GARMIN EPIX Pro Long-Term Usage Review

On June 17, 2024, I purchased a new Garmin EPIX Pro Gen2 47mm from PChome. The decision to buy was primarily due to the incredible price drop. Originally priced at 32,990 NTD, it was now available for only 22,180 NTD, a discount of over 10,000 NTD, making it irresistible. Although my previous Garmin vivoactive 3 Music was still functional, except for needing a charge every four days, this huge discount was too tempting to pass up.

When I first got the vivoactive 3 Music, I was impressed with its design and functionality. It not only provided excellent Bluetooth headphone music playback but also offered comprehensive activity tracking and health monitoring. Its stylish design, comfortable wear, and intuitive user interface made it an essential device in my daily life. Whether running or hiking, the vivoactive 3 Music accurately recorded my exercise data and provided detailed analysis reports to help me better manage my health.

However, technology is constantly evolving, and new smartwatches come with increasingly powerful features. The upgraded features of the EPIX Pro Gen2 deeply attracted me, especially its enhanced GPS performance, improved battery life, and expanded sports modes—features I had long anticipated. Thus, I decided to give myself an upgrade opportunity to experience the charm of this new watch.

Upon receiving the EPIX Pro Gen2, the first thing I noticed was its high-quality design and extremely comfortable wear. Compared to the vivoactive 3 Music, the EPIX Pro Gen2 features an AMOLED display instead of an MIP screen, providing more vibrant and clear visuals. When I compared the EPIX PRO and FĒNIX 7 PRO at a department store, the strong lighting made AMOLED's advantages less noticeable. However, in regular indoor environments, AMOLED looks stunning, which explains why more new smartwatches are adopting it.

The watch face is also larger, making it more suitable for men, and the contact between the wrist and strap feels very comfortable. The payment function has switched from iPASS to EasyCard, making it more convenient for me with broader usability. Additionally, the EPIX Pro Gen2 includes a hiking map feature, which is highly useful for someone like me who enjoys hiking. The most satisfying aspect is the significantly improved battery life, allowing me to engage in long exercise or outdoor activities without worrying about battery depletion.

Upgrading from vivoactive 3 Music to EPIX Pro Gen2 was an enjoyable and worthwhile experience. Although my previous watch still performed well, the new features and enhanced user experience of the latest model make me look forward to using it even more. I plan to go hiking this weekend and will share my further experiences then.

EPIX Pro Related Links

• User Manual (A very convenient online manual—modern products should all have such manuals.)
• Importing Rudy Maps and GPX for Hiking Navigation
• EXPLORE (Managing GPX route data)

Installing Youtube Music

Garmin has finally launched Youtube Music. As a premium Youtube subscriber, I have been eagerly waiting for this feature.

Installation Steps:

1. In the Connect APP, select Device > Music > Music Providers > Get Music Apps.
2. Open the IQ Store to download and install Youtube Music.
3. Return to the Connect APP, click on the profile icon > Settings > Notifications > Push Notifications > Enable Push Notifications. (This is crucial! I struggled for a long time before realizing that my push notifications were disabled, preventing the Google link page from appearing.)
4. The watch will display a linking code.
5. The Connect APP will open a Google link page. Enter the code shown on the watch.
6. Once installed, you can connect the watch to your headphones and start listening to music.

June 22, 2024 - Hiking Navigation Experience

This time, I took my Garmin EPIX Pro on a hiking trip. Beforehand, I downloaded Rudy Maps and GPX routes. Entering hiking mode and activating navigation was smooth and precise. Below is a detailed account of my experience.

Preparation

First, I used Wi-Fi at home to download Rudy Maps and the GPX route for the hike. This ensured that even without internet access, my watch could still provide accurate navigation and map displays.

Entering Hiking Mode

Before setting out, I switched my watch to hiking mode. This mode is perfect for outdoor activities, especially hiking. Once in hiking mode, my main watch face settings were as follows:

• Current Time: Helps manage the pace and schedule breaks.
• Altitude: Displays real-time altitude for better awareness of elevation changes and weather conditions.
• Heart Rate: Monitors heart rate in real-time to ensure safe exercise.
• Total Time: Shows the total elapsed time since starting the hike, helping with trip planning.

Maps & Navigation

During the hike, the watch’s map function proved to be very useful. Switching screens allowed me to see a detailed map, and the watch automatically confirmed whether I was following the preset GPX route. Whether on track or off-route, the watch vibrated and beeped to notify me—very handy.

OLED Screen vs. MIP Screen

I previously debated between the MIP screen on the FĒNIX 7 PRO and the OLED screen on the EPIX PRO. This hike gave me a deeper understanding of both display types, and I now believe that OLED screens are more suitable for Taiwan’s environment.

During this hike, we spent most of our time in shaded forest areas. In such conditions, the OLED screen performed excellently.

Under shade, the OLED screen remained bright and vivid, making it easy to read the watch’s information. However, when crossing open areas with strong direct sunlight, the OLED screen’s weakness became apparent. Under intense sunlight, the OLED display appeared dimmer compared to the MIP screen.

If your outdoor activities take place mostly under direct sunlight, an MIP screen might be a better choice.

For me, since I spend most of my time under tree cover, the OLED screen is a better fit.

2024/07/07 Experience: 3-Day, 2-Night Trip

This time, I took my Garmin EPIX Pro on a 3-day, 2-night trip packed with activities, including surfing, cycling, and hiking. After this trip, I gained a deeper understanding of the watch’s performance, particularly its impressive battery life.

Activity Experience

During the beach surfing session, the Garmin EPIX Pro not only demonstrated excellent waterproof performance but also proved resistant to sand intrusion while pressing buttons. Moreover, it accurately recorded workout data, tracking the number of surf attempts and the distance of each ride.

Battery Performance

Throughout the 3-day, 2-night trip, I used various watch functions extensively, including navigation, workout tracking, and heart rate monitoring. To my surprise, despite the heavy usage, the watch still had 4 days of battery remaining upon returning home. This means that even during long outdoor activities, I don’t need to worry about battery life and can fully enjoy my adventures.

2024/08/27 DIY WATCH FACE

I found a custom watch face specifically designed for the EPIX Pro 47mm on https://garmin.watchfacebuilder.com. Initially, I downloaded another watch face that included a lunar calendar display, but due to the higher resolution of the 47mm model, the display effect was not ideal. Eventually, I discovered a version tailored for 47mm, although it lacked the lunar calendar feature. Fortunately, the website offers a complete watch face creation tool. After registering, I took advantage of the free trial period and manually added the lunar calendar date myself. The neon green design is particularly well-suited for the OLED screen.