Review: Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition, 51mm, Black – Excellent investment for an active lifestyle

Explore the Epix Pro Watch’s features, comfort, and more from a user’s perspective... Read more

Specifications

Brand	Garmin
Model Name	epix™ Pro (Gen 2) – Sapphire Edition | 51 mm
Style	Pro Sapphire
Color	Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Blk Band
Screen Size	1.4 Inches
Special Feature	Touchscreen, Time Display, Sleep Monitor, Bluetooth, Gesture Control, Activity Tracker, GPS, Notifications, Heart Rate Monitor
Shape	Round
Target Audience	Unisex Adults
Age Range (Description)	Adult
Compatible Devices	iPhone, Android

Introduction

Hey there, fellow tech enthusiasts. I’ve recently had the pleasure of wearing the new Epix Pro watch for a few days, and I’m excited to share some of my thoughts on this impressive piece of technology. This watch has sparked conversations, turned heads, and most importantly, provided a comprehensive and user-friendly experience right from my wrist.

First Impressions on the Epix Pro Watch

Frankly, my first impression of the Epix Pro watch can be summed up in one word – impressive. The watch exudes an air of luxury and modernity, beautifully encapsulated in a tough, military-grade exterior. However, that’s not to say it’s perfect. Yes, the watch has a stunning AMOLED touch display which adds to the overall vibe, but I noticed a little edge on the display. Nothing too significant, but it’s definitely something I noticed upfront.

Choosing the Perfect Size

In terms of size, my personal preference took me toward the 47mm. While the larger 51mm and the smaller 42mm versions definitely had their own pros, the 47mm hit the sweet spot for me. Interestingly, while I considered the larger version for better battery life and display, aesthetics prevailed and I ended up quite satisfied with my choice. However, it would likely come down to individual preference and wrist size. If you’re someone with a wrist size less than around 165mm and aesthetics are important to you, you might prefer the 42mm version.

I look forward to sharing more details about the Epix Pro watch, its features, and my overall experience using it. Stay tuned for a comprehensive look at this timepiece!

Unboxing the Epix Pro Watch

• Epix Pro Watch has military-grade durability
• Three variants available: 47mm, 51mm, and 42mm
• Sapphire variant is 7 grams lighter

Received the Epix Pro package and started off with unboxing. Being meticulous and accurate with my work, my approach while unpacking the Epix Pro watch was no different.

Design and Built Quality

The first thing that caught my eye was the watch itself. It had a solid, heavy-duty appeal with a sleek modern finish, thanks to the AMOLED display. The variant I received was the 47mm, slate gray with black straps. It was the right balance of size and style for me, love the military-grade durability aspect that the Gorilla Glass, stainless steel bezel, and the plastic body brought to the table.

The straps claim to add extra comfort due to their flexible nature, but in my opinion, the difference was negligible. The watch is not lightweight, it is solidly built and meant for rugged use, and the weight rightfully compliments that.

Comparing the 47mm with the 51mm Version

I had the 47mm variant and was fairly content with it. The 51mm version would have been a tad too big for my wrist, personal preferences prevailed here. However, a larger version might serve better for those prioritising readability of stats over aesthetic appeal. The 47mm worked for me, but it might not be the same for everyone.

However, if wrist size is less than 165mm and aesthetics are a prime consideration, the 42mm variant might be a better option. The extended battery life and a larger display of the 51mm variant is tempting but keep in mind the physical size of the device before making a choice.

As mentioned earlier, I unboxed the Gorilla Glass version but the Sapphire variant did pique my interest. Why? Primarily because it is 7 grams lighter whilst offering the same functionality. The weight difference might seem minuscule but wearing it all day long, every little thing contributing to comfort matters.

If you’re invested in getting a premium watch, you might consider paying a bit more for greater comfort throughout the day. But remember, the difference in comfort is marginal and might not justify the price point for everyone.

Features Overview

• AMOLED display offers great visibility
• 32GB of on-watch storage
• Built-in flashlight with four brightness levels

Over a few days of wearing the Epix Pro watch, I’ve explored some interesting features that have improved my overall experience with this timepiece. Let’s delve into the specifics of these features, shall we?

The AMOLED Display

First and foremost, the AMOLED touch display balances the rugged vibe of the Epix Pro with a touch of modernity and luxury. The display quality offers great visibility even in bright sunlight which is a major plus for outdoor activities.

On Watch Storage

With 32GB of on board storage, this watch definitely does not skimp on space. It provides ample room for your music files and maps, thus enhancing your gadget’s utility during workouts or leisure time.

The Unexpected Flashlight Feature

Next up is a hidden gem that I totally didn’t expect – a built-in flashlight! This feature turns out to be brighter than I anticipated, offering four levels of brightness. Plus, it also featured a red safety light, which could prove handy in emergencies. And then, there’s the strobe mode that syncs with your running cadence. Impressive, right?

Unveiling the Hill Score

Moving on to the fitness features, the Hill Score measures your prowess at running uphill. The measurement ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores reflecting superior uphill running performance. As I found, it’s a thoughtful feature for steep gradient runners looking to track improvements over time.

Discovering the Endurance Score

Last not least in this section, the Endurance Score feature measures your ability to sustain long performances. It takes into account your fitness or VO2 max level, and training data to provide a concise estimate of your endurance. This feature has proved to be a useful tool for setting realistic expectations and tracking progress in your athletic journey.

In Conclusion:

The diverse suite of features offered by the Epix Pro watch makes it more than just an ordinary timepiece. From the impressive display to the unexpected flashlight feature and unique fitness metrics, the watch offers a comprehensive package that aims to cater to various needs.

Detailed Feature Analysis

• Training Effect feature provides workout impact guidance
• Training Readiness feature calculates readiness score
• Recovery Time feature suggests resting periods between workouts

Delving into the distinctive features of the Epix Pro watch, I have discovered some promising capabilities that stand out in the wearable tech market. Here is my unbiased and critical perspective about them:

Decoding the Training Effect

The Training Effect feature stands as an insightful tool that provides an indication of how your workouts could shape your fitness in the long run. It notifies you of the expected results and helps you strategize upcoming performances.

One of the perks of the Training Effect feature is the real-time data. This allows for easy adjustments to workout intensity, helping to balance your fitness goals with wellness needs. However, it is just a guide that suggests workout effects, actual results may vary based on personal fitness levels and body responses.

Exploring the “Training Readiness” Metric

The Training Readiness feature measures your readiness to train on a daily basis. It assesses factors such as sleep quality, recovery time, training load, HRV status, along with sleep and stress history. This feature provides a readiness score ranging from poor to prime, which is a good measure for workout planning.

Despite its potential, it seems to require quite a bit of patience for accurate results. And in real-world conditions, relying only on the readiness score might not provide a complete picture, often the listening to your body can be a more reliable guide.

Importance of the “Recovery Time” Feature

In terms of fitness technology, Recovery Time is a significant leap forward. This functionality gives personalized recommendations on resting periods between intense workouts, which are based on factors like stress and sleep quality.

While the feature is promising and can be a great guide for avoiding overtraining, it’s good to remember that recovery times can be subjective and should be tailored to your individual needs and responses. Therefore, while the watch might give you certain estimates, you should always prioritize how you feel overall.

So, while these features seem promising, your results with them will depend on numerous personal factors. Ultimately, these are just tools, and the key to achieving fitness goals is still hard work, consistency, and listening to your body.

Everyday User Experience

• Epix Pro provides live maps for navigation
• “Red Shift” feature reduces eye stress in dark
• Battery life lasts 16 days in smartwatch mode

Using the Epix Pro watch in my everyday life was a revealing journey. It’s a fascinating blend of modern design and cutting-edge technology. But as with any product, its real value lies in its daily performance. This section focuses on my day-to-day experience covering navigation convenience, sleep tracking, and battery life.

Live Maps and Navigation on Epix Pro

One feature I found particularly intriguing was the live maps. With Epix Pro on my wrist, I never worried about losing my path. The maps were clear and accurate. However, there were times when the GPS took longer than I’ll like to update my position, particularly in heavily wooded areas.

The convenience of “Red Shift” Feature

The Red Shift feature stood out among my everyday experiences. It’s more than just a visual change; it’s a change designed for convenience. The Red Shift feature turns the entire layout red, which is less stressful for the eyes in darker environments. However, whether it contributed to battery savings isn’t something I could confidently verify.

Evaluation of Sleep Tracking

The sleep tracker was another feature I paid close attention to. The sleep stats were distinct and matched closely with my subjective sense of sleep quality. Although wearing the watch to bed took a bit of getting used to, owing to its size, it wasn’t uncomfortable. The sleep tracker is favourably comparable with those of other watches in its league.

Battery Life in the Real World

The battery life was impressive as well. For a device packed with numerous features, lasting 16 days in smartwatch mode isn’t a small feat. However, it’s worth noting that the longevity hinges on multiple factors, including screen brightness, GPS usage and a host of other settings.

In the course of use, the everyday experience was largely one of discovery and delight intermingled with areas of potential improvement. There is some room for fine-tuning, but these, by no means, undermine the overall stellar performance of the Epix Pro watch.

The Not-So-Great Stuff

• Possible glitch in lap announcing feature
• Non-intuitive menu navigation in user interface

While the Epix Pro watch shines in many areas and offers a myriad of useful features, it also comes with its own set of imperfections. As with any device, there’s always room for improvement and my aim here is to provide a fair assessment of those areas where the watch might have fallen short.

A Possible Glitch in the Lap Announcing Feature

Let’s start our journey with this peculiar activity during one of my runs. While I was on my run, wearing earbuds connected to the watch, to my surprise, it started announcing laps. Now, here’s the issue, sometimes it would announce the duration of the lap and other times my current pace. This inconsistency threw me off a bit and affected my concentration during the run. It might appear as a minor faux pas but for someone like me who relies heavily on consistency for accurate monitoring, this was a glaring inconsistency.

Note:

It still needs some testing to ascertain whether this inconsistency is a glitch or is related to the earbuds’ notification feature.

Analyzing the Menu Navigation Conundrum

Moving on, let’s talk about the user interface of the Epix Pro watch. While the proximity of the menu options to each other provides a compact look, it is less intuitive in real-world usage. I found it quite easy to accidentally tap another feature when actually intending to tap something else. This again might sound like nitpicking, but during a heavy workout or a paced run, you don’t want to lose precious time trying to navigate to the correct feature because of a finicky interface.

On the bright side, it’s worth noting that the touchscreen is disabled by default during activities – an option which you can toggle on or off as per your preference.

Conclusion

Despite these minor infirmities, the Epix Pro watch stands strong in its overall utility and function. Always remember, it’s these tribulations that drive the journey of constant evolution and refinement. As an ending note, I look forward to seeing these improvements in their future models.

Conclusion: Who is the Epix Pro watch for?

In the course of using the Epix Pro watch extensively for the past few days, I can definitely say there is a specific individual that this timepiece is aimed at. Now, let’s delve into who this might be.

Customer Satisfaction

Overall, having used multiple Garmin watches in the past, I can confidently say that with the Epix Pro, Garmin has managed to deliver an impressive number of features while also enhancing the overall user experience. If you’re satisfied with Garmin’s standard set of features and the overall performance, then this could definitely be the ideal watch for you.

Versatility in Activities

The Epix Pro excels particularly in tracking a multitude of activities with great accuracy. If you are someone with a highly active lifestyle that covers various sports or fitness activities, this watch might definitely win your heart. Its metrics like “Hill Score,” “Endurance Score,” “Training Effect,” and “Training Readiness” show its fitness narrative.

Users Considering an Upgrade

There’s a clear trade-off when considering this watch. If you’re someone who currently owns an Epix 2 watch, the Epix Pro may not offer you a lot more in terms of new or improved features. On the other hand, if you are using a lower-end model like the Venu 2 Plus or pondering on your first smartwatch, the Epix Pro will definitely be a big upgrade and can offer a lot more functionality. The buttery smooth AMOLED display and the significantly better battery life alone could be enough reasons to justify an upgrade.

The Smartwatch Expectation

However, for users who have experienced mainstream smartwatches, you might find the “smart features” on the Epix Pro somewhat lacking. While it does provide notifications from your phone, the Epix Pro’s primary focus is fitness and outdoor adventure tracking, not taking calls or replying to texts.

In conclusion, the Epix Pro could be a perfect fit for fitness enthusiasts, especially those already in the Garmin ecosystem, who prioritize feature-comprehensive fitness tracking over typical smartwatch features. It’s a smartwatch designed to deliver advanced and detailed fitness metrics in a rugged, outdoor-ready package.

Should you buy the Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition, 51mm, Black?

Buy it if…

You need a rugged and durable watch

The Epix Pro is military grade, built with Gorilla Glass, stainless steel bezel and back cover along with a plastic body – it’s definitely built to last.

You’re looking for sport-oriented features

Features such as Hill Score, Endurance Score, Training Effect, and Recovery Time are beneficial for athletes who need to monitor, assess and improve their performance.

You appreciate detailed sleep tracking and navigation

With comprehensive sleep tracking and live maps for any kind of navigation, this watch can be a useful tool for those looking to optimize their health and lifestyle.

Don’t buy it if…

You prefer a lightweight wearable

Weighing 78g, the Epix Pro might feel a bit heavy on your wrist compared to other watches, especially if you wear it continuously throughout the day and night.

You don’t want to compromise on the smartwatch aspect

This watch lags behind when compared to other mainstream smartwatches when it comes to certain features like notifications for messages, emails etc.

You already own an Epix 2 watch

If you already possess an Epix 2 watch from the last year, the difference in features may not be that significant, so the investment in a new watch may not be justified.

FAQ

What size of the Epix Pro watch would be right for my wrist?

If your wrist size is less than 165mm, you might want to consider the 42mm variant. For wrists larger than 165mm, the 47mm or 51mm should be a better fit.

What is the difference between the Sapphire and Gorilla Glass versions?

The Sapphire version comes with titanium instead of stainless steel, it is 7 grams lighter than the Gorilla Glass version.

What is the Hill Score in Epix Pro?

Hill Score is a measure that tells you how good you are at running uphill.

What does the Endurance Score indicate?

The Endurance Score measures how well you can sustain long performances considering your fitness level or VO2 max.

How does the Training Effect help in workout?

Training Effect shows you how your workouts will affect your fitness in the future and helps you adjust the workout intensity to match your goals.

What does the Training Readiness Score indicate?

The readiness score ranges from poor to prime, indicating your preparedness for intense training.

What does Recovery Time feature do?

The Epix Pro provides recommendations on how long you should rest before your next intense workout.

Does the watch have live map support?

Yes, the Epix Pro supports live maps for any kind of navigation.

What is the advantage of the ‘Red Shift’ feature?

The ‘Red Shift’ feature changes the entire layout of the watch to red which could potentially help in conserving battery life.

Is it comfortable to wear the watch to bed for sleep tracking?

Users might initially need to get used to wearing the watch to bed for sleep tracking.

How is the battery life in the smartwatch mode?

The battery life in smartwatch mode is 16 days.

Is there a noticeable gap between the Epix Pro as a “smartwatch” and other mainstream smartwatches?

Yes, there is a noticeable gap in terms of receiving notifications like messages, emails, etc. compared to other mainstream smartwatches.