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EPIX 3X

dannyldavis
over 2 years ago

I'll be the first in line for the next generation Epix 3X with better battery life, usable Always On dim screen, improved build quality and consistently good buttons.

Meanwhile, I'm returning the Epix 2 as a compromised first attempt at Fenix AMOLED (similar to what Fenix 3 was in the Fenix series) for the following reasons in priority:

1.  The Menu Button Failed - Within 48 hours the menu button started to become non-responsive.  Seeing this issue in forums by other users complaining of mushy and failing buttons, I called Garmin and they said give it some time referencing lubricant getting better flow with use.  At this point moments ago, 25 depressions will not bring up the menu screen!

2:  Always-On Isn't - It might as well be turned off as so dim of no useful purpose unless your wrist activities bright screen unlike my Wife's iWatch that is always on.  (Yes, I understand the tradeoffs in battery life with Apple at a day and Garmin at 6.

3.  Battery Life - If they had made a larger Epix 2X the battery life would have proportionally been 9 days comparing to the difference between the Fenix 7 and 7X which I could live with.

4.  If feels cheap - Wrist band, buttons and feel.  Sadly a $1000 Watch with 99 cent buttons and band compared to my Fenix 6X or even former Fenix 5X.

I waited patiently as we all did for the Fenix 6X replacement but was non-plused the Fenix 7X did not have better screen resolution while the Epix 2 had as great screen but was deficient in other areas.  Disappointed on both fronts and hoping for a later introduced larger Epix 2X, I finally gave in a week ago and bought the Epix 2.  Looks like I should have waited longer.

Still have my 6X sapphire and I'll probably buy the Fenix 7X sapphire solar plus may try the aviation D2 Mach 1 for it's flying features and dressier appearance but sad to see the quality of buttons on the new watches and I may have the same quality with the 7X.  Having a 5X and 6X here at my desk I just tried their buttons and after years of use they are still crisp and functional.  I do like the new real-time stamina feature.

Touch screen for maps is nice but otherwise I like buttons.  Huge battery life of 7X solar is great but my 21 days on 6X is not problem.

With 5X and 6X, the only problems I ever had were with charge connector and battery.  5X charge connector failed after warranty but Garmin replace for free; 6X battery failed after warranty but Garmin also replaced for free.  So, I have no beef with Garmin service, its great.  However, you see my concern with a watch the has reduced battery life as always having to plug in which cycles both the charge connector and battery life which have been my only problems with Fenix.

Regarding build quality, I don't get it.  Why would Garmin cheapen the buttons on the watch?  Do they think now that there is a touch screen buttons aren't important to traditional Fenix users?

On a positive note, things I do like about the Epix are, of course a beautiful vibrant screen, higher resolution and better viewing behind a crystal minimizing reflections.

As a runner, cyclist, swimmer, golfer and pilot, I'm devoted to Garmin and have a lot of their toys but they had a lot of time to make the Fenix/Epix upgrade wonderful and I'm disappointed they missed the mark especially on quality.  What if their airplane glass panels had lousy buttons that wouldn't work.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    Garmin can call it 2X, 3X, or 17X. Just give us larger watch with AMOLED. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to akiakic

    Yes. You said in few words what really would have satisfied me. I was looking for a Fenix 7X with AMOLED and I’d be satisfied. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    I would like to see Garmin watches to become thinner. I find the Finix/Epix line just a bit too thick. Difficult to do while keeping or increasing the battery life.

    Yes, having the option of a 7x screen size would be very nice. That plus thinner is even nicer!

    Another thing I would like to see is increased size of the solar film - to take more of the non-screen bezel space.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    the AOD not working fine is quite weird.

    For example all the time I wear my epix 2 the AOD is on.

    Only way to have the AOD go fully back (even if enabled) is to place it on a table where it is completely still for a while (like 5 o 8seconds)

    Even during meditation sessions my AOD stay dimmed

    I would actually check if you AOD issues is something else, maybe also linked to your menu button malfuction

    Have you asked for support/ RMA replacement?

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    2) I understand it is always on for you, but just too dim in its ambient state? Wrist gesture should fix that, plus you can also change brightness levels for during an activity (different levels for during activity, general & sleep). Though personally I haven't noticed an issue with too dim as the ambient sensor normally seems to resolve that.

    4) I really don't think its the band quality - I think its the wrong size. It should have been a 24mm, not a 22mm as aesthetically it just looks too skinny and I think that gives the impression of lack of quality, but the band itself is technically just as good as the 6x, and actually would say better as its more flexible. F6x always felt like I was strapping on armour.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to jaamgans

    Yes. It should have been 24mm. I completely agree.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    Well, it's done.  I took the Epix 2 back and exchanged for the Fenix 7X Sapphire.

    Epix had to go back due to menu button failure, so was no longer functional.  However, low battery life, inconsistent buttons, etc. on Epix made the switch back to Fenix more desirable.

    Still would love to have the Fenix 7X Sapphire I know have with the AMOLED screen (Epix 3).

    All is functional on the Fenix 7X and the buttons all have the same feel as opposed to the Epix 2 that have one failed menu button and the other four all varieties of click/mushiness.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to dannyldavis

    Wear it for few days and then report back if your compass is working. I would like to see if this new batch has fixed compass issues. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    Buttons are still and issue.  Took the Epix 2 back to store as the menu button ceased working and other buttons had an inconsistent feel.  

    Bought a 7X and like the Fenix 7X better than the Epix 2 for the not ready for prime-time reasons stated above but the menu and power buttons on the 7X   also have an inconsistent and undesirable feel.  While not failing yet, I expect one or both may ultimately fail like the Epix 2.

    Interestingly, I was at AirVenture in Oshkosh where Garmin has a huge tent with aviation plus watches such as D2 Mach 1, Epix 2 and Fenix 7X all on display.  I tried all buttons on all three watches and they were crisp and consistent which leads me to believe that Garmin is shipping defective or at least less than acceptable quality on the new watches. 

    I'm a big Garmin fan but I've never run into such quality issues has I've had with the Epix 2 and Fenix 7x.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to dannyldavis

    My 7X buttons are horrible with double clicking and spongy. All of them. Got Epix 2 and so far a month in every button is great. I sent 7X for replacement so will see how that turns out. Every previous Fénix I had 5, 5X, 6X had bad buttons.