Garmin is joining the Pro bandwagon. On Wednesday, it launched the Epix 2 Pro and Fenix 7 Pro, both of which come with a boatload of new mapping and training features, hands-free flashlights, and sensors. The Fenix 7 Pro series starts at $799.99, while the Epix 2 Pro starts at $899.99.
There’s good news if you wanted an Epix 2 last year but were worried it only came in one size. Garmin doesn’t think too small is too small, so you can also choose between three sizes of Epix 2 models: 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm. Both Pro lines also offer a more robust Sapphire Edition.
Most of what’s new will be shared along the same lines as the Epix 2 Pro and Fenix 7 Pro. For example, all models now have a built-in hands-free LED flashlight. The flashlight was introduced last year but was limited to the 51mm Fenix 7X. The flashlight has different intensities, a red safety light, and a strobe mode for night training.
Both lineups will also get a new heart rate sensor. Garmin says the new sensor will offer improved tracking for a wider variety of activities. As for training features, all Epix 2 Pro and Fenix 7 Pro models get a new Endurance Score and Hill Score. The former tells you how easily you can sustain sustained efforts with Vo2 Max and your long/short training loads during multiple training activities. The latter also uses your training history and Vo2 Max to measure your running power on steep climbs and long climbs.
For mapping, the Pro lineups also get weather map overlays, the Up Ahead feature, and relief shading for topographical maps. Weather map overlays make it easy for outdoor enthusiasts to see future conditions, while relief shading is intended to make the maps easier to read at a glance. Meanwhile, the Up Ahead feature highlights certain points of interest – aid stations, for example – right from the wrist.
Users also have the option of shelling out for Garmin’s Outdoor Maps Plus subscription to get satellite imagery, public land maps, and enhanced topographical maps on the wrist. The subscription costs an additional $49.99 per year and has long been bundled with other Garmin navigation devices and some other smartwatches. However, Garmin still doesn’t hide any fitness or training data behind a paywall.
As with the non-Pro versions of the Epix 2 and Fenix 7, the main difference between these watches is in the display. The Epix 2 Pro has an OLED display, while the Fenix 7 Pro has a memory-in-pixel (MIP) display that supports solar charging. The Epix 2 also has a new red shift mode that changes the colors of the display to red for easierat night viewing – familiar with what Apple did with one of the Ultra watch. That said, the Fenix 7 Pro models have a spiffier MIP display than the “regular” Fenix 7 line. According to Garmin, the pixels, backlight, and solar panel have been redesigned to improve brightness and power efficiency in more lighting conditions.
Battery life is also slightly different. The Epix 2 Pro is rated for up to 31 days, while the Fenix 7 Pro can get up to 38 days. You should take those estimates with a pinch of salt, though. Battery life depends a lot on the size of the watch, your GPS settings, whether you’re using the always-on display for the Epix 2 Pro, and what mode you’re in. For example, if you don’t mind using the Fenix 7 Pro as a smartwatch, Garmin says you can get 139 days out of the 51mm 7X Pro. Let’s put both through their paces to see what you can expect in more real-world testing conditions.
