Review - Garmin EPIX PRO (Gen 2)
The original epix™ 2 was released in January 2022 as a smarter looking more luxurious version of the Garmin Fenix 7. The main difference between the two being the vibrant higher definition AMOLED display.
In this article we look at the NEW epix™ Pro (Gen 2) – Sapphire Editions that have just been released.
We are going to look at what is new within this range and what are the main differences of the NEW epix™ Pro (Gen 2) – Sapphire Edition watches over the epix™ 2 Sapphire watch.
The all NEW epix™ Pro (Gen 2) – Sapphire Editions have the same stunning & vibrant AMOLED display for vivid, high resolution everyday smartwatch use, so what’s NEW.
NEW SIZES FOR ALL
The new epix™ Pro (Gen 2) – Sapphire Edition is available in 3 different sizes, catering for smaller & larger wrists.
The original epix™ 2 is available in the one size 47 x 47 x 14.5mm, we now have in the NEW epix™ Pro (Gen 2) range 3 x different sizes as follows -
1. epix™ Pro (Gen 2) - 42mm (42 x 42 x 14.1mm), suitable for wrist size 108 – 182mm, Sapphire Titanium Version Weighing 58g.
2. epix™ Pro (Gen 2) - 47mm (47 x 47 x 14.5mm), suitable for wrist size 125 – 208mm, Sapphire Titanium Version Weighing 70g.
3. epix™ Pro (Gen 2) - 51mm (51 x 51 x 14.9mm), suitable for wrist size 127 – 210mm, Sapphire Titanium Version Weighing 88g
Having the option of three different bezel sizes with different band lengths is a great edition to the epix™ Pro (Gen 2) range, giving us a more flexible option for different wrist sizes.
NEW COLOURS
As well as the NEW sizes we have some different colours available as follows:
1. epix™ Pro (Gen 2) – Sapphire Edition 42mm
Available in either Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Black Band or Soft Gold Stainless Steel with Light Sand Band.
2. epix™ Pro (Gen 2) – Sapphire Edition 47mm
Available in either Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Black Band or Titanium with Whitestone Band.
3. epix™ Pro (Gen 2) – Sapphire Edition 51mm
Available in either Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Black Band or Titanium with Whitestone Band.
EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE
All of the watches have great battery life for a watch giving us a vibrant AMOLED display.
We are especially impressed with The NEW larger 51mm version giving us extended battery life over original 47mm version.
A smartwatch that will last you weeks, not days!
epix™ Pro (Gen 2) – Sapphire Edition 42mm
Smartwatch: Up to 10 days (4 days always-on)
Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 14 days
GPS Only: Up to 28 hours (20 hours always-on)
All Satellite Systems: Up to 21 hours (16 hours always-on) All Satellite Systems + Multi-band: Up to 13 hours (10 hours always-on) All Satellite Systems + Music: Up to 6 hours
Max Battery GPS: Up to 49 hours
Expedition GPS: Up to 9 days
epix™ Pro (Gen 2) – Sapphire Edition 47mm
Smartwatch: Up to 16 days (6 days always-on)
Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 21 days
GPS Only: Up to 42 hours (30 hours always-on)
All Satellite Systems: Up to 32 hours (24 hours always-on) All Satellite Systems + Multi-band: Up to 20 hours (15 hours always-on) All Satellite Systems + Music: Up to 10 hours
Max Battery GPS: Up to 75 hours
Expedition GPS: Up to 14 days
epix™ Pro (Gen 2) – Sapphire Edition 51mm
Smartwatch: Up to 31 days (11 days always-on)Battery saver watch mode: Up to 41 days
GPS Only: Up to 82 hours (58 hours always-on)
All Satellite Systems: Up to 62 hours (48 hours always-on)
All Satellite Systems + Multi-band: Up to 38 hours (30 hours always-on) All Satellite Systems + Music: Up to 17 hours
Max Battery GPS: Up to 145 hours
Expedition GPS: Up to 27 days
FASTER CHARGING
Supplied with a USB C to Watch Charging Cable - Added faster charging (now about 1hr, instead of approximately 2hrs before)
We supply you with a USB C Female to USB A Male Adapter (So that you can use the Garmin Charging Cable with a USB A plug)
Built-in LED FLASHLIGHT
Quick access, multi-LED flashlight for hands-free illumination
All models now have the built-in flashlight, we have used this on the Fenix 7x model and found it a great edition when you need some light quickly without having to search around for your torch, a light that is always on your wrist with quick access from a short-cut button.
There are four levels of brightness from the white LED light, with also a softer red light to avoid compromising your night vision and an eye-catching strobe mode adding additional safety.
NEW Gen 5 Elevate Heart rate sensor
We have not yet put the new Gen 5 Elevate Heart rate sensor through it’s paces, but we know Garmin are always looking to improve on accuracy and performance of sensors.
We can see from the new design that the sensor now has more LEDs, from what we understand they are designed to better handle different workout types where your wrist may be bent in many varied positions, the new size and shaping of the sensor is also designed to handle inbound light leakage better improving on accuracy of readings.
The above covered the NEW hardware features for the Garmin epix™ Pro (Gen 2) – Sapphire Edition watches, there are also some additional key features with regards to the metrics you watch can display & activities that can be recorded as follows:
NEW HILL SCORE
This feature measures your capability for running uphill and evaluates your progress over time based on your VO2 max and training history. It measures your running strength on steep ascents and running endurance on long ascents and provides a score based on your performance over time.
NEW ENDURANCE SCORE
This feature measures your ability to sustain prolonged efforts and combines training data from all your athletic pursuits to help you understand how training impacts your overall endurance. This dynamic measurement uses your VO2 max, short term/long-term training loads and other factors to gauge your fitness progress beyond just VO2 max.
NEW JET LAG ADVISER
Help to minimise the effects of jet lag with guidance on light exposure, sleep schedule and exercise.
NEW WRIST BASED RUNNING POWER
See how much power you are applying to the trail or road so you can manage effort and fine-tune training – get running power now without an accessory right on your wrist.
TRACK MORE ACTIVITIES
Use preloaded activity profiles to get data and insight from your active pursuits. You can now track more activities like team sports such as:
Basketball, Volleyball, Field Hockey,Ice Hockey, Football/Soccer, American Football, Lacrosse, Rugby, Ultimate Frisbee, Cricket, Softball Baseball, Ice Skating, Inline Skating, Archery, Overland, Whitewater, Kayak, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Snorkel, BMX, Motocross, Table Tennis Squash, Racquetball, Badminton, Platform Tennis
We are looking forward to getting out and testing the NEW epix™ Pro (Gen 2) – Sapphire Edition Watches – Please look out for our Walk & Talk Videos as we get out and about with the new watches.
We discussed the launch on our last podcast number 84 – More info here