I recently got an Epix. I love it. Just recorded an entire 32 mile hike (17 hours elapsed time) through the Winds in WY. I charged the watch once with a battery brick that I carry. I have aging eyes, and I really appreciate the screen on the Epix.
Finally after looking at some many comparisons videos this one has made my decision, yes nice to have the oled screen but at a huge cost to viewing in outdoor sunlight 🥳🥳
The Epix screen for me is just fine outdoors. Also in map mode, I really appreciate the extra detail with a better pixel density and the additional color depth. 6 day recharge is just fine for everything but a week-long hike, but I can get around that with a charge bank. I enjoy the much better old screen. If I was doing a through hike, the Fenix is a good choice.
I'd love to see you do a video on the practical use of the watch based on how you used it on the GDT. Did you load separate "courses" for each day, or section? Step by step would be awesome. I'm still trying to master my Fenix 6Pro.
Both are great. Tried both. Ultimately Epix is just more beautiful and I have no problem with the battery life. I have mine to display off and just simply tap the screen to see the time. Not worth keeping the display on at all time to take a hit on the battery and felt the even though the Fenix was always on, it was a bit too dull anyways and I'd have to tap it anyways to get it to brighten. And if I am dressing up and want to show off the watch, just turn on the AOD. All comes down to preferences. I think if all you do is hike and stay outdoors all the time and no where near a charger, the Fenix is probably the way to go. If you're like probably +90% of users, the Epix is the better choice. Great thing is Garmin gives us choices!
Stuggled to find a video on the actual performance whilst using the maps outdoors till now. To me that seems like thr most important metric. Taking the plunge on the fenix i reckon
I do a fair amount of mountaineering each summer. Bright white snow and sun. My worry is the AMOLED will be a bitch to see if I need it in ultra bright sunlight. Am I wrong? Also, the hikes are 6-8 hours before we get to a hut. Battery life worries me too because these are multi day excursions. I can charge with a pack but I don’t want to be thinking about it much.
Hi! Simply to point out that the ppi of the Epix is 326, not 526. Still, Epix has sufficiently more resolution compared to a same screen sized MIP Fenix
I just bought the Fenix 6x Pro Solar at a blowout price of $399 from Cabela’s, and I couldn’t be happier. This may very well be the last time I need to upgrade my watch.
I bought my 6x solar from Costco. Used watch for 90 days. Returned for a full refund and got a new 7X sapphire solar. Reasons: huge battery life, touch screen when i needed (easy to switch off), sapphire glass display, faster processor (trust me it worth for zooming and panning the.map) and a flashlight (don't have to carry a back up light for mine trail map)
Huhhhh. I know that one of these smart watches will improve my hiking immensely. But I'm too timid to pull the trigger on buying one. Smh Thanks for the vid Justin
Same! I'm getting sick of pulling my phone out but it's an expensive item. Started putting money into a mutual fund every paycheck now. I'll get my girlfriend a Venu Plus so she doesn't feel left out!
@@adamkreuz9068 Might be worth it to save some of that money to put into mutual fund after US midterm elections. Us 10 year treasuries breaks to new high today. This isn't usually good for securities. Anyway that's what I'm doing. Dollar cost averaging is the proven strategy tho so good luck friend!
@@anthonysamuel143 lol my d-bag coworker talked me in to it a year ago so now I'm like "screw it, gotta go back up sometime!". I'm at like -7% growth....
@@adamkreuz9068 you are doing better than most at -7. I stopped putting money in Feb or March and I'm down plenty more off the highs than you. Keep adding money consistently and it will pay off nicely. Once midterms come around I will continue to dollar cost average the way I was before this year. Your coworker is right. Just not the best timing
I had the Fenix 6 Pro (no solar) and my Epix has far better battery life than that. With the display in gesture mode I get 10 days with an hour plus of GPS activity per day and around 24 hours of GPS use in total which is around 4 long hiking days. That’s a big improve the on the Fenix 6 and plenty enough for me. I find the OLED screen so much better for maps and it just pops in normal use. It’s also as good imo as the Fenix in direct sunlight. The point about the black background in the activity pages is fair though. So for me the Epix wins although for a big through hike the Fenix 7X solar would be hard to beat!
Hey Justin! I’m doing my first survival weekend course and need to get a decent sleeping bag. I’ll be up in Nordegg next week and it looks like temps will get down to 8*c at night. Any budget friendly options you would recommend?
Looks like Quatix is your best bet if you need boat stuff: buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/catalog/product/compareResult.ep?compareProduct=735520&compareProduct=818387
What would an option for the a budget option garmin has. I currently own the vivoactive 4s that I love. Want something a little more durable. Contemplating venu in the analog version or the instinct. I like the crispness of the venu and the vivoactive.
Instinct is GREAT! An instinct 1 is going to be fine and you can get them at great prices. If you want/need mapping, the Fenix 6 series is going for good prices.
Hi Justin thanks for the video. I got a Fenix 6 pro and love it. I got question. Do you think its possible to make a video on how to make a route on garmin device? How did you make a route on your watch on the GDT? Thank you :)
I'm not 100% sure if what I'm saying is right or what your looking for but there is a "Garmin explore" app that you can get and use which might be what your looking for. Separate from the Garmin connect app you will probz already have.
Hi Justin, i have an Epix 2, but i noticed a bug. The sleep tracking is wrong: on the watch it tracks a duration time, but the app looks another one data very different from the watch. Does it normal? And also the steps are overestimate. What do you suggest? Thank you!
I picked up the 7x Sapphire Solar to replace my 6. It's my favorite piece of equipment that I carry.
I recently got an Epix. I love it. Just recorded an entire 32 mile hike (17 hours elapsed time) through the Winds in WY. I charged the watch once with a battery brick that I carry. I have aging eyes, and I really appreciate the screen on the Epix.
cant afford either but looking good lol
Just hiked 400miles on section J and K of PCT. Used navigation for 12 hours a day minimum. Charged fenix 7x once a week... Love it for navigation...
I got the Epix for the screen. For day to day it is great. If I ever do a through hike, I'll get a Fenix. But for 99.9% of my life the Epix is great.
Where did you get yours and how much was it?
@@carson4227 Amazon and MSRP
Agreed ... I chose the 7x ss instead of an Epix, for the exact reasons you did ... exact ... 4 months in, and it's brilliant
Finally after looking at some many comparisons videos this one has made my decision, yes nice to have the oled screen but at a huge cost to viewing in outdoor sunlight 🥳🥳
The Epix screen for me is just fine outdoors. Also in map mode, I really appreciate the extra detail with a better pixel density and the additional color depth. 6 day recharge is just fine for everything but a week-long hike, but I can get around that with a charge bank. I enjoy the much better old screen. If I was doing a through hike, the Fenix is a good choice.
I'd love to see you do a video on the practical use of the watch based on how you used it on the GDT. Did you load separate "courses" for each day, or section? Step by step would be awesome. I'm still trying to master my Fenix 6Pro.
Perfectly timed video actually. Just waiting on the fenix 7 going on sale now.
Both are great. Tried both. Ultimately Epix is just more beautiful and I have no problem with the battery life. I have mine to display off and just simply tap the screen to see the time. Not worth keeping the display on at all time to take a hit on the battery and felt the even though the Fenix was always on, it was a bit too dull anyways and I'd have to tap it anyways to get it to brighten. And if I am dressing up and want to show off the watch, just turn on the AOD. All comes down to preferences. I think if all you do is hike and stay outdoors all the time and no where near a charger, the Fenix is probably the way to go. If you're like probably +90% of users, the Epix is the better choice. Great thing is Garmin gives us choices!
To solve the battery issue, get the Epix 51mm
Stuggled to find a video on the actual performance whilst using the maps outdoors till now. To me that seems like thr most important metric.
Taking the plunge on the fenix i reckon
I do a fair amount of mountaineering each summer. Bright white snow and sun. My worry is the AMOLED will be a bitch to see if I need it in ultra bright sunlight. Am I wrong? Also, the hikes are 6-8 hours before we get to a hut. Battery life worries me too because these are multi day excursions. I can charge with a pack but I don’t want to be thinking about it much.
Hi!
Simply to point out that the ppi of the Epix is 326, not 526. Still, Epix has sufficiently more resolution compared to a same screen sized MIP Fenix
I just bought the Fenix 6x Pro Solar at a blowout price of $399 from Cabela’s, and I couldn’t be happier. This may very well be the last time I need to upgrade my watch.
So can I have the one that sits on your desk? 🤣
Fenix 7x all the way. Transflective screen and never ending battery were big reasons to get it over epix.
How do the Garmin watches perform in very cold weather -10 and lower
Prairie Mountain, love that spot ;)
The prices are getting crazy on these watches. I won’t be upgrading my 6X for a while
I bought my 6x solar from Costco. Used watch for 90 days. Returned for a full refund and got a new 7X sapphire solar. Reasons: huge battery life, touch screen when i needed (easy to switch off), sapphire glass display, faster processor (trust me it worth for zooming and panning the.map) and a flashlight (don't have to carry a back up light for mine trail map)
Huhhhh. I know that one of these smart watches will improve my hiking immensely. But I'm too timid to pull the trigger on buying one. Smh
Thanks for the vid Justin
Same! I'm getting sick of pulling my phone out but it's an expensive item. Started putting money into a mutual fund every paycheck now. I'll get my girlfriend a Venu Plus so she doesn't feel left out!
@@adamkreuz9068 Might be worth it to save some of that money to put into mutual fund after US midterm elections. Us 10 year treasuries breaks to new high today. This isn't usually good for securities. Anyway that's what I'm doing. Dollar cost averaging is the proven strategy tho so good luck friend!
@@anthonysamuel143 lol my d-bag coworker talked me in to it a year ago so now I'm like "screw it, gotta go back up sometime!". I'm at like -7% growth....
@@adamkreuz9068 you are doing better than most at -7. I stopped putting money in Feb or March and I'm down plenty more off the highs than you. Keep adding money consistently and it will pay off nicely. Once midterms come around I will continue to dollar cost average the way I was before this year.
Your coworker is right. Just not the best timing
I had the Fenix 6 Pro (no solar) and my Epix has far better battery life than that. With the display in gesture mode I get 10 days with an hour plus of GPS activity per day and around 24 hours of GPS use in total which is around 4 long hiking days. That’s a big improve the on the Fenix 6 and plenty enough for me. I find the OLED screen so much better for maps and it just pops in normal use. It’s also as good imo as the Fenix in direct sunlight. The point about the black background in the activity pages is fair though. So for me the Epix wins although for a big through hike the Fenix 7X solar would be hard to beat!
Thanks for the review.
In the video, which watch sizes were you wearing? 47mm or the 51mm?
after using the instinct for 4 years, I upgrade to the epix, and it is amazing! with alwaysOn turned off it lasts up to 2 weeks
same here...AOD off and i avg about an hour of gps each day...i get 12 days easy ...
I want both and use both at different times lol.
great video and cool watches!
Hi, are you comparing to a standard or a 7x Fenix. Thanks.
Hey Justin! I’m doing my first survival weekend course and need to get a decent sleeping bag. I’ll be up in Nordegg next week and it looks like temps will get down to 8*c at night. Any budget friendly options you would recommend?
Hello.
Epix have Weather-Alarm?
Thumbed. As a fan.
I can’t afford any one of both…
What about the Quatix? Trying to find something I can use sailing, cycling, AND hiking (I know, the unicorn)
Looks like Quatix is your best bet if you need boat stuff: buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/catalog/product/compareResult.ep?compareProduct=735520&compareProduct=818387
I ditched Garmin for Coros. Coros is far superior. Battery life is amazing.Give it a try.
Lots of issues and bugs in the Vertix 2 I tested
What would an option for the a budget option garmin has. I currently own the vivoactive 4s that I love. Want something a little more durable. Contemplating venu in the analog version or the instinct. I like the crispness of the venu and the vivoactive.
Instinct is GREAT! An instinct 1 is going to be fine and you can get them at great prices. If you want/need mapping, the Fenix 6 series is going for good prices.
Hi Justin thanks for the video. I got a Fenix 6 pro and love it. I got question. Do you think its possible to make a video on how to make a route on garmin device? How did you make a route on your watch on the GDT?
Thank you :)
I'm not 100% sure if what I'm saying is right or what your looking for but there is a "Garmin explore" app that you can get and use which might be what your looking for. Separate from the Garmin connect app you will probz already have.
@@leemclaren2518 thanks
@@micbernier6403 is that what your looking for ?
@@leemclaren2518 Yes Thank you :)
Hi Justin, i have an Epix 2, but i noticed a bug. The sleep tracking is wrong: on the watch it tracks a duration time, but the app looks another one data very different from the watch. Does it normal? And also the steps are overestimate. What do you suggest? Thank you!
You can calibrate your steps on Garmin Connect
Epix 2 miles better than the fenix 5,6 and 7
Same here, fenix all the way
Bro keep consistency when you are reviewing watches. Especially when both look the same. Thumbs down!
So many inaccuracies, just a terrible comparison..
Like what?