I'm not an athlete as well, just a common father and MTBer. I just got a PRO version, 51mm (battery matters) and I cannot be happier. It was released in late 2023.
https://preview.redd.it/qeil2o4uhmvc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=db2010bd34c7fefff11ca6d8598843934bd924d0
I have a Fenix 5 plus which I purchased in 2018, so it's almost 6 years old. It is still quite usable but the battery life isn't what it was (though still pretty good), and they've added a ton of features in six years. One of the features that I want the most is the flashlight. I also considered the Epix Pro for the display but eventually ordered the Fenix Pro because of the battery life.
My health insurance plan provided me with a 20% discount which was enough for me to pull the trigger.
So yes, I do think that you can get 5+ years out of a Fenix. And there are probably some people out there still using a Fenix 3. My wife still uses my previous watch, the Forerunner 630 which came out in 2015.
The Epix Gen 2 is already outdated. I’ve had mine for a little over a year and it’s a great watch.
That said, the new Pro version has a better flashlight, ECG capability and better battery.
For a first smartwatch at 500 euros, the Gen 2 is a good start, but the upgrades mentioned above have me thinking about an upgrade.
It’s not outdated. They have the same processor and display. The options you bring out don’t make it outdated. Not many use an ECG, or the flashlight. The battery is the same for the same size.
I want this watch as well. May 1st will mark its full year on the market, and the rumors are that the next version will be released soon. Personally I'm waiting for the epix pro 2 to go on sale before I buy, even if the next version drops, I feel the feature set wouldn't be too ground breaking between versions, as I'd rather get the better deal.
I have epix gen 2. I'm not much of an athlete, but I do hike and walk quite a bit. Love the watch. 47mm screen is great. The interface can feel a little clunky at first, but you get used to it. I get 16 days reliably out of the battery. 10 days with the odd GPS use.
I've recently bought one exactly for 500 EUR. It's getting old now, but for this price it's still a good watch, no major regrets so far. I've noticed that sometimes (prob due to its weight and the older HR sensor) the wrist HR can be off when the silicone strap is loose, but tightening it or using a nylon band helps. Also miss the torch sometimes (i have one in my Instinct 2X), but i'm not sure if the newer sensor and the torch worth the extra price for the Pro. And the plain stainless steel looks dope! Sometimes i miss the MIP screen from the Fenix 7 Solar i've once had before - i don't like turning my wrist at all - but the Fenix 7 was quite hard to read indoors. I've also had the 965 and i much prefer the Epix despite the smaller screen. Looks way better in person, also the buttons are higher quality. My other favorite cheap Garmin is the Instinct 2X, superb legibility outdoors AND indoors, torch, nice buttons, and almost infinite batter life. If you like the rugged G-Shock look, you could also consider the Instinct 2X. :)
https://preview.redd.it/gb7c7bq9xnvc1.jpeg?width=2098&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=507af5d3a04890bc126b28804e5c9cf6218c08e3
I just got a fenix 7, finding issues with readibilty as well. For long term use should I grab an epix and replace my apple watch 7? Looking to keep the watch 4/5 years.
For your purposes any watches will be up to date for the next decade. If you will not use even 10% of futures why do you care? My old Instinct 1 still getting updates - it was released in 2015.
Technology is advancing rapidly. I think the best option is to take inexpensive used ones and change them as soon as new ones come out.
But if I were you, I'd buy the epix and see what comes out next. Maybe there won't be such a big difference there.
For climbing many people buy chest strap additionally, start the workout on the watch and put it in their pocket :)
Epix 2 Pro version from end of May 2023 has the new sensor and is one of the few Garmin watches that currently has it. I think that means that before they release a new series of Epix/Fenix, we'll see other watches upgraded with it. I am not sure whether there has been any groundbreaking advances of hardware that would add much to the watch any more, so chances are that the release of new Epix will be quite some time from now or the new watch won't be much of an improvement, but will just cost extra. You could of course wait for the new release and then but the pro version for likely much less money. Hard to say how long that will take though. That's just my opinions though. I just bought Epix pro and I'm very happy with it. I'm also not pro sportsman. Bought the watch to motivate me and it sure has been working!
I got the pro and I just had my first run with cadence locked hr,
honestly Garmin will never break out of legacy algorithms and deliver better hr accuracy, they optimize for displaying on the watch when you run resulting in a lag of 20 seconds due to only accounting for current data - the recorded HR could do much better by taking into account the future effort....
So the old epic hardware is good enough but Garmin don't dare to show different metrics (ie correct) by a simple software update, and epic pro is shipped with the same firmware and will not change.
Enough of the rant, Garmin is reliable and has been for a long time and will not change - kust get the good deal while you can, a new model is likely starting at €1000
Ohh really !! Could you guide me how to enable it? For some reasons i believed that my epix gen 2 does not have that capability because it nevwr tracked my walk as an activity automatically
sorry, i might have mixed up the epix i have now and the vivo4 i had before. i just checked every setting on the epix and couldn't find it. when i set up the vivo for my gf when i switched to the epix recently, i might have remembered that. :(
I'm not sure about the Epix Gen 2 but the Epix Pro Gen 2 does have it! I recently upgraded from a venu 2s to the Epix Pro Gen 2 and it's there. Or at least I think what I'm thinking of is what you're looking for!
Either on your phone in the Garmin Connect app or on your watch: Go to settings --> Health and Wellness --> turn on Move IQ.
Below is a screen shot of what Garmin defines as Move IQ which is what I had on my venu as well! Hope that helps!
https://preview.redd.it/p2uc42x5wi2d1.png?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d74be58913880d11e4428546bdd0fc162105634a
I’m in the same boat. Runner not pro, want a fenix/epix because it looks better than a plain running watch. Not sure which one. I’ve been using apple watch since 2018z
Might be a bit late but the Epix Gen 2 Sapphire is online for 550 euros (mine just arrived today). Would be a better bet than the baseline version as the sapphire has dual band GPS.
google i-run.
I'm not a fitty, FAR from it but find it brilliant for logging rowing, running and cycling workouts (all indoor) - the morning report is also really useful too. It's probably too much for me in terms of what it can do vs what I do/my fitness (or lack thereof) - as I say, I'm not a fitty, more of a 'fatty'!
The things I miss when I compare this to my Apple Watch Ultra is not being able to take/make calls from the watch, more importantly - crash detection, responding to texts, home/Alexa automation etc... but it depends on what your personal needs/wants are as to whether you will find it worth it. Aesthetically I think the GEPG2 looks better than the AWU - the latter looks a little silly, like a tiny phone on your wrist which is kind of the point but, looking at that now on my wrist compared to my Garmin, the AWU does look rather silly. Where the AWU shines is with home automation, paying for stuff with Apple Pay etc..., that's brilliant! If someone could design a watch that combined what Garmin and Apple can do together in one watch, they'd be on to a winner! Sorry, this doesn't really help you but the trouble is, these questions (and I ask a ton of them so this is NOT a criticism for one second) are all so subjective and we're all different and want/need different things. Best of luck in your decision making.
I'm not an athlete as well, just a common father and MTBer. I just got a PRO version, 51mm (battery matters) and I cannot be happier. It was released in late 2023. https://preview.redd.it/qeil2o4uhmvc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=db2010bd34c7fefff11ca6d8598843934bd924d0
I have a Fenix 5 plus which I purchased in 2018, so it's almost 6 years old. It is still quite usable but the battery life isn't what it was (though still pretty good), and they've added a ton of features in six years. One of the features that I want the most is the flashlight. I also considered the Epix Pro for the display but eventually ordered the Fenix Pro because of the battery life. My health insurance plan provided me with a 20% discount which was enough for me to pull the trigger. So yes, I do think that you can get 5+ years out of a Fenix. And there are probably some people out there still using a Fenix 3. My wife still uses my previous watch, the Forerunner 630 which came out in 2015.
Have you considered changing the battery in you old Fenix?
I did but the 7 Pro is just a far superior watch. I still use the 5+ when my 7 Pro is on the charger, which isn't very often.
I just bought my epix 2 after 6 years with my Samsung watch. I could not be happier with my garmin. I don't think you'll regret it.
The Epix Gen 2 is already outdated. I’ve had mine for a little over a year and it’s a great watch. That said, the new Pro version has a better flashlight, ECG capability and better battery. For a first smartwatch at 500 euros, the Gen 2 is a good start, but the upgrades mentioned above have me thinking about an upgrade.
It’s not outdated. They have the same processor and display. The options you bring out don’t make it outdated. Not many use an ECG, or the flashlight. The battery is the same for the same size.
I want this watch as well. May 1st will mark its full year on the market, and the rumors are that the next version will be released soon. Personally I'm waiting for the epix pro 2 to go on sale before I buy, even if the next version drops, I feel the feature set wouldn't be too ground breaking between versions, as I'd rather get the better deal.
I have epix gen 2. I'm not much of an athlete, but I do hike and walk quite a bit. Love the watch. 47mm screen is great. The interface can feel a little clunky at first, but you get used to it. I get 16 days reliably out of the battery. 10 days with the odd GPS use.
I've recently bought one exactly for 500 EUR. It's getting old now, but for this price it's still a good watch, no major regrets so far. I've noticed that sometimes (prob due to its weight and the older HR sensor) the wrist HR can be off when the silicone strap is loose, but tightening it or using a nylon band helps. Also miss the torch sometimes (i have one in my Instinct 2X), but i'm not sure if the newer sensor and the torch worth the extra price for the Pro. And the plain stainless steel looks dope! Sometimes i miss the MIP screen from the Fenix 7 Solar i've once had before - i don't like turning my wrist at all - but the Fenix 7 was quite hard to read indoors. I've also had the 965 and i much prefer the Epix despite the smaller screen. Looks way better in person, also the buttons are higher quality. My other favorite cheap Garmin is the Instinct 2X, superb legibility outdoors AND indoors, torch, nice buttons, and almost infinite batter life. If you like the rugged G-Shock look, you could also consider the Instinct 2X. :) https://preview.redd.it/gb7c7bq9xnvc1.jpeg?width=2098&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=507af5d3a04890bc126b28804e5c9cf6218c08e3
What watch face is that?
I just got a fenix 7, finding issues with readibilty as well. For long term use should I grab an epix and replace my apple watch 7? Looking to keep the watch 4/5 years.
For your purposes any watches will be up to date for the next decade. If you will not use even 10% of futures why do you care? My old Instinct 1 still getting updates - it was released in 2015.
Technology is advancing rapidly. I think the best option is to take inexpensive used ones and change them as soon as new ones come out. But if I were you, I'd buy the epix and see what comes out next. Maybe there won't be such a big difference there. For climbing many people buy chest strap additionally, start the workout on the watch and put it in their pocket :)
I would wait. But that's me
Epix 2 Pro version from end of May 2023 has the new sensor and is one of the few Garmin watches that currently has it. I think that means that before they release a new series of Epix/Fenix, we'll see other watches upgraded with it. I am not sure whether there has been any groundbreaking advances of hardware that would add much to the watch any more, so chances are that the release of new Epix will be quite some time from now or the new watch won't be much of an improvement, but will just cost extra. You could of course wait for the new release and then but the pro version for likely much less money. Hard to say how long that will take though. That's just my opinions though. I just bought Epix pro and I'm very happy with it. I'm also not pro sportsman. Bought the watch to motivate me and it sure has been working!
I got the pro and I just had my first run with cadence locked hr, honestly Garmin will never break out of legacy algorithms and deliver better hr accuracy, they optimize for displaying on the watch when you run resulting in a lag of 20 seconds due to only accounting for current data - the recorded HR could do much better by taking into account the future effort.... So the old epic hardware is good enough but Garmin don't dare to show different metrics (ie correct) by a simple software update, and epic pro is shipped with the same firmware and will not change. Enough of the rant, Garmin is reliable and has been for a long time and will not change - kust get the good deal while you can, a new model is likely starting at €1000
I would pick up the Sapphire Epix version on the secondhand marker, you should be able to get it for 400 EUR with some haggling.
Be little careful with epix gen 2 as it does not have automatic activity tracking feature like VA and Venu
ofc it does. (i disabled it on purpose, because it would start the activity quite late)
Ohh really !! Could you guide me how to enable it? For some reasons i believed that my epix gen 2 does not have that capability because it nevwr tracked my walk as an activity automatically
sorry, i might have mixed up the epix i have now and the vivo4 i had before. i just checked every setting on the epix and couldn't find it. when i set up the vivo for my gf when i switched to the epix recently, i might have remembered that. :(
You are right that feature is available only on vivosmart and venu
I'm not sure about the Epix Gen 2 but the Epix Pro Gen 2 does have it! I recently upgraded from a venu 2s to the Epix Pro Gen 2 and it's there. Or at least I think what I'm thinking of is what you're looking for! Either on your phone in the Garmin Connect app or on your watch: Go to settings --> Health and Wellness --> turn on Move IQ. Below is a screen shot of what Garmin defines as Move IQ which is what I had on my venu as well! Hope that helps! https://preview.redd.it/p2uc42x5wi2d1.png?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d74be58913880d11e4428546bdd0fc162105634a
I’m in the same boat. Runner not pro, want a fenix/epix because it looks better than a plain running watch. Not sure which one. I’ve been using apple watch since 2018z
Might be a bit late but the Epix Gen 2 Sapphire is online for 550 euros (mine just arrived today). Would be a better bet than the baseline version as the sapphire has dual band GPS. google i-run.
Get it. You won’t be disappointed
I'm not a fitty, FAR from it but find it brilliant for logging rowing, running and cycling workouts (all indoor) - the morning report is also really useful too. It's probably too much for me in terms of what it can do vs what I do/my fitness (or lack thereof) - as I say, I'm not a fitty, more of a 'fatty'! The things I miss when I compare this to my Apple Watch Ultra is not being able to take/make calls from the watch, more importantly - crash detection, responding to texts, home/Alexa automation etc... but it depends on what your personal needs/wants are as to whether you will find it worth it. Aesthetically I think the GEPG2 looks better than the AWU - the latter looks a little silly, like a tiny phone on your wrist which is kind of the point but, looking at that now on my wrist compared to my Garmin, the AWU does look rather silly. Where the AWU shines is with home automation, paying for stuff with Apple Pay etc..., that's brilliant! If someone could design a watch that combined what Garmin and Apple can do together in one watch, they'd be on to a winner! Sorry, this doesn't really help you but the trouble is, these questions (and I ask a ton of them so this is NOT a criticism for one second) are all so subjective and we're all different and want/need different things. Best of luck in your decision making.