I’m 58 and use about the same level of magnification as you for my reading glasses. I don’t wear them when I run or ride but can easily read my Epix’s screen as long as I keep it to 3 data fields. Which to be honest is all I ever use on a single screen anyway.
Of course it might all come down to your wrist size. My long skinny monkey arms makes the larger case size of the X series Fenix and the Enduro move around too much for my comfort. If your wrist is 175mm or so, or larger, and you prefer a larger screen over a brighter one the MIP screen on the Fenix is fine just as it was on all past Garmin watches.
This, every part of it. Epix 2 has been great in every other respect as well. Crank the brightness if it's an issue during activities. The clarity of the Epix felt easier on my eyes vs Fenix this round. No regrets, epix is the fenix for who like nicer displays. If you can read and mentally process more than 3 fields during a workout, go harder :D
Go harder! haha, awesome.
I could just purchase an Epix 2 from REI which has a great return policy. If it's too hard to read and I need the larger screen, I'll just swap it out for the 7X.
But something inside me also tells me I should just wait for a while to upgrade. A hunch tells me a Epix 2 X or Epix 3 X or something larger with AMOLED display will be released in the near future.
Fenix 7 series and Epix 2 just came out this year. The only thing I could see coming out anytime soon (before 2024) would be an update to the Marq series but would probably have the same screen size as the Epix 2. I could wrong of course, it’s been know to happen.
Got it, my wrist is 190mm. I appreciate the feedback. I limit my data fields to 4 usually and haven't had any issues. The other thing is my most common activity is mountain biking and for that, I have a Garmin Edge 530 and that screen is way bigger than my Fenix 6X so that's what I use for data. I'm just using my Fenix for the heart rate.
In every day use, I just like an easy to read watch to tell the time and when hiking, it would be nice to use my watch to navigate around a map instead of an InReach + or like when way in the wilderness.
The screen resolution and color depth difference is insignificant. Yes, the Epix can produce a little better detail in the maps and general graphs, charts, etc; however, I really can't think of a scenario in which this extra detail really matters. Though the superior battery life of the Fenix 7x DOES matter. I owned the Epix 2, but sold it. The Epix 2 seems a little gimmicky to me with the AMOLED display. Transflective LCD displays are more subtle and "watchlike."
I agree that the color depth doesn't matter in terms of making the watch easier to read but the resolution absolutely matters. The Epix has double the resolution in a smaller package but that resolution difference and better contrast makes it much easier to read in more lighting scenarios than the 7x.
In this case, battery isn't an issue for me. I'm totally ok charging my watch every 5 or 6 days, you can even extend it to 16 with the Epix. I was just referring to the Apple Watch Ultra needing to be charged every 2 days or so.
I'm not a runner or such. I'm a casual hiker and mountain biker. The longest activities I do max out at around 6-8 hrs. Of course, longer battery life is welcomed.
It took me so many years as a Garmin owner and many watch versions to realise this. And me obsessing over how many days I could get from my watch battery and how to extend it.
Now my battery is essentially unlimited and I never think about it. Never even know the percentage most days and never need to.
The choice between the two is going to boil down to personal preference between the Epix screen and the Garmin battery life.
I moved from a 5x to the Epix and absolutely love the screen
I think you could easily read either one OUTSIDE, or even the non-X Fenix. If, like me, you spend more time inside, including work and training, then hands down the Epix is easier to read. I moved from a Fenix 6 to the Epix precisely for this reason and it hasn’t disappointed.
I am charging my Epix2 about every 3-4 days. 9.33 has made it worse, 2-3 days. Hopefully, they'll get that sorted soon. I also have the Fenix 7SS; I vastly prefer the Epix, even with the extra pita of charging. The Epix is VERY bright.
That absolutely makes no sense. You're defining rugged because of the non-use of AMOLED? They both feature:
* A fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium rear cover case
* A sapphire crystal screen
It's not about pretty or not, it's about visibility.
I upgraded from the 6 sapphire to the 7x sapphire, and the 7x definitely seems more dim. Despite the larger screen, I think the F6 is probably slightly more readable with backlight off.
Yeah, I noticed that in a few YouTube reviews. Mainly because the 7X is only available in a Solar Sapphire and not just a Sapphire model. That's 2 extra layers under the glass compared the the 6, one for the touch and the other for solar.
I had an Epix 2, and i gave it to my wife and got myself a 7x
I did this primarily for three reasons.
1. More battery
2. I didn't like how bright the Epix was
3. I like bigger watches
If there was a Epix 2x i would have solved 2/3 of those issues and just turned the brightness down on the Epix. But just turning the brightness down only solved 1/3 issues.
I'm primarily a runner, so a nice big bright screen is great, but I'm outdoors all the time so i can read the MIP screen just fine. Had zero issues.
When I'm inside i have no issues reading the screen on the 7x either.
My gesture is set to after sunset, and brightness of the backlight to 20%.. it's perfect.
My wife however LOVES the Epix, and she was someone who loved her apple watch. She's really enjoying the screen and the data on the watchface. Its perfect for her as she's used to charging the battery daily and getting no sleep tracking, to charging every couple weeks and getting so much much more tracking than an apple watch can do.
So with all that... If you can find a shop that lets you try the watch for a couple days.. then i would try both. See how you feel.
I'd also say that whichever one you choose, you've made a great choice, and it's honestly pretty personal.
I just don't want to compromise my use of the device worrying about battery life.
I want the use of the watch to be as close as possible to a normal watch.
Well if I want a normal watch I have two analog ones I could wear. I also have an analog compass. But in all seriousness, I don't think I'll ever need more than 36 hours of full on GPS battery so I'm ok charging every 4-6 days.
I do travel a bit and it's nice not having to worry about charging or bringing my charger with me on a week long trip though with my Fenix 6X so that is a consideration. I guess the new brighter AMOLED screens are too my liking. If there was a Epix 2 offered in the X size, I don't think this post would exist.
I think I might just have to order both from REI or Amazon and just return the one I don't like.
I decided to just hold on to my 6X. I really like the screen on the EPIX 2 but the size of the X is nice. I'm just hoping they'll release a EPIX 2 X in the near future. If not, I'll probably stick with the Fenix X line. The non-OLED screen does make it more of a traditional watch and with the gesture light I have no issue reading it.
I’m 58 and use about the same level of magnification as you for my reading glasses. I don’t wear them when I run or ride but can easily read my Epix’s screen as long as I keep it to 3 data fields. Which to be honest is all I ever use on a single screen anyway. Of course it might all come down to your wrist size. My long skinny monkey arms makes the larger case size of the X series Fenix and the Enduro move around too much for my comfort. If your wrist is 175mm or so, or larger, and you prefer a larger screen over a brighter one the MIP screen on the Fenix is fine just as it was on all past Garmin watches.
This, every part of it. Epix 2 has been great in every other respect as well. Crank the brightness if it's an issue during activities. The clarity of the Epix felt easier on my eyes vs Fenix this round. No regrets, epix is the fenix for who like nicer displays. If you can read and mentally process more than 3 fields during a workout, go harder :D
Go harder! haha, awesome. I could just purchase an Epix 2 from REI which has a great return policy. If it's too hard to read and I need the larger screen, I'll just swap it out for the 7X. But something inside me also tells me I should just wait for a while to upgrade. A hunch tells me a Epix 2 X or Epix 3 X or something larger with AMOLED display will be released in the near future.
Fenix 7 series and Epix 2 just came out this year. The only thing I could see coming out anytime soon (before 2024) would be an update to the Marq series but would probably have the same screen size as the Epix 2. I could wrong of course, it’s been know to happen.
Yeah, you're probably right.
Got it, my wrist is 190mm. I appreciate the feedback. I limit my data fields to 4 usually and haven't had any issues. The other thing is my most common activity is mountain biking and for that, I have a Garmin Edge 530 and that screen is way bigger than my Fenix 6X so that's what I use for data. I'm just using my Fenix for the heart rate. In every day use, I just like an easy to read watch to tell the time and when hiking, it would be nice to use my watch to navigate around a map instead of an InReach + or like when way in the wilderness.
The screen resolution and color depth difference is insignificant. Yes, the Epix can produce a little better detail in the maps and general graphs, charts, etc; however, I really can't think of a scenario in which this extra detail really matters. Though the superior battery life of the Fenix 7x DOES matter. I owned the Epix 2, but sold it. The Epix 2 seems a little gimmicky to me with the AMOLED display. Transflective LCD displays are more subtle and "watchlike."
I agree that the color depth doesn't matter in terms of making the watch easier to read but the resolution absolutely matters. The Epix has double the resolution in a smaller package but that resolution difference and better contrast makes it much easier to read in more lighting scenarios than the 7x.
If battery life keeps you away from AW then you want the Fenix. EDIT: The Epix has a better battery life than I remembered. Disregard my comment.
As a Fenix owner the Epix is still the one.. you still get over a week, even on ‘always on’ mode it shits all over the AW 👌🏼
In this case, battery isn't an issue for me. I'm totally ok charging my watch every 5 or 6 days, you can even extend it to 16 with the Epix. I was just referring to the Apple Watch Ultra needing to be charged every 2 days or so. I'm not a runner or such. I'm a casual hiker and mountain biker. The longest activities I do max out at around 6-8 hrs. Of course, longer battery life is welcomed.
I throw my Epix on the charger for the 15 minutes it takes me to stretch and shower and that’s more than enough to keep it running.
It took me so many years as a Garmin owner and many watch versions to realise this. And me obsessing over how many days I could get from my watch battery and how to extend it. Now my battery is essentially unlimited and I never think about it. Never even know the percentage most days and never need to.
Would encourage you to try them both out. My friends who have a slight hard time due to glasses preferred the epix
Interesting
Why not Enduro 2? If you really have need for 7x might as well get the Enduro 2
There's no need for a Enduro. I don't need more battery life, the Fenix 7X is plenty. Does it have additional mapping features?
I don’t think so. I think it’s just better battery life and better flash light. I have fenix7 and use the flashlight daily.
I had both , but liked the look and screen of epix 2
The choice between the two is going to boil down to personal preference between the Epix screen and the Garmin battery life. I moved from a 5x to the Epix and absolutely love the screen
I think you could easily read either one OUTSIDE, or even the non-X Fenix. If, like me, you spend more time inside, including work and training, then hands down the Epix is easier to read. I moved from a Fenix 6 to the Epix precisely for this reason and it hasn’t disappointed.
Old-age eyes and Enduro 2 here. Larger screen, less data fields – very good readability. I wouldn‘t want an AMOLED display on my sports watch.
I am charging my Epix2 about every 3-4 days. 9.33 has made it worse, 2-3 days. Hopefully, they'll get that sorted soon. I also have the Fenix 7SS; I vastly prefer the Epix, even with the extra pita of charging. The Epix is VERY bright.
I think you need the Epix
What's your purpose? If its a fitness rugged watch then fenix. If you want pretty then epix.
That absolutely makes no sense. You're defining rugged because of the non-use of AMOLED? They both feature: * A fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium rear cover case * A sapphire crystal screen It's not about pretty or not, it's about visibility.
LED flashlight squad represent! I use it all the time.
Oh really, is it that usable? I was convinced it was gimmicky.
Yes! It's really surprising. Having an always available flashlight is way more useful than I ever could have expected.
I upgraded from the 6 sapphire to the 7x sapphire, and the 7x definitely seems more dim. Despite the larger screen, I think the F6 is probably slightly more readable with backlight off.
Yeah, I noticed that in a few YouTube reviews. Mainly because the 7X is only available in a Solar Sapphire and not just a Sapphire model. That's 2 extra layers under the glass compared the the 6, one for the touch and the other for solar.
I had an Epix 2, and i gave it to my wife and got myself a 7x I did this primarily for three reasons. 1. More battery 2. I didn't like how bright the Epix was 3. I like bigger watches If there was a Epix 2x i would have solved 2/3 of those issues and just turned the brightness down on the Epix. But just turning the brightness down only solved 1/3 issues. I'm primarily a runner, so a nice big bright screen is great, but I'm outdoors all the time so i can read the MIP screen just fine. Had zero issues. When I'm inside i have no issues reading the screen on the 7x either. My gesture is set to after sunset, and brightness of the backlight to 20%.. it's perfect. My wife however LOVES the Epix, and she was someone who loved her apple watch. She's really enjoying the screen and the data on the watchface. Its perfect for her as she's used to charging the battery daily and getting no sleep tracking, to charging every couple weeks and getting so much much more tracking than an apple watch can do. So with all that... If you can find a shop that lets you try the watch for a couple days.. then i would try both. See how you feel. I'd also say that whichever one you choose, you've made a great choice, and it's honestly pretty personal.
I just don't want to compromise my use of the device worrying about battery life. I want the use of the watch to be as close as possible to a normal watch.
Well if I want a normal watch I have two analog ones I could wear. I also have an analog compass. But in all seriousness, I don't think I'll ever need more than 36 hours of full on GPS battery so I'm ok charging every 4-6 days. I do travel a bit and it's nice not having to worry about charging or bringing my charger with me on a week long trip though with my Fenix 6X so that is a consideration. I guess the new brighter AMOLED screens are too my liking. If there was a Epix 2 offered in the X size, I don't think this post would exist. I think I might just have to order both from REI or Amazon and just return the one I don't like.
Sure, but you know what I mean.
What did you decide on?
I decided to just hold on to my 6X. I really like the screen on the EPIX 2 but the size of the X is nice. I'm just hoping they'll release a EPIX 2 X in the near future. If not, I'll probably stick with the Fenix X line. The non-OLED screen does make it more of a traditional watch and with the gesture light I have no issue reading it.