Epix or Venu 2

Hi All,

I know this has been asked by many. I am really struggling to choose between the Epix gen 2 and the Venu 2. I used to have a Fitbit but I broke it swimming! After reading they are not the best with water. I am heavy on my watches between knocks, scratches and water from swimming, water slides etc. Rather than take it off I would like to where it.

I am not sporty at all and I used the Fitbit smart bits for steps, sleep quality (I know Garmin isn't as good) and mostly reading messages and calls. A new sports-orientated watch might kick me into doing things.

So I am really asking for people with the Venu 2 and Epix is the heafty extra price going to give me that extra hard watch or are you paying for a load of functions but the same sturdiness. I just don't want to hit water and see the watch is dead.

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0 Former Member over 2 years ago

Epix can connect ant+ sensors, important when you to cycle in a future.

0 Mladen T over 2 years ago

Venu 2 is more for health in general while Epix 2 has all the training stuff that can definitely push you to train if you like data and numbers in general.

Based on your history and actual fitness level, it can give you daily suggestions for running(and cycling?).

I had a Venu 2 and loved it but, metrics-wise, it's nothing compared to the sports-oriented watches like Forerunner and Fenix/Epix.

If you want to go lower with the price you can check one of the latest forerunners but you don't get the amoled display with them.

0 9955971 over 2 years ago

What's the Venu 2 like with knocks and bangs compared to the Epix?

0 Matt_Barrett over 2 years ago

Or… I’ll throw into the mix the Garmin d2 air, it appears to be a venu2 case with the epix2 software. Potentially it might be a better deal. If you are torn between the two.

might need a bit more research to confirm

0 jaamgans over 2 years ago in reply to 9955971

I suspect it may not take the knocks and bangs quite as well as the epix, especially depending on which epix you decide to to go for re sapphire/non sapphire version, but either way you will be fine in the water with either watch as both are pretty water resistant:

https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/catalog/product/compareResult.ep?compareProduct=760778&compareProduct=707538&compareProduct=869433&compareProduct=730659

When you look at the spec there isn't really much that suggests one is tougher than the other as they are using similar materials (exception sapphire version of Epix), they both have bezels - and while its difficult to see from the pictures, the Epix bezel is definitely more pronounced and definitely more rugged and protects the glass more. But the real differences are really under the hood with much better GPS chip and the addittional fitness and training features (see link of specs to see the huge difference in features).

If you are only doing pool swimming then either watch works, but if you want to include open water swimming then Epix is definitely the better choice. The Epix also has the much higher water rating 10ATM verse 5ATM as its also designed to be used in high speed water activities.

0 trux over 2 years ago

As far as I can see in the specs, Venu 2 does not support Pool Swimming at all, so it may not be the right choice for you, since you wrote you broke your last watch while swimming. If you need a well rugged and a light watch with excellent battery life, I can rather recommend Instinct 2: Garmin | Compare.

It does not offer all the features of Epix 2, but much more than Venu 2. Venu 2 is also waterproof to 5 ATM only, unlike Epix and Instinct. Check the comparative table to see whether it suits you well.

0 Oula over 2 years ago

I had Venu 2 before Epix 2. I really like the Epix 2. Better battery life, more features (HRV status, training readiness, multi-sport).

0 9955971 over 2 years ago in reply to jaamgans

Thank you. I saw the Epix is 10ATM and the higher bezel. Those are the two things that keep drawing me to it. I really want the AMOLED so those two are the main ones I have been looking at.

Due to the big prices difference for a more hardy watch trying to make sure other peoples experience is that. After trashing the FitBit down a water slide I got the hint 5ATM for that maybe the wrong rating although for it looking on forums for water issues is quite high.

0 Oula over 2 years ago in reply to 9955971

Also the ability with Epix 2 two use only buttons is a nice thing. And personally I like the more sturdy design.

0 7187100 over 2 years ago in reply to trux

what are u talking about? venu2 supports pool swimming just fine, i've been using it for more than a year.