Hot on the heels of the new Forerunner range launched recently, Garmin has announced details of upgraded models of the premium Epix Pro and Fenix 7 Pro models.
Both watches already sit at the top-end of Garmin’s product range (alongside the Enduro) with every feature you would expect from a multisport watch designed to give you all the feedback and support you need to enhance and track your training and racing. So what’s new in the latest models?
Epix Pro Series now in three sizes
First up, the new Epix Pro, which we were sent to try out ahead of the launch date.
Available in three sizes (previously only in a 47mm option), athletes can now choose from a 42mm, 47mm and 51mm option, making it accessible to more wrist sizes in the same way as the Fenix.
Key here is that the Epix Pro retains its AMOLED screen, as is also included on the Forerunner 265 and 965 this year.
We chose this model for testing as, with some long open-water swim events planned for the summer, we find the brightness of the screen offers an unrivalled experience under water, with brilliant clarity even in murkier conditions.
We have the 51mm version on test, which is the largest in the new range.
Admittedly it’s a little on the large size for this female tester’s wrist, but after a couple of days’ use we didn’t notice it being too big.
The various tracking sensors, such as heart rate, didn’t seem to struggle to pick up at all, even though we tend to wear our watch a little looser than may be recommended.
Plus, there was method in our madness here as having the larger screen size again made it really easy to see our stats at a glance under water and also translated well to bike/run sessions, when you want to quickly look at the watch without spending more than a split second trying to decipher the screen.
Aside from the three case sizes, what else is new in the Epix Pro? Here’s a breakdown of what’s been added:
- The three case sizes: 42mm, 47mm, 51mm.
- Built-in LED flashlight with variable intensities and strobe mode to provide greater awareness while training in the dark.
- A ‘red shift mode’, which changes display colours to shades of red to help users better acclimate to darker conditions and reduce sleep cycle disturbance.
- New, preloaded activities including soccer, basketball, racquet sports, horseback riding and more.
- Advanced training features such as hill score and endurance score.
- Runners using the Up Ahead feature can now see certain POI (point of interest) checkpoints, like aid stations, on a map to get a better understanding of what’s ahead.
- An optimised heart rate sensor offers enhanced multisport performance tracking.
- New weather map overlays make it easier to view upcoming weather conditions and relief shading makes topographic maps more quickly readable for glanceable awareness.
The Epix Pro has options for Glass (£829.99 in 42mm and 47mm sizes, £929.99 in 51mm), Sapphire (harder wearing; £929.99 in 42mm and 47mm, £999.99 in 51mm) and Premium (uses luxury materials; £999.99 in 42mm and 47mm, £1099.99 in 51mm).
We’ll be posting our full review of the Epix Pro following this launch date, when our demo unit will then link to the Garmin Connect app.
The Fenix 7 Pro Series also arrives
Also released is the new Fenix 7 Pro Series – coming less than a year after the last release of the Fenix 7, which included Solar options as well as a choice of case sizes and standard and sapphire options.
Here, in a similar way to the Epix, an LED flashlight is added to all models, as well as new performance features and mapping upgrades.
One note is that the Fenix 7 doesn’t receive the AMOLED screen, which this tester loved on the Epix range, so if that is important to you then the Epix is the one to go for (or one of the new Forerunner models).
The Fenix 7 range does have that solar charging though, so as always it’s about weighing up which features best suit you and the kind of training you are using it for.
The Fenix 7 scored highly in our recent testing and the Pro version sees the following features added to the already very highly-specced watch:
- Built-in LED flashlight with a red safety light and strobe mode to help provide greater awareness while training in the dark.
- Next-generation heart rate sensor: More spatially diverse optical sensors and sport-specific algorithms offer enhanced performance tracking for a wider variety of activities, making it easier to gain a better understanding into how the body is responding to exercise.
- Endurance score: Measure how easy it is to sustain prolonged efforts while also taking into account training data like VO2 max, short and long-term training loads and more from all other athletic pursuits.
- Hill score: Gauge how easy it is to run uphill by measuring running strength on steep climbs and running endurance on long ascents while also evaluating progress over time based on VO2 max and training history.
- Up Ahead: View certain running POI (point of interest) checkpoints, like aid stations, right on a map to get a better understanding of what’s ahead.
- Weather map overlays: More easily view upcoming weather conditions and relief shading: Quickly read topographic maps for glanceable awareness.
- Additional preloaded activities: Whitewater rafting, motocross, overlanding and dozens of other new activities help users stay active.
The available models in the new range come again with options for Glass (from £749.99), Sapphire (from £829.99) and Premium (from £929.99) editions. As with the Epix Pro, the largest size is more expensive.
Worth an upgrade?
So – should you invest in one of the new models?
Well, we’re looking forward to testing the new Epix Pro more thoroughly once the Connect app is available to link with it, but initial signs are that it’s a world-class bit of kit.
Having already used and reviewed the last Epix model our initial feelings are it may be hard to justify the spend if you already own one of those.
If you’re in the market for a new multisport watch and are prepared to invest in something with all the features though, then the Epix Pro would be well worth a look.
As for the Fenix 7 Pro range, these have already scored highly at 220 and with added features, offer even more for a triathlete taking their training seriously.
