Garmin released the Epix Pro series smartwatches on 31st May 2023. Epix 2 was released in January 2022. So, it has been nearly 17 months after Epix 2 that the Epix Pro 2 series has been launched.
We look at the Epix Pro 2 standard edition 47 mm watch and compare it with the Epix 2 standard edition 47 mm watch.
The Pro series has a lot of variants. So, it would make sense to make a note of the exact models we are comparing in this study.
We are comparing Epix Pro 2 47 mm standard edition with Epix 2 47 mm standard edition.
Main differences
- The list price of Epix Pro 2 and Epix 2 is $899.99. There is no price difference. However, Epix 2 is already available at a discount of $200. So, we guess that Epix 2 standard edition will see a price revision shortly.
- Epix Pro 2 supports the Garmin ECG app. The support for the Garmin ECG app was added in October 2023. At the time of launch in May 2023, Epix Pro 2 did not support the Garmin ECG app.
- Epix Pro 2 comes with multi-band GPS and SatIQ technology for a vastly improved GPS accuracy and performance.
- Epix Pro 2 also has an LED flashlight.
- Epix Pro 2 has double the device storage of Epix 2.
- There are feature and profile enhancements for outdoor recreation, cycling, running, Golf and training in Epix Pro 2.
Apart from these major differences, other capabilities and characteristics of both watches remain unchanged.
We look at these differences and standard configuration of Epix Pro 2 and Epix 2 in detail below.
Display specifications
Epix Pro 2 and Epix 2 come with Corning Gorilla Glass in the display screen. Both smartwatches use the AMOLED display.
The AMOLED display leads to better display resolution. It also enabled Always-on-display mode on the Epix Pro 2 and Epix 2 smartwatches.
We look at the entire set of display specifications of Epix Pro 2 and Epix 2 below.
| Display specifications | Epix Pro 2 (47 mm) | Epix 2 (47 mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Display lens | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Display shape | Round display | Round display |
| Display size | 1.3″ or 33 mm | 1.3″ or 33 mm |
| Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Display resolution | 416 x 416 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels |
| Color display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| LED Flashlight | Yes | No |
| Ambient light sensor | Yes | Yes |
Epix Pro 2 comes with an additional feature of LED Flashlight. Other display specifications of Epix Pro 2 and Epix 2 are same.
Physical specifications
There are not too many differences between the Epix Pro 2 and Epix 2 when it comes to the hardware specifications of both smartwatches.
We look at the complete set of physical specifications of Epix Pro 2 and Epix 2 below.
| Specifications | Epix Pro 2 (47 mm) | Epix 2 (47 mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Watch size | 47 x 47 x 14.5 mm | 47 x 47 x 14.5 mm |
| Thickness | 14.5 mm | 14.5 mm |
| Watch weight | 78 g | 76 g |
| Bezel | Stainless steel | Passivated stainless steel |
| Band material | Silicone | Silicone |
| Band size | 22 mm | 22 mm |
| Recommended wrist circumference (Silicone band) | 125-208 mm | 125-208 mm |
| Band options | Silicone, metal, fabric and leather | Silicone, metal, fabric and leather |
| Device storage | 32 GB | 16 GB |
| Water rating | 10 ATM (100 meters) | 10 ATM (100 meters) |
| Swimming profile | Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Swimming/Running | Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Swimming/Running |
| Wireless connectivity | ANT+, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | ANT+, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz |
| NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Barometric altimeter | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Elevate Heart sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Pulse Ox SpO2 monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Thermometer | Yes | Yes |
| iOS compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Android compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Respiration rate tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep score | Yes | Yes |
| Women’s Health | Yes | Yes |
| Jetlag advisor | Yes | Yes |
| Health snapshot | Yes | Yes |
| Find my watch | Yes | Yes |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Weather | Yes | Yes |
| Hydration | Yes | Yes |
| Charger | Garmin wire charger | Garmin wire charger |
Most device specifications of Epix Pro 2 and Epix 2 are uniform. The only difference is the 32 GB device storage of Epix Pro 2 and 16 GB device storage of Epix 2.
The additional device storage comes in handy for the following reasons:
- You can store additional music files on the incremental device storage.
- You can add topo and trail maps for many geographic regions on the additional device storage of Epix Pro 2.
GPS
The biggest enhancement on Epix Pro 2 is the introduction of the multi-frequency positioning sensor.
The multi-frequency positioning sensor helps in providing for the multi-band GPS support on the Epix Pro 2 smartwatch.
With multi-band GPS you can get GPS signals from multiple satellites at the same time. This improves GPS accuracy and reliability of the watch.
You can find more details about multi-frequency positioning sensor and multi-band GPS on Garmin’s article.
In our experience, multi-band GPS is a great feature enhancement in Epix Pro 2. It is well worth any additional cost because it improves GPS reliability.
SatIQ technology
The downside to using multi-band GPS is the impact on the battery life. Multi-band GPS will drain the battery at a brisk pace.
To offset the high battery usage in multi-band GPS, Garmin has added SatIQ technology sensor in Epix Pro 2.
SatIQ technology is an intelligent technology. It manages the multi-band GPS mode automatically.
SatIQ will automatically toggle on or off the multi-band GPS mode. If the GPS signal is of poor quality, multi-band GPS mode will be automatically turned on.
When the GPS signal is of a decent strength, multi-band GPS will remain off. Instead, the simple GPS mode will be used to fetch GPS data.
You can read more about SatIQ technology in this Garmin post.
Combination of multi-band GPS and SatIQ technology in Epix Pro 2 is a major feature advancement from Epix 2. We do suggest considering Epix Pro 2 over Epix 2 for the multi-band GPS and SatIQ support.
ECG
Garmin ECG app received FDA approval on 12 January 2023. It was subsequently rolled out in the Venu 2 Plus.
At the time of the Epix Pro 2 launch in May 2023, the smartwatch did not support the Garmin ECG app. In October 2023, Garmin rolled out the Garmin ECG app support for the Epix Pro 2 smartwatch series.
With the Garmin ECG app, you can take on-demand electrocardiogram readings. The ECG readings can help in detecting irregular heart rhythms or conditions of Atrial Fibrillation.
The Garmin ECG app allows you to take readings and share them with a medical practitioner. For closer monitoring of heart health, the Garmin ECG app does come out as a decent tracking feature in the Epix Pro 2 series.
The original Epix 2 smartwatch does not support the Garmin ECG app.
Battery
There is not much to write about the battery life of Epix Pro 2 and Epix 2. Both offer identical battery backups in different watch modes.
Epix Pro 2 has additional profiles for multi-band GPS.
We cover the different watch modes and battery backup offered by Epix Pro 2 and Epix 2 below.
| Watch mode | Epix Pro 2 (47 mm) backup | Epix 2 (47 mm) backup |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | Up to 16 days (6 days always-on) | Up to 16 days (6 days always-on) |
| GPS Mode | Up to 42 hours (30 hours always-on) | Up to 42 hours (30 hours always-on) |
| All Satellite Systems | Up to 32 hours (24 hrs always-on) | Up to 32 hours (24 hrs always-on) |
| All Satellite Systems + Music | Up to 10 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| All Satellite Systems + Multi-band | Up to 20 hours (15 hrs always-on) | Multi-band not available |
| Max Battery GPS | Up to 75 hours | Up to 75 hours |
| Expedition GPS | Up to 14 days | Up to 14 days |
| Battery Saver Watch Mode | Up to 21 days | Up to 21 days |
Battery backup is not a differentiating factor between Epix Pro 2 and Epix 2. Both smartwatches offer exactly similar backup times.
Music
Epix Pro 2 and Epix 2 have full music functionality.
Full music functionality implies that all the music features shared below are available in Epix Pro 2 and Epix 2:
- You can store music on the watch’s internal device storage.
- You can manage music on the smartwatch directly from the watch.
- You can also control music on the paired smartphone in Epix Pro 2 and Epix 2.
Full music features include the ability to play music offline. You will require a Bluetooth headset or speakers to make the most of music features.
Additional activity profiles
Epix Pro 2 has a few additional profiles in outdoor recreation and cycling activities. We list these below for a quick consideration.
- In cycling, Epix Pro 2 offers an additional profile for BMX.
- In outdoor recreation, Epix Pro 2 offers additional profiles for Motorcycling, Overlanding, Motocrossing, ATVing, Ice Skating, Boating, Sailing, Sail Racing, Padel, Badminton, Squash, Table Tennis, Archery, Whitewater, Obstacle Course.
Wind meter compatibility
Epix Pro 2 is compatible with wind meters. Wind meter compatibility implies that the watch can connect to a wind sensor over Bluetooth connection.
Wind sensors or wind meters are helpful in working the true wind speed. It is a good feature for mariners as it helps in giving them precise wind speed at any given point in time.
Epix 2 does not have integration with wind sensors or wind meter.
Until now, wind meter compatibility was available in the Instinct 2X Solar Tactical and Tactix 7 Pro Ballistics. Epix Pro 2 gets added to the list of wind meter compatible watches.
Garmin watches that are wind meter compatible can work with the following wind sensors:
- 5700AL Elite
- 5700AL-I ITAR Elite
- 5700AL-R Elite with prebuilt Ruger profiles
- 5700XAL X-hardware Elite
- 5700XALSF X-hardware Elite for SF
- 5700XEL ABX Elite (Military version)
Costs
Epix Pro 2 has been launched at a list price of $899.99. Epix 2 also comes at a list price of $899.99. We expect Epix 2 price to be revised soon.
Final verdict
My preference is Epix Pro 2 over the Epix 2 for the following reasons:
- Epix 2 is almost a year and a half older variant. It was released in January 2022. I like to get newer variants. Epix Pro 2 has been released in May 2023 and makes for a fresh purchase.
- Epix Pro 2 supports the Garmin ECG app. Epix 2 is not compatible with the Garmin ECG app.
- Multi-band GPS and SatIQ technology is a winning combination as far as GPS reliability and accuracy is concerned. Epix Pro 2 has both these features.
- A higher device storage of 32 GB is also a nice addon. It simplifies a lot of mapping needs as you can add topo or trail maps without any second thoughts about the internal storage in the watch.
- Wind meter compatibility in Epix Pro 2 is a useful feature for some professionals for gauging the true wind speed data in the watch directly.
For these practical considerations, one can say that the Epix Pro 2 is a nice improvement over the Epix 2 standard edition smartwatch. You cannot go wrong with an Epix Pro 2, assuming the cost difference is acceptable for you.
Suggested reading
The following smartwatch comparison studies may be of interest to you:
- Garmin Approach S70 47 mm vs Approach S70S 42 mm
- Garmin Venu Sq 2 vs Venu Sq 2 Music
- Garmin Venu Sq 2 vs Vivoactive 4
- Garmin Venu 2 vs Venu Sq 2
- Garmin Forerunner 255 vs Vivoactive 4
- Garmin Venu 2 Plus vs Vivoactive 4
- Garmin Venu 2 Plus vs Venu 2
- Garmin Venu 2 Plus vs Instinct 2
- Garmin Instinct 2X Solar Tactical vs Instinct 2X Solar
- Garmin Forerunner 255 vs Instinct 2
- Garmin Instinct 2 Crossover vs Instinct 2
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Instinct 2
- Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Instinct 2X Solar
- Garmin Instinct 2X Solar vs Instinct 2
- Garmin Epix 2 vs Forerunner 955 Solar
- Garmin Forerunner 955 vs Epix 2
- Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Epix 2
- Garmin Epix 2 vs Fenix 7