Garmin EPIX 2 Unboxing and First Impressions

Wow!!! That is my first impression of the Garmin EPIX gen 2 or to give it its full name as there are different options the:
Epix™ (Gen 2) Sapphire 47mm - Black Titanium With Chestnut Leather Band
I wondered if I could justify the £999 this set me back; no sponsorship here. Although if you are interested and want to help support the channel, if you follow this link, you can see it on Amazon:
Garmin EPIX Gen 2: geni.us/VB13C9L
or if you are interested in the Garmin Venu 2 I show in the video, which has been my daily driver for months, you can find a link for that here:
Garmin Venu 2: geni.us/FLAHX
Overall I decided (convinced myself) that this watch could add enough value to me to justify the ridiculous price. So far, I have to say I have not been disappointed. I feel like I have a powerful enough computer to have landed man on the moon (what a stupid saying) on my wrist, and I really like the design too.
This watch is a big enough step up from the Venu 2. Especially in terms of training, it is already starting to affect what I am doing. But, let's make this clear, this watch is not for most people. It's overkill, I love it, but I am not saying that it is the right watch for many people. But hopefully, if you are one of the people who do get it, you will be as impressed with it as I am.
One thing that has annoyed me in other reviews is that reviewers always say Fenix / Epix people know who they are. They are entirely different watches, and now that I have one, I both know what they mean, but I was always someone who felt like I fell in between a smartwatch and a higher-end sports watch. If you want me to share those thoughts, please let me know.
Anyway, I would love to do some more videos on this watch, so please leave them in the comments if you have any questions.
If you have liked this video, please hit the like button and if you have got down here, please also consider subscribing if you have not already joined me on this KZbin journey.
0:00 Intro
1:00 Unboxing

[@travellingman9031]

Stranger and stranger. Here in Germany the dark cased watch with the red button is the Sapphire glass version with the silver case having only………wait for it…….a silver button. 😅 The optional leather strap is dark brown and if chosen has a black silicone strap also in the box. Costs 999.99€ + 100€ for the not ordered silicone strap.

[@AlexSamuels]

Really odd, thank you for sharing 👍, you would think that Garmin could ship the same product across the world, I know lots of companies don’t but it’s very annoying 🙈.

[@eldalyeffendi6171]

Hi Alex, thanks for the nice unboxing, do you feel that the 47mm size is a little big for a small wrest like mine (180 mm), thank you

[@AlexSamuels]

Now that's an interesting question 🤔. As I have now discovered, my wrist is only 170 mm 🙈.I think it's a personal preference thing. For the last few years, I have worn smaller watches; the Garmin Vivomove Luxe at 42 mm looks smart on my wrist, for example. 47 mm is big on my wrist; it feels comfortable, but it is a statement. If you like a big watch and are happy to stand out I would say go for it 👍, however if you prefer a smaller watch then maybe pass on this which would be a shame, although practically the fenix 7s would give a similar experience in a smaller body. I hope that helps 👍, sorry it's not a simple yes or no.

[@007LSV]

thanks for the video, what is the watchface for your venu 2?

[@AlexSamuels]

Thanks for the question 😊. It's one of the inbuilt options the 5th on from that start 👍. I am not sure if you can find it on the Connect IQ store. It annoys me a bit that Garmin does not put all its watch faces on the store (and the "store" is a bit of a mess 😂). I hope that helps 👍

[@JaroJaromirek]

Hey, I have a question, does your watch have a red top button on the right or is it black?

[@AlexSamuels]

It's black (very dark grey). In the UK, you can buy 2 black titanium models, one with the red button and one with the black (if you can get hold of one). But I know that in the US, for example, for some reason, that option does not seem to be available. It's frustrating because I prefer the more understated option of the darker option; hopefully, it will be more widely available at a later date. I hope that helps.

[@JaroJaromirek]

@@AlexSamuels Thanks a lot for your reply :)

[@danielvargo4498]

Hey bud great review are u still wearing the garmin epix 2 and if so have u had any issues whatsoever

[@AlexSamuels]

Hey Daniel, I have only taken it off to charge since owning it. I think very occasionally it has had issues recording my sleep maybe twice but other than that I am very happy with it both in terms of the hardware and software. The only issue is the price, (not a secret). But for example last week I went on a Gravel Bike ride and fell. I cut my wrist 🤪 but my first thought was I hope the watch is OK 😂. The watch was fine and my wrist is healing slowly 🙈. All that is to say to get the most from this watch you might want to ware it constantly and every now and then I think "this watch is very expensive" 🤔 to wear while doing active things. All that said I love it and don't regret buying it. I hope that helps 👍

[@danielvargo4498]

@@AlexSamuels thank you so much for ur reply I bought mine brandnew in box on marketplace for 600 and i absolutely love it I'm glad u are OK and I appreciate the details

[@AlexSamuels]

@@danielvargo4498 I am sure you will continue to love it, it is just a fantastic bit of kit

[@SeaCaptBritRob]

Yes! Great choice. Man after my own heart 💪 it would be nice if you could demonstrate how to download music to the watch

[@AlexSamuels]

👍, good idea, just out of interest do you use Spotify? As I have found that the easiest way to access music.

[@SeaCaptBritRob]

@@AlexSamuels I'm still waiting for mine to arrive so i've yet to try sorry. However, Garmin told me I could either stream through spotify while connected to wifi or I could download directly to the watch (through Spotify) and store up to 2,000 songs.

[@AlexSamuels]

@Sea Capt. Brit. Rob so that's not the full story. To use Spotify you need a Spotify premium account. You can also actually download music onto it (although I haven't). So that's why I'm asking if you have a Spotify premium account? I'm excited for you receiving it, I know it's an expensive bit of kit but I'm really impressed with it👍.

[@SeaCaptBritRob]

@@AlexSamuels Yes I do intend on getting a Spotify premium account. I think it'll be worth it since my car also has Spotify built in and I want to eventually use it for my business premises too when I get a PRS licence.

[@AlexSamuels]

@@SeaCaptBritRob That's a good point as I forgot I need the premium account to play it through my car 😂. This short video talks you through how to use Spotify kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZPPqp-em7qGfbs. I'm not sure I could make as succinct a video as this. I hope it helps and I hope you enjoy your new watch when it comes as much as I am enjoying mine.

[@zdruk1]

Great video. Wondering if you go this direct from Garmin? They aren’t selling them with the leather strap as far as I can tell in the US.

[@AlexSamuels]

Thank you very much 👍. Garmin are selling them in the UK, but it is a several week wait. It was literally hunting around for it online over a few days. If it's not available in the US currently, I might go for the one with the red button and buy a dress strap of my choosing. 😊 Thanks for being the first comment also. 🙏

[@geebee3974]

Leather strap + Fancy box. Not available in Canada neither. How much did you pay for this Alex?

[@AlexSamuels]

@@geebee3974 It was £999 an extra £100 for the strap and box. But there is one other difference that you either like or don't like: the red accent on the top right button and the right corner of the screen or silver on the more expensive one. I gave it quite a bit of thought, and I think I paid £100 for that colour differance as much as anything. However, to be transparent, and it does make a difference (to me at least), I plan to do several videos on the watch (which I think is fantastic, mostly). And I will then claim it back as a business expense which will save me 40% off the price. If that was not my plan, I might have gone for a different watch because, for me, a watch that will cost me £600 is different to one that costs me £1,000. I hope that helps. 👍

[@andrewshaw1395]

@@AlexSamuels True didn't notice the red accent on the screen and the button dial. I also just got my leather strap Epix. I got it thinking I can always buy a cheaper silicon strap later. But didn't realise when I opened the box it also campaign with the black silicon strap as well, so in a way you are paying the extra money for an extra strap, rather than replacing the rubber strap for a leather one! Garmin definitely wasn't clear in their product description on their website. So overall happy with my choice on the leather version (pleasant surprise with the extra strap!) :)

[@AlexSamuels]

@@andrewshaw1395 To be fair Andrew in this video about 4.50 minutes in I do show the silicone strap 😂😉. But I can see why you were pleased with the strap because it’s a necessity in my opinion. You don’t really want to get the leather strap sweaty so I use my silicone strap for all my training and so sleep in. I hope you enjoy and get as much use out of the watch as I am, it truly is an amazing bit of kit 😊. I used it to navigate round central London yesterday and it was brilliant 👍.

[@ChewieTomatoes1]

I wonder why they don’t offer this color type in the USA

[@AlexSamuels]

It makes no sense, I thought it might be a temporary thing 🤔. Like you say there must be a reason but surely it's not that they don't think they would sell enough.

[@EthanChen-wt3wb]

They offer this version in China Its called the 易耐时Epix DLC炭黑尊荣版(Dirext translation: Epix DLC Carbon Black Luxury Version)

[@AdeelAliShah1980]

Hi Alex, Nice video! How do the buttons feel, I have seen a reviewer who wasn't satisfied with the buttons and also I have been reading various forums where people complain about them having two or three clicks and also being mushy. This is my only concern, otherwise, I really want to buy this watch.

[@AlexSamuels]

Hi Ali, it's a great question. I don't think I have to make multiple clicks 🤔, but I am not surprised people are mentioning the buttons. This is what I would say: the buttons could be better, but honestly, overall, I'm not sure the watch be. If this is the watch for you, don't let the buttons put you off. I have been impressed with the watch since opening the box, and for me personally, (as sad as this may sound), it's changing my life 😂. The training data is awesome and improving my training, and I think it looks great so I'm more confident waring it out than if I was waring the venu 2. I hope that helps but please feel free to come back to make you have anymore questions. I am sure I will do another video in the next couple of weeks 👍.

[@chateley]

Great review! I’m in love with the chestnut strap and am seriously thinking about switching my Apple Watch 5 over for this. The only thing I think I’ll miss is the cellular function but don’t use it much anyway

[@AlexSamuels]

@Cam Hateley Thanks, Cam 👍. They are really different watches; this watch is a beast the way it tracks my training, stress levels, and basic smartwatch features. I would say if you are into fitness and figures, this watch is the best it has literally changed the way I work out. I would say though if it's more of an aesthetic thing (and I do think it looks nice 😊), I would hold off till a sale which would come at some point. I transferred to this watch from the venu 2, and I have been shocked how different it is. I hope that helps. I'm really interested in seeing what you decide 👍.

[@chateley]

@@AlexSamuels thanks for the reply! I’m more into fitness and running and the Apple Watch just doesn’t cut it. Great smart watch but feels like a toy compared to the Epix

[@AlexSamuels]

@@chateley I was playing with an apple watch the other day and I think that puts it perfectly. As a running watch, the Epix is awesome, especially with things like its VO2 max projections and training suggestions. With my bike riding which a do a few times a week both indoor and outdoor, it has really helped me mix things up. Get some HIIT sessions that I was not doing before and improve my fitness levels past what I would have done without it. It's a few levels beyond closing the rings on the apple ecosystem (not that I have any issues with what apple do).