New Epix Pro (Gen 2) - Sapphire Edition | 51mm

Former Member over 1 year ago

I have always been a fenix user since the first one came out, and have had every version of it. When they started making the solar versions, I think the solar ring made the display look "not so good", and also even more difficult to read at certain angles with the sapphire editions. I wont get a non-sapphire device, because there is nothing worse to me than spending 1k+ on a device and getting a scratch on the screen.

I tried the epix gen 2 last year, and liked the display, but with "always on" enabled, I was not getting a full week between charges, plus I like the 51mm size, so I replaced it with the fenix 7x sapphire solar. Last month I decided to try the enduro 2 just for a change of paste, and shortly after that, the epix pro & fenix pro came out. The epix pro had a 51mm sapphire edition too. My enduro 2 was still within the 30 day return period, so I did a return on that, and ordered the epix pro 51mm sapphire edition, and received it yesterday.

I need a device with sapphire, an easy to read display (without my reading glasses), the battery to last at least a full week (minimum) between charges, and I think this device will surpass those requirements. I've only had it since yesterday, did a short walk yesterday evening just to test it out, and today I did a hike which included everything from bright sunshine to deep in the woods horse trails, and the display was easy to read in all conditions. It also tracked all my metrics accurately. The buttons seem to feel better too.

This device is "AWESOME"!!!

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0 Andrew over 1 year ago

Yup, my mains now are the Fenix 7x SS and Epix Pro. The pro is good for 90 percent of my use case and super readable in the sun, even dimmed. It was crazy going from the 7x to Epix Pro, the amoled is chef kisses, and like you said, the 51mm having the enduro 2 battery makes go go go for much longer.

My Fenix 7x SS will stay by my side for the multi days though, just so I know I'm good.

0 Former Member over 1 year ago in reply to Andrew

How do the buttons feel on your epix pro?

0 Andrey over 1 year ago in reply to Former Member

Compared to 7X (not Pro) and Enduro 2 - feels better, has more pronounced click and as a result finger clearly feels the pressing moment.

0 Andrew over 1 year ago in reply to Former Member

Too be honest, feels the same. My f7 SS is always snappy and clean, EPro is no different. The only buttons that felt bad to me were the fr955, I had to exchange it, it was to mushy and didn't feel great. Even the exchanged one didn't feel good.

0 C.sco over 1 year ago

I agree with you, OldAssDude!

I've always been a Fenix guy, dating back to 2019 with my first 6X Sapphire, then a 7X Sapphire after that. And I still believe MIP is a fantastic display technology, but Garmin has been neglecting it. The technology hasn't improved at all in over 6 years. Still the same mediocre contrast (although slightly improved with F7 Pro), still the same 64 colors, and still the same size and resolution options. Meanwhile, Amoled technology has come a very long way during that time.

So, at least for now, I've switched over to the 51mm Epix Pro for my daily wear watch. If Garmin eventually has some technology breakthrough with MIP screens in the future, then I may switch back to it, but as of now with the new 51mm Epix that gets 11 days of AOD battery life, and nearly the same GPS battery life, there's really no comparison anymore.

This watch is, as the name would suggest, totally epic! I would argue it's the best sports watch anyone has ever made, to date.

And just like @Andrew, I'm still keeping my 7X SS for the time being, for any trips I might do where I require its insane battery life, but I imagine that at least 95% of the time I'll be wearing the Epix from now on.

Regarding buttons, I never really had any issue with the buttons on my 7X, but the buttons on my new Epix do feel substantially better. "Crisp" is probably the word I would use to describe them, whereas the Fenix 7X buttons felt a bit sloppy, although I never had any issues with them working correctly, they just felt a little clunky.

0 guy.charron over 1 year ago

I totally agree. My first was the F3 in 2015, then I bought the 6X sapphire in 2020 and now I got my Epix pro 51mm last Thursday. I'm also totally blown away. Amazing screen and the battery life is much better than I anticipated. I'm really glad I bought it (so is my daughter who just inherited a 6X :-) ).

0 2572376 over 1 year ago in reply to guy.charron

I have F7XSS and now an Epix 2 Pro 51mm, and I think the same, blown away by the screen and battery life. Epix is now may main watch from now on. Nothing to touch it.

0 Former Member over 1 year ago

Thank you all for the replies.

So far it's using about 10% battery per day (with AOD), and that includes at least 1 GPS activity per day. At that rate I should get about 10 days between charges, and I only need 7 so this is perfect for me. I only want to have to charge it once, like on Sunday evening.

I never had any problems with the buttons on any other fenix's either, but the buttons on this epix pro just feel of better quality to me.

The screen on this thing is way better than on the fenix sapphire solar, because it's easy to read at any angle, no matter what the lighting conditions are. It's just AWESOME!

0 C.sco over 1 year ago in reply to Former Member

The screen on this thing is way better than on the fenix sapphire solar, because it's easy to read at any angle, no matter what the lighting conditions are. It's just AWESOME!

I'm a huge map user, I probably use the map more than any other datascreen during most activities, and I also use lots of map layers like satellite imagery and such. So the amoled screen is like night and day difference for me, coming from the Fenix. Everything "worked" okay on the fenix, map-wise, but I just really struggled to make out the details on the maps. The lack of color depth and contrast just really garbled up the maps for me. These amoled displays are brilliant, the clarity and detail is spectacular. I always wanted an Epix purely for that reason alone, but avoided it due to the lack of a 51mm version. As soon as 51mm Pro was announced I placed an order immediately!

0 Former Member over 1 year ago in reply to C.sco

Yeah, I love using the maps too, and they are so much better on this screen. I had an epix gen 2 when they first came out, but could not get a full week out of the battery, and preferred the 51mm watch, so I returned it and got the fenix 7x SS. But, with the new 51mm and being able to get a full week out of the battery, it's a win win.