Garmin Fenix 7 vs Epix: 13 Key Differences Detailed

[@MrBlubb80]

Hands down the best reviews on smart watches. Not only the specs, but real life data that can be trusted with charts etc.

[@debbiemiller4281]

Garmin watches are the most beautiful watch ever made. I absolutely love them. I'm a single parent with two children in a economically forgotten region so I can't afford them but they are dream watches. Just unbelievably beautiful.

[@simonelovati4881]

I purchased the Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar. Guys, it’s a beast. I love Epix display brightness but 7X size (and infinity battery) is much better for me. Super happy!

[@peterw9721]

Upgraded from the Fenix 5 to the 7x -- totally worth it !! Love the watch

[@COYSMike]

Appreciate all of these in depth videos, it's making it much easier to make an informed choice

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks, appreciate it!

[@eraser465]

Excellent video, I love my Epix and wouldn't go back to a transflective display, with my current setup I charge every 10+ days and do an hour+ activity every day.

[@BhavaSindh]

Thanks, DC Rainmaker! I got my Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar yesterday after watching your video. Wasn't really difficult to decide between Expix and Fenix. The transreflective didn't change from the 6 version bit that is good. For a watch that you wear 24/7 (at least I do), the tramsreflective display is more fitting. Somehow, it is more soothing... Also, for an outdoor watch especially with the solar option it performs superb in direct sunlight and actually gets more energy rather than draining more.

[@wrenpyle7098]

thanks for the comparison video !!!!! selected the fenix 7 based on the better battery life and lower price point. upgrading from a 935 so im very excited for all of the new features !!!!

[@JeremyYost]

@1:33 the comparison chart is very helpful and battery life chart @3:18! Thank you!

[@fitgearhunter]

Ray. Dude. I can’t say enough how awesome this video is. You freaking nailed it. Awesome, awesome content and super well explained even with some technical details involved. Excellent job.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks man, much apprecitaed!

[@fitgearhunter]

@@Dcrainmaker question - any insight from Garmin on the new non-spring pins? Any idea how to remove??

[@zfjames]

@@fitgearhunter Garmin made them nonremovable to prevent people from losing their watches from pins popping out, which can and did happen to me with my Tactix Delta

[@fitgearhunter]

@@zfjames And..... me too! I was using a stretchy band and it pulled out the pin in the ocean waves. Lost a favorite Fenix that way. Thank you for saying!

[@manfromtheredriver7386]

Thanks for the great comparison breakdowns! I especially appreciate the charts you show. I've been been looking for charts like these to compare Garmin's various models for a while now. Keep up the great work!

[@sagybp]

Thanks! Finally the battery comparison I was waiting for. Looks like I'm gonna go with the Epix!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!

[@felixmorsdorf1391]

Just ordered the 7x solar sapphire mineral blue just based on the fact that it was available vs. the white epix 2. it will replace my fenix 5x. i really like the transflective display when cycling, which is my main use.

[@gudelauneee]

Ordered the fenix 7x with dlc band. Battery life is more important than a fancy screen. I also want the biggest watch garmin have in their shop

[@owenkoprash7876]

If I wanted a fancy screen and less battery I'd buy a Apple watch

[@ravenblack9750]

@@owenkoprash7876 exactly

[@Clickarn93]

@@kjhman Which watch did u keep?

[@Clickarn93]

@@kjhman Ohh Okey I see! Are you able to sleep with it? or is it to beefy/uncomfortable for it? and what is the circumference of your wrist in cm?

[@giantbikeoz8903]

Thanks for the great reviews. I went from the 5 to 6X and I really like the bigger size of the watch. This has changed my views of the size, as when I first bought Garmin watches in the 5 series, thinking the X series may be too large a size. But after owning the 6X due to it was on special at the time, and I don't think I can go back to the smaller watch. So I think the Epix in releasing the smaller size only in this version, works out great for me, due to just upgraded to the 6X not long ago. So if the next version with X series size, then it will be time for me to upgrade, as I really like the idea of an Amoled screen in this watch.

[@Pushups_press_play]

Thanks for such a comprehensive review, helped me pull the trigger on the Epix. My first Garmin I cannot wait thank you buddy :)

[@super8guy]

Concise, in-depth, sans fluff. You reviews are the tops and help me intelligently decide how to deploy my hard earned money. TY!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!!!

[@ivanpeso6280]

Good review/comparison. Real world use. For hiking 10-15hr and better quality maps thanks to high-quality screen I'm going epix.

[@ghffthhhu]

Your comparision convinced me to indeed go for the Epix as a successor of my F6x. After my first bike ride with it I unfortunately have to say it was a big mistake. The reason is that there is no way to keep the display from dimming. I was riding today from the afternoon till sunset and there no light condition where the dimmed display is readable. On the F6/7 the backlight can be set to stay on indefinitely, but not on the Epix. That means that all the data you want to have constantly in view like power, HR, speed, navigation etc is basically not visible. Until you press a button, touch the screen or do the wrist gesture. Thats of course not practical at all. I understand that Garmin decided to take that route to keep that battery alive for a minimum of time. But on the other hand, this destroys all kind of other use cases. As I see it, this device is a design flaw. I wonder why you didn't mention it in your reviews, didn't you ride during your test period? I will go for the F7. Which is a pity, because apart from the above the Epix is indeed a beautiful device.

[@DunkBoi]

I have no issues with the brightness of the display even when it is dimmed during activities, these activities are almost always in no shade with the sun beating down on me. Was your Epix fully up to date on the software?

[@ghffthhhu]

Yes. In the a Garmin Forums people are complaining about the issue as well. In the dimmed state it's impossible to see a thing being outside. And the dim timeout can not be shut off. The F7n has this option

[@PaDutchRunner]

@@ghffthhhu Garmin has dedicated bike computers so the watches will be designed primarily for athletes who plan to use it for foot-based activities.

[@farazs579]

I’ve been researching for a while and this is exactly what made me hesitant about Epix. I saw a video on youtube that mentioned this exact problem. I will probably go for F7 Pro Sapphire Solar as I need a screen that is visible all the time during mountain biking.

[@takashiwatanabe3072]

Thank you for your precise video as always, Ray. I'm a Fenix 6X user. Your reviews pushed me to order an Epix, not a F7X.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks - appreciate it! Hope you enjoy!

[@okiroi]

maybe the best video content creator I've found in the KZbin concerning smart/gps watches. Keep up the good work

[@coxson]

Perfect breakdown! Going for the Fenix!

[@milaweitz]

Thanks for the video! Epix looks awesome. If you stop the video right in time 8:54 you will see the reflection on the display of the Epix Sapphire. From this reason my last Garmin is 6X Pro Solar. Solar power glass has much better view display, and no reflections like 6X Sapphire. However, as the Epix is Amoled display I would upgrade to this most likely :-) Thanks and cheers.

[@milaweitz]

So at the end I got Fenix 7X SS 😃👊

[@bieganieigory]

Thanks for the video, just ordered Epix, I chose it over Fenix 7 and FR955.

[@Akuphon]

You can definitely see the pixel shifting, at least on Venu and Venu 2. Sometimes it bothers me a liittle bit that the complications on the watch face are visibly off-centered, but as I know why it happens I can deal with it. If you don’t know reason for it, you might think it’s a design flaw. Then another totally different matter. It’s sad to see that the transflective screen on Fenix 7 still has that blue tint when the backlight is on. Basically not any improvement from my old Vivoactive 3. Here in the northern Europe most of the year is pretty dark and you will definitely need the backlight. That blue screen gets really annoying. It’s weird why Garmin haven’t fixed that. It should be totally possible because my old Garmin GPSMAP 64s handheld gps also has a transflective screen and the quality is WAY better than on Garmin watches.

[@roilev]

Great review, Ray. Thanks. I currently run Huawei GT2 Pro with OLED screen and the same 6 days AOD battery life. It is a revelation not having to charge it every (2nd) night and as result wear a dead watch occasionally. As did my previous smartwatch and all the other watches I considered before it. And the always-on is a must, I don't want to interact with my gadgets unnecessary. And watch not showing the time is useless for me. But still there are negatives for the OLED screen. You are right that it takes time for the watch to wake up after the gesture. It is the same for going out of AOD into full brightness mode. And it bugs me. You shared videos of the screen readability outside. And maybe Garmin did a better job than Huawei. But I have to tilt mine to get a good visibility and no reflections. I think the reflections are the biggest bane of OLEDs. While my 80's Casio is even more visible the more light that hits it. That's why I chose the Fenix. And I like oversize watches, so 7X it is. Or it should be, once Garmin start delivering the orders next month (I hope)

[@Govinkuna]

As always your comparison and great video production value is what I look for in review channels. I had confirmed 7X last year as the watch to get but after seeing the epix review and comparison I have made the decision to go with the epix since like you I don't do multi day hikes or activities, apart weekends long rides.

[@zackrazak4366]

Epix 2 is so much worth with the display and active mindset it shouldn't have a problem to charge weekly

[@spamacc7590]

Thanks for the comparison vids! I was using my fenix 6 pro yesterday and came up with a review topic I don’t think anyone has talked. People often review smartwatch HR sensors for activities such as running but not so much anaerobic sports like sprinting or weight training. For me, when I weight train, my HR goes from say 110 to 170 over a period of 45seconds during a set but often the watch stays somewhere in the middle around 130bpm. Where as a on a run (aerobic) the HR is always correct because at minute 0 of the run it starts out at say 80bpm and gradually works it’s way up (over minutes) to my aerobic HR. I wonder if certain brands / models pick up these more rapid but subtle fluctuations in HR better than others during anaerobic activities

[@Dcrainmaker]

Actually, in m written reviews - I included lifting segments. :) In general though, you'll see most wrist-based optical HR sensors struggle with high intensity lifting (short bursts) when strain is placed on the wrist. Whereas a bicep-placed optical HR sensor (like a Polar Verity Sense, Scosche, etc...) tend to do better there, even under stress.

[@spamacc7590]

@@Dcrainmaker awesome. Thanks for this

[@NurTauman]

It is a very good comparison! Short, clear, and very helpful to choose between these two Epix. Thanks a lot

[@DaveCober]

One thing I wasn't expecting is how thick the bezel is around the Epix screen. It really makes it feel like an old product, not the new hotness.

[@mdtreasures6614]

Great review; it has the good and bad for both. I ended up buying to Epix since I'm only going out for 2-4 day hiking/fishing/hunting/camping trips, and the better detail on maps and battery life is perfect for my needs. Also, it's perfect for everyday use that you can wear for client meetings and are just an all-around nice-looking watch that is sure to impress. For outdoors, I'll just do gesture as 16 days is plenty fine and same life as the fenix 7, and normal wear is just always on. Plus better battery life than finex 6 pro so super pumped to get it in 5 weeks or so. Man, the waits going to kill me

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!

[@nicksalgado22]

That's my usage plus my daily workouts

[@mdtreasures6614]

Yep, I do daily workouts, but only like 1 hour max and some bike riding with kids. The maps are awesome because we will just drive to a spot and shore fish or kayak, I will use it in lakevu to do looks ups quick to find spots. Kids and I always try new spots for fun. Also, I do some deep woods trips with no cell service, so maps are a must for me. I'm so excited for the touch screen and maps with the 480x480 screen for detailed viewing... well detailed for a watch, but good enough as I used to do it all my map and compass with terrain association.

[@justincoleman7856]

To be fair, I'm still happy with my now out of stock Fenix 5x Plus and have no plans to upgrade it anytime soon. I'm sure there's quite a few peeps who are willing to run to the store to get any one of these 4 watches though.

[@umel0607]

nice review Ray, for me i will stick with my GF6x sapphire.. battery still good and almost the same features with new GF7. It will be significant upgrade if they put LTE on it to eliminate bringing chunky fone when doing activities. Although battery life will suffer, touch screen + mobile functionalities is still good deal.

[@PetoGee]

Very informative video, thank you. I will go for Fenix 7. I do not like "fancy" amoled on watch....

[@miculucianionel9332]

I was surprised to see Fenix 7's display is slightly harder to read in not so bright natural light (with no backlighting) compared to my old Fenix 3 HR. This being said, I accept it because Fenix 7 has far more battery charge longevity.

[@neilk22]

I literally have the exact same vernier calliper as yours. After having had every Fenix model, I’m definitely moving to epix. I’m honestly surprised Garmin didn’t just ditch the old display with amoled battery life finally at endurance levels.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Hahaha...it's a great little tool! Yeah, it'll be really interesting to see what the branding situation does in say 2-5 years. After all, Fenix will eventually go AMOLED. It's a given (in the same way that all devices eventually have optical HR sensors). So, at that point, does Epix as a brand go back into hibernation? Does it become something else? It's interesting...

[@arkadiuszchlebowicz9504]

In my opinion Epix can be a tool for testing new features on customers, especially in case of making sacrifice in other areas. I'm sure Garmin was afraid about customer's reaction on battery life, so they came with an idea of testing it. In next generation Fenix will go AMOLED but including solar. Epix will show something new or will stay as a more fancy/luxury Fenix.

[@OmmerSyssel]

​@@Dcrainmaker Amateurs .. Vernier caliper is constructed to measure inner diameter by its upper part.. 😉

[@CannabisTechLife]

Every, single,person i've read trying to decide between the two has eventually decided to get the Epix. Glad Garmin is coming out swinging!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Indeed, once you have both in hand, assuming you don’t have specific size preferences- it’s hard to go back to Fenix from Epix.

[@TheLexx2004]

Рэй, спасибо за сравнение. У самого сейчас 6x сапфир и обновляться не планирую - так как все работает на отлично. Для моих нужд - epix 2 выше крыши на него бы и перешёл (если бы часы покупал сейчас). Считаю , именно epix 2 закроет хотелки любого "офисного спортсмена" на 100 процентов. Да и объективно любого спортсмена! Отличная работа по обзору и сравнению, ещё раз спасибо.

[@matteokalla]

so clear.. :)

[@martinnaylor]

Thanks for the great comparison between the two,I think the Epix would be suitable for me and its OLED display and I don't mind charging it once a week. I noticed one of your comparison photos was from my favourite Island of Tenerife,Las Americas and Los Christianos.

[@MrEtnie]

Thanks a bunch. All of your videos and articles on the webpage really helped me in the past and will also help me now. 🤩

[@mtovarto]

Excellent review, I just got the Epix aiming to upgrade from the Fenix 6 sapphire. Something that I am having issues and that probably was not emphasised is the black background at all times, it is kinda difficult to see on a bright day wearing sunnies. Maybe I am used to the Fenix 6, but so far I have tested on two runs and one swim, and white background is easier to see quickly when doing laps in the pool or taking a glance while doing a tempo run. I realise there is not way to change the background on the data to white, and call Garmin support and it is something that is not offered in the software. I know it could reduce the battery significantly but what's the point of having the watch is difficult to see with sunnies. You may want to talk more about this. I am waiting for an answer from Garmin support but seriously considering going back to my Fenix 6 or exchanging the Epic by a Fenix 7. Also worth to mention that my Fenix 6 had issues connecting to my AirPods Pro, the Epix does a better job, and the AirPods have all the functionality although have some issues connecting when I am outdoors. I imagine Fenix 7 will be similar to Epix when connecting to AirPods Pro, that will be a reason to upgrade to the Fenix 7. Thanks and greetings from Brisbane Australia

[@stevewarshauer1356]

I have both the Fenix 7X and the Epix as I try to decide which to keep. I have gone on several long bike rides in Arizona sun and agree 100% that the Epix is more difficult to see in bright sunshine than the Fenix. The black background is the problem making it very difficult to see in bright sunshine compared to the Fenix. I am leaning towards keeping the Fenix as love the longer battery which is enhanced by the always sunning weather we have out here plus the Flashlight is awesome! I walk my dog every night and no longer have to carry a flashlight as the “torch” is equally bright as most flashlight. Will most likely be returning the Epix next week after a few a more days of testing.

[@mtovarto]

Hi@@stevewarshauer1356 good to know I am not alone on this. It makes sense to me to keep the Fenix 7X, I am tempted but my wrist is 6.4" so it may be look too big. I guess is just getting use to it and the additional ~10 grams. The torch seems very handy. Cheers

[@mtovarto]

I feel like reviews are pushing towards the Epix, like it happened to me. But not showing that metrics in black background at all times are difficult to see. And background cannot be changed to white.

[@gustavogo2915]

@@stevewarshauer1356 did you keep the 7X? I’m having trouble deciding between the 7X and the Epix2

[@nicolasniel]

Hello is it better now with airpods ??

[@ozziejed]

I went the 7x as well. Not being able to see the screen outside in the sun will annoy me greatly. Especially for a watch. Annoys me with my iPhone. Plus the gesture based off / on would frustrate me. I don’t want to charge a watch every couple of days. Disappointed there is no wireless charging though, something like what whoop does would have been great.

[@mlegrand]

Great video Ray! I need to figure out what I need also. I know you love that Epix but I often find AMOLED annoying. Particularly at night. I also love these watches with ultra long battery life. I kind of feel like I need to play with both for a while before buying. I'd love the flashlight but I don't have manly enough wrists for that F7X. Cool that the Epix has some sort of something on that front.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yeah, normally I find AMOLED kinda iffy. But. They’ve done a really good job here making it feel seamless, especially for the night elements.

[@KingLifeTale]

Completely agree with this… would love the flashlight on smaller models

[@somerandomperson8282]

How often would you ever use the flashlight on a watcjh? I mean seriously, it's a gimmick that is replaceable with a small LED keyfob in your pocket. DC is right in that charging once per week is completely normal and acceptable for a watch and noone who is not an explorer or going on week-long treks without access to a power outlet needs "ultra long" battery life.

[@mlegrand]

@@somerandomperson8282 - Do you ever use the flashlight on your phone? I don’t keep my keys with me. It’s cool if that’s what you do. A little key fob light will work, it’s just not something that would work for me. I do have my phone with me and I find myself using the little flashlight all the time. Maybe I’m too connected to my smart phone? As for the battery life, I am rarely away from an outlet for more than 24 hours per day but I find charging the Apple Watch every day quite annoying. I much prefer always being able to pick up a 945 or an Enduro and knowing that it’ll be fine for a run or longer bike ride. I think you have a valid point that a week should be enough, but more is always better in my opinion.

[@KingLifeTale]

@@somerandomperson8282 Quite honestly I used my phone flashlight daily... I'd love this on my watch.. even more convenient. Plus the "flashlight" feature has unique use-cases... its always dark here in the UK so being able to strobe or have the white/red cadence lights would increase my safety during nighttime running. Very cool feature I think 👍🏼

[@TheRdymek]

What a fantastic, concise pragmatic comparison. Literally not a second on your videos is wasted. It’s to the point, factual and insightful with a sense of humor. You are a legend man! 👑 cue: can’t touch this. Lol.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks - appreciate it!

[@grahamarcher2729]

Excellent video! Thanks for sharing! I've had the Epix for a couple of days now and I'm loving it!

[@rickstokes2239]

Definitely the EPIX 2 for me if just for the brighter display with my 58 year old eyes. Great review.

[@eijixperia]

Thank you for the very detailed review. Especially the battery life comparison for hiking was very, very helpful. Ordered Epix for better mapping and it should arrive today☺️

[@VirtualSven77]

Great comparison video! If I was buying a new Garmin watch every 1-2 year, then I definitely would go for the Epix now. But as I’m probably going to be wearing it for at least 4 years, I don’t think I would like to charge it every 2-3 days by then, as the battery would get worse over time. Ray, I wonder if you keep track of battery capacity of watches like this over a longer period of time, say 3-5 years. As I can imagine you only use new watches.

[@valtteriluoma3016]

Fenix 5 owner here. Got the watch in May 2017 and still getting around week and a half of battery life, using it every day. (The original specs promised maximum of 14 days of battery.) I use the GPS on average 1 hour per day. I’ve been really happy with it and it has performed better in the long run than I expected. Going to upgrade to Epix this year.

[@skotas]

@@valtteriluoma3016 I can concur on Fenix 5. Sold it after 5 years of use just because got a fenix 7 saphire solar as a present. Very happy. Epix is no go as battery wouldn't last even a week...

[@Windsurfingaddict]

Well still have a Fenix 3 and bought brand new and battery life is still very good and will beat my Polar V800 watch on battery life when using both on gps. I also use a GW-60 watch for purely windsurf speed sailing and the battery sucks and get maybe 6-7 hours if your lucky, still torn between these two watches on which to purchase

[@AllanPhillips]

A real reviewer would have kept cycling until the batteries on both watches were completely dead. ;) Seriously though, your reviews may not always be first but they're always the best.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Hahaha…as shown in the photo, I was dead first! 0% Stamina left!

[@DaemonViews]

Great detailed video! (as always) Saw Mark Ellis reference you in his video to watch this one for a detailed comparison. His comparison took a different approach, looking as to why you would like one or the other depending on feel rather than specs. And mixed in some jokes. If anyone reading this is still wondering which one is best for you, he had a cool take on it.

[@narosser]

It will be interesting to witness how/if, over time, all the battery-purists in the Fenix camp might end up changing their religion, from worshipping at the battery altar, to worshipping at the screen altar. I'm in the same boat as Ray - I am totally fine w charging my device every 4-5-6, whatever days. I have no need or care for 20 day battery life. But we're all different and that's why Garmin makes so many variations. Great vid Ray and it's very helpful for the masses, giving them all the info they need.

[@Anthony-zl9ww]

The double watch tan😭 I appreciate your sacrifice

[@Dcrainmaker]

Hahaha...thanks!

[@mikemal48]

Excellent Video as always and I have the Epix ver 2 and I am Very impressed and glad I chose it over the Fenix. Thank You

[@inakilrg]

What about the battery life after two years of heavy use? I believe those 2 charges per week of the epic (using 1-2h of gps per day), might go to 3 or even 4, which starts being annoying… I believe crazy battery life like the fénix has, makes sense when you go down a hundred battery cycles…

[@Dcrainmaker]

Only time will tell unfortunately. But the Fenix series wasn’t immune to that either. My wife’s Fenix 5S is roughly 2ish days a charge these days.

[@loudywen]

i beleive i will upgrade after two years. so battery not the issue to me. ! just got my epix2 loving it!

[@inakilrg]

@@Dcrainmaker that’s true, I even feel it on my fénix 6x, but I believe the Epix could become annoying just much sooner, to a point where you can’t go on a weekend without the charger. Could you propose Garmin a battery replacement program? You have the connections 😉. I love that torch on the 7x, but battery estimations during your ride and hike in Tenerife show that the Epix is much closer to the Fénix that the official numbers would suggest, and that alone makes the balance tip on the side of the Epix. Awesome videos you have posted this week; kudos to you!

[@zzhughesd]

@@inakilrg yes. Hard choose the 7x over the Epix coming from the 6x

[@Dcrainmaker]

@nickage87 The thing is we're not talking daily charging here. We're talking weekly charging. The charging by itself isn't what's driving battery degradation. It's not cycles, but an overall lifetime. Cycles on most of these units is about 1,000 cycles before degradation caused by cycles. That's decades.

[@G_Widdicombe]

Thanks Ray. Long time viewer but first time commenter as this was exactly the video I needed to see. It is the Epix for me, I think, as it just seems more of an upgrade compared to the Fenix 6x Pro I have. I don't think the slightly smaller screen of the Epix will be an issue for me, and the AMOLED looks great!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks - appreciate it!

[@tonylightwalker]

Thanks for the comparison , still hard choice to upgrade to the fenix 7 when the epix screen looks so good

[@TheGridMedia]

Exactly I video I was looking for thank you for putting this together, excellent as always.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnbuchheister9142]

Thank you for being SO thorough.

[@OTWW]

Thanks for the comparison. I upgraded from my 5 plus to EPIX and I really like it. I noticed that during Zwift workout, the HR shown on the watch widget is for the most of the time reading 20-30BPM lower than my strap HR monitor. However, when I activated the cycling workout mode on the watch, the HR from the watch sensor was only +- 1BMP off the reading from the strap. Looks like the HR monitoring in the widget mode is less accurate, perhaps it is saving power by reading the rate less often.

[@craigcoco6014]

Yep, Widget polls less frequently than during an activity

[@dnice362]

Just bought the Fenix 7 solar slate gray black band

[@Dcrainmaker]

Awesome - enjoy!

[@tha_realness]

5:39 Question about maps: Why does it not display summit (peak) names and their elevation? Is it possible to turn that on in the settings?

[@Matheologia]

Thanks for another great vid! Epix really brings maps & nav to life, but I just can't give up the translucent screen. I love that it's not emitting any light unless I want it to, doesn't change at all when I turn the wrist - and with the analog watchface, my Fēnix 6X basically looks like a normal watch. I love that kind of discrete simplicity. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, retro or something, idk. Wouldn't mind better resolution and more colours, though. Do you see that kind of development for the translucent screen in the future? That would be a win-win for me.

[@Matheologia]

@R More colours and higher res on the *translucent* screen would make the battery life very poor? That seems strange since even Epix's AMOLED screen didn't make it very poor, though it did shorten it significantly. I always thought the screen light was the main battery drainer... 🤔

[@douglasshouganai2516]

great breakdown. definitely pushing me toward the 7x solar. need the battery life for full time GPS.

[@SamShah-t7u]

great comparison, thank you for sharing in details

[@serhiikhrapin5024]

Great review, very helpful. Thank you!

[@Bubbleb2]

Rocking major watch tans dude. Right on!!!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Hahaha...indeed!

[@Ariozo111]

Great one like always! Fenix user from day one and had them all, then Tactix made delta so much more dope on bezel so that was my daily..:) Si did go on for Tactix 7, but should say today i think i should pick the Epix Sapphire over any of them..:) I don´t need the battery X gives so epix do fine there and the display is just fresh for an old garmin user. :) And the White Sapphire Epix just looks dope..

[@leonardoleivamendoza9702]

Great comparison. I’ll go for the epix too. Thanks.

[@KD-zi2fi]

Thanks for this video man. Super helpful content. Just subscribed.

[@chrisobyrne5675]

As always great content and really, really helpful. Epix for me given the screen quality.

[@haroldolaya7419]

Appreciate all the recent videos on the Epix and the Fenix 7. It helps a lot to make an informed decision 👍 Most likely will go for the Epix as the battery/recharge is not too much of an issue for me. Thanks a lot!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks, appreciate it!

[@notmyrealname6272]

Great video. Thanks. :) I’m choosing between 7 sapphire solar, epix and 7s. My eyes are rubbish especially without my prescription cycling glasses and I don’t run with glasses unless it’s sunny and do a lot at night. This would point towards epix being better I assume? My only problem is I have small female (not relevant but you know what I mean-small) wrists and don’t know if the 7/epix would look daft or if the increased visibility would make that worthwhile. I currently have a 245 music so anything is a big step up. Does the epix connect to Zwift and training programs etc in the same way? I’m a triathlete so need it potentially to cover the hours of a slow haha Ironman. Thanks for all the videos!

[@dralusion]

this the comparison i wanted. it will be EPIX for me

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!!!

[@kubasamanda3305]

Very deep comprehensive Good review 👍

[@JD-lv3oo]

Great review as always, I go to your channel when looking at Garmin, Well done…

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!

[@lorumipsum1129]

I have a instinct 2 and am getting a Fenix 7x too compliment. That solar charging makes it a better deal over the epyx.

[@geri8355]

That flashlight on the fenix 7x is a killer

[@mariaochmikaelliljehedenst5617]

Great review as always! Thanks!

[@EmoChylde]

Thank you and thumbs up for the great comparison. The Epix runtime (All Satellite Systems + Multi-band, Always-On) is 15 hours. Earlier you said that the brightness-level of the Epix display can be lowered a couple of times. Is there a huge incresae in run-time if i use the before mentioned settings and lover the brightness level? I want to buy the best watch for one day activities. Hiking with turn by turn tracking in the woods, having a spontaneous look at the map sometimes looking for additional trails and record my Stand Up Paddling tours in mostly bright sunlight. I guess runtime wise either watch will fit for me. Would you say im the typical Epix guy and should enjoy the brighter display because runtime is way enough or is there a reason that i should consider buying the Fenix 7 instead? This is the first time i buy a GPS watch and want to make sure to buy the right one. 🙂 One question that is very important for me. Do i get it right that i can turn off the „notification-beeps“ while using turn by turn navigation and get only „vibration alerts“ instead? I dont want to walk beeping through the quiet and beautiful nature. 😄 Stay happy and healthy. Best wishes from Germany.

[@karelvdd]

Just ordered the Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar in black, because I prefer big watches. As a sports watch it's replacing my Suunto Ambit 3 Peak Sapphire, so it will be a big difference. If I would prefer a slightly smaller watch, I might have ordered the Epix 2. On the other hand, why do you need that better screen? I don't use maps a lot, and if I would want to, my 6.8" smartphone is way better for that.

[@filterfreephotography]

Thanks for the comparison. Love all your comparison videos. They usually help sway me one way or another… except this one. LOL I have always went the X size. The Epix screen is enticing. I am in the market for a new one and this did not make the decision any easier. LOL Even though you had the 7X next to the &/Epix in the video, I still could not tell if in real life the smaller watch face would bother me or just be something I get used to.

[@ErikNygard]

Thanks for the review. Im abit sad that there is no assistant on this one nor pictures in notifications. Sure, it´s a training watch but its also 2022. That whould have made me switch from Fenix 6 Pro!

[@CamiloBotero-qn1hh]

This Guy is another breed Fantastic

[@seanvk]

Really appreciate the comparison. I just got the 7X today and have the Epix 2 on order. This helps quite a bit as I go back and forth between the two!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Awesome - looking forward to seeing what you think between them!

[@Clickarn93]

Which one do you prefer?

[@seanvk]

@@Clickarn93 In general, while I can appreciate the Epix display, I prefer the battery life of a Fenix. On another point, after using the Fenix 7X for a while, I decided to return it for a Fenix 7. Coming from a Fenix 6 Pro Solar, I couldn't really adjust to the larger size, even though I'm 6'3 210lb. I didn't like sleeping with the 7X on and I like to use the sleep tracking. Unfortunately, Garmin does not share Sleep data in the TrueUp feature so you have to make your primary watch the one you use for sleep tracking. I also have a 945 LTE and do use that primarily for running / swimming.

[@Pursewarden]

Another excellent video that will result once again in yours truly buying gear that I don’t need.

[@reviewguy5140]

Great vid. It’s what I needed to make a decision.

[@errolrichard]

Great video and review love the epix my current smart watch is a £36 one reduced from£70 lol will like to try and save up for the epix it’s awesome 👏

[@fxaman]

I would add one major difference. Because Fenix is much more mainstream compared to Epix, MANY watch faces etc are not available for Epix, the developers just don't want to waste time on altering them for watch with much less users. As a new Epix user I'm actualy quite unsure about my choice because of that. Also the "flashlight" is pretty useless, the three white rings emit hardly enough light to navigate you through your appartment. Garmin should have allowed you to turn the whole screen white. On top of that music player is a joke, we finaly have touch screen but there are still just two buttons on the screen and you have to go to menu to go to previous track etc. Don't get me wrong, overall I'm very happy with Epix, I'm just trying to pinpoint the tricky parts which might negatively surprise you if you actualy buy Epix.

[@bmtvn96]

The main concern for me between these 2 models would be the durability of AMOLED vs MIPS displays. I have had my Fenix 5 for 5 years and it is still working as expected. Not sure if AMOLED could last that long.

[@miaso130]

While there is some bad examples of amoled screens with rapid burn-in, I think it’s more the exception than the norm. I’ve used amoled phones since the original Samsung galaxy s1 (s1, note1, note3, Huawei p20pro, p40pro) and never noticed even a slightest problem with the screen. My gf is using Venu2 and it’s also good. So I expect epix2 will also be just fine :)

[@JS-sy8mo]

WOW I was only getting 8 months on each of my fenix6 solars before the menu button would malfunction - after 3 replacements I decided to go back to a dumb watch...not sure why I'm looking at the fenix7, miss having a map 24/7 no matter the cell service....

[@anonymous134y]

Most people have amoled smartphones for 3 years...

[@jwmann]

I was so dead set on getting The Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar before they came out but now that I've seen the Epix, I can't unsee the display. Coming from the Fenix 6, the Epix will feel more like an actual upgrade. Now to wait for availability in Canada :(

[@Dcrainmaker]

Indeed, it’s not a major visual upgrade from Fenix 6 to Fenix 7. But to Epix Woolf be. Cheers!

[@akinsoyleyen]

Its great review as usual. For me i went for 7X purely for its battery life. Garmin is a great watch when it comes to sports metrics but its battery life sucks big time. My 945 barely can last 3 days in smartwatch mode. And i really don`t wear it that often. Going for Epix would mean in 2 years time you will get like a realistic 3-4 day battery life which is really a deal breaker for me. I hate charging my watches and the idea of charging a watch that supposedly tracks your sleep cycle doesn`t really makes sense to me.

[@netherdrakeviper4199]

same here....7x solar for me....amoleds will burn... transflectives last...👌💯

[@adamj2683]

Charge while in shower or while eating breakfast.

[@akinsoyleyen]

@@adamj2683 Try charging your watch for 15minutes and see where that gets you :) Problem is not charging in itself ; its the reaccurance of charging that damages the battery. In 2 years time practically i will have charged my watch about 24 times whereas an Epix owner will have to do it about 104 times. Again for me its not worth it for the Oled panel.

[@33scottyp]

I love how you have a watch sun tan shadow on both wrist. That’s commitment. Haha.

[@xBobby]

Well after watching 3 days worth of videos I guess I’m getting the epix. As much as I say I’ll use the 7x for all the cool stuff I’ll be doing gotta be honest with myself and it’s just way overkill.

[@gustavogo2915]

Do you regret it?

[@xBobby]

@@gustavogo2915 I never ended up getting the epix either. Went with something completely different tactix 7

[@jimmydan29]

Is there anyway to invert the colors for when outside in the data fields of the epic? It's hard to see when in bright light. Any ideas?

[@anthonyb.9336]

Since we are talking battery life and we are talking about expensive watches, i think it is important to talk sbout battery cycling. If you have to charge your Epix every 6 days and your Fenix every 16 days, the Fenix is going to he a lot more durable I have the 6s since lanch. So far with all sensorrs on i get 9/10.days of life. The battery is just starting to degrade a little. Hopefully i will have this watch another year or two and reolace it with a Fenix 8

[@DermotWhelan]

What a brilliant video. 👏

[@mmafighter077]

Thanks for the awesome review. I'm sure you're keeping it looking stock but i wish you could have used matching watch faces so that i could compare the screens a little better.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Fair enough, though, yeah, I tend to keep it stick to what usually pops best. In trying to match Epix to Fenix stock face, it honestly ends up looking a bit fake/cheesy. :/

[@mmafighter077]

@@Dcrainmaker i can understand that. That makes total sense. Thanks for the great review.

[@luxpaparazzi]

During the bike-ride did you put backlight on always-on (check 9:23)? can this be configured? how does this affect battery-life?

[@Dcrainmaker]

For the watches, they were both configured always-on. In the case of the Epix, that means the backlight goes to 2/3rds when wrist is raised, and 1/3rd when on handlebars. For the Fenix, the backlight would have triggered on wrist-raise. Both for default of 8-seconds.

[@luxpaparazzi]

@@Dcrainmaker thx, but is 1/3rd of an epix on the handlebar enough for riding in the sun and getting to read the screen?

[@Dcrainmaker]

@@luxpaparazzi I didn’t find it an issue when in dimmed mode (1/3rd), especially because you’d likely have it on handlebars directly facing you versus angle/offset.

[@luxpaparazzi]

@@Dcrainmaker thx alot for your reply

@@Dcrainmaker strange because for me and for many other cyclist at Garmin forums it is a huge problem, I barely see anything when the Epix is attached to the handlebar and goes to dimmed mode. Because of this I will return the watch and take the F7 instead.

[@armandourban672]

Thx for the vreview, I also prefer the Epix. cheers

[@1dw1]

Best comparison video. Thank you