Garmin Epix

The Garmin Epix series has come a long way since its inception, evolving from a niche GPS device to a sophisticated multisport smartwatch. The original Epix, launched in 2015, was Garmin's first attempt at combining GPS mapping capabilities with wearable technology. While innovative for its time, it had limitations in terms of battery life and display quality.

The real game-changer came with the introduction of the Garmin Epix 2, also known as the Garmin Epix Gen 2. This model, released in 2022, addressed many of the shortcomings of its predecessor and introduced a host of new features that appealed to a broader audience. The Epix 2 marked a significant leap forward in terms of display technology, battery life, and overall functionality.

One of the most notable improvements in the Epix 2 was the introduction of a vibrant AMOLED display. This high-resolution, colour touchscreen offered superior visibility in various lighting conditions, making it easier for users to read maps, check notifications, and interact with the device's numerous functions. The Epix 2's display was a marked improvement over the original Epix's transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display, which, while energy-efficient, lacked the vibrancy and clarity of AMOLED technology.

The Epix 2 also saw significant upgrades in terms of battery life. Despite the power-hungry AMOLED display, Garmin managed to optimise the device's energy consumption, offering up to 16 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 42 hours in GPS mode. This extended battery life made the Epix 2 a reliable companion for multi-day adventures and reduced the need for frequent charging.

The Garmin Epix 2 introduced a range of features that set it apart from its predecessor and other GPS watches in the market. One of the most significant improvements was in its navigation and mapping capabilities. The device came preloaded with TopoActive maps, offering detailed topographical information for outdoor activities. The multi-band GNSS support improved its accuracy in challenging environments, such as urban canyons or dense forests, where GPS signals can be weak or inconsistent.

In terms of fitness tracking, the Epix 2 expanded its capabilities significantly. It incorporated advanced metrics like VO2 max estimation, training status, and recovery time recommendations. These features, combined with a wide range of activity profiles, made the Epix 2 an excellent choice for athletes and fitness enthusiasts across various disciplines.

The Epix 2 also saw improvements in its smartwatch features. It offered smartphone notifications, music storage and playback, and contactless payments via Garmin Pay. The device's compatibility with Garmin's Connect IQ store allowed users to customise their experience with additional apps, widgets, and watch faces.

As the Epix line continued to evolve, Garmin introduced variants to cater to different user preferences and needs. The Garmin Epix 2 Sapphire, for instance, featured a more durable sapphire crystal lens and a titanium bezel, offering enhanced scratch resistance and a premium feel. This variant appealed to users who prioritised durability and were willing to invest in a higher-end model.

The success of the Garmin Epix 2 paved the way for further iterations, including the Garmin Epix Pro and the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2. These models built upon the solid foundation of the Epix 2, introducing new features and refinements to meet the evolving needs of users.

Throughout its evolution, the Garmin Epix collection has maintained a focus on combining robust GPS functionality with smartwatch features. This blend of outdoor-oriented capabilities and everyday usability has been a key factor in the line's popularity. Whether used for navigation during a backcountry hike, tracking performance during a triathlon, or simply staying connected throughout the day, the Garmin Epix series has proven to be a versatile and reliable companion for a wide range of users.

The Garmin Epix Pro represents a significant step forward in the Epix lineup, building upon the success of the Epix 2 with enhanced features and capabilities. One of the most notable additions to the Epix Pro is the built-in LED torch. This feature, while seemingly simple, has proven incredibly useful for outdoor enthusiasts, providing quick and easy illumination for nighttime activities or emergencies. The torch offers variable intensities and even includes a strobe mode, adding an extra layer of safety to the device.

Another key upgrade in the Garmin Epix Pro is the inclusion of a larger battery. This improvement allows for extended usage times, particularly beneficial for multi-day adventures or users who rely heavily on GPS and other power-intensive features. The exact battery life varies depending on usage, but the Epix Pro generally offers several days of use in smartwatch mode and over 30 hours in GPS mode.

The Epix Pro also saw enhancements in its health monitoring capabilities. It introduced new sensors, including a body temperature sensor and a blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) sensor. These additions allow for more comprehensive health tracking, providing users with insights into their overall well-being and recovery status. The body temperature sensor, in particular, offers valuable data for acclimatisation when training or competing in different environments.

In terms of navigation, the Garmin Epix Pro continued to excel. It maintained the multi-band GNSS support of its predecessor, ensuring accurate positioning even in challenging environments. The device also expanded its mapping capabilities, offering more detailed topographic maps and the ability to download additional maps for specific regions or activities.

The Garmin Epix Pro 2, also referred to as the Garmin Epix 2 Pro, further refined the features of the Epix Pro while introducing some new capabilities. One of the most notable additions was the introduction of hill scores and endurance scores. These metrics provide runners and cyclists with valuable insights into their performance on inclines and their overall endurance levels, respectively. Such data can be instrumental in training and race planning, allowing athletes to tailor their efforts more effectively.

The Epix Pro 2 also saw improvements in its display technology. While maintaining the AMOLED screen that made the Epix 2 so popular, the Pro 2 offers enhanced brightness and clarity, making it even easier to read in bright sunlight or during intense activities. The touchscreen responsiveness was also improved, allowing for smoother interactions even with sweaty fingers or while wearing gloves.

Both the Garmin Epix Pro and Epix Pro 2 maintained the robust build quality that the Epix line is known for. They feature durable materials like Corning Gorilla Glass DX or sapphire crystal for the lens, depending on the specific model. The bezel is typically made of stainless steel or titanium, offering excellent protection against scratches and impacts.

In terms of smartwatch functionality, these models continued to expand their capabilities. They offer smartphone notifications, contactless payments via Garmin Pay, music storage and playback, and compatibility with a wide range of third-party apps. This blend of outdoor-focused features and everyday smartwatch functionality makes the Epix Pro and Pro 2 versatile companions for a wide range of users.

The Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2, which refers to the second generation of the Pro series, incorporates many of these advancements. It represents Garmin's commitment to continual improvement, offering users the latest in GPS and smartwatch technology.

The Garmin GPS Epix series stands out for its exceptional navigation capabilities, building on Garmin's decades of experience in GPS technology. These devices utilise multi-band GNSS support, allowing them to receive signals from multiple satellite systems simultaneously. This includes GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and in some models, BeiDou. The ability to use multiple systems not only improves accuracy but also enhances performance in challenging environments where signals from a single system might be obstructed or unreliable.

One of the standout features of the Garmin GPS Epix is its mapping capabilities. The devices come preloaded with TopoActive maps, which provide detailed topographical information for the region of purchase. These maps include terrain contours, elevation data, points of interest, and even routable roads and trails. This makes the Epix series invaluable for hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers who need to navigate unfamiliar terrain.

Beyond the preloaded maps, users can download additional maps from Garmin's extensive library. This includes detailed street maps for urban navigation, specialised maps for activities like skiing or golfing, and marine charts for water-based activities. The ability to store multiple map sets on the device makes the Epix series versatile tools for users who engage in various outdoor activities or frequently travel to different regions.

The Epix series also excels in its route creation and navigation features. Users can create routes directly on the device using the touchscreen interface, or they can plan routes on their computer or smartphone using Garmin's software and then transfer them to the watch. During navigation, the watch provides turn-by-turn directions, off-course alerts, and can even recommend routes back to the starting point if the user gets lost.

For more extreme adventures, the Epix series includes features like ClimbPro, which provides real-time information about current and upcoming climbs, including gradient, distance, and elevation gain. This feature is particularly useful for hikers and cyclists tackling mountainous terrain. The devices also offer ABC (Altimeter, Barometer, Compass) sensors, providing additional data for outdoor navigation and weather prediction.

While navigation is a core strength of the Garmin GPS Epix, these devices offer much more than just GPS functionality. They serve as comprehensive fitness trackers and performance monitors, catering to a wide range of sports and activities.

The GPS capabilities of the Epix series extend beyond just outdoor navigation. These devices also use GPS for accurate distance and pace measurements during activities like running, cycling, and swimming. This allows for precise tracking of workouts and races, providing valuable data for athletes to analyse their performance.

One of the advanced features that sets the Garmin GPS Epix apart is its ability to create and follow structured workouts. Users can design complex training sessions with specific targets for pace, heart rate, or power, and the watch will provide real-time guidance to keep them on track. This feature is particularly useful for athletes following a structured training plan or preparing for a specific event.

The Epix series also incorporates GPS data into its recovery and training load features. By accurately measuring the intensity and duration of activities, these devices can provide insights into the user's training status, suggest recovery times, and even recommend future workouts based on the user's goals and current fitness level.

Models like the Garmin Epix Pro and Garmin Epix Pro 2 offer advanced performance metrics such as VO2 max estimation, lactate threshold, and training effect. These metrics help users understand the physiological impact of their workouts and make informed decisions about their training regimen.

The devices also include a wide range of sport-specific features. For runners, there are advanced running dynamics metrics like ground contact time and vertical oscillation. Cyclists can benefit from power meter compatibility and cycling dynamics. Swimmers get detailed stroke analysis and SWOLF scores. The versatility of these devices makes them suitable for multisport athletes and triathletes as well.

The Garmin GPS Epix series goes beyond just tracking and navigation, incorporating several safety and connectivity features that enhance its utility in various situations.

One of the key safety features is incident detection. The devices can automatically alert pre-set emergency contacts with the user's location if they detect a fall or impact during certain activities. There's also a manual SOS feature that allows users to call for help in emergency situations, providing their GPS coordinates to rescuers. These features can be lifesaving in remote areas or during solo adventures.

The Epix series has also embraced the growing trend of online community and competition in fitness tracking. Through features like Garmin Connect and LiveTrack, users can share their activities, compete with friends, and even allow others to follow their progress in real-time during events or training sessions. This social aspect adds another dimension to the GPS tracking capabilities, encouraging users to explore new routes and challenge themselves.

For urban users, the GPS functionality extends to everyday conveniences. The Epix series can provide turn-by-turn navigation for walking or driving in cities, making it a useful tool for travellers or anyone exploring a new area. The devices can also remember where you parked your car and guide you back to it, a simple but often appreciated feature.

In terms of connectivity, the Epix series offers smartphone notifications, allowing users to stay connected even when their phone is tucked away. Models like the Garmin Epix 2 and Garmin Epix Gen 2 support music storage and control, enabling users to listen to their favourite tracks without carrying a separate device. Many models also support contactless payments via Garmin Pay, adding another layer of convenience to daily life.

The Epix series is also compatible with a wide range of sensors and accessories, from heart rate monitors and power meters to inReach satellite communicators. This expandability allows users to customise their device to suit their specific needs and activities.

Looking to the future, it's likely that Garmin will continue to innovate in both GPS technology and connectivity features for the Epix series. Potential areas for advancement include even greater accuracy, improved power efficiency, and more advanced integration of GPS data with other sensors and features, ensuring that the Garmin GPS Epix remains at the forefront of wearable technology for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes alike.