OLATHE, Kan./May 31, 2023/PR Newswire – Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today announced epix ™ Pro Series, its next-gen high-performance GPS smartwatches with a crystal-clear AMOLED display, rugged design and impressive battery life. Touting up to 31 days of battery life 1, epix Pro Series is loaded with all-day health monitoring and fitness metrics to help users stay active. Plus, with three sizes to choose from – 42mm, 47mm and 51mm – and a built-in LED flashlight on each one, it’s the perfect addition to any adventure. Note that this feature is not using running power under the covers, nor is it using straight pace or GAP (grade-adjusted pace) either. Instead, Garmin says that while the exact details are a “trade secret”, they said that they’re looking at similar relationships between running power and GAP, but that running power isn’t a great method for this score because you can have the same running power on an incline as the flats. And the flats isn’t helping you build any hill endurance. Likewise, GAP doesn’t take into account any heart rate component – and HR is a component leveraged in relation to VO2Max (up to a point they said).

Pro and Epix 2 Pro - Wareable First look at Garmin Fenix 7 Pro and Epix 2 Pro - Wareable

The thing is, all these smartwatches use the same excellent Garmin fitness platform and the Garmin Connect app, so if one is “too much,” then another may be just right. For my lifestyle, the Vivomove Trend is ideal, but for Digital Trends’ Editor-in-Chief Andrew Martonik, who runs marathons, the Forerunner 955 is the sweet spot. It’s not for me, but it could be perfect for you Andy Boxall/Digital Trends Anecdotally, we would say at least half our sessions saw the FR965 and Epix Pro finish with virtually identical average HR and maximum HR figures, and this would also be within 1-2 beats of our chest strap, as shown above. To begin, the Epix follows the standard Garmin 5-button design, but with a full touchscreen display as well. Garmin’s approach for this layout is that you can do any function you want via either touch or buttons. If you hate touch, you never have to use touch. If you hate buttons, the only time you need buttons is to start/stop/lap an activity. Equally, if you love touch for daily use but hate it for sport, you can even disable it during sports. Or disable it for running but keep it for hiking. The world is your oyster here.

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I wrote an article over a year ago about why the re-introduction of the Garmin Epix franchise might spell the end of the Fenix line of smartwatches, but it seems Garmin is keen on keeping both of them alive. In fact, the US-based company is seemingly closing the gap between the two franchises, adding more features and improving the software and hardware. Garmin's motives are becoming more apparent with each iteration. Both watches have impressive battery life (not as impressive as the Enduro 2, but still) and will last for weeks between charges. Even the smallest models will outlast most multisport watches made only just a few years ago, thanks to the algorithm updates and features such as SatIQ, which automatically switches between different satellite modes to conserve power without sacrificing accuracy.

Epix Pro In-Depth Review: Now In Three Sizes! Garmin Epix Pro In-Depth Review: Now In Three Sizes!

With the Epix Pro, the flashlight has arrived to the Epix camp. Previously, it was only available on the Fenix 7X and Instinct 2X, but now it’s available on not just all Fenix 7 Pro sizes, but also all Epix Pro sizes.Hill score is a little different, calculating how effective you are at running on inclines. Garmin says the Hill score is “calculated by using a combination of fitness and performance data. Higher scores indicate more skillful ascent running. Your score is also classified from recreational to elite, relative to others of the same age and gender, ensuring the progress you see is personally meaningful.” I love it as a feature; it’s eminently usable, and it’s even split into multiple sections – hill endurance, hill strength, and VO2 max – to help you understand how the hill score is calculated. That water resistance rating remains the same, letting you submerge it in water up to 100 metres depth, which should be more than enough for most, unless you’re a big into your deep sea diving. Software and smartwatch features