Garmin Epix Pro vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: Tested over four months of marathon training
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- Опубліковано 22 чер 2024
- The Garmin Epix Pro and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are two of the best sports watches on the market, and two of Run Tester Nick’s favourites, so he wore both for his marathon training block for the London Marathon 2024. After wearing both for the last four months, Nick goes through the pros and cons he’s spotted with each watch when you’re training hard for a marathon.
The blue nylon band on the Garmin is from eBay: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275841227603
Check out our full reviews of both watches:
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Review From 4 Runners: • Apple Watch Ultra 2 Re...
Garmin Epix Pro Review From 3 Runners: • Garmin Epix Pro Review...
JUMP STRAIGHT IN:
00:00 - Intro
00:09 - Design & Ket Stats
02:00 - The Run Test
02:58 - Battery Life
04:06 - GPS Accuracy
05:28 - HR Accuracy
06:25 - Training Analysis
08:33 - Sports Tracking
10:29 - Design
11:25 - Activity & Sleep Tracking
13;06 - Smart Features
14:26 - Navigation Features
15:36 - London Marathon 2024
13:53 - Verdict
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I LOVED the brief rant on data collection and customer cards! 😂
Fantastic work! I’m so glad there are people like you out there who can do this work for us ❤
Thanks!
Thank you! Nice video
Great review, needed to check 2 times that the playback speed is 1,0x, it feels like at least 1,2x :D
Thanks and yes, sorry, I do speak too quickly especially when I get on a roll!
Phenomenal job on this. I’ve had them both and have pretty much the same exact observations. I now use the AW at work only, and the Epix Pro for sports & sleep tracking. So far, that’s working well, but I may eventually ditch the AW.
Great review, Nick & much appreciated. Don't know what's more impressive, your 2h 27' 34" in the LM or how much info you packed into the 19' comparison! 👍🏻😜
Haha thanks!
VO2 Max 72 and endurance score over 10000, wow... With this level, aren't you getting sponsoring offers Nick?
I’m still a long way off the people that do it for a living :)
VO2 MAX is totally wrong, man. I can understand VO2 50 - 52, but 72 is super overestimated.
Spot on video. Cheers. Would love to see more training load etc metrics natively on the Apple.
And congrats on the PB !
Thanks!
Fantastic video and well done on your London Marathon time, that is incredible!
Thanks!
I was thinking the same. Kudos
I have an Apple Watch Ultra and have noticed the same thing you are describing about the spilt pace going slow even though you are maintaining the same speed.
Glad I’m not the only one!
You are 100% right on the pace on Apple Watch. I have used it for 800m and 1000m repeats and it is infuriating as you can’t get a real pace starting off. End up going too fast then too slow etc.
However, do love the watch. The pacing is the only bug bear for me.
Cracking marathon time for London. Well done.
Great side by side. I have the Epix Pro and couldn't be happier. Did a upgrade from the fenix 6Pro and love the Amoled screen and the battery life. Happy with the garmin ecosystem and can't see leaving anytime soon. I know Apple offers a lot of metrics but battery life is the game changer for me. I do like that blue band you have for the garmin, can you post a link. Thanks
What you said about the lap/split pace on the Apple watch very much is something that would also bug me. I've only worn Garmins but have thought repeatedly about getting an Apple watch. I definitely will not get one now, though, since I want to be able to rely on my watch for pacing workouts (but not in pacer mode). That's a defeater for me, in spite of some other things being better on the Apple watch - at least until either Apple gets better or a third company (Corps?) surpasses them both. Congrats on your race!
Been using the Apple Watch Ultra for a year and wouldn’t change it. Battery not an issue for me. I leave it on charge for 20mins each morning while I’m in the shower and it goes up from 40 to 80% and gets me through to the next morning for the next charge.
Also worth noting that is you are running in a remote location and something happens to you it can detect it and notify the emergency services.
thank you for sharing
down the road i want a epix pro from my fenix 3 non hr dies
Got a ultra 2 last month love the design of it and bright display and it’s so customizable once you change the bands and face great battery I can get about 3 days I’ve went hiking the last 3 weekends and the waypoints and backtracking are legit despite doing all that I still have all my important functions phone messages etc don’t know much about garmin watches but seems like they are on par or better in certain areas
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is not on par with the Garmin for the single reason that Apple Watches don't work well on Android, so therefore it's not a good purchase as it locks you into Apples ecosystem.
Better to go for Garmin or any other more compatible smart watch.
Apple Ultra (with the AF feature turned on for even more precise heart reading), the WorkOutDoors app, and the Athlytic app are the killer combos that make the best smartwatch into one of the best sports watches. I've used it across 3.30 hours of trail running and to do the complete training for a half-marathon, and all works perfectly. In terms of charging it, I do it when I'm taking my daily shower (no more than 15 minutes overall), and it never goes out of battery. Note: I use mine all the time, including at sleep, and I have the always-on display off. I'm only going to move to a Garmin once I get over the 50k mark on trail running, which should happen next year, and the only reason for it is safety... You don't want to go on a 7h+ running in the middle of nowhere and have any slight chance of loose the battery life (even so, it's mandatory to have your phone with you, so that might even not be an issue).
😂😂😂 apple Ulta with 30 apps turned on. And a battery team. Is the golden combo. 🤦
@@skillslesyep, sold my epix pro for an ultra 2 3 months ago and haven’t looked back. The garmin can’t even get the basics right
Agree! I also use these apps. But Apple Watch Ultra can last up to 17h on Low Power Mode, so I feel confident to use it on races where I know I would take up to 15h do complete it. Till now my longest use was on a trail running training of 9h. I finished it with a little bit more than 50% on tank.
Really? The Athyltic app is good? I downloaded the free version once but it felt a little unfinished perhaps? Perhaps I should reinstall it and give it another go? Do you use the paid version? Does it require you to wear the watch at all times?
I use the same apps and schedule and could not agree more!
Workoutdoors and Athlytic turns the watch into a powerfull sportester.
The same goes to battery life. Charge it for the morning cleaning routine and it never goes out of battery.
16-17 hours on GPS activity is moře than enough for me
I really wish that Garmin was better at sleep tracking. I’ve noticed the same thing as you. Sometimes I’ll get up to go to the bathroom at night and the watch says I slept the whole night. Other times I feel I had a great sleep and it says I was awake half the night. For the price they should be better .
Garmin predictor is pretty accurate for me.
Thanks Nick what a great video and detailed and helpful comparison! May I ask whether your conclusion would have been the same had it been an Epix Gen 2 as this is my current conundrum? 🤔
Thanks! And yep I’d have same conclusion. Loved the Epix 2 and used it most of last year
@@TheRunTesters thanks Nick that’s really helpful and makes my decision a bit easier 👍
Definitely I only upgraded from Epox 2 to Pro for the 51mm size and flashlight.
I find the Garmin sleep data pretty accurate. The new nap feature has worked too.
@@Fozzee.1970thanks that’s useful to know! 👍
Thanks for the comparison video Nick! Do you think the Forerunner 965 is a good choice for those who aren't able to justify splashing out on the Epix Pro?
Definitely, the 965 is brilliant, just be careful with the screen-I scratched the one I tested on a run!
@@TheRunTesters cool, thank you! By the way, what are your thoughts on supermarket loyalty cards and their data privacy implications?
Haha fuming!
On my Apple Watch with split-runs like you mention - I always run with a custom run with setting up different parts of the run - Warm up + 3 x 5K + cool down for example. Have never experienced the starting-high in pace like you mention.
I only have the AWU one, and the Garmin Fenix 6 not 7. I can’t compare some of the things, but one thing I will throw out is my Apple Watch is extremely accurate for my heart rate. I do have an arrhythmia condition that’s monitored by an EP, and the Apple Watch will be just as accurate as my garmin chest strap, or when I’m hooked up to an EKG. It was actually my Dr who recommended it. It’s interesting to know you found the Garmin more accurate. Now I wish I was ballin enough to get one and compare 😂😂
I have noticed the beginning of split paces being slower, luckily I don’t use that often enough to have it bother me.
As for charging, I charge my Apple Watch each night while I’m reading in bed. 30-40 minutes each night keeps it going quite well.
Great video. If you train seriously then Garmin all the way. If you want a smartwatch that does some fitness stuff then AWU. I have both and I find myself using the Garmin Fenix 90% of the time.
Thank you for the comment about the split pacing. I honestly thought that it was just me. This is one of the reasons why I’m retiring my Apple Watch for either a Corps Pace 3, Forerunner 265 or the Forerunner 965. Please help me with my decision. I’m leaning toward the 965.
They are all very good watches that I found great for GPS accuracy and pacing, so it’s really down to price va features. Coros great value but not AMOLED, Garmin software and training analysis I find a little better. 965 amazing but if you don’t need maps 265 better value. I like all three a lot!
If you don't care about Amoled the 255 or 955 are much better value.
The main reason I have made the move from Apple Watch Ultra to Fenix 7 pro is because running in the winter is a pain. If the watch face gets wet and you’re wearing long sleeve tops it will keep brushing the screen and stopping run or screen etc…. You can turn on the water lock feature but then the watch becomes useless if you actually do try to change screens.
You can switch screens in the Fitness app by rotating the Digital Crown when an Apple Watch is locked.
Or use Workoutdoors apps and you can set buttons for changing screens and lock it aswell
I have the Ultra 2 and a Fenix 7 and I love both for different reasons but I’m thinking of changing the Fenix but can’t decide between the Epix and the FR965. I’d love to know your opinion of the latter vs the Epix
We have a multi-tester vid on that comparison :) Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Garmin Epix Pro: Which AMOLED Garmin should you get?
ua-cam.com/video/sV7TI3uC9NM/v-deo.html
That’s perfect, thank you!
Love my Epix Pro 51mm, would never swop over to the Apple or other brands.
I have chronic failures of the elevation display with the Ultra 2 on trail runs under wide open skies and close to urban areas. My Garmin S70 works perfectly. I have done all the things Apple recommends to maximize precision but no change.
Nick can you post a link to the band on the Epix? I really like that color
Sure it’s here: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275841227603 and i’ll add it to the description
@@TheRunTesterssoy yo have to take the lug pin off to put that band on? It is a pain to take off that pin. Thank you.
I just shoved one loop through at one end, has been fine and very secure! I can’t take the pins off mine. There’s more details in a recent monthly essential video on the channel
Nice review
Awesome comparison. Garmin more accurate hr? I’ve always seen it the other way around 😅🤓
I have found the smaller Series Apple Watches to be very accurate for optical HR, the Ultra not as good for me, and the Epix Pro has been better than lost Garmins! I still prefer to use a chest/arm strap myself
Thank you. You convinced that the Apple Ultra is the way to go for me.
Congratulations on running a great marathon!
I have the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the epix pro gen2 51mm and I think the ultra is better for the average person. As if I stop doing workouts for two long my garmin starts to get mad at me lol I just use Athlytic with the ultra and I get most of the info I need.
What is the optimum wrist size for 51mm garmin?
If you integrate Garmin with My Fitness Pal, you'll find that Garmin makes the activity adjustment to calories. As a sprint athlete, I've found it spot on, particularly as my training ramped up. Only caveat is to maintain calorific input on rest days at same or close to active days.
I don’t have the Apple Watch lap pace issue. That seems like maybe it was fixed in an update? Strange.
Please tell me where you got the nylon loop on the Garmin from? 😄
It’s a cheap one from eBay www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275841227603?var=577625315564
@@TheRunTesters Thanks.
I wish I had the Epix Pro 51mm because I have the Fenix 7x and would prefer the oled screen.
At this point I’m still using a Garmin for run tracking and racing, and an AW Ultra for everything else. Pros and cons to both.
Dang 10k+ endurance??!
Was lucky enough to be given an Apple Watch Series 7 by my boss to start my running journey last month, and I've been trying to decide if it's worth switching over to a Garmin Forerunner 265 or save up for the Ultra 2. Comparisons like this are super helpful!
What have you decided on?
@@CharlesM.-vi5bt honestly I ended up getting a Coros Pace 3 lol. Getting here tomorrow!
Great video Nick, my take on these watches is that a Garmin could be my only watch but I would need something additional to the Apple Watch, I think the Garmin is for the more serious athlete and the Apple is the better smart watch by a country mile!
One other option is the forerunner 965. Aside from the torch basically the same functionality, screen etc as the Epix but a lot less expensive
Ultra 2 for me! It all boils down to each individuals use case. If you are a hardcore runner, are always chasing PR's and train for multiple marathon, then yes, the Garmin is better. For the average runner and iPhone user, the Ultra is unbeatable. It offers enough data to satisfy the average runner, is incredibly durable, is essentially a phone on your wrist which is fantastic when youre out for a run. You have the piece of mind of having a full cellular connectivity, can use it to pay for things, is a dive computer and does the Smart watch thing better than anything else on the market.
I tested Ultra 2 for two weeks. But the cellular reception dropped out sometimes on my trail runs. So I felt I couldn’t trust it in case of emergency. I guess the smaller antenna makes a difference. Apple Watch also doesn’t have support for Facebook Messenger and Whatsapp which are what most people use in my country. Garmin + iPhone for me. :)
AWU is my preference. Perfect for most of the sports people out there 99%
When you comment that the garmin was more accurate in quantifying distance on your park run, how do you know?
Because I can see the Apple Watch cut corners and it came up surprisingly short on a course I know very well. All very marginal of course, still a good GPS watch.
About so sell awu 2 for epix pro thanks
Anyone can suggest me hot to record data with epix for my CrossFit work out ?
How did you run the marathon with an average HR of 180? 😮
I didn’t, that’s an incorrect reading, I think my max HR is probably 180!
great review, but you speak so fast i had to slow down video to 0.75x :D
Anyway, I prefer rpund-shaped watches 😬
HR accuracy on Epix just died on the latest update 16.22. Everyone is reporting wrong figures.
Haven’t had any issues with mine 🧐
@@jakehardy5997same.
Not everyone! It affected some users. I'm on 17.14 beta no issues here.
-Apple Watch only iPhone
A rectangular shaped watch is just not good aesthetically.
Apple got best smartwatch and Garmin got best sportswatch
My Garmin 965 completely sucks at sleep tracking length of time and stages of sleep also the coach that tells you if you had an easy day or hard and training readiness. I have had it nearly a month and it's dropping heart rate data and battery drain complete the very next day. My Garmin also tells me I have had a hard day when I have done nothing but move about my house and tells me I had a rough day and need to rest the next....???@#$%^ wtf! needless to say I am going to send it back, I have decided I don't need an over hyped watch to tell me to get out and, move, or stay in and rest when it's almost the opposite every time how I feel. It seems to be as accurate as a Samsung watch. I'll go with the apple watch ultra X when it drops, I have had good luck with my AWU 1
Try to speak a little slower. It is good to speak calmly for your listeners
Personal pref but the garmin looks inferior to the Apple Watch.
Have you seen it in real life? It really doesn't. They are both nice in their own ways. A leather strap on the Garmin and it looks awesome.
Garmin is better by far 💪💪💪
I will never buy an 🍎🍏product again, over priced, not even in date & uses software to cover up it's flaws, anyone says anything bad about them gets shunned.Garmin on the other hand amazing, Google Amazing, Amazon Amazing.. Ok I said enough, ps I bought 2 Apple watches, 3 iPhones, iPads Max, iMac & MacBook in the past all did not pass the price tag...
I find these things disgustingly big, but the Apple watch ultra is next level ugly. What a monstrous brick it is. Even a rapper would be ashamed to wear it.
I have a Fenix 6 pro and amazon has the Epix Pro gen2 for £671... I trying to find a really good reason to upgrade anyone want a 6 pro?
Always insightful, great stuff.