In summary
The new Garmin epix Pro Gen2 is a slight improvement over the current epix Gen2, with the main innovations being the Elevate V5 heart rate monitor, new sport profiles, and a built-in flashlight. The Pro version is also available in three sizes, so it is suitable for thicker and thinner wrists. In terms of sports and health functions, the epix Pro delivers on everything Garmin has to offer, making it one of the best watches you can buy in this area. Battery life for the 51mm model we tested is also excellent, especially since the watch has such a large AMOLED display. The only pain point is the price, since it ranges between 1,050 and 1,150 euros.
Garmin will introduce new top models in its fēnix and epix model series on Wednesday. These high-end watches aimed at outdoor athletes and triathletes now get a Pro version, in addition to the existing fēnix 7 and epix Gen 2 models. As with the current series, the difference between fēnix 7 Pro and epix Pro Gen 2 lies in the screen. The former has a very economical display and flip pixel memory, while the epix Pro Gen 2 has an amoled display.
The new Pro variants were not deliberately introduced as a new generation; Garmin seems to think the changes are too small for that. The new watches, of course, contain a number of new features and improvements. In addition to longer battery life and an all-new optical heart rate monitor, the Pro watches offer even more sportiness and Garmin comes with a new Hill Score and Endurance Score, which should help you better monitor your training progress. I’ve been testing the 51mm epix Pro Gen 2 Sapphire Edition for the past month and you can read my experience in this review.
fēnix 7 family and epix Gen
It’s sometimes hard to see the wood for trees on a Garmin, because it produces so many different watches, often in different shapes. This also applies to the fēnix 7 series, which previously consisted of the fēnix 7, 7S and 7X, and is now complemented by the Pro variants of them. These Pro models come in three different sizes, with and without a titanium and sapphire glass case, but in all cases with solar glass, with which the watches can be charged with solar energy. The epix Pro doesn’t get that last option, but like the fēnix 7 Pro it comes in three different sizes, with and without a titanium case and sapphire glass. We understand that the arrival of new models means that some existing fēnix 7 models will disappear from the market in the near future, while others will receive a price drop of €50. It appears that this price drop has already begun, as can also be seen in our Pricewatch. A full overview of all the new models can be found below. The interesting thing is that the prices are not soft. The fēnix 7 starts at €850 and goes up to €1,050, while the epix Gen 2 is €100 higher.
| Diameter | a screen | Accuracy | glass | price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fēnix 7S Pro – Solar Edition | 42 mm | 1.2 inches–mip | 240 x 240 | Power Glass | 850 euros |
| fēnix 7S Pro – Solar Sapphire | 42 mm | 1.2 inches | 240 x 240 | Sapphire power | 950 euros |
| fēnix 7 Pro – Solar Edition | 47 mm | 1.3 inches | 260 x 260 | Power Glass | 850 euros |
| fēnix 7 Pro – Solar Sapphire | 47 mm | 1.3 inches | 260 x 260 | Sapphire power | 950 euros |
| fēnix 7X Pro – Solar Edition | 51 mm | 1.4 in | 280 x 280 | Power Glass | 950 euros |
| fēnix 7X Pro – Solar Sapphire | 51 mm | 1.4 in | 280 x 280 | Sapphire power | 1050 euros |
| epix Pro Gen 42mm | 42 mm | 1.2 inch OLED | 390 x 390 | Gorilla Glass | 950 euros |
| epix Pro Gen Sapphire 42mm | 42 mm | 1.2 inch OLED | 390 x 390 | sapphire | 1050 euros |
| epix Pro Gen 47mm | 47 mm | 1.3 inch OLED | 416 x 416 | Gorilla Glass | 950 euros |
| epix Pro Gen Sapphire 47mm | 47 mm | 1.3 inch OLED | 416 x 416 | sapphire | 1050 euros |
| epix Pro Gen 51mm | 51 mm | 1.4″ OLED | 454 x 454 | Gorilla Glass | 1050 euros |
| epix Pro Gen Sapphire 51mm | 51 mm | 1.4″ OLED | 454 x 454 | sapphire | 1150 euros |
(unique) new posts
The data sheets for the new Pro models we received from Garmin accurately list the improvements and new features these watches offer over the existing fēnix 7 and epix models:
- Improved battery life. Up to 37 days in smartwatch mode for fēnix 7 (with three hours of direct sunlight per day) and up to 31 days for epix Pro.
- Built-in LED flashlight With red and white LED lights for all models and sizes. This feature was previously only available with the fēnix 7X.
- Fifth generation optical heart rate monitor.
- Hillscore. A new metric that shows how good you are and whether you’re getting better at running in hilly terrain.
- degree of endurance
- . Based on a planned trip to another time zone, he gives advice on rest, movement, sleep, and searching for light. (**)
- . Measures (calculates) how much watts you are using while running activities without the need for an external sensor. (**)
- . The new sports features are: Football, American Football, Cricket, Rugby, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Ice Hockey, Field Hockey, Disc Sports, Volleyball, Lacrosse, Tennis, Table Tennis, Racquetball, Squash and Pickleball , platform tennis, swing, badminton, canoe, raft, motorcycle, motocross, driving, ATV, snowboarding, horseback riding, ice skating and steeplechase.
. A new metric that shows how good you are and whether your performance in longer endurance activities is decreasing or increasing.
Jet Lag Consultant
Wrist-based running strength
More activity profiles
Red shift mode
. Changes the screen to red only to reduce the strain of reading in the dark.
Quite new feature list, but as you can see, I’ve added a few asterisks. One-star features will also be available for existing fēnix 7 and epix Gen2 models, and may also be available for some Forerunner series watches. When it won’t be clear yet, but for Hill Score and Endurance Score, Garmin notes that this will be the case “later in 2023.” The features with two asterisks are also new, as the fēnix 7 and epix didn’t have when they were introduced early last year. These functions have now been added to these watches with firmware updates, so they’re not really new. The interface and operation of the new Pro watches are indeed similar to those of the current models. Garmin has added a number of new watch faces that are unique to the new Pro models, and a long press on the back button brings up a list of recently used apps and functions with the new watches. Furthermore, the interface is identical to that of the existing fēnix 7 and epix, which also means that the watches can be operated via their touch screens and with five buttons around the screen.
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