Garmin Epix

8.2
8.2 score
(TheGearHunt) score (8.2)/10

Our TheGearHunt score is based on 3 different factors: Editor's rating after in-depth testing. User ratings submitted on this page Overall score from the "reviewmeter" based on reviews across the web the weight of each factor is: 40% editor rating 15% user ratings 45% reviewmeter.
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Editor rating: 9.7 / 10
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Garmin Epix Review Facts

The Garmin Epix is a sporty smartwatch (not one that is terribly fashionable) which is meant to have all the hold all the different capabilities of Garmin’s sports watches in one. It has GPS features, as well as features that allow one to swim, hike, run, and do any activities they wish to, essentially. It is perfect for anyone who loves to spend time outdoors or who enjoys participating in many sports. Not only does it allow you to track your sports activities, but the Garmin Epix will also track your steps, and will send you gentle reminders to get into action if you aren’t moving as much as you need to. Besides that, the Garmin Epix has a heart rate monitor, a power sensor, a temperature sensor, and more. And, the watch is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. While the watch does not get as many updates anymore due to the fact that Garmin has released more models, the watch is perfect for anyone who is particularly athletic and sporty.

Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
  • The watch has a GPS, which also includes high-quality topographic maps
  • The Garmin Epix has features for all kinds of sports, including swimming, hiking, running, skiing, and more
  • This sports watch is waterproof, meaning that it will accommodate swimmers
  • The watch has an app compatible with both Android and iOS devices
  • The watch also includes a touchscreen, so you can use the touchscreen to use the watch for your day-to-day activities
Cons
  • The Garmin Epix is not a very fashionable watch. It looks more sporty and rugged and it is not sleek at all
  • Some people have found that the accuracy of their pace, distance, and location provided by the watch was not exact

Activities

There are many different activities that you could participate in thanks to the Garmin Epix watch.

If you love hiking, the watch has a GPS feature in it that will let you know where you are going and how far you have hiked. However, the watch did get a bit inaccurate when people started hiking in areas that had poorer connection. Something interesting to note, however, is that this smartwatch will work with both Russian and American satellites, which means that it is compatible in many different environments. For areas where the connection was fine, the watch worked perfectly, according to hikers.

If you will be training for a marathon, for example, the Garmin watch is the perfect choice to help you to gather some information about yourself, such as your heart rate and how many calories you have burned. The Garmin heart rate monitor, according to many people, is highly accurate. The watch also has an accelerometer, which will allow you to see how fast you run in comparison to other runners. It also has a metronome, which will help you to improve upon your cadence.

Swimmers can also find a great deal of support from this product. If you will be swimming in a regular pool (i.e., not one in a hotel, not a blow-up pool, but one meant for practicing strokes), people have noted that the watch was able to detect the strokes they made simply based off of their movement. The watch also was able to note how far they swam and their speed. This is essential for people who intend to participate in swim competitions.

And, of course, for any other sports activity, the watch will provide valuable information. It will help you to see anything from how many steps you’ve taken to how far you’ve gone to your resting and current heart rate. If you are someone who is an avid sports player, or who likes to do more active exercise, the Epix is perfect for you.

Basic Features

Just like most smartwatches that are also fitness trackers, the Epix will tell you how far you have gone, your heart rate, how many calories you have burned, and similar information regarding your activity.

The watch also supports the Connect IQ app and the Garmin Connect app, which means that you will be able to see more detailed information about your exercise and your health through these sites.

It also does have a touchscreen, which can make it easier to use for some people. However, the Garmin smartwatch also does have buttons on its edges, which will help you to access a lot of the features a lot faster and easier. For example, the button on the top left will help to activate the watch’s backlight, and it could also turn the watch off or lock it if you hold it down for a while. There are then two buttons below this one, which help you to scroll up and down. You can also scroll through the touchscreen if that is easier. The button of the top right will select the option that you have landed on, and the button on the bottom right will take you back to the menu, count one of your laps, or pause tracking.

Advanced Features

The smartwatch also comes with many advanced features that people had nothing but positive things to say about.

One of these features includes the ability to receive notifications. You will be able to be notified of any emails, text messages, or other alerts that come to your phone right on your Garmin watch. And, you can also fix the watch’s settings so that these notifications will vibrate instead of beep, which is perfect if you are a traveler or might be around other people.

Another very cool feature of the watch is that it offers colored maps. And people said that these maps are highly accurate, as long as you aren’t hiking in the mountains, on cliffs, or in other places that typically have poor connection (or none at all). The GPS features on the watch will show you exactly where you are going, how far you have traveled, and how many steps you have taken. The watch also has a compass for you to understand the direction you’re traveling in.

Another advanced feature of the watch is that it shows you your cadence. This is a unique and overlooked aspect. Not many fitness trackers offer something for you to check your cadence. The watch has a metronome feature in it which will allow you to see your cadence and what your ideal cadence should be. So, if you plan to be running in a marathon or another event, this will be perfect.

Connectivity

As with most smartwatches, this one also has to be connected to some sort of device in order to operate correctly and to give you the opportunity to sync the activities you participate in to another device. One way for you to connect your watch is through using a USB cord and connecting it to a desktop computer. You will need to create an account on the Garmin Connect website. This will then allow you to sync all your information to your profile, and to also set any goals that you might have for yourself. You can even have the opportunity to share all of these activities on social media.

Another way for you to connect your watch to a device is through using Bluetooth. The watch is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. You will need to also download the Garmin Connect app to your iPhone or other smartphone device. Then, you can sync your information as usual, and as you would to the regular website.

And finally, the last way for you to sync your information is through the iPhone or other smartphone’s health app that is already available with the phone. This will simply make all of the information available on the health app.

Apps

Other than the Garmin Connect app that we have mentioned before, this product already has a lot of features which are built-in and included from the get-go. So, it does not need as many apps that another smartwatch might in order to operate and to have all the features that people might find necessary.

However, the Garmin watch does have an app called Connect IQ. This allows you to customize the watch as you wish. You can change the watch face to be anything you would like (you can even download your own photos to use for the watch background), change the widgets that appear on the screen, and more. The app also provides support for different types of sports that you might be participating in.

Comfort

The Garmin Epix smartwatch is very comfortable to wear. People have said that they did not feel as though the watch was too clunky on their wrists, and they felt as though the watch did not cause any discomfort when they wore it for long periods of time. It is important that a fitness tracking watch be as comfortable as possible, due to the fact that people will likely be wearing it for long amounts of time (even 24/7) and it cannot cause any disturbances for them. It is also important to note, however, that despite the fact that the watch is comfortable, it does not have the most stylish design.

Style

Many smartwatches that are available on the market are specifically aimed towards looking as attractive and pleasing as possible. However, Garmin did not make the style the emphasis when it came to the design and style of the Epix watch. For some people, having a stylish and sleek smartwatch is important so that they can wear it anywhere. So, if you are looking for a watch that has a fashionable design to it, the Garmin Epix might not be it.

The watch’s design clearly shows that it is something meant to be worn outside in rugged conditions. It is a sports watch, and is highly practical for any activities that you might be participating in. While some other sports watches might be fragile and unintended for swimming, or for more rough exercises, the Garmin Epix was designed especially for those.

The watch might seem to be very bulky- even though it is rather comfortable- and is quite rough around the edges. However, if you are someone who likes this look, and does not necessarily need a watch that will go with corporate attire, then this is a great option for you.

The watch is available in black.

Durability

It is evident that the Garmin Epix watch will be something that was intended to last for a very long time. If you are someone who plans to be outdoors a lot in rugged environments, this watch is perfect for you. The watch design has a PVD coated surface which will keep the watch safe no matter what you are doing. And, the face also has a glass lens on it to protect it as well as possible. And finally, if you are a swimmer, the watch is waterproof for up to 50 meters.

Battery

The watch has a 50-hour battery life, which is not the longest on the market, but this is great for a watch that you probably will use as frequently as the Garmin Epix.

Price

The Garmin Epix watch is rather pricey, listed on Amazon as right under 300 USD ($297). Since Garmin has released new sports watches, the Epix has dropped in price. While this might be a steep price for some, others might think that considering all the activities and features the Epix provides, it might be worth the price. Some people, however, complained about how high the price was in comparison to competing smartwatches.

Key Features

-The Garmin Epix has accurate GPS features that will show you where you’re going, how fast, and how far.
-The watch also has a feature to show you your cadence and what your ideal cadence should be.
-If you are a swimmer, you can take the watch in the pool, and it will track your stroke, laps, and time.
-Runners can see how they compare with other runners thanks to the watch.
-The watch is compatible with any device, including desktop computers, and you can access your information from anywhere you’d like.

Bottom Line

The only thing that might turn some people off about the Garmin Epix watch is the fact that it is not very stylish. Indeed, this watch does look masculine and rugged, and it might not be the most suitable option for an event or somewhere else you might need to dress up nicely. But otherwise, the Garmin Epix is perfect for an outdoor enthusiast who needs something that will accurately give them GPS information, measure their cadence, track their movements, help them to swim, and more. If you are willing to spend almost $300, this investment is worth it.