| Manufacturer | Garmin |
|---|---|
| Type | Premium multisport AMOLED GPS smartwatch |
| Series | Epix |
| Released | 18 January 2022 (announced 18 January 2022) |
| Price at launch | Standard: GBP 799.99 / USD 899.99 / EUR 899.99. Sapphire: GBP 899.99 / USD 999.99 / EUR 999.99 |
| Predecessor | Epix (2015). Shares its platform and feature set with the Fenix 7 |
| Successor | Epix Pro (Gen 2) |
| Sizes | 47mm (medium) |
| Variants | Standard (stainless steel bezel, Gorilla Glass); Sapphire (titanium bezel, sapphire lens) |
| Colours | Standard: Slate Steel. Sapphire: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Carbon Grey DLC Titanium |
Specifications as at launch. Features and activity profiles reflect the latest Garmin software.
Expert opinion | What’s new | Specifications | Battery life | Features | Activity profiles | Comparisons | Quick answers | Further reading
Expert opinion
The first Fenix-class watch to pair an always-on AMOLED touchscreen with multi-day battery life, carrying the full Fenix 7 feature set in a single 47mm case.
The Sapphire edition adds multi-band GPS and 32GB, and in the5krunner testing it produced the most accurate tracks of any watch at the time. The cost against the Fenix 7 is about 30% less battery and no solar option.
Garmin Epix (Gen 2)
AMOLED adventure watch with maps and multi-day battery life.
What’s new at launch
Hardware
- Always-on 1.3 inch AMOLED display at 416 x 416 pixels, the first AMOLED screen on Garmin’s Fenix-class adventure watches
- Touchscreen alongside five buttons
- Multi-band GNSS on the Sapphire editions
- Elevate Gen 4 optical heart rate sensor
- 32GB storage on the Sapphire editions, 16GB on the Standard edition
Software
- All Satellite Systems GNSS mode
- Real-Time Stamina
- Up Ahead
- Health Snapshot
- Sleep Score
- On-device Connect IQ Store
- Watch settings editable from the Garmin Connect app
- Updated SkiView maps
Specifications
| Specification | Epix (Gen 2) Standard | Epix (Gen 2) Sapphire |
|---|---|---|
| Display | ||
| Display type | AMOLED, always-on option | |
| Display size | 33.02mm (1.3″) | |
| Resolution | 416 x 416 pixels | |
| Lens | Corning Gorilla Glass | Sapphire crystal |
| Touchscreen | Yes, plus five buttons | |
| Physical | ||
| Case size | 47mm (medium) | |
| Dimensions | 47 x 47 x 14.5mm | |
| Weight | 76g (case 53g) | 70g (case 47g) |
| Bezel material | Passivated stainless steel | Carbon grey DLC titanium or titanium |
| Case material | Fibre-reinforced polymer with steel rear cover | Fibre-reinforced polymer with titanium rear cover |
| Band | 22mm QuickFit, silicone | |
| Water rating | 10 ATM | |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | ||
| Sensors and positioning | ||
| GNSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, single-band | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, multi-band; SatIQ added by software update |
| Heart rate | Garmin Elevate Gen 4 | |
| ECG | No | |
| Pulse Ox | Yes | |
| Other sensors | Barometric altimeter, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, thermometer, ambient light sensor | |
| Connectivity and storage | ||
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi | |
| NFC (Garmin Pay) | Yes | |
| Storage | 16GB | 32GB |
| Music | Yes, offline Spotify, Deezer and Amazon Music | |
| Maps | Downloadable TopoActive maps via Wi-Fi | Preloaded TopoActive maps |
| LED flashlight | No | |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | ||
Battery life
Both editions share the same battery figures. The multi-band figure applies to the Sapphire edition only, because the Standard edition is single-band.
| Mode | Epix (Gen 2) 47mm |
|---|---|
| Smartwatch | Up to 16 days (6 days always-on) |
| Battery saver watch | Up to 21 days |
| GPS Only | Up to 42 hours (30 hours always-on) |
| All Satellite Systems | Up to 32 hours (24 hours always-on) |
| All Systems + Multi-band (Sapphire) | Up to 20 hours (15 hours always-on) |
| All Systems + Music | Up to 10 hours (9 hours always-on) |
| Max Battery GPS | Up to 75 hours |
| Expedition GPS | Up to 14 days |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
Features
A full breakdown of Garmin platform features is available at Garmin features explained.
Plan
- Daily Suggested Workouts for running and cycling
- Garmin Coach training plans
- Multisport, cardio, strength, HIIT, yoga and Pilates workouts with on-screen animations
- Race Widget and race predictor
- Morning Report
Prepare
- Training Readiness, Training Status and Training Load, added by software update
- HRV Status, added by software update
- Recovery Time
- Body Battery energy monitoring
- Sleep score and advanced sleep monitoring
- All-day stress and respiration tracking
- Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation
- Health Snapshot
- Heat and altitude acclimation
- Women’s health and hydration tracking
Perform
- VO2 max and Real-Time Stamina
- Wrist-based running power and running dynamics, added by software update
- PacePro, ClimbPro and grade-adjusted pace
- Up Ahead for aid stations and checkpoints
- TopoActive maps, routable, with Trendline popularity routing and NextFork
- SkiView maps for more than 2,000 ski resorts
- 43,000 preloaded golf courses
- FTP, power curve and advanced cycling dynamics with a compatible power meter
- Multisport auto transition
- Strava Live Segments and Garmin Live Segments
Connect
- Smart notifications, with text replies on Android
- Garmin Pay contactless payments
- Music storage and playback from Spotify, Deezer and Amazon Music
- Incident detection and assistance during select activities
- LiveTrack and live event sharing
- Connect IQ Store on the watch
- Find My Phone and weather forecasts
- Smart trainer control
Activity profiles
| Category | Profiles |
|---|---|
| Running | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Ultra Running, Obstacle Course, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running |
| Cycling | Biking, Road biking, Mountain Biking, Gravel biking, Bike commuting, Bike touring, eBiking, eMountain Biking, Indoor Biking, Cyclocross, BMX |
| Swimming | Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming |
| Multisport | Triathlon, Swimming/Running |
| Gym and fitness | Strength, HIIT, Cardio and Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing, Indoor rowing, Jump Roping, Indoor Climbing, Boxing, Mixed martial arts, Indoor Walking, Pilates, Yoga |
| Outdoor | Walking, Hiking, Bouldering, Climbing, Hunting, Horseback Riding, Golfing, Disc Golf, Archery, Inline Skating |
| Other | Winter sports: Skiing, Snowboarding, Backcountry Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Backcountry Skiing, Ice Skating, Snowshoeing, XC Skate Skiing | Water sports: Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Kayaking, Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing, Fishing, Boating, Sailing, Sail Racing, Water Skiing, Wakeboarding, Wakesurfing, Tubing, Sailing Expedition, Whitewater, Snorkeling | Team sports: Basketball, Volleyball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Soccer, Football, Lacrosse, Rugby, Ultimate Disc, Cricket, Softball, Baseball | Racket sports: Tennis, Pickleball, Badminton, Squash, Table Tennis, Padel, Platform Tennis, Racquetball | Motorsports: Motorcycling, Overlanding, Motorcrossing, ATVing, Snowmobile | Other: Jumpmaster, Tactical |
Garmin Epix (Gen 2)
AMOLED adventure watch with maps and multi-day battery life.
Comparisons and upgrade guides
- Fenix is dead, long live Epix, the Epix (Gen 2) against the Fenix 7
- Garmin Epix Pro review, what the Epix Pro (Gen 2) adds and whether to upgrade
Quick answers
When was the Garmin Epix Gen 2 released?
Garmin announced and released Epix (Gen 2) on 18 January 2022. The launch price was GBP 799.99 or USD 899.99 for the Standard edition, and GBP 899.99 or USD 999.99 for the Sapphire.
Is the Epix Gen 2 waterproof?
Epix (Gen 2) has a water rating of 10 ATM. It includes Pool Swimming and Open Water Swimming profiles as well as Triathlon.
Does the Epix Gen 2 have maps?
Yes, Epix (Gen 2) Sapphire has preloaded TopoActive maps, and the Standard edition downloads TopoActive maps over Wi-Fi. The maps are routable, with Trendline popularity routing and NextFork.
Does the Epix Gen 2 have a flashlight or ECG?
No, Epix (Gen 2) has no LED flashlight and no ECG.
What size and weight is the Epix Gen 2?
Epix (Gen 2) comes in a single 47mm size and is 14.5mm thick. It weighs 76g as the Standard or 70g as the Sapphire, takes a 22mm QuickFit band and has a 1.3 inch AMOLED touchscreen.
How long does the Epix Gen 2 battery last?
Garmin rates Epix (Gen 2) for up to 16 days as a smartwatch, or 6 days with the display always on. It lasts up to 42 hours in GPS-only mode and 75 hours in Max Battery GPS mode.
Further reading
- Garmin Epix 2 review
- Multi-band GPS accuracy tested on the Epix 2
- Garmin watch specifications
- Release Radar: upcoming Garmin watches
Related watches
Successor: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2), the same AMOLED platform in 42mm, 47mm and 51mm with a flashlight and multi-band GPS on every model.
Also consider: Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro, a titanium AMOLED adventure watch with offline maps at a lower price.
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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