Epix Pro Gen 2 - Updated Golf Map Graphics

As for your aviation example: Garmin never says anything about Aviation on EPIX Pro. Therefore there is no confusion about exactly what aviation features are on the EPIX ... the answer is NONE!

But Garmin says LOTS about golf on Epix and Epix PRO. Yet still we see some crucial feature differences where half-priced S70 remains superior.

msquared2 said:

EPIX 14.36 gets this:

Added Golf "Plays Like" improvements.
Added Golf Biomes support for OLED products.
Added Multisport option for race calendar.
Fix Golf scorecard button not properly dismissing.
Fixed issue with golf plays like using stale weather data.

But MARQ 2 14.36 (yes, same firmware!) in addition to above gets these extras:

Added new Golf Virtual Caddie interface.
Added Virtual Caddie suggestion in green view for Marq 2 Golfer.
Added tree drawing to golf on Marq 2.
Improved golf Hole Picker.

I am not sure this is 100% accurate.  I play golf a lot and used the S62 for years.  I then purchased the S70 before exchanging it for the Epix 2 Pro 51mm.  After 14.36, the Epix 2 Pro has the improved golf virtual caddie interface from the S70 where you have the dispersion box and the suggestions based on wind etc.  It also has the improved golf hole picker.

So the golf differences now are the 2 items that specifically mention the Marq 2 golfer, i.e., the virtual caddie suggestion in green view and the tree drawings.

Personally, out of these, it would be really nice to have the tree drawings on the Epix 2 Pro, but it's not absolutely critical. I am very happy with the 14.36 improvements on Epix Pro 2 when compared to my old S62.  The shot dispersion box, improved graphics, and enhanced plays like are fantastic.

Furthermore, for me, comparing the S70 vs the Epix Pro 2, there are significant other differences that are worth the additional cost -- greater water depth rating (5ATM vs 10ATM - I do lots of water sports), significantly better battery life, 51mm vs 47mm, build materials, flashlight, additional widgets/glances like tides, audio prompts, audible alarms, way more navigation and maps features, temperature sensor, additional swimming metrics, and more.

My bullet list above came directly by comparing Garmin's own v14.36 release notes for EPIX Pro here vs MARQ2 per here and (per Garmin) only the MARQ2 has the 2 Virtual Caddie enhancements or the Improved Hole Picker.  Are you saying Garmin is wrong?

Again, I am not bashing EPIX Pro and (for me) it's a better choice than S70. But this insane feature segmentation within the exact same firmware codebase (MARQ vs EPIX) involving features that are already on the much cheaper S70 is just over the top. I feel terrible for Garmin firmware engineers because certainly their jobs would be much easier (cheaper, faster, fewer bugs) without these terrible "product segmentation" decisions.

msquared2 said:

My bullet list above came directly by comparing Garmin's own release notes for EPIX Pro here vs MARQ2 per here and (per Garmin) only the MARQ2 has the Improved Hole Picker.  Are you saying Garmin is wrong?

They may have inadvertently left it off that list.

The improved picker was listed all throughout the Epix 14.xx beta release notes that I participated in.  The final beta release notes that includes the picker (near the bottom) are here: https://forums.garmin.com/beta-program/fenix-7-series/f/announcements/345789/beta-version-14-36---now-available-ota-over-the-air---starting-official-release

All I know is that I have the improved golf hole picker on my Epix 2 Pro.  The old hole picker was a +/- thing and now it is a scroll wheel where you can scroll with your finger or use the buttons to move up and down the hole list. 

But yes, I understand the larger picture of what you are saying in terms of product/feature segmentation.

Pinging Garmin-Jim is there an error in either the MARQ or EPIX release notes for 14.36? See the differences I called out above, vs the claims from cgriffin that his EPIX Pro may have these features.

To be clear, the Epix on 14.36 does have the new virtual caddie interface with dispersion box and the new golf hole picker.  I played golf on Friday and used both of those new features.

It does not have (a) the improved tree detail and (b) the virtual caddie suggestion in green view.  Those are the only two golf-related features specifically tagged in the beta release notes as for the Marq 2.

ok thanks I tee off in few hours and will check it out. Also hope Garmin will fix their documentation (if it is wrong) to reduce confusion like this.

So is there a plan to release the updated golf maps on this watch?

The latest EPIX firmware now DOES include the “tree drawing” which had previously been missing from just the EPIX (but included on MARQ). At this point I believe the golf course graphics are same amongst MARQ and EPIX, both of which now I believe are identical to the S70 (in terms of course graphics).