Upgrading to the Garmin S70 from the S62 or Epix Gen 2 (unbiased golfer thoughts)

[@johnmalonson4395]

Yeah, I upgraded from the S62 to the S70 and it's not really worth the upgrade to be honest.

[@golfwithjames]

Sorry to hear that man. Just seemed like Garmin made such a good product with the S62 that all they needed to do was update the screen and price it slightly higher than the S62. Instead the $700 price tag makes offerings like the Epix Gen 2 much more competitive (especially when purchased secondhand).

[@fooltimedaddy]

Yeah I guess the price point moved way to high to warrant a decent upgrade after almost 3 years.

[@jayholiday256]

I have a S62, and only play one course usually, so I’m staying with that for another year

[@eckathewrecka]

Well this is my first golf watch and I want the best available and that says S70 with the better screen, thanks mate for your review :)

[@golfwithjames]

At the end of the day if you're happy with what's on your wrist, that's all that matters!

[@MikeSoutham]

how heavy is the S70? I currently use the S42 and it's a light as a feather...

[@golfwithjames]

If S70 is similar to the Epix Gen 2, then it will have similar heft to the S62. I can't comment on S42 since I haven't tried it.

[@AsianTankPilot]

Play every weekend and still learning about shot decisions. Would you upgrade from an S40 to S70?

[@golfwithjames]

Personally? I would pick up an Epix Gen 2 or S62 secondhand before going for the S70. The S40 doesn't show a detailed full hole layout. That is going to be the biggest advantage in upgrading from the S40 (you'll be able to plan out your shots on your watch). If you generally only play one course, then probably less important to be able to see the entire hole layout.

[@mr5039]

Hi James. Thanks for posting this! I have a 62 and have only one complaint. It doesn’t (as far as I know) log weight training reps etc. I don’t bike/swim so those features don’t really help me. I golf, run, and TRY to lift. Do you know if the 70 will? I’d really like to have just one watch that does it all haha. Thanks!

[@golfwithjames]

My understanding is the S70 does have those as activities you can add. That said, I use the Epix Gen 2 for the exact activities you mentioned (lifting, running, golf). I use Strength activity and select "Free" and the watch lets you track reps and sets (but doesn't let you select the exact workout or weight).

[@woojeongjin3162]

Epix Gen 2 will get the new features by the end of this year.

[@nicolasbitcoin2549]

Hope so. What’s your source?

[@DominicanMinecrafter]

Is there a source on this?

[@fooltimedaddy]

Epix2 looks much more posh and price isn't that much more than s70 47

[@thechef1877]

I can confirm it has 99% of the same features on the epix 2. It even has the updated maps with trees.

[@benstewart9675]

Plus, Epix is currently £324… no brainer for the price.

[@GOLFADDICT65]

question for you I am having a hard time choosing either the s70 or the Epix Gen 2......can get the s70 for 949.00 ( Canadian ) 717.00 ( US ) or the EPIX GEN 2 for ( 1316 .00 Canadian ) ( 998.00 US )............i am an avid golfer but i want an every day all around great watch ( health tracking , fitness tracking , golf tracking and great bells and whistles ) which do you think would be the best all around watch for me ? thx a bunch....cheers from Canada

[@golfwithjames]

I usually play at least 36 holes a week and I've been very, very happy with my Epix Gen 2. I also run, weightlift, and maintain a pretty active social life and the Epix Gen 2 has never felt or looked out of place in any arena. Since the S70 did update its body, it probably will look a lot better for all-around use than the S62 did. I'd say you'll be fine either way.

[@GOLFADDICT65]

@@golfwithjames mmmm ok leaning toward the Epix Gen 2......this is tougher than i thought it would be...like the s70 also...ahhhhhhhhh...lol...do you think the Epix is worth the 350 difference of the s70 ?....

[@GOLFADDICT65]

@@golfwithjames I ended up ordering the EPIX PRO GEN 2 in 47mm sapphire today...it has all the same golf stats as the Approach s70 i found out...hope i made the right choice...lol....thx again for your review

[@toneabet6252]

What do you lose getting the s70 over the new epix pro/fenix pro? S70 is a fair bit cheaper here

[@golfwithjames]

All I know from my read is that the new Epix Pro does not have some of the more updated features of the S70. So if you buy the Epix Pro, you will likely have the same golf features as are already on the Epix Gen 2. No word yet on if Garmin will update the golf features on their other offerings. It kind of seems like Garmin is hoping people will buy the S70 simply because the S62 wasn't refreshed for so long. It would have been great for Garmin to include green contour data for S70 purchasers, at a minimum.

[@benwintermute2804]

Just ordered the Epix pro gen 2. It looks like most all the golf features are included in that and I bet others will come with software updates.

[@golfwithjames]

@@benwintermute2804 yes, specifically the S70 graphics and wind "plays like" distance may not be with the epix pro gen 2. See forum here: forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/epix-2/334183/will-the-updated-more-detailed-golf-maps-of-approach-s70-be-coming-to-epix-gen2-fenix-7#pifragment-1292=1 Hoping the updated graphics and wind features get added to all watches. If that happens though, I'm not sure why one would choose the S70 over the Epix Pro/Gen 2 or the Fenix.

[@benwintermute2804]

@@golfwithjames thanks! There's a 30 day return policy, so I'll keep that in mind and update you here when I get it on Tuesday... our likely after a couple rounds.

[@golfwithjames]

@@benwintermute2804 even if it's the "regular" golf functions, it should still be fantastic. Love Garmin

[@billyphelan7649]

Why would you buy garmin watch that has NO trade up value?????

[@SmokeyRobbo]

In the UK the Epix Gen 2 typically retails for around £900 vs £649 for the S70. I was expecting to hear about more qualitative differences between the two watches? Otherwise the S70 looks like a no brainer? 🤷‍♂️

[@golfwithjames]

The S70 uses a ceramic bezel and a rubberized watch body. The Epix Gen 2 bezel and body are fully metal (steel or titanium depending on model). I would say that's a significant difference.

[@edwardvu984]

@@golfwithjames You are wrong though, Epix gen 2 only has 2 titanium/metal plates (top and bottom), body is still plastic (polymer if you prefer that term). The only watches that have full metal body in Garmin lineups are the MARQs. But technically S70 is mainly a golfers' watch (I find other features to be lackluster compared to Epix) and Epix is for so much more.

[@golfwithjames]

@@edwardvu984 I think you're right, now that I look more closely at my Epix Gen 2. That said, I would still likely stick with my Epix Gen 2 over the S70, especially if the wearer does more than one activity.