this screen to full brightness and use it as a makeshift flashlight. Garmin has taken this a step further by designing a case that contains a real flashlight in a convenient location that’s easy to use while the watch is on your wrist. A flashlight may not seem like the most exciting piece of tech, but it’s very useful, and Garmin has integrated it well. You can adjust the settings, but pressing one of the buttons on the case twice will turn the flashlight on. On the watch screen, you can adjust the brightness or turn the light off.
Another major upgrade in hardware is the heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring system. Garmin didn’t go into detail about what the software can do with the more robust system, but it’s easy to see that this part of the Epix Pro Gen 2 caseback is equipped with more lights and sensors than the original Epix Gen 2 model. Other changes include the removal of the green color from one of the case pushers, upgraded internal hardware, and new software and watch faces available. I also believe this version has improved battery life. Battery life is probably the main performance difference between the various 42, 47, and 51mm wide versions of the Epix Pro Gen 2 (obviously the larger model can have a larger battery).
To explain the overall concept and appeal of the Garmin Epix smartwatch line, the collection combines a vibrant AMOLED touchscreen with Garmin’s most sophisticated software and hardware experience. Garmin also sells more expensive smartwatches, such as the luxury-oriented MARQ collection. The main difference is not the hardware or software, but the case material and finish. Garmin also makes other smartwatches (such as the closely related Fenix) with reflective-transparent screens. These are not touchscreens, have lower resolution, and offer fewer colors. However, they have the advantage of consuming much less power and being easier to read in bright conditions. I have used both types of screens on a daily basis, and I much prefer these AMOLED screens, which have a higher resolution and allow you to use the touchscreen in addition to the pushers to operate the software. However, I do want to point out that Garmin has started experimenting with supplemental solar charging for the Fenix ​​7X Solar smartwatch, which will no doubt be of interest to some users.
Garmin offers a variety of battery life modes that can extend the life of the Epix Pro Gen 2 to over two weeks in “smartwatch mode.” We found that a more realistic optimal battery life is closer to six days, which is still pretty good. If you track your activity regularly, this period may be shorter, but Garmin’s smartwatches still lead the market in terms of battery life. If you’re picky about battery life and want to get as much out of it as possible, we recommend looking at other smartwatch models from Garmin with screens that don’t use as much power.
As a frequent Garmin smartwatch wearer, I find it fascinating to see how the company evolves and improves its software. In general, the software operating system environment for Garmin smartwatches has become more robust and sophisticated over time, adding plenty of new tools and features that users find appealing. That said, the weakest point of Garmin’s high-end smartwatches is teaching users how to use the software, often leaving consumers unaware of the powerful (or simply useful) features that Epix and other Garmin smartwatches have.
This is no small problem, given that for Garmin to continue to roll out its successful products to a wider consumer market, these products must become increasingly accessible to mainstream users. Garmin already does a good job of supporting tool watch enthusiasts who want the best hardware and software experience to record their exercise and adventures. Delving into the software is a time-consuming and intellectual experience, as many options are not explained and the system clearly expects users to experiment to find what they like best. Garmin does not even offer a pre-programmed interface that would cater to users’ needs, nor is there a convenient “setup wizard” or other software tool that would help users truly understand the capabilities of their Garmin Epix watch.
My final gripe in this area is the inability of users to adjust some of the finer settings of the smartwatch via the included Garmin Connect smartphone app. Apple and Casio offer a very good level of control over the watch from the phone itself. Garmin seems to have failed to develop smartwatch software that allows full control of the interface and functionality from the smartphone app. This forces consumers to engage in lengthy finger exercises to fully customize the watch face and software menus to their liking after first understanding what they are doing. I don’t want to criticize Garmin too harshly, as the software itself, the quality of the sensors and data, and the overall wearing experience are really good. What needs improvement is educating users on how to use a Garmin smartwatch, and making the customization and personalization of the software much more obvious and direct.
Digging deeper into the software options, I think everyone will be impressed with the range of functions that the Epix Pro Gen 2 can perform right out of the box (i.e. with the built-in software). Garmin also has a relatively large software marketplace where you can further customize your smartwatch, but for the purposes of reviewing this watch, I want to cover the product as it is, without downloading any additional software.
Garmin doesn’t seem to emphasize smartwatch features related to phone calls or digital assistant capabilities. Even the activity tracking tools don’t tell you if you’re exercising enough (activity reminders have to be turned on manually). Rather, the software seems focused on providing more environmental information (data from built-in sensors or the internet) and increasingly sophisticated exercise and activity tracking. For athletes, physical activists, or anyone interested in fitness and activity tracking, Garmin offers perhaps the most complete software and hardware smartwatch experience on the market.
While the Garmin MARQ watch is downright sexy, I think most other Garmin smartwatches aim for a “cool tool” look and struggle to really add any designer flair to the housing of their complex hardware and software. The 47mm wide Epix Pro Gen 2 is also 14.6mm thick and is water resistant to 100 meters. It uses sapphire crystal above the AMOLED screen. The relatively lightweight case (without the strap the case weighs just 47 grams) is mostly made from a white fiber-reinforced polymer, which is functional but not a premium material (I should add that Garmin prefers to use non-metallic parts for the case, since GPS signals don’t actually pass through metal). To add a nice touch, Garmin has used titanium metal pieces on the lugs and bezel, as well as the caseback. The titanium certainly upgrades the look and brings this watch closer to the type of product you’d expect from its premium price point. I’m not sure if it will compete with other Garmin watches, but I’m interested to see what the Epix Pro’s full metal case will look like and how it will feel on a bracelet.
The included strap is designed to be easily removable, and Garmin continues to use their excellent quick-release system. What I like most about the quick-release system is that it doesn’t prevent the use of traditional straps (22mm wide). The included white silicone strap is of high quality, but if you’re looking for a more premium or classy feel, I think a premium strap would be a better option for those looking to wear their Epix Pro Gen 2 watch in more social settings.
It’s impossible to list all the hardware and software features available on such a smartwatch. All the modern smartwatch connectivity features you’d expect, from Bluetooth to GPS, are there and feature-rich. Garmin offers specialized content that recommends software and features that may interest you depending on your preferred activities and rides: flyers, bikers, boaters, hikers, runners, etc. All use the same smartwatch in different ways and track very different types of data and metrics. This high degree of extensibility and customizability is what really draws me to the Garmin smartwatch experience. I’d like to see the brand prioritize making its software available to a wider audience, as I believe many Garmin wearers are likely unaware of the tools available on their Garmin smartwatches.
The Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 is a fun, everyday smartwatch to casually enjoy. I turn off most of my smartphone notifications, but of course they are available. What I like most about this latest generation of Garmin smartwatch is that it tries to make what I already like even better. As a wrist tool with sensors and gadgets, the Garmin is second to none in the market. You pay the price of complexity for its ease of use, but you get a smartwatch that seems to keep learning new tricks (if you take the time to tinker with the settings and adjust the screen to your liking). Those with limited time to set up their electronics and smartwatches will miss out on a lot of the features that Garmin has packed (some might say hidden) into its best-in-class smartwatch, but there are certainly more basic, easy-to-use smartwatches on the market. Garmin products are still best suited for professionals (and those who want to look like professionals). In that respect, the name of this Garmin smartwatch is very apt. The Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 Sapphire Edition 47mm wide watch (reference number 010-02803-20 as tested) is priced at US$999. For more information, see the Garmin website.
