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Epix 2 AOD display unreadable in direct sun?

AC206
over 2 years ago

Hive mind question:

Recently started using an Epix 2 (after multiple Fenix models over the years) and find the Epix AOD standard (not wrist gesture illuminated) display is impossible to see in direct summer sun. I try to spend a lot of time on the water… and really enjoy the watch display when I’m not on a boat or a board.

It’s almost like the ambient light sensor in AOD mode doesn’t respond or turns down the illumination in direct sun. Rest of the time it seems to adjust to ambient light fine indoors, and is easier to read most other times than the 7 Solar Sapphire I had prior.

Put another way, there’s no way to read the watch’s AOD display in direct sun unless activating the ‘active’ illumination of a wrist gesture or screen/button tap.

I went back and forth with Garmin support but didn’t really get a sense of this is a hardware or software issue with my watch or whether it’s a design tradeoff for the Epix 2. I am running the latest OS; had the watch about 2 weeks so far and it was the same with prior OS.

Anyone else familiar with this? The question I am trying to resolve is whether to go back to a Fenix SS.

Here’s a pic on a dog walk of the display being ‘washed out’ in AOD mode.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    Yes, this.  I think the hard to read (for my eyes) Fenix screen is generally better than this.  They need to address quite a few issues in the software to get me onboard with my Epix 2 again.  Right now it sits on a stack of paper on my desk as a reminder that I should wait at least 6 months before buying a new product.  lol.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    Never had a problem with this on my Epix 2. But it depends on the angle as its a sapphire glass. Same problem with the other sapphire watches even with the MIP display. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    In direct sun light of a bright day, I do not see the AOD screen, UNLESS activated through wrist gesture or touch. The brightness level doesn't seem to change the "dark" AOD state, only the "bright" one. I have been testing changing the brightness management of the "dark" state, in a very dark or very bright environment and didn't see any difference. For the "bright" state however, brightness level makes a huge difference.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to Etupes25

    Thanks, that tracks with what I’m seeing too. Maybe a later software update allows that to be tailored or better sync with an ambient light sensor.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to AC206

    Hardly, it will spend to much power and burn out the display to fast. That is where MIP displays has an advantage because it reflects the light from the sun instead of competing on brightness with it and why I ended up keeping both 955 and Epix. Even though is classified as "outdoor" it does better indoor or at least cloudy days and at night time. While MIP models are the better choice for sunshine.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to PallMe

    Definitely agree.

    As it's not a big deal with activity ongoing i would say that the choice is gesture on or off.

    I keep it off and if i really need something, outside of an activity, i can just cover the watch with my hand.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to Mladen T

    I enjoy AOD on map during activity because the display does not need to be refreshed and the reading is quick once the Epix is woken up by a gesture. But in direct sun I won't be able to read it, I just see it is active and waiting for a gesture to be readable.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    Tend to agree - I need to 'gesture' it to be able to see it really well, which is fine for me, and is what I'm usually doing anyway - meaning, raising or moving my wrist to get a look at what's going on. I'm using mine in running and biking mode (not on the water, in other words) and I have mine set to play my stats/details to me regularly via either my earbuds (yes with pass thru sound activated thank you) or a Noxgear 39g little tiny BT speaker (also not blasting out my tunes; only I hear it) - point being - I have my info being played to me, so my <need> to look at my watch whilst active is even lessened by that, just a bit. But yes I use gesture to 'see' the watch well in direct sun.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to Etupes25

    In general I have no issues with the screen but I do agree that direct sunlight can be an issue. Even with wrist gesture I have troubles reading the display in very bright and direct sunlight while on the MTB. I don't see this as a big problem. I can wait and look at it later or stop and look at the screen. It is a 1 out of 100, or even less, problem.