Fenix 7 v Epix (Gen2) – which is best?

Epix, Garmin Fenix, Garmin Fenix 7, Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire, Garmin Fenix 7 Solar -

Fenix 7 v Epix (Gen2) – which is best?

A question that we have been asked lots, which is best Fenix 7 v Epix (Gen2) – which is best?

The first gen-Epix launched back in 2015 as a rugged GPS mapping watch for outdoor enthusiasts with a high-resolution colour touchscreen. This original Epix was very square and blocky and never really captured the hearts of the outdoor enthusiast. We thought that was the end of this range.

With the launch of the Epix Gen 2 we all held our breath to see if this time the watch could compete and stand by the side or even ahead of the Garmin Fenix 7.

The Garmin Epix (Gen 2) takes the best features of the Fenix 7, and adds a bright AMOLED touchscreen display. It feels like the icing on the cake for what was already a superb sports watch with a fantastic pedigree behind it.

We therefore now have crisp, bright text and graphics and a vivid map that are easy to read, but the big question is, what will the AMOLED screen look like outdoors?

This stunning screen comes at a price though –

  1. It is the most expensive Garmin watch to date.
  2. Battery life - The Fenix 7 Solar Sapphire kept running for over 22 days between charges, but the Epix (Gen 2) lasted just six days.

The battery life is not at all shabby for an AMOLED watch, the Casio watch we have also stocked needed charging every 2 – 3 days whilst an Apple watch instead you need to charge it every night, so the 6 - 7 days battery life on the Epix (Gen 2) does stand up well compared to the competitors.

One thing that does baffle me though, what is there no Solar powered Garmin Epix (Gen 2)?

In the video below we compare the screen on the Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar with the screen on the Garmin Epix (Gen 2), as you will see we look at the screen both indoors and outdoors.

On my recent walk and talk after having the Fenix 7 on my wrist for some time I ponder and openly share my thoughts of moving onto the Epix Gen 2 (starts at that point in the video).

Further reading

1. Garmin GPS watches

2. Garmin Fenix 7 review


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