Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2), 51 mm, Glass, Slate Grey, Black

Product Information

As we mentioned just above, the major difference between the Pro model and the standard edition is the case size options - and finally means the series is accessible to those with smaller wrists, or those who crave the ultimate size and staying power of the 51mm model.

Garmin epix™ Pro | Multisport Smartwatch

It's not exactly clear just how many Garmin has pre-loaded onto the Epix Pro 2 that aren't on the Epix 2, with the company simply stating that dozens more are now available. The Epix Pro 2 is also the first device - along with the 7 Pro series - to feature Garmin's Endurance Score and Hill Score, two new insights designed to help you gauge training performance. We're still fleshing out our full verdict on the just-released Epix Pro 2, but, having spent countless hours testing the Epix 2, we're in a great position to outline what's changed with the design, features, and pricing. Seamlessly built into the top of the Epix Pro's case, this works exactly as it does on the Fenix 7X - and, now, all editions of the Fenix 7 Pro range.So, if you can't stomach the price of Garmin's ultrarunner-friendly Enduro, you can still get one of its best faces. This means the series is now aligned with the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro watches, with a much broader array of users able to find the right fit for their wrist. That’s especially true of new features like the flashlight and discovering its multiple modes, or enabling the red shift mode that turns the screen and interface red. It’s a similar story for the busy Garmin Connect app and the separate Connect IQ Store app that you need on your phone to add more watch faces, data fields, widgets and a small collection of apps.

Epix Pro (Gen 2) review: overwhelmingly good | Digital Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) review: overwhelmingly good | Digital

And again, as a reminder – every single software feature outlined above is coming to the existing Epix & Fenix 7 series units. Note that Redshift is only on Epix series units, not a Fenix 7 series display thing (either base or Pro models). Along with showing off current weather, you also have additional fields for battery status, real-time heart rate, step counts, floors climbed, and environmental data like humidity and weather conditions. The Garmin Epix Pro might not have solar charging, but it has a full-colour AMOLED screen, essentially the same as the one found on the Epix Gen 2. The touchscreen display is bright and makes it easy to read the information on the watch even in broad daylight (you might struggle to do the same even on the new MIP display of the Fenix 7 Pro). These are pre-existing capabilities that are now enjoyed by all Epix PRO models not just the sapphire versions. All that’s happening here is that Garmin is making sense of its Fenix/Epix range by boiling the choice of a new watch down to Screen Type (AMOLED/MIP) vs Sapphire vs Solar vs Size (small/med/large) Here you can see I’ve re-arranged things based on the most important ones to me. If I tap into one of them, like Training Readiness, I can see more information about that in a larger view.

Marketing images dug up by WinFuture show off multiple angles of each new Garmin watch, with the company seemingly on the cusp of launching an Epix Pro (Gen 2) in multiple case sizes - 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm. Jogging Master is an official watch face made by Garmin that offers a nice-looking analog option where you can still show off your stats. The Epix Pro’s new pre-loaded activity modes include football, basketball, racquet sports and horse riding.

Best Garmin watch faces 2023: Our top picks to download Best Garmin watch faces 2023: Our top picks to download

That said, if you are thinking of getting an Epix, you should definitely buy the PRO version over the non-PRO version but all that’s really changed here is a choice of 2 new sizes. The Important truly new StuffWe should also note that both standard and sapphire glass display coverings are available whether you desire the Epix 2 or Epix Pro 2, and a slightly more expensive edition (essentially featuring a high-quality band) is also an option, too. It places the Epix Pro just below what you can expect from the Forerunner 965, which is a little disappointing considering the price difference and similarity in what's on offer, but we still rate it as having a very solid battery life. As you may be aware, Garmin is preparing to launch new “Pro” editions of the smart watches Fenix 7 Series and Epix Pro (Gen2). All in all, though, we can't fault what Garmin has done with the design and case changes. The big modifications to the design will naturally be saved for the Fenix 8/Epix 3, so this is about as substantial as things could really get from a mid-generation dip. Optimized heart rate sensor testing The Epix 2, as we just mentioned in the section above, is pretty much as complete as Garmin devices get.

Garmin could soon challenge the Apple Watch Ultra with the

As we mentioned in our Fenix 7 Pro review, our only concern is the potential for accidental light-ups. There will inevitably also be a brand new headline feature plus a degree of catch-up that will update the Epix 2 with any existing features that are missing, such as those on the Forerunner 965 and Edge 540. ie Training Load Ratio feature, Chronic Training Load, built-in Running Dynamics without a sensor, full Physio TrueUp 2.0 and Unified Training Status, and perhaps ClimbPro Free-Ride. While the Redshift is a nice touch, I honestly haven’t really had much use for it. The display is already super-dimmed in the night sleep mode (an even lower level of brightness than the lowest daytime level). But hey, to each their own! We wouldn't say it's on par with the industry-leading Oura Ring Gen 3, but it is comparable to what we find on our Whoop 4.0 or Fitbit/Google wearables. There’s little change in terms of what you get on the software and smartwatch front on the Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) compared to what we saw on the Epix.

Take Out

Despite this being a bit of a win for the Epix, then, we'd also caveat it by saying the FR965 performed similarly well in most of these higher-intensity interval or tempo workouts. This will obviously be of huge interest to trail runners out there, and, considering we tend to avoid big inclines/declines during our runs, we feel like our mediocre Hill Score is about right. Overall, we'd say that's the pattern with this latest sensor. It's by no means a huge leap forward - which is likely why this isn't being branded openly as Elevate V5 (yet) - but it is, at least some of the time, just that bit more accurate.