Heads up, Garmin has updated the Epix and it now has all the same features (like morning report) that the 955 has had over these past 6 months. 👍🏻 *Best place to buy: * 955: dialedcyclinglab.com/product/... Epix: dialedcyclinglab.com/product/... Try discount code: *matt_legrand*
@@JLX5 - No not yet. It doesn't everything. It has HRV and some of the data but I'm not seeing a morning report yet and that's a small thing that I really like about the 955. I'm waiting Garmin. . .
I’ve owned both, and actually the 7 as well. My thoughts: In the pool I noticed excessive drag on my catch and shoulder fatigue on my recovery from the epix. I feel like I gained a few watts on the bike with the epix but I had to carry three less gels to make up for the weight And finally on the run the epix made me feel powerful but the forerunner told me I was powerful. All kidding aside I love the weight of the 955, and that’s will I’ll wear it. On work outs I really could care less it’s actually on the day to day and sleeping that I appreciate the lightweight 955. The plastic is also less irritating on the skin. I use the nylon strap so I think the weight is something like 42 grams. I can only think the 955 strap choice was to prevent the watch from coming off during the swim or while taking off a wetsuit. The software inconsistencies are annoying AF, but used to it with Garmin. There are really cool features on the 955 that I legit find insightful. It’s cool that they are finally helping interpret all the data that’s being collected. I’ve found it (training readiness) fairly accurate too. The gps and navigation is not as good though on 955 for some reason. Obviously battery is the other big consideration, and apart from weight and price the other but deciding factors for me. 955 falls solid between the epix and f7 solar. On my 14hr training week with 24/7 wear I’m at 5 days for the epix, 10 for the 955 15+ for the fenix 7. Lastly being “cheaper” there’s less damage anxiety. Thank you for coming to my Ted talk.
Yup, great feedback, I owned f7 solar sapphire and replace it with epix because f7 screen was to dimmed...(sapphire...) epix is great but sometimes feel like toy, weight on epix sapphire is good(comparing to fenix 6 pro with steel), but 955 is different league, it's comfy all day and all night :), visibility is great also... of course we dont get this fancy colors and great details on maps, also i feel like buttons on 955 are way better than on f7/epix
Yes, Matthew- excellent feedback!! Love the insights of your comments. I’m still using an Apple Watch and am waiting to see if Apple does something serious at this fall’s release however in the meantime I’m educating myself on all things Garmin. So much to consider and I appreciate these discussions and Matt Legrand’s channel!!
Matt, I have recently found your channel and I love the content. I don’t believe I’ve commented on any of the other videos I have watched but the “Garmin Headquarters” segment was hilarious. Love the humor. 😂
Thanks so much King J! Yeah, it was a little long and I almost cut it but 🤷🏻♂️. We'll see what people thing. Thank you so much for commenting on this one.
I’m a Fenix/Epix girl. I had a Fenix for 4 years and now picked up Epix. Can’t really say much about the forerunner but I definitely prefer the more robust, sophisticated and grown up design of the Fenix/Epix series. The screen is gorgeous, not to mention the sapphire glass is something I’m not sure i can live without. The amount of times I would have ruined any other watch with scratches …yet Fenix was still perfect after 4 years of constant daily use. Also all these software features are coming soon too. It’s hard to go wrong with Garmin to be honest
Good feedback Issabell! The Fenix is such a nice watch. I also tend to go for the sapphire lenses with these watches just for the extra durability. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I have the 945 and the epix(2) and tried on the fenix 7x (also owned previous fenix models). The thing about the 945 is I forgot it was on my wrist. It never jiggled when running and felt very “natural.” While I LOVE the epix screen, it still feels bulky on long runs. The Fenix 7x, I feel like I should be a navy seal in order to justify wearing it. The irony is the smaller cheap plastic 945 and from specs, 955 as well, is just more comfortable to wear overall. Good problems I guess 🤷🏻.
Thanks for the review after a little more time to get used to it. Almost every review was dropped on day one with less than 24 hours use so were more or less feature lists. I really liked the sketch too!
Thanks buddy! I almost cut the sketch out because it was a bit long. A lot of the reviewers get the devices about 2 weeks before the products ‘go live’ so they can prepare these reviews. But I’m coming up on about 6 months with the Epix. It’s nice but expensive. 👍
I tried the Fenix 7, Epix and now have the 955. I really love the 955 form factor - it’s so light and easy to wear. Bang for buck - the 955 takes the cake….no contest. I really love the watch. However- like you said, the Epix takes the cake if money isn’t an option. I agree with that statement - the Epix was my favorite, just had a hard time with the price tag.
100% That Epix price tag. 😬 The 955 is an impressive device and I think the price is reasonable given the current market and everything else going on. Glad to hear about your experiences with these three watches. It's always super helpful. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Thanks Matt, this is an interesting comparison. I had a FR745 and I tried an Epix 2 earlier in the year and found it a bit bulky and oddly enough found the AMOLED screen less usable than that on the 745 when doing outdoor activities - my older eyes definitely preferred the 745's screen outdoors. Of course the FR955 was launched and I have picked up one of those (Whitestone , non solar) and so far I am loving it - The touchscreen is nice as an option, the weight is much closer to that of the 745 so open doesn't feel the bulk of the size as much, and the screen is very visible.
Yeah, I always feel like it’s more about the depth of these watches as far as feeling bulky. The 745 and 945/955 are a little slimmer than the Fenix and Epix gen 2. When I’m running the weight isn’t too bad between these watches. Thanks so much for the feedback Stephen!
I love my FR955, I didn't get the solar edition, but still feel that this is a great watch. I have owned a FR745 and while its a smaller watch, when I am running I like the size of the 955, for me, its easier to read and use. Great comparison, thanks
I have the same non solar 955 and I think it’s the right call. I think it’s a good value for what it is and I don’t miss the 10% extra battery life personally. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the watch band skit. Garmin seriously needs to get its act together. All of their watches should ship with Quickfit support. Apple is blowing Garmin away in this area. They would sell a heck of a lot more accessories if they made it easy to swap them out.
You're welcome Rob! I almost cut that skit because it was a little long. Hopefully Garmin doesn't hate me for it. 😬 Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I am really glad I went with the Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar. For me I use it on multi day hikes, and can go about 3 ten hour days between charging. The touch screen Nav has been a game changer. I use a Edge 1030 on the bike. And you fired Dave!
Oh you noticed the hat! Yeah, it sounds like you like to do some long long stuff. the new Fenix is such a good option. You'll have to keep me posted on how you're liking it over the next few months. I am hoping to get one to test against some of these other watches but it's such a pricey investment when I already have so many watches. We'll see. I'd love to review it or compare it to the Epix. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I almost cut the comedy from this video because it's not as funny as some bits I've done on this channel but I need to start making these video reviews a bit more fun. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Dude. I love watching your videos. Love them. They are so high quality and so worthwhile. I can't imagine how much time they must take. Good grief the level of detailed shots and close-ups - I don't even know how you shot so many of these. Regrettably it makes me feel so bad about mine! I have got to get better - no idea how you have the time/expertise/apps/cameras to do all of that. And I can't even let myself think of the possibility that Garmin sent you an Epix to test/use! Jealousy would certainly kill me in that case. Kill me. And hilarious watch band video snippet! That was so funny - you can even act! You should have had one of your kids in there as the mean, relentless boss, though. Last - really sorry to see the scratches you've somehow sustained on the Sapphire Epix screen - and somewhat impressed - how the hell did you do that? "You ate a whole wheel of cheese? No I'm not mad - I'm impressed". Keep up the great content and making us all look like sophomoric (and me, freshman-detention-class) in our video renditions!
What about the software differences right now? Do they updated Epix to features like morning report, training readiness score, etc? I dont see the pinned comment at the top thet you are talking about in the video but I would like to be sure about the software update because i am seriously thinking about buying the Epix.
Coming from a Fenix 7x SS owner if I was buying a new watch right now I’d be going for the 955 solar, the price difference is just too much considering it’s mainly the same watch apart from the premium materials, which aren’t worth the £350 extra. I think it was a good move by Garmin though to release 2 new multi band devices at a more of a affordable price, I have definitely seen a much improved GPS tracking since getting mine when comparing to my old Fenix 6X. Good review 👍🏻
Thanks Nick! Yeah, I agree. It's nice that Garmin isn't holding that multi band gps stuff back from their more affordable watches. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Thanks for the helpful information. This is my first smartwatch/ first Garmin watch or anything. I have been looking into a fitness tracker for some time now and have been doing CrossFit for 10 years. I am starting to swim and cycle this year. Signing up for triathlons and rides and CrossFit competitions. I decided to get a watch that would help me track my swimming,especially when in open water. I am not used to wearing anything on my wrist while working out but I loved the look of the Epix. Just hated the price. I tried them on at REI this weekend and had a hard time deciding. I think I may go with the 955 , after watching your video. I think I may tolerate the sleeker watch, the 955. Not sure if I’ll be able to wear it to bed but it seems like 955 would be less bulky in bed. Thanks again!
You're very welcome Jessica. Let me know what you end up with and how you like it. Another channel for you to check out would be www.youtube.com/@fitgearhunter Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Hi Matt, great review as always. Having read through the Garmin forum, there seem to be a lot of software issues with the 955. Swiping left on maps and other apps kicks you out, excessive battery drainage, etc... Have these issues been sorted out by Garmin yet? I'm keen to buy one as soon as it's released here in South Africa but not if there major bugs to contend with.
I haven't experienced the excessive battery drainage or too many software issues that I can remember but I would expect this new watch from Garmin to have some issues this close to launch. Garmin tends to sort them out through software updates and I do wish they'd fix the navigation issues on this 955. As a software developer, I just don't understand the work flow here. 🤦♂️ I'm guessing they'll still be addressing a few bugs when it's released in South Africa but it's hard to say as I don't have too much insight into their development schedules. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I used to think that 20-30 grams in weight would not make any difference. However, coming from a fenix 5 and 6 (base models), i find 955 much more comfortable to wear 24/7. The only thing missing is an amoled screen.
Yeah, there's a noticeable difference. I also think a lot of the 'bulk' comes from these watches sitting up higher on the wrist. They seem to knock into things more frequently. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
In Europe 955 Solar has the same cost of the Epix as I checked few minutes ago so it's tough to decide. Better battery/small factor vs Oled screens. If I use the Epix as bike computer (I did for 945 for several years), the Epix is a more compelling. Otherwise, the 955 solar is a more reliable watch in the long term considering battery degradation and potential screen burn-in. Great video as always. The Garmin headquarter parody I don't think it's far from true :).
@@mlegrand for the moment, health issued stopped from doing any training in the last 7 months. If I recovered, a big if, I will take the 955 solar to substitute my beloved Garmin 945 after 3 years of honourable service. Unfortunately, the 90ish grams of the Epix are difficult to handle for my small wrist.
I bought the 955 because of the weight. I run, bike swim, strength train. I've owned the Fenix 5 plus titanium and 5s plus in the past and i was always aware i was wearing a watch. I also don't like AMOLED display on my watch. I love it on my phone, but for some reason the AMOLED display on a watch makes it feel like I'm wearing the phone on my wrist. Garmin did a fantastic job with the readability of the 955 in direct sunlight. I love it. I held on to my 945 till this new solar 955 came out. But to be honest, i would have just stayed with my 945 if it wasn't for the solar and the touch screen of the 955. Interestingly enough i still navigate the watch with the buttons even at rest 🤣😂
Nicely done! I’ve the 945 LTE and am looking forward to the software update. For everyday use I have the Fenix 7X SS. Your parody of watch strap selection was hilarious.
Awesome! Glad you like it. I almost cut it because it was a bit long and people tend to just want the info but 🤷🏻♂️ Thanks so much for watching this one Sean!
Would putting a nylon band on the Epix make this feel more like the 955? I read on one forum that they saved about 17 grams by doing this, bringing the weight down close to the 955 weight. Then again this would take away from the classy look of the watch I would think.
I don't know if it would make it feel like a 955 but it would reduce the weight a lot. What's nice is that these quick fit bands are easy to switch. So maybe you could have a dress look and a running look? 🤷🏻♂️
Hi from Greece I have the fenix 6x pro which is a unique watch in all its features, the only problem I see when I run is the gps accuracy, on the map it shows me running on the roofs of the houses and the route is not a straight line but a zig zag .... I'm thinking of buying the forerunner 955 only for the multi band GPS (because garmin fenix 7 sapphire is too expensive for me)...... ... what's your opinion is it worth it? or should I stay with the 6x pro and wait for the next model ?????
I think the GPS tracking would be better on the 955 but I think you should wait. The Fenix 6 is still a fantastic device. Be patient and see what’s coming up next. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
The Epix looks beautiful with the saphire/titanium and the screen is goregous. I love my gen 2 but will be ready to upgrade right away if they can take that battery from 6 days (for some reason I only get 5 days with similar workouts?) to double or more. For me the cost was worth it because I wear it every day as my “watch”. If i wa sa multisport athlete who just wanted something to track every activity the 955 is easily a better value. For the everyday weekend warrior though, Epix has “enough” battery life while giving you the best style, features, and liveability as a general purpose watch.
Yeah, this Epix with a longer battery life would really be fantastic. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I ended up with the 955 non-Solar. I find the feature set perfect. I find myself missing the refinement of the Fenix/Epix. I probably will get a Fenix 8 the next go around as I miss the ability to switch from dress/sport so easily.
I actually think the 955 non solar is such a good option. I don't know if the extra 10% battery life is worth $100. Depends on the person I guess. Can't wait to see what Garmin does with a Fenix 8. 🤯
Thank you sir for the comparison, I definitely leaned towards the 955, as much as I love the casing of the epix/Fenix, coming from Fenix 6x, I can't wear it 24/7 and need the smaller factor for 955
Lighter weight and a nice form factor. Hope you enjoy it Mohamed. Let me know what you think! Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
For changing the watch band: If you don't have a pin remover, try using floss and catch it on the edge. Not convenient if you want to do it often though
@@mlegrand Johnson is 🤴.. very frustrating but you can buy cheap watch band replacement tools online that will do it without bloodshed ..shouldn’t have to buy yeah it’s there
I am actually trying to choose between these two right now so great video! I do ultramarathons and need up to 30 hours battery with navigation and good GPS on. I am prepared to charge underways one or two times though, so I can go with one of these watches. I guess Phoenix 7 could be an option. Most important for me is navigation. So I really want the epix 2 due to the better resolution and clear amoled screen. Since the battery is the same ish for the 955 and E2, navigation/map is what I will pay more for basically. When it comes to other features, I just canrt care less to be honest. I turn off all suggestions, and plans etc cause I really dont want that noise in my life. I go by feel and my own plans. Dont wear it at nighteither, so most of these fancy software programs on the 955 dont mean much to me. In my heart I know I want the Epix 2. Its just if the price is worth it for the maps/screen/navigation.. I already have the Suunto 9, but Suunto dont have watches with maps in the navigation. Just a line. Id like maps..
I will say that the navigation feels much better on the Epix (or Fenix probably). Best of luck with the next ultra and let me know what Watch you end up going with!
For an ultra runner Fenix 7x would be perfect if you don’t mind the size and lack of amoled screen…apparently the added flashlight proves to be very helpful in long distances, not to mention unparalleled battery life. I have an Epix tho and if you care about maps it has the best/most easily accessible and detailed maps I’ve seen. They are all very accurate when it comes to GPS tho. I used them for hiking in very remote places quite a bit.
Hey Matt, maybe you could help me with the following question. Say, I want to go with a bulky F7X for outdoor activities and most of the daily usage, but at the same time have something much smaller and lighter from Garmin for rest time (sleeping, etc.). Is there a combination from Garmin modern lineup which could work together, i.e. to provide a combined health report, body battery and other things? P.S. Afaik, Physio True-Up is a completely different and simpler story, that doesn't cover my imaginary use case.
The HRV stuff is new and might be helpful for those recovery metrics. There’s a smaller 255S that you could consider. 🤷🏻♂️ Keep me posted on what you end up going with. I’ll be very curious as to your experience with the combination of watches. 👍
@@mlegrand thanks for reply! Seems to be a really nice combination, but price-wise... it probably goes beyond reasonable budget :) So I ended up with Fenix 7 (47 mm) being the one and only. Comparing to my old Fenix 3, new mid-size Fenix 7 is much more comfortable, I already got two nights with them -- no distractions. Of course, I miss potential F7X stunning battery capacity, but life is full of uneasy choices :)
I’ve noticed a “record HRV” has appeared on my 245 which I’ve turned on, assuming it’s recording the baseline data that’ll become available to me if I upgrade (to reduce the wait). I’m speculating though
Yeah, I don’t mind the white strap either. I just wish Garmin had made it a bit easier to switch. Plus it’s fun poking fun at them a little. 😆 Keep me updated on how you’re enjoying that 955. It’s such a great option. 👌
A bit late to the party here but still relevant...excellent vid BTW. I've recently had a couple of Epix (reg and sapphire) and a couple of Ultras, and am now trying a 955 running the latest bug-infested 12.27 firmware (Oct '22). The Epix's went back mostly due to the price...I can afford them but I have a fixation on Value and they don't qualify, like not at all! Nice product within the parameters of Garmin's flaky software releases, then I tried an Ultra for comparison and there really isn't any. Ultra is typical excellent Apple hardware & experience but lacking in many key metrics that 3rd party apps can't replicate due to the lack of base data. So bring on the 955: it has most of the features of a Fenix7 Sapphire at roughly half the price so the Value equation is certainly there, but its current firmware is riddled with all kinds of bugs (see Garmin Forum if you dare...after 5 minutes there you'll wonder how Garmin is still in business!!!). I also hate the lame selection of native Garmin watch faces and it can't load Fenix/Epix faces and aftermarket faces have not yet caught up much (Actiface where are you???). But, in a bike ride today while running in parallel with my Edge 830 it generated virtually identical metrics which is quite encouraging. It also has the quite useful and seemingly accurate Stamina metric that will hopefully start making its way onto the Edge devices and beyond. I'm still a bit on the fence about keeping it but thanks to Amazon I have awhile longer to decide and I suspect it'll stay...the Amoled screen on the Epix is very nice but for double the price of a 955 I'd need a lifetime subscription to Pepto Bismol to settle my stomach if I took the plunge again.
Great feedback!!! The Edge 104 has that stamina feature so I’ve got to guess that it’ll come to the next versions of the 530/830 series. 🤷🏻♂️ Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I actually just picked up the standard style watch band removal tools. I'm still surprised that Garmin has a quick release for the 255/265/Fenix/Epix but not for the 955/965. 🤷♂️
@@mlegrand yeah it’s so frustrating I also have the crossover solar tactical and wear that one mostly all the time. Great battery life too hardly ever have to charge it. The band is fine on that one.
Very nice and complete comparison of these watches Matt! I chose the EPIX, coming from a Fenix 6, because once you get used to that Amoled display it's hard to go back to trans reflective! Cost is a bit of a bitter pill to swallow but I have no regrets.
I currently have a 935....my band was not a huge deal to change, although, not a quick change band. I wish they all were quick change. I thoroughly dislike using tools to change a watch band. I think I would love the 955 over the Epix mainly for battery life.
Yeah, the 955 is an impressive watch! Glad to hear the 935 is still doing well. It’s a great option for triathlons. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Will either watch shave a minute off my 10k? I'm not willing to wear it when I sleep so maybe the training tips the watches give could make me faster but I feel like a prisoner of 24x7 wearing if the key to 7 series metrics.
Yeah, you're right Steve. They are really expecting you to wear it while sleeping to help track those recovery metrics. HRV, sleep, stress. It's all highly dependent on being worn at night and most of the day. The oura ring is an interesting option for a non invasive way to track sleep but I hate the subscription pricing they've got. Some how all of these devices I've got over here don't seem to be making me faster than my old collegiate self who barely even wore a watch. 🤷♂️
Hey Matt.. awesome review!! Love the humour as well 😃. I bought only a few weeks ago the 255(you helped me out with some questions on it) however since coming from an Apple Watch I missed the vibrant colours etc. so I’ve dug deep and I have the epix black sapphire coming tomorrow and can’t wait. I will however miss the morning report.. do you think garmin will actually add that in a coming up date and the race event widget? 🤞🏻 many thanks
Absolutely. It'd be crazy if Garmin didn't update this watch quickly. Probably right after I post a video saying it doesn't have the software. 🤦♂ I have a buddy that went from an Apple Watch to an Epix and he is loving it but keep me posted on what you think. 👍
@@mlegrand Hi Matt, just an update to say that I am absolutely loving the Epix 2 🥰. The screen clarity and look of the watch is amazing. I know it’s a lot of money but it’s worth it for me. Not just a sports watch but I think it looks nice as a everyday watch. Might save up for the leather strap for a nice evening look 👍 thanks for your vids as i would not of got it if it wasn’t for you 👍
@@davidrogers5443 - Awesome to hear that this video was helpful! I think you're right about this watch just looking a good bit nicer than some other plastic options. Let me know what you think about the leather strap. I might want to try that also. 👌🏻
Great review. Love the Garmin meeting room sketch! I have a 945. Still can't decide between the Epix and the 955. Will probably go for the Epix because of the AMOLED.
You'll really enjoy the Epix if you pick one up. It's super nice. I almost cut the Garmin Meeting sketch. It's a little bit long and most people just want to get to the content but it's always fun to try something funny. Thanks for watching and all the kind words Brodie! 🙌
I have the 955 and is a great watch for my needs,but have some annoying bugs and i hope they solve via software update soon 😅 I love the AMOLED screen and the building quality of the Epix,but 300 euros more is way too expensive. You are right,the weight is nothing to much,i had the Grit X Pro before,and i sold him to get the 955 ,it only bothered me the first time I put in the wrist but after that is almost like his not there. Great content Matt, cheers from Portugal
Hello Tiago from Portugal! 👋 I agree, typically when I run with a heavier watch, I don't even noticed after a minute of wearing it. But I know some people will be worried about that weight so I figured I'd mention it. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Oh man, I just changed these again the other day. It's such a nightmare. Maybe I need to pick up the custom tool that helps change these watch pins. But you're right, it's nice that these are compatible with other watch band options. Thanks Zach!
Now I'm definitely confused. Garmin website states the fr955 is quickfit compatible, however your video shows a... Standard watch springbar? I don't know if the bit about the springbars was satirical, but those are standard springbars all normal watches use, which means almost any aftermarket 22mm strap will work (and associated standard watch springbar tools will also work) and has full watch market compatibility. It's actually a huge benefit to be able to source a NATO strap, or otherwise and use that, rather than being forced to pay quickfit prices for a little customization.
Well it's compatible with a quickfit strap, as in you could take off this strap, put the pins back in and then use a purchased quick fit strap. You sound like someone who will likely change the strap. The Epix has pins that don't remove (easily) but it does have a quick fit strap. The 955 has removable pins but it's just a bit of a chore to get it out under the straps.
@@mlegrand gotcha, thank you for the clarification! I've been inbetween the instinct 2 solar and 955 solar; as someone who has dabbled in the regular watch world, the fact that the 955 has standard springbars is a pleasant surprise for me, as I DO have the tools for them (I've read that quickfit bars do not generally have the little bumps to remove them, they are more or less permanent until they break). It opens up customization in my case by a huge margin (there are some really nice nylon straps for $20 or less from really well respected suppliers that i have worn for years with virtually no damage), that was not easily available with the normal quickfit pins, or the quick release bands because garmin uses non standard diameters. This has pushed the 955 much higher in the running for me, thank you!
I was using Samsung Galaxy 4 Classic from the day it was launched. I am so annoyed that it doesn't pair with apple and a low battery life. I was looking for a watch which doesn't land me in apple/android shit again. I narrowed down to Garmin 955 after 3 months of research. Venue 2 plus was a really close option but misses down on a couple of Training features. 2 biggest reasons to choose over other Garmin Watches- 1) Weight as I will wear it 24/7 2) Training readiness and other training features. My watch is on the way and I'm looking forward to using it over my runs. My first Garmin watch :)
I really enjoy those training readiness metrics. The 955 has a cool morning report. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Before Christmas I was not planning on getting the epix gen 2 ... i actually went to REI to get Fenix 7x solar which was on sale...but they had just sold last one and they mentioned the epix...sapphire epix gen 2 for $549...i said that could not be the correct price...but i got lucky...
Ha! 😆 I almost cut that clip to shorten up the video but it was fun to make. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I don't do any serious SUP. I do have and use one but I don't give it any sort of serious stress when testing these devices. For open water swimming, I like the Epix and the 255 but you might also want to look at the Garmin Instinct 2. That's a great option. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I'm assuming you can still change the strap on the 955? You just need to get the garmin strap off, then put the pin back and then put on a quick fix strap? It's just the initial stress and chance you might loose some blood or a finger! Lol!
Enjoy your videos and subbed recently. Got the Tactix 7 pro last week after trying an Epix 2 at the same time. Love the screen of the epix and slight weight reduction but prefer the size of Tactix screen and honestly the tactical nylon band put it over the top. Came from F6XS that I will sell at some point.
I really want to test that Tactix watch. Looks amazing. Keep me posted on how you’re liking it. Thanks for all of the support with the channel. I really appreciate it. 👍
@@mlegrand after 2 weeks I really like the watch and the tactical nylon band. The look of the bezel is just great. As you know outside of no beta software the functionality is identical except the hunting activity mainly.
@@gauravshetye - Have a look at Garmin Express and see if you can add your India maps to the connected device with that tool. www.garmin.com/en-US/software/express/windows/
I have bote epix gen 2 and 955 non-solar, just like you showed in this video, I really enjoyed the super accuracy of these watches , for cycling I use quickfiit mount to hold my Epix on the bar, it record everything just like my garmin 520plus
@@mlegrand thank you, Matt, you can check online: Garmin QuickFit Quarter-turn Bike Mount, you just remove garmin quickfit band, and put watch to this mount, very easy to use.
I would go with the 955. Nice summary, Matt. Can I ask a mapping question? If you have the Apple Watch and pull up an address on Apple Maps, you can get directions on the watch. Is that the same with either the 955 or the Epix? Or is that not a feature the Garmin watches have? I was just in Europe, and I found that really convenient to use on the Apple Watch.
Garmin watches can navigate to POIs or addresses without the phone but it is not a car navigation. They're based on topo maps so they can give run/walk/bike routes only.
Hi John! I have an Apple Watch and the Garmin 955 and while the 955 can navigate, it's not as tightly coupled with the phone operating system compared to the Apple ecosystem. It's much more of a hassle and it's geared more towards finding points of interests on the watch or downloading cycling/running routes to follow from the phone to the 955. I still really want to make an Apple vs Garmin video and this would be a fun topic to explore in that video. Hope all is well and that your trip to Europe went well. 👍
@@mlegrand I see. I thought that you could not get an app like Google Maps or Apple Maps to work on a Garmin. Thanks for the feedback, Matt. The trip went well, but Europe is a bit over crowded and overpriced now!
@@ted363636 Garmin watches can navigate on roads and have a "routing mode" of "Automotive" to do just that. I've navigated back to my house with the Epix in my car a couple times now and it works quite well.
The Epix Gen2 and 955 have a price difference of USD 50, after considering this, I have decided to purchase the Epix Gen2. I hope this is the right decision.
Is it the Sapphire edition? I think you’ll really enjoy the Epix. It’s a really nice looking watch. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I would get the Epix if I needed a new watch, but for now the 945 still serves me well. Great review and comparison between these two watches! Funny, too! 😂
Yeah, the Epix is so nice but it's a little on the heavy side. Make that 945 last and get some good value out of it. Hope all is well with you and the family!!!
@@mlegrand True, I’d have to feel it to know for sure. I’ve had my 945 since the beginning and it still seems good as new…knock on wood! All is well here and hope so on your end as well!
For 24/7 wear (which is required for the new training/recovery metrics), I wonder if the lighter size and better fit of the 955 will give you better heart rate readings and, therefore, better data? And as for the bands, there is something to be said for the bands packaged with the Forerunner 935/945/955 series. They're generally a bit lighter and a bit more flexible (and without the thick clip that attaches to the watch) that the Garmin QuickFit bands, which possibly makes them better suited to running activities.
Yeah, 955 with AMOLED would be amazing. I bet that'll be an option on the 965. That's a good point about the weight of the quick fit straps. I never really thought about it. I did put a quick fit on my 745 and noticed it was a touch heavier. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Really nice review and comparaison Matt. personally i really like the look of the epix but the price is way too high for me 😞 ( start at 850€ in France). The 955 on the other hand is more "affordable" (550€) for the same features . The only "downside" of the 955 for me is the aesthetic if you want to use it as a daily watch
Current Venu 2 owner and right now I’m leaning towards the 955 for my upgrade . Really price is the biggest factor for me at the moment. I’ve enjoyed the screen on the Venu 2, but really for my use case scenarios it’s not a huge feature for me. I’ve been getting back into running and hiking again and really want the extra stats/features that my Venu just doesn’t have.
You'll really enjoy the 955. I switch between the 955 and Epix all the time and the screen on the Epix is nicer but the 955 does the job. I also think you'll really enjoy all of the recovery stats that come with that device. Keep me posted on what you end up with and how you like it. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Hi! So far, none of the reviewers have really shown the EPIX 2 when cycling, when I need to know the speed / current time immediately while driving. This means - I quickly tilt the watch and look at a specific data field. I would like to see the reaction of the watch when riding a bike, if it can turn on the display fast enough - on a bike I need this immediately without waiting, without unnecessarily raising my hand. I can't imagine that it will give me the same comfort as the real AOD displays of Fenix / FR (in direct sunlight), but I will be happy to be misled. For other activities, I don't really need this, but on a bike, in speed, yes, where it is necessary to pay full attention to what is happening in front of me.
Good question Štefan. The Epix can be set in always on display mode when cycling. You wouldn't need to tilt or gesture the watch to get it to wake up and display data. This is the way I use it on the bike. You can set those data fields to display anything you'd like. Setting it to display just those two data fields would make them large and easier to ready while riding. All I can say is for me the Epix has been visible or glancable while riding out on the road but my vision is really good for an old man. Let me know if you have any more specific questions and I'll try to help or post a picture somewhere. 👍
@@mlegrand Thanks for reply ,-) Does AOD mean it's still full? How does this affect the battery? If I measure 6-7 hours of GPS (one-day bike trip), it means that the display will be on for 7 hours at maximum power + GPS consumption. Will I have to charge every day? :-)
@@nugetta - If you're doing a 6-7 hour cycling trip with the GPS set to maximum (multi-band) it'll probably knock out half the battery. If you set GPS to normal, a long bike like that should spend less than 1/3 of the battery life. AOD does effect battery life. Without and major hikes, AOD takes the normal every day wear of the watch from 16 days down to 6 days. Do you have a big multi-day cycling event coming up? The battery life of the Fenix 7 is a good bit better.
@@mlegrand Huh, I drove less than 100 km every day all May, we have such a national cycling challenge in the Czech Republic. It's probably possible that I'll never sign up again, because it's quite a massacre :-D, but I'm asking for interest because I want a new watch and I still can't decide. I was looking forward to the Forerunner 955, but they probably have some bugs, they don't have sapphire crystal and the battery life of the FR945 hasn't improved much.
@@mlegrand Hi.. maybe a quaestion...I read on TheVerge, that AOD is dimmed until wrist is tilted, is thís the same for AOD when activity? Or when activity, AOD is on full brighthness?
Good point John! It looks like the Fenix/Epix can handle twice the amount of Atmospheric pressure. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
I've ordered the 955 Solar, getting it instead of the Epix based solely on the weight difference. When I had my Fenix 5, it was just too heavy for everyday use. Love your reviews, BTW.
Good call Scott! I think you'll really like the 955. I've been getting a lot of good use out of my non solar version. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Carbon fiber can be stronger than steel in certain directions depending on how the carbon fiber was laid but the 255 has a plastic watch body. The bezel is fiber reinforced plastic. FRPs (Fiber Reinforced Polymers) are composite materials made of a polymer reinforced with fibers. The polymer is usually an epoxy, vinylester or polyester thermosetting plastic. Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment. I really appreciate it. 👍
Well done video. Too bad the new guy got fired. That 955 is starting to sound rather enticing. I'm holding out for some Favero Assioma Duo-Shi power pedals, though. :-)
955 is a great option at a really compelling price. The 955 should be lighter weight in comparison to the Fenix. You'll have to keep me posted on what you think of it. Thanks Jay!
Thanks for all the info; I've watched far too many videos to me me choose my next watch, and yours has been by far the best! Still scratching my head on which to get; my requirements / situation: I have a secondhand Garmin 920xt, which does everything I want (does swim, bike and run, does heart rate well including on the swim, has enough battery for an ironman, isn't an absolute rip-off price like every hrm gps watch out there). But it's slowly dying and misbehaving now, plus the hrm band has disintegrated because they are an unacceptably poor design. So now I need a watch that does all that the 920 does but ideally with accurate hrm on the wrist so I can avoid the poor quality, rip-off priced chest hrms. I will only be wearing it for training and racing. Judging by all the vids I've seen so far, I'll have to pay a pile of money for a heap of functions I don't need, just to get something that will last 15 hrs or so over my slow ironman time? I guess my utopia is something with a big battery with basic SBR timers, good wrist hrm, and that's about it. I wonder if the iwatch battery would last 15hrs as at least then I might get some non-sport features that might be useful? Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks again for the great advice!
Ok, good description of your needs. The Apple Watch Series 7 isn’t going to cut it for a 15 hour Ironman. Maybe Apple’s next version. 😬 I would highly recommend taking a close look at the 255. I have been super impressed with that watch. If you need more battery life the 955 is a big jump up in features, battery life and price. A few videos I have coming up: Best open water swimming watch (reviewing 15 watches), best tri watch of 2022, Garmin instinct 2 solar review which I just posted and might be an interesting idea for you.
@@mlegrand Wow, such a quick reply! Thanks so much. Yep, I'm a couple more hours into my research and I'm 99% sold on the 255, especially having watched all of your 255 videos. Phew! Finally getting to the end of my research :-D Great to hear about those upcoming vids; think I'll wait for those then throw my hard earned money at almost defo the 255. Thanks again for the guidance; total star!
@@jezthomas4402 - Honestly, the 255 tested among the best for GPS accuracy in open water swimming amongst 15 watches. If it were me, I'd save the $50 and skip the music. If you really want music, then maybe it's worth getting the $500 955 because you get more music storage, longer battery life, touch screen etc. Either way, keep me posted on what you end up with and how you like it. Also, big thanks for the kind words buddy. 👍
@@mlegrand Great minds think alike! I ordered a non-music, bigger-screened 255 :-D A bunch more vids on the 255 have popped up and everyone's raved about it so fingers crossed it'll stand up to the hype. Great to know that you've tested it in the water and it's performed well - much appreciated. Just have to wait for it to arrive now; I'm in New Zealand and the few that landed here are all sold out, so I had to order from Australia (that's okay, it was cheaper than rip-off NZ!). I'll let you know how I get on when it arrives. Thanks again for helping me so much with my decision, and keep up the good work man!
@@osmirod1 - I have some ideas for diving deep into specific metrics and explaining them but making these video is very time consuming and there are so many video to make. We’ll see. Thanks for watching and for the feedback 👍
Hi! The best place to get in touch with me would be a private message on Instagram. instagram.com/matt_legrand/ Thanks for considering me and my channel. 👍🏻
