Garmin epix (Gen 2) Review

Overview

The epix (Gen 2) is Garmin’s Fenix 7 with the screen swapped out: same five-button layout, same multisport and mapping software, but with a 1.3-inch always-on AMOLED touchscreen in place of the Fenix’s transflective display. It suits hikers who want preloaded topo maps they can actually read at a glance, and who will accept a charging cable in the pack to get them. The trade-off is simple: the screen is the best Garmin has put on a trail watch, and it costs battery life and money.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	76 g
Display	1.3” AMOLED touchscreen, always-on capable
Case size	47 mm (single size)
Thickness	14.5 mm
Wrist size range	125–208 mm
Battery, smartwatch mode	Up to 16 days
Battery, GPS mode	Up to 42 hours
Water resistance	10 ATM
Navigation	Preloaded topographic maps, course following
Health sensors	Optical heart rate, pulse ox, respiration, stress, sleep

Performance

Display. The screen is why this watch exists, and reviewers agree it delivers. Testers at 220 Triathlon found it legible in low light, in direct sun, and even through misty goggles in murky water. TechRadar describes maps that stay crisp and readable in any lighting. A Cycling Weekly reviewer who wore the watch around the clock for a year reported a chewed-up black titanium bezel but no scratches on the sapphire glass.

Navigation and GPS. Garmin’s mapping is the same as on the Fenix 7, and critics rate it highly. TechRadar calls the GPS accurate and the maps excellent. Cycling Weekly reports quick satellite lock and tight tracking once moving. T3 saw the watch drift 1–2 meters at worst in testing, and Tom’s Guide reported fixes in under 30 seconds. For backpackers, the useful part is the touchscreen: panning and zooming a topo map with a finger is faster than working a button-only interface with gloves off. A Forerunner 955 Solar owner who upgraded specifically for the maps said the move was worth it for hiking and backpacking.

Battery. This is where the AMOLED costs something. The 16-day smartwatch figure and 42-hour GPS figure are Garmin’s best-case numbers, and reviewers consistently place the epix behind the Fenix 7 on endurance. Pocket-lint puts always-on use at about a week per charge. One owner who leaves the always-on display off says 10 days is easy to reach, even while following courses and logging workouts almost daily. The same owner expects to bring a charger on backpacking trips. On a multi-day trek, that means a small power bank and cable. On a long thru-hike with GPS recording most of each day, the 42-hour GPS rating works out to a recharge every few days.

Health tracking. Heart rate, pulse ox, respiration, stress and Body Battery are all onboard. T3’s testers called heart-rate accuracy great, though a road.cc reviewer found optical readings still imperfect. Tom’s Guide noted a bulky watch can be uncomfortable to sleep in.

Fit and build. The 47 mm case is 14.5 mm thick, and 76 g is not ultralight by any wrist-worn standard. It is a full-featured, durable watch, with a fibre-reinforced polymer case and 10 ATM water resistance. The road.cc reviewer wanted finer strap adjustment for a better fit.

Smarts. Garmin Pay, smart notifications and on-watch music storage are included. There is no microphone for calls, which TechRadar flagged. One owner reported the watch disconnecting from a phone carried in a back pocket.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• AMOLED touchscreen readable in sun, dim light and while swimming
• Preloaded topo maps with accurate GPS tracking
• Sapphire glass holds up to long-term wear
• Full Garmin health and training suite
• 10 ATM water resistance

Cons

• Battery life falls well short of the Fenix 7 once the display is always on
• 76 g and 14.5 mm thick is heavy and bulky for sleeping
• Very expensive, with cheaper watches covering most of the same ground
• No microphone for calls
• Only one case size

Who Should Buy This

The epix (Gen 2) fits section hikers, peakbaggers and weekend backpackers who navigate from the wrist and want a screen they can read without squinting. It also works for people who want one watch for the trail, the gym and the office. Thru-hikers who want to charge as rarely as possible should look at the Fenix 7 or a solar-equipped model. So should anyone who wants a lighter wrist load, since the epix is neither small nor light. Buyers who want the newest hardware should note the successor, epix Pro (Gen 2), which adds a built-in flashlight and multiband GNSS and comes in 42, 47 and 51 mm sizes. The original is a 47 mm watch only.

Verdict

The epix (Gen 2) is the best-looking and best-reading screen on a Garmin trail watch, backed by navigation that works. It earns a recommendation for hikers who will carry a charger and want maps at a glance, and a pass for anyone who counts days between charges or grams on the wrist.