GARMIN EPIX PRO - Can It Replace Fenix 7 AND Apple Ultra? 

As the thumbnail shows, a perfect blend of rugged and beautiful. And the watch is nice too 😂😂

I just started watching this dude. He made me feel better about purchasing the Epix 2 Pro while already owning an AW Ultra, and he’s reassured me that being bald doesn’t mean ugly. Subscribed, great content

i am that person that goes into the wilderness for days and days at a time and got super excited when i upgraded to the Fenix 7 solar and realized i can track my hikes and not have to charge it every day

Your videos not only got me into running (onto 20 mins in one go now!) I've also bought my first sportswatch, nothing fancy (Forerunner 255) but it's helping me already (mainly by giving me a little dopamine hit when the little numbers go up). Thanks mate.

Let's be honest, you encouraged your dog to eat the box so you could say to the missus "I have to keep it as the dog has invalidated the warranty, luv" - I'm loving my Epix Pro Saphhire 51mm after coming from a Fenix 5x 51mm. At 56 the display is much kinder to my old eyes. Absolutely with you on the size of the previous Epix, I wanted a 51mm big boy and Garmin did the business.

Brilliant, thanks Mark. I spent the first 10-minutes thinking, 'damn it, I need an Epix 2 pro!', then the final few minutes thinking, 'nah, I'll stick with my Fenix 6 pro'. Informative, sensible, entertaining ... and you just saved me a ton of money 😂🙏

I’ve been a long time Fenix series owner. I recent had the Tactix 7 and Forerunner 965. What having both made me realize is that I prefer the more rugged Fenix in 51mm with the interface of the Forerunner 965 or epix series. Once I caught wind of the Epix Pro I knew they finally had a winner that blended both for me. I sold the other two and am now a more than happy owner of the Epix Pro in 51mm

As always, great video. Really enjoy the way you “keep it real”. Not pushing the latest and greatest, but explaining what works for all levels of physical activity. Keep it up.

I bought a new Fenix 3 Sapphire ~10 years ago....10 YEARS AGO!!! It still works perfectly and I still only need to charge it about once every 10 days. I'm watching this video as I'm finally breaking down and thinking about an upgrade...and I'm struggling because my Fenix 3 still really does all that I need it to do. I have replaced the wristband 3 times, but the watch is an amazing bit of engineering! Think of the core "must haves" in functionality that you have to have and go with the appropriate Garmin device. Don't worry about all the other bells and whistles. I promise you that you won't really use them anyway. Go with the Garmin that has all the things you really need and you will not be disappointed. It is rare to get any technology that will last for 10 years, but Garmin delivers exactly that.

hilarious and informative. Awesome work on the review Mark. Don’t think I ever watched every minute of a review 😊 And I’ll be sticking with my F6!

Had the 6x for a few years and unlike the previous 5x and 3HR that I quickly upgraded I will be sticking with the 6x for a while longer. Its been with me up Kilimanjaro and this year's London marathon tracked at 42.25kms, it doesn't get more accurate than that.

You always say what I’m thinking about these watches. One of the best, honest channels on RU-vid!

Glad I found this, was looking into a Fenix. As a side note, your content really speaks to me. I am also a finance worker (39 yrs old) who struggles with diet and bodyfat, and who also goes through periods of extraordinary endurance and weight training, sees great results, and tosses it in the trash. I'm currently training for my first 50 mile ultra in November, and trying desperately to get back on track. You definitely motivate me. Keep up the great content.

Really interesting to see the quality improvements in your videos when showing earlier clips. Great work 👏

Absolute goat Mark. Nothing not to love about your content brother! Thanks man

Spot on Mark. Really appreciate your open/honest review. I swapped my 7X for the Epix 2 Pro 51mm for the same reasons.

I wore an AW4 from release day until the day the AW Ultra came out. I purchased both the AW Ultra and Epix Gen2 at the same time to compare. Ended up returning the AW Ultra after two days. Garmin Epix Gen2 is much better than anything AW has to offer. Sure I can't use my watch as a phone but then again we all need to disconnect from our smartphones anyways. I don't miss anything about the AW environment (maybe ApplePay but I just use my phone for that now) ESPECIALLY the terrible battery life. I cycle/train about 80-150 miles a week and my watch holds it's charge without issue. I charged my watch last Sunday and currently i'm at 6 Days of battery left. When it comes to AW vs Garmin it's smartwatch vs Sport Watch. Garmin wins that category hands down, almost thinking of getting the Epix Pro and gifting my Gen2 to my father who is a triathlete. Great Review!

Thanks Mark, always very interesting, entertaining and informative videos with really good down to earth sport wisdom..brilliant!💪

I just picked up the Epix Pro 51mm as my first smartwatch ever. I'm more of a hiker so the better detail on the map meant more to me. Can't wait to try the golf app though

Another outstanding review. Love that you are happy to give a clear recommendation.

great stuff Mark, - highly entertaining as always. Thanx!

I stumbled across your channel while looking at garmin watches. Mate, you crushed the videos. Highly enjoyable.

Just discovered your channel Mark and you are brilliant. We are only ever a few seconds away from a belly laugh and all the information is great. Keep it up.

Great video. Thanks. I have Fenix 5X and been thinking about upgrading. Leaning towards the Epix Pro now.

Perfect explanation love how you said the left vs right side of the tree. I think the same way about some of these minor updates.

I bought my Fenix 6 15 months ago brand new for 350$ here in Greece and I am quite happy with it! In fact as you said, I hardly use 10% of it as I am a runner. I would like somethong looking rugged enough but a bit lighter. Maybe a Fenix 7s titanium would work but right now I feel its too soon to upgrade! time will tell. thanks for the video!

Long time watcher first time commenter. Love the videos. I have had a Fenix 6X for years, just invested in a Epix (Gen2) Pro. I think the biggest 'game changer' is the user interface and detail of maps. If you use the watch to navigate the Epix is significantly better than the Fenix in every way.

A huge part of why I left the smart watch world of Samsung and Apple is because of the AMOLED screens. I find them so jarring and distracting when the screen turns off and on whether on my wrist or someone else's. Plus, as a mountain biker, that wrist gesture is less than ideal having to take your hand off the bar and hope the gesture works. I started with the Solar Instinct and now have a Fenix 7 and just love the constant visibility outdoors. Of course there is no perfect screen and each person's needs will vary. I just hope they are able to have both screens as an option but I'm not optimistic.

Great review. Love the real life review / sense of humour and nods to the 80s! Happy to subscribe.

Like your videos man! Keep doing your thing!

I wish I could like this video more than once. Every cutaway to random scenes was hilarious. Also, informative.

Not hardcore details about the watches but an honest review which many times are much better. Deep diving in specs you can do all by yourself, awesome video.

On point. Best review i have seen so far. Thanks

Just discovered you, oh my god man. You are absolutely hilarious, long ago since I laughed this genuinely. Keep the great stuff up!

great content Mark!! ..it really helped me as a fenix 3 owner.. epix!

Great review! Subscribed!

I just bought a Forerunner 245 as my first sports watch. It looked way more manly and rugged in the photos... doh! Great video as always, thanks Mark!

Awesome video as always Mark, off to get the new bright screen ;)

Great advice and excellent video man!!

Great review ! thank you so much!

Pretty cool! I have the Fenix 7 Sapphire which I got last year. Sometimes I wish I got the Epix since I primarily use the watch for fitness and don't actually need a battery that last a full month like the Fenix 7. The iwatch was out of the question due to the terrible battery life. That said, my Fenix 7 is as rugged as it gets and it works perfectly. No complaints other than the Epix would have been a little nicer to look at on my wrist.

I enjoy your honest and very “everydayman”, unbias but subjective review of the watches and functionality of them all. I purchased a FR55 half a year ago, switched it two months in for a new 265s, and now changing that for the Epix 2nd gen Pro. From your perspective it will suit me perfectly compared to other models/brands, and I tend only to use and have one watch that does it all. That said I am affected by having to carry around my phone at all times in order to check my blodsugar. If I was not, maybe my need for a watch would be different.

Hi mark, been listening to this vlog. I’ve got the fenix 5x and love it. Had it about 2 years now and love the watch , would I get much difference in upgrading to the 7 or the epix? I’m not sure I’ll get more than what I’m getting already. Very tempting as I love the big rugged look of the as well. Do you reckon I’ll be getting more nerdy stuff than I already have?

Absolutely love your videos🔥

Great stuff as always!

Mark your videos are the best. Glad to have stumbled onto your channel and glad to see you have enough sense to know the strengths and weaknesses of both apple and Garmin. It’s the harsh reality that, right now, one can’t do it all. Maybe this year with apple will change that? Probably not…but fingers crossed!

DC rainmaker for the in-depth geek review, you for the ‘what does all the mean for the normal user’ view of things :) I have a fenix 6 and am tempted to update for the nice new shiny stuff but I cannot really find a good justification either.

Really the best reviews of running watches on RU-vid. I have a garmin fenix 6 pro. Really enjoying it, but like you, I want that phone free experience when out for a quick run.

I recently upgraded my old Fenix 3 HR (MIPS display) for a Forerunner 265 for just over £400. Main reason was just for that AMOLED display and multiband GPS. Don't get me wrong, would love an Epix or Epix Pro but couldn't justify the cost and given I mainly just use it for running I didn't really need the extra features of the Epix or 965 i.e. maps. No regrets apart from prefer the chunky look of the Epix especially with the 51mm display (the Forerunner I have has 47mm and is very much a slimline watch compared to the Epix 🤔)

Great video, love your sense of humour! I definitely agree that you don't have to check always all the data and monitor all health stats. I've never been a "data guy" so I'm using probably just 20% of Garmin's functions😂 But still love it! That said, going out without my phone just with the watch would be really great option, but shame that Apple is protecting it's Apple Watch so Garmin watch will probably still have limited calls and text messages functions😐 Thanks for the video! Really appreciate not technical review and opinion🙏

Love your videos. Telling it as it is.

Thanks mark. Now the proud owner of the Epix pro gen 2, and I’ve also sailed through my first sub 25 5K now too 😁 keep up the awesome content!

Great review thank you!

You are bloody hilarious I watching this sitting next to my girlfriend checking on my delivery every 5 Min for my epix pro , as I starting laughing so loud that she liturally jumped out of her skinn . Love your humour and you videos very informative and helpful. As well you looking awesome for a 50 year old dude keep up the good work stay fit stay healthy

Great overview as usual Mark 👍🏻 For me … I will keep my Fenix 7X Solar for now. It does everything I want. I mainly use it to log / track outdoor day walks (effectively just a diary of what I’ve been up to really, not complex data analysis) On wrist mapping (with TalkyToaster mapping), is very very useful too. No need for a handheld GPS, hooray. Sounds trivial, but when going fast or scrambling or whatever, glancing at my wrist to check for routing info is much better than looking at a GPS in your hand. At one time, before the Fenix, I used to ‘wear’ a small biking GPS on my wrist for mapping. Looked weird, but it worked. I use it on multi-day wilderness expeditions too. In day to day use I wear it all the time, sleep tracking, HRV, etc. In the multi-day scenario, when paddling on the sea, it is switched off during the day and a Montana 700 does the tracking. It’s used in the evening to track any on-land activity from the camp. The battery easily lasts a whole week or more without needing a charge. All I have with me are power-packs, no mains power! Other multi-day stuff involves on land trips, where it will be on all the time, tracking when moving, so best battery life in important. Multi-day bike trips are tracked by an Edge 840 solar, not my Fenix. Will wait and see what the Fenix 8 looks like 😉. Probably will be amoled I guess 🤔 I’ve used many Garmin GPS devices over the decades (!) They always seemed to prioritise direct sun visibility before anything else. The way engineers think I guess? Sunlight readable screens were / are always less power hungry than anything more fancy. Power efficiency is crucial for wilderness use. Less applicable for urban use? I hope they continue to offer MIP and Amoled screens so we have a choice.

Picked a standard edition epix up. Im a short arse with some bulk, so hoping 47mm will be a good balance. Most of my collection are 44-46mm. Coming from a galaxy smart watch. And just wanting to get out more. Great video and focused on individual needs which was refreshing.

Nice vid as almost always, just couldn't unsee you flipping the bird for ages at the beginning of the video😂

So hard to resist upgrading from my 7X to that beautiful screen.

High quality and detailed review!

"When you're 14 every MM counts" - Mark Lewis 2:12 - PREACHHHH

Yes!! Was hoping you were gonna do this!!👍🏻 (Still wearing my Fenix 6 pro sapphire 😅 )

Absolutely with you in this regard!

congrats on the 10k!!

2:09 "...reassuring HEFT" Must use that phrase more frequently 😂

Awesome awesome review my man 💪

Dog photo on watch - Absolutely!!!❤

Great review and comparison. I've been watch quite a few of your videos and really like the "reality" approach that some of the data and/or wearing the trackers 24/7 are not actually necessary. I dig that even though I'm on a path for more accuracy and data at the moment and testing stuff. I've had a Fenix 6 Pro for 3+ years now, just cross tested with a Whoop 4.0 and an Apple Watch SE. I returned the Whoop as I felt it was uncomfortable. And now I'm trying to figure out if I resell the Fenix 6 Pro and the SE to move to an AW Ultra or to a Fenix 7 Pro or Epix. As I said, I like your approach but I'm keen to track everything right now, sleep, recovery, all activities, and for me that includes surfing which namely requires a rugged watch, strength training and HIIT workouts. Wonder what would be your recommendation/suggestion for me, between the Ultra or one of the 2 new Garmins (maybe the Epix Pro Gen2). Keep doing a great work on the videos. Cheers

Great vid. I disagree with the dismissal of the new GPS accuracy. I like to explore new places on my own rather than organised events. The problem for me for wasn't ever looking back at runs and worrying about whether the recorded route was spot on, but navigation, losing the trail in challenging conditions. E.g. running in surprisingly deep tree covered valleys in the Cotswolds or up the side of a volcano in Tenerife. In the former, I ran for half a mile in the wrong direction on a moonless night and in the latter I ended up clinging to a rock in the middle of a cactus field, some of them with scarily strong cobwebs between them. Running the same routes with a Gen2 Marq Athlete means I've never lost the trail since.

I spilt my coffee at 0:18. Great intro.

Great video Lewis. Thanks for this im a so torn between - well at this stage- fenix 7, fenix 7x, fenix6 pro, enduro 2. Epix pro. I wanted to ask your wrist size and if you dont find the 51mm X versions bulky or such?

Thanks for the review. I appreciate the "common sense" interpretation of all the features and what they might mean to me, i.e."Do I care if I went left or right around a tree....?" It helps me chill out about not feeling stressed about not spending $$$$ for the best...

That's it. Sticking with my F6. It does the job. Thx! :)

thx for your point off view 🤙👍

Hi Mark, I strongly consider a garmin instinct 2x (with torch), and less money for a poor bugger like me. Keep up the good work! Cheers, Martijn.

I bought a used Fenix 6 based on your recommendation some time ago and I’m super satisfied. Your advice today leave me to think I’ll stick with my 6. Cheers.

Finally a "real world" review!! Thank you!! 🙏

Brilliant point of view, can't agree more.

Brilliant video 👏

I’m glad to hear that they made the screen brighter and use less battery, I have my Fenix 7 up to full blast, thanks to my crappy eyesight without glasses. I’ll remember this when it’s time to upgrade (although considering Apple Ultra).

This is my first time buying a smartwatch. I decided to get Epix Pro 51mm . So happy with it so far 🎉🎉.

thank you, good review

Thanks great advice

What a video… I was waiting for your review. You are one of the few who really speaks substance when it comes to these devices🎖️Too many watches, not enough wrists ✌️

i've been looking at the fenix 6 lately as my first watch since the prices seem pretty nice on facebook market place so i like that you still recommend the old watch

Really appreciate the down to earth style of explaining pros and cons. Focusing on what really matters to most users, rather than going all out on every single additional functionality you could have (but probably never need). Even risking upsetting Garmin fanboys in the past ;-) Keep up the good work.

I’m still on the fenix 3! Although 3rd version as the buttons seem to fail if you use it for swimming, even though it is a multi sports watch. Garmin have replaced it both times - decent service. I have the titanium model which I like as the strap can’t fail and it is very light too. I’ve had loads of Garmins... although my first GPS watch was a Timex Ironman, it had a separate gps unit that you had to strap to your arm, and it took about half an hour to locate satellites. I also use a Forerunner 945 (swimming safe) - both have so much functionality that until they fail I can’t see the point of upgrading. I run, swim, row and cycle, and they do the job. Although new shiny thing... hmmm...

Just so you know. You don't NEED to carry your phone with you, with Garmin. It will still show you all your health metrics, location etc. It will show you everything except for Phone calls and notifications. Then, later when you are back near your phone, all your workouts and everything that happened while you were away from your phone(getting some you-time) will automatically update.

From a Fenix 6x Pro Solar owner, that was a perfect review.

Loved all the references

Bossman :), always have a smile on my face after watching your videos. I’m coming from a vivoactive 4 which I’ve had for 3 years (my first smart sport watch) I’m thinking of upgrading to the epix pro, my question is far more shallow. To me it’s all about sizing, given I’m about to dish out a grand on this. So what’s you wrist size? Just to get a relative idea.. of how that 51mm looks on your wrist. To be honest I’m hoping the electronics section in John Lewis will have ones I can actually try on. I thought the 45mm vivoactive 4 looked pretty decent on my 17cm wrist. I am however enticed by the longer battery life on the larger 51 mm.

Hi Mark ... always a pleasure to watch your amazing reviews. You sold me on amoled 😂 However, the sweet spot between an old F6 and this Epix Pro could be the Forerunner 265 (don’t laugh 😂)

Love your videos. My mindset has totally adjusted as a result from the younger version of me that was super competitive to understanding now in my late 40s that being number 1 is not the aim now, being above average and a little better each day is a life success.

Great review bro

Great review ! I had the Epix 2 and then switched to the Apple Ultra. But as trail runner and long haul pilot, I'm on the fence for the 51mm Epix... I like the Apple but miss the bigger battery and some of the training features. Also I love the flashlight as I'm often flying during the night and always looking for something in the bag... I like the rugged face as well. Ideally I would need the 2 watches but the Head of the Home Financial Committee ( my wife...) won't certainly let that happen...

Great review. You just convinced me to get an Epix. Cheers!

I'll be interested if and when they enable ECG. Until then there's virtually nothing to gain from upgrading from a Fenix 7X. I also thought the colour screen would come to the Fenix, but I now think they'll eventually do away with the Fenix, and there'll just be the Epix. Still think battery life isn't up to scratch yet, though. Once you delve into the figures it's really no where near the Fenix unless you disable the screen, and then you've got to ask, what's the point in the nice screen if you have to flap your wrist around in an unnatural way just to see it. I'd rather have an AOD and not need to charge it as often.

Great info thanks Mark. I just ordered a Garmin fenix 6X Pro Solar Edition GPS Smartwatch from Cabelas in the US. I live in Colorado and really interested in the Garmin functionality but as its my 1st smartwatch I am really OK with a previous version to try it out and save a few bob. I will use it when we head up the mountains.

11:51 That CrossFit burn was epic.haha

Nice breakdown. I have a 745 which is a few years old now. I think the new Epix will also use the ECG when it's released in Europe. One thing that DC mentioned was that the Epix still uses the older UI and not the new UI found on the 956 🤔 First world problems eh.?

Sports watch advice for 'the common man'. Very good and as ever entertaining. Thanks