How to use a Garmin epix (Gen2) GPS watch - Walk and Talk

In this walk and talk around the Simonside Hills in Northumberland I look at how to use a Garmin epix (Gen2) GPS watch on this walk and talk.
A true practical hands on review and how to guide comparing it to the Garmin Fenix 7 as after wearing them both on my wrist for many months it enables me to give an honest impartial comparison.
---- Links to products featured in this video ----
1. Garmin epix (Gen2) GPS watch - gpstraining.co.uk/collections...
Get discount code for GPS Training online course and support package - mailchi.mp/gpstraining/youtub...
--- Chapters ---
00:00 - Introduction to the walk and talk with the Garmin Epix (Gen2)
00:48 - Transferring a course from Garmin BaseCamp onto the Garmin connect App
02:05 - Transferring the course onto the Garmin Connect App
02:40 - sending from the Garmin Connect app to the Garmin Epix (Gen2)
03:00 - Loading the course into the Garmin Epix (Gen2) and how to record your walk
04:37 - An intro to the Garmin Fenix 7 and Epix (Gen2) debate
07:34 - walking on a leg (same route out and back) with a Garmin GPS watch
09:22 - A look through the navigational pages on the Garmin Epix (Gen2) GPS watch
11:25 - The Sandstone of the Simonside Hills
12:34 - Climbing up Simonside
12:45 - The summit of Simonside
16:03 - Dove Crags and my appearance on Countryfile with John Craven
17:21 - Behind the scenes of filming a walk and talk
18:55 - A look at the smart watch features and watch faces on the Garmin Epix (gen2)
23:20 - Crossing the River Coquet at Thropton
24:47 - My final thoughts, which have I preferred - the Garmin Fenix 7 or the Epix (Gen2)
27:44 - The 13 mile walk is now going to be 15 miles
28:55 - Saving your course at the end of the days walking with the Garmin Epix (Gen2) - looking through the stats from the walk
30:39 - Many thanks for joining me on this walk and talk with the Garmin Epix (Gen2)

[@zeus3freedom]

My Epix Pro Gen 2 Amoled screen is actually very bright in direct sunlight, actually brighter than Fenix's (saw that proved in other videos and wanted to confirm by my own experience). What I observed it does, it detects how much bright the environment light is, and it self adjusts the screen brightness. No problems reading it on extremely bright sun.

[@RigiLiquid945]

Cheers from Canada! After 4 years with the Instinct, I upgraded to the black epix 2 sapphire 47mm when it was on sale for 35% off. It has scores of features, but I mostly want to get better at navigation with it. To me solar would rarely get used, and I need to see what I'm doing when it's dark. Plus, like you say, just charge it once in a while, like any time you're in the shower, or before a hike. Plus a small portable charger can be brought along on big expeditions.

[@pecanpie100]

Another brilliant walk and talk! I sure do enjoy these! Thank you Jon for what you do!

[@ukgpstraining]

Many thanks, enjoy doing the walk and talk series for KZbin.

[@naztubes]

This video has everything but the views! Lovely walk, detailed review and great company along the way. Thanks John!

[@ukgpstraining]

Many thanks for your kind words, they are appreciated.

[@markwareham2289]

Bought an epix 2 from you a few weeks ago, I absolutely love it - many thanks!

[@ukgpstraining]

Glad you enjoy it, a great GPS watch.

[@BambooBob]

Nice video about the Epix. I love how you talked about it while actually using it!!!!! So many other channels just talk! I just purchased the Epix and I'm waiting for it to be delivered! I would love to see a video on how people set up navigation including what software you use and setting waypoints and points of interest.

[@StefanBackes]

Great insights. I got mine Epix 2 a few months ago but haven't really gotten into the metrics. This pushed me forward. Going for a hike this weekend. Need to get better at how to bridge the different apps so will practise. Thank you!

[@ukgpstraining]

Glad I could help!

[@offdagrid877]

Great video, I’m new to Garmin with the Epix pro 51mm double the battery life of the Epix you have on this video. With regard to navigation and courses you highlighted exactly what I was looking to find out.

[@ukgpstraining]

I am currently wearing the Epix Pro so hopefully we will have a video with the updated unit in the next couple of months.

[@matthiasschorghofer7129]

Nice video. When you disable the always on mode on the Epix you will get 16 days and that’s not far ahead from the Fenix 7 which should get 18 days. I would always disable the always on display because it doesn’t make any sense because when you turn your wrist the screen will turn on anyway. The longest batterylife I have ever got on my Fenix 7 was 19days because I was ill and couldn’t train for a week and I always charge it when my alarm comes and then I would have two days left🙂. Greets from Austria🙂✌🏾

[@johncaban4310]

Thanks for the video. I was always wondering how can I look at other screens while I was navigating a course..

[@ukgpstraining]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sabonim38]

I upgraded from fenix 5 plus about a week ago. I didn't know, if I should get the fenix 7x or epix 2. I had a samsung watch 4, so I really liked the amoled display... I stumped over epix 2, but I was still more into fenix 7x - special after trying wearing them in the shop. But in the end I choice the epix 2. Mainly due to the screen and reviews saying it's a bit more accurate than the fenix 7x. But after using it for a week, I just love the screen and I haven't regretted it at all. If you turn off the allways on display (so the screen black out after 8 sec), I get up to 16 days of battery compare to 6 days... I'm not sure how accurate it is at the moment, but I'm very happy about it...

[@ukgpstraining]

Thanks for your thoughts, we have a video ready for the new year looking at all the battery save options for the EPIX (gen2), so keep your eyes open for that one.

[@ChrisUK70]

The battery life is only 6 days if you have the display on all the time, the mistake I made. Change it to be on for wrist gesture and it lasts for 16 days.

[@Liam1694u]

I've been debating the two watches, but I got to try on the Epix and I'll say there is really no need for "always on". The gesture is so responsive that a flick of wrist is enough for a quick glance. It's not like you have to make a huge elaborate motion and wait a second for it to turn on. It's instantaneous. Why waste battery on a screen no one is looking at.

[@outdoorcinema7]

I buy Epix2 and on my settings battery life is 24 days in smart watch mode. In my case scenario that means, no heart rate sensor and gesture on mode.

[@andykay459]

I have the epix pro 2 in 51mm the battery life is great almost 3 weeks. But i do find it annoying when navigating the screen goes out after a minute or so possible to save the amoled screen would love to find s work atound

[@popchart]

Hi John, another enjoyable video - thanks. My Satmap Active 20 is redundant at the moment as I cannot walk more than a mile due to a back condition but perversely I can cycle on my e-bike for 30 miles with no problem. Do you think an Epix 2 would be more useful to me when cycling to navigate with as well as collecting my stats?

[@ukgpstraining]

Chris, thanks for your question, an interesting one. In this video I look at that subject - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnvcloiCfteLnrc

[@jameshoey303]

Yes

[@neilsternthal6907]

Super helpful video. Thank you! Looks like you selected Climb rather than Walk or Hike. Is there a reason you chose Climb rather than the other two as the activity? What is the basis for selecting each? Also, how do you silence but retain the vibration alerts?

[@ukgpstraining]

Well spotted, I did not mean to select climb! I normally select Hike! We have started a series of videos looking at using the different activities, you may find taht useful - gpstraining.co.uk/blogs/reviews/using-a-garmin-fenix-7-for Unsure how you can switch off the audio notifications, if you bought your watch from us please just email our tech team and they will help you out. that's beyond my skill set!

[@geoffmoss4843]

To lose the audio alerts but retain the vibrations. Try a long press of the centre left button to enter the main menu > System > Sounds > Alert tones/OFF

[@egoitz9309]

Hi! I have a question. How many hours can you use the epix2 non stop with maps on, following a route? Thanks in advice

[@ukgpstraining]

I have been getting very near to Garmin's figures, I hope this helps - GPS Only: Up to 42 hours (30 hours always-on) All Satellite Systems: Up to 32 hours (24 hours always-on) All Satellite Systems + Multi-band: Up to 20 hours (15 hours always-on) All Satellite Systems + Music: Up to 10 hours (9 hours always-on)

[@pete5049]

Hi John. I am finding this so hard. I am buying the watch for sport but not doing things like ultra marathons. A lot of of people say you should focus on the battery and admittedly that is important and nice have a true always on screen and people say its a fitness tool not a gadget. But high resolution is more than that and it's the whole way you interact with the watch. If it makes it clearer and more vibrant and even more enjoyable that is also very important when paying this much. Does this resolution make it a lot more enjoyable for you? After using it for few more months do you consider it a clear winner with the screen being so good? I am concerned with the price charging it regularly it will not last as long but a few years with a great vibrant interface is great too and like you I am UK based so we don't have the same sun as somewhere like California. Another thing is while the same watch underneath do you think the Epix could get more features due to its higher resolution with later updates?

[@ukgpstraining]

Thanks for your question, you will see me summarising my thoughts on Fenix/ Epix at this point in the video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWHZnZeBl5qsj8U I personally think people get a little obsessed by the battery life, there is more to a watch than that, the screen quality of the EPIX is the game changer to me, the only thing I miss though is the solar charging, I appreciate it is a bit of a gimmick, but a pretty cool one. Sold the Fenix 7 I used for my earlier videos and still got the EPIX on my wrist. You get updates all the time on these watches (both Fenix and EPIX), they get updated at the same time. They are just like waterproof computers with updates coming all the time with new features etc. I hope this helps, Jon.

[@pecanpie100]

Jon: with respect to the Epix vibrating when you go off course, my question is, how far off course do you have to go to cause the Epix to vibrate? And is that distance adjustable? I read through the owner's manual and didn't find answers to those two questions.

[@ukgpstraining]

Sadly you can't adjust the distance 'off course'. I have not fully tested it, but I estimate it may be around 10m 'off course' that it vibrates. It's a hard one though, as how accurate is the maps we are creating the course from?

[@pecanpie100]

@@ukgpstraining Thank you Jon!

[@efc4evr570]

Just bought the epix gen 2 but the default map is very basic and doesn’t even do the street names. What software is best to use for the mapping.

[@ukgpstraining]

You can change the detail level - Main Menu > Map > detail - change to high and 'show contour lines'. Also you may need to update the the 2023 map update as by default it comes with 2022, there is a big difference in them. There are videos in the 'online' resource taking you through all the above - gpsonlinecourse.co.uk/ I hope this helps.

[@thomashansen37]

Hi John, how big is your wrist ? i am considering to buy the Fenix 7 or 7s, but i am not sure wich size to buy.... can you guide me

[@ukgpstraining]

My wrist is 21 cm, not very big. I have used the Instinct 2s (kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6TSiIivpMqpoMU) and I was right on the cusp of it being to small for me. The key thing to bear in mind though is you lose 1/3 of your battery life with a s version of the Fenix 7. I hope this helps.

[@michaelhunter3471]

Great video mate.How do you change the default distance in sight and go.

[@ukgpstraining]

If you want to perform a sight and go - 1. Press start/ stop GPS button x 1 2. Scroll down the activities to option - Navigate - select 3. Scroll down to option Sight N - Go 4. Turn watch until to where you want to aim for 5. Press the start button I hope this helps.

[@michaelhunter3471]

@@ukgpstraining Thanks for the reply, I was hoping there was an option I had missed to alter the fixed distance of 80.6 to a known distance, for example 200m. Thanks mate.

[@funkyfoxx2335]

Can this be charged on the go? I’m taking on a 200 mile ultramarathon so will need around 100 hours battery. If not the Epix 2, what would you recommend? Watch or even handheld? That follows GPX accurately. Best value if possible as on a budget, thanks 🙏

[@ukgpstraining]

You can charge the watch on the go, but you would not be able to have it on your wrist when you charge. We work lots with Ultramarathon organisers (and compete in them ourselves), many of the big UK events insist on a handheld and the one everybody goes for is the GPSMAP67 as it has 180 hours battery life, join me on a 'walk and talk' with that unit - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZ2sZ2ediZZ2oNUsi=UIJncTPn67P7SKkc

[@JETLFC]

What vest are you wearing mate? hope to hear from you

[@ukgpstraining]

Hi it is a Montane Trailblazer, Kind regards GPS Training

[@vpnconsult]

Epix has Alpha in the sportswatch world.