Garmin Epix 2 Review: Is it Better for Golf than S70? Well...

Not sure which GPS golf watch is right for you? Take our 30 second quiz and I'll give you my best recommendation based on your needs: breakingeighty.com/golf-watch...
The Garmin Epix 2 is one of the ultimate fitness smartwatches on the market. But how does it compare to a dedicated golf watch like the Approach S70? Which one is right for you? Should you pay a little more and get the newer Epix Pro?
We cover all of this with this Garmin Epix 2 review for golfers.
Specifically, we're going to compare the Epix 2 vs. Epix Pro vs. Approach S70 to help you figure out the best for your golf and lifestyle goals.
RELATED CONTENT:
Epix 2 Written Review: breakingeighty.com/garmin-epi...
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Approach S70 Review: • Garmin Approach S70 Re...
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BUY THESE PRODUCTS:
Garmin Epix 2: breakingeighty.com/garmin-epi...
Garmin Epix Pro: breakingeighty.com/epix-pro-2/
Garmin Approach S70: breakingeighty.com/garmin-s70/
TABLE OF CONTENTS
00:00. Should you ditch your Apple watch for Garmin?
01:16. I switched from Apple. Here's why.
01:49. Epix Gen 2. Pro or not?
02:40. Screen quality.
04:50. Size and wearability.
05:27. Let's not forget the S70.
05:41. Epix Sapphire: Comes with maps.
06:40. Body Battery.
07:26. Stress Tracker.
08:08. Training Readiness.
09:21. Data. LOTS of data.
09:47. Edit your workouts.
11:02. Epix vs Epix Pro. What's the difference?
11:25. Big difference #1.
11:45. Big difference #2.
12:17. Garmin watch faces. Not a big fan...
13:13. A few other highlights.
14:11. Garmin IQ
14:59. Are 5 buttons better than 3?
15:50. But what about golf?
16:50. World class watch?
17:17. Final thoughts.
18:49. What did I forget?
19:00. Want to buy one? Check out Play Better.
19:15. Close.

[@the80s365]

The review I needed, that no one was ever going to do! So I've had the Fenix 5X for a long time, was desperate to update, and had dove so far into this that I was a bit stuck. From what I can gather, there is only three golf difference between the two that , and that's SWING TEMPO (which is the only one I would have really liked to try and get that dream 24/7!). The other two are TRUSWING COMPATIBLE and ROUND TIMER/ODOMETER which let's be honest, who cares about as I have Arccos and as for a time / odometer unless they have rolled back from the Fenix 5, when you finish your golf round it will tell you how many steps and time so that one seems weird... If you could confirm the Steps (odometer) from past rounds and see in your Connect app if it states how far you walked that would be great. For me thought the reason I am going to get the Epix is that I run 3~4 time a week. Used to do triathalons so want the multisport in case I do them again, and generally, like a bigger chunkier sports watch. I also play Ice Hockey and wear my current Garmin and the Epix has that sports profile (finally, and not even the new Forerunner has that) so you're right, this watch seems to be the absolute GOAT for everything!

[@jamiebg3952]

Epix is missing tempo swing from during a round (can activate for driving range), its missing trees on the course, and true swing. Recent updates added the same play as features to the Epix, though the UI isn't the same and the S70 UI does show this better and is a better flow in terms of showing it.

[@darkwaters35]

Your reviews are super helpful! I bough an S70 based on them a week ago. So far, very pleased with my decision! A little update though: s70 now has training readiness, I’ve been using that feature a lot!

[@breakingeighty]

Glad you're liking it! And that's awesome. Garmin is really good about rolling out new features to a variety of watches, so it feels like you're getting pretty regular upgrades.

[@theartificialsociety3373]

Very useful video. But what was the battery experience between Apple Ultra and Epix? And as fas as Epix hiking, was there scenarios that required more downloads that were more cost? For Apple Ultra what was the golf app you used? For Epix, were there any apps you found useful that needed to be downloaded or pay for?

[@petercollins8649]

Can the epic work as a standalone watch and access all the features eg alarms working calendar and weather apps

[@GOLFADDICT65]

thinking of going with the Garmin Venu 3 and the s12 for golf....your thoughts ? or would the s70 do what the other 2 combined can do ?.....or the the EPIX 2.....cheers from Canada

[@PJo336]

The timing on this is so funny. I’ve been using the epix gen 2 for over a year but been missing some Apple Watch features. I tried the Apple Watch the last week and I can’t stand it! Touch screen to start and stop workouts?! No buttons to do anything?! Gross. The hot keys tip is huge. I do wish garmin had an upgrade program because I’d love to get the new flashlight

[@jackwilson1245]

Does the Epix Gen 2 been upgraded to all of the S70 bells and whistles? Plays like, wind, elevation, etc.

[@whaleshark2625]

Fascinating video. I had been using Garmin Fenix 7 plus CT10 sensors and just recently switched to a 45 day trial of Arccos (with the Link Caddie). The inability to easily mark the pin on Garmin's (absent scrolling around on the touch screen zoomed in green view) has mean that I'm not getting anything useful other than club distances, shot tracking, and driving accuracy - approach, chipping, and putting stats are useless without pin location. The lack of strokes gained info or ability to compare against better handicaps (same handicap is kind of useless). I'm really enjoying the first putt distance functionality on Arccos so far, but now will have to build up a LOT of rounds to get accurate insights on Arccos. Would love to see you do a comparison of the performance stats metrics of Garmin Golf vs Arccos Caddie.

[@breakingeighty]

Great insights! Honestly, I love Arccos. I haven't been why about that on this channel. I think its by far the best shot-tracking system, and if that's what you want, I think its much better than the CT10 system. BUT, and this is a big but, if you don't care about shot tracking, the Garmin watches have so many features that Arccos simply doesn't provide. My perfect world would Garmin watches integrating with Arccos - but I don't see that ever happening...

[@whaleshark2625]

I'm with you@@breakingeighty . I still love the on-course ease of yardages etc. with my Fenix 7, as I don't want to use my phone on the course at all, but the non-actionable insights are the problem. I think Garmin is deliberately anti-subscription, so not sure if that rules out an integration with Arccos or not - they would still need to figure out the pin marking/first putt stuff but I honestly don't think they have a big enough development team working on the golf app, or someone like Lou Stagner at Arccos putting in the work to surface insights across their entire dataset. I love the Garmin ecosystem because it just "works" out of the box, but the ability to actually get better at golf using the system right now seems to be only available with Arccos type insights. Arccos being able to seamlessly push data to GHIN is also a nice touch.

[@pan0568]

Garmin is now associated with Clippd, which gives incredible data including SG. I think they are still fine tuning but it will open up the Garmin golf watches to very sophisticated stats.@@whaleshark2625

[@kenroot2411]

Have you found the flash light on the gen 2 yet. It exists works great.

[@EmitOcean20]

Good show

[@hpeterson1986]

what is the watch face you use?

[@brucelin5842]

Comparing the epix from last year to this years venu3 which one do u think is better? Epix gen2 is now on sale at 40% off should u buy the epix gen2 or the pricey epix pro ? Thanks

[@jlink38]

The Venu3 doesn’t have virtual caddie.

[@fa8ster]

is there still a difference between the s70 for golf?

[@tonymorris1018]

Might be an obvious question - while in golf mode are all the watches mentioned still tracking fitness activity such as steps, calories burned etc. in the background?

[@LocationRebel]

Haha yep they are!

[@jamiebg3952]

Actually top of the line was a Garmin Marq 2 Golf - but that has since been beaten out by the Garmin Marq 2 Carbon Golfer (no difference other than case to Marq 2 Golfer - and both only add tempo swing for a slightly smaller screen to the Epix).

[@illinoishoopdreams1019]

Respectfully, the price of the Marq 2 is ridiculous. It far exceeds the value of a watch that’s battery and software will eventually fail. The S70, Epix, or Fenix for golf deliver are more appropriately priced IMHO.

[@chadshawver3870]

Do you know how accurate the plays like is on the Epix? I am currently using the Fenix 7 pro and was wondering how accurate that feature was.

[@breakingeighty]

It's very accurate, but it shouldn't be any more or less so than the Fenix 7 Pro. It also depends on if you're using CT10 sensors or not, and how much data Garmin has about your shot history. As I understand it, the S70 still has some enhanced plays like accuracy over Epix/Fenix, but others have debated that, so I've been trying to figure out if that's true.

[@chadshawver3870]

@@breakingeighty ok, thank you!!

[@kierontaney1021]

Great review. I was considering buying the s70 golf watch for my rounds in the UK but came across the epix gen 2 on sale for £375 new which is £200 cheaper than the next best price. Would your recommend the epix 2 over the s70 at that price. S70 still retailing over £600.

[@richardjourdain1574]

I am looking at the same deal, from what I can see the epix is a no brainer at that price and has all the same maps and 95% of the golf features as the s70

[@kierontaney1021]

@richardjourdain1574 I've ordered mine but havent recieved it yet. But from what I can see it's only the swing tempo that's missing. Seems like a no brainer for the price, worried about the weight though.

[@richardjourdain1574]

@@kierontaney1021 it's 10g more than my ticwatch and I cannot tell I have that on during golf

[@kierontaney1021]

@richardjourdain1574 I'm expecting it to be about the same weight as my the first 46mm galaxy watch which I had (63g I'm sure). It has been delivered so once I get home and get it up and running I will give u an update on my thoughts 👍🏻

[@arthurgollwitzer364]

Does the EPIX 2 now include swing tempo and take into account wind in the “plays like” feature? Earlier reviews said no, but now it seems like it’s included…maybe a recent update. Thank you.

[@breakingeighty]

I dont believe that it does take wind into account with Plays Like distances. I could be wrong, but you don't get the same visual screen like you do with the S70. I also just looked on my watch and don't see swing tempo anywhere. So I don't belive it has that. Again, could be wrong on both, but as far as I know neither made it to Epix 2

[@arthurgollwitzer364]

@@breakingeighty thank you. I wonder if the Marq2 golf has those features, but that’s a lot of money to spend. Either your review or someone’s cautioned about paying that much for a tech device that could be out of date an no longer supported in a few years.

[@mathieutetreault1779]

@@breakingeighty​​⁠​⁠yes indeed you can, i did use it all summer long. Same screen everything. Playslike take wind, slope and température into account. You have to turn on the Beta version on the Epix to get All of it.

[@jamiebg3952]

@@breakingeighty @arthurgollwitzer364 --> Epix has been updated so that includes same play as functionality - but due to the UI differences it just doesn't look the same and UI flow to get there isn't as good. Swing tempo isn't an option during the round, but can add as an activity for driving range. Other thing the Epix doesn't have is no trees like the S70 shows - and believe it isn't going to get that feature. I believe the Marq 2 Golfer versions do have those missing features.

[@stevensneddon2932]

​@@jamiebg3952I seen somewhere that you can see it during the each hole but after you've finished a hole and on the the next one you can review the your swing tempo for the previous hole. Can you do this?

[@hermannkim]

Which one do you end up using more? S70 or Epix 2?

[@MeBikeandTheRoad]

Why not showing when u play golf?

[@breakingeighty]

Short answer is time. It adds hours to the shooting, editing, reviewing process. So while I'd like to (and should) do more of it, doing it this way allows me to clearly and concisely share my opinions, while also being able to get more reviews out each week.