epix (Gen 2) Standard Edition

Well then, LFG! 🥳 Fenix 6 Pro in 2019 —> Epix 2022 —> Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED 2025. Each watch was better than the prior (though the F6 performs flawlessly still for my adult son) and I have zero complaints about any of them. People who get frustrated are way more likely to vent on Reddit, I’ll bet. I also think the whole new user interface starting with F8 has prompted posts, either people left behind with the old UI or people who hate change fussing about the new UI. I thought the old UI was fine and the new UI is better - boring take really. Speaking of boring, I’m not going to post a boring update like: use my Garmin every day, it performs perfectly, and I charge it once per month. But I’ll bet there are a lot of people like me out there who just don’t say much.

Happy owner of an F6Solar 47mm for almost 5 years, delighted with the Mips screen and an autonomy of 14 days, I missed the integrated maps and substantial improvements in sleep control and lack of nap monitoring. 2 months ago I bought from a friend the Epix 2Gen 47mm with Amoled screen, and maps that, without training, the battery lasts 8 days and although I don't need more and I am satisfied with its features, I feel that I want more autonomy for my weekend getaways, where I monitor//route tracking//GPS...it needs more autonomy. My wrists are not wide, the 47mm fits well but I would often like to buy a 51mm Epix 2 pro. This new f8 has more than double the range of my epix 2, that would fit but the price….the price is inaccessible.

43 is tiny , even the standard 47 does more than that

even the 47mm should be getting like 8-10 with aod ON.

I’ve been rocking an Epix gen 2 47mm and recently tried on my buddy’s forerunner 265 and wow. I almost immediately went and bought it. So much lighter and low profile than my Epix. Really considering switching out my Epix

I went from an Apple Watch SE to the Epix Gen 2 AMOLED screen and I can say it’s the best decision I’ve made. This watch is indestructible with the sapphire screen (wiped out once or twice on a mountain bike and smashed it at work) that doesn’t scratch. The battery life is incredible, and it gave me motivation to start running. Couldn’t say better things about garmin watches (the app gets a lot of hate but I think the app is fantastic as well)

I had a Fenix 6 Pro Solar that recently bit the dust. I balked at the price of a similarly equipped Fenix 8 so bought an Epix 47 instead. Turns out I hated having an amoled screen. So I returned the Epix and bought an Instinct 3 with MIP. It’s a 45mm which I like so far.

I have a 47mm Epix Gen 2. I've had it for a few months now and I love it. I bought it because it was at a price point that I could afford and had the features I was looking for. Battery life is great and I've tweaked the settings to maximize the life where I only need to charge every two weeks or so with about 4-5 hours per week spent in workouts with AOD on.

for wear os you need to look at the OnePlus Watch 3 -- its up to 5 days running wear os, but you can boot up its own os which gives you up to 12 days (using this does mean no access to any wear os features and that includes nay installed wear os watch faces, but as health and fitness tracking works fine with either os) - its pretty easy and quick to swap between the two - so can usually get around 5 to 8 days depending on how/when you switch between the two os (note not a good idea if you plan to swim / wear while doing water sports - while it has a 5atm rating OnePlus is currently not honoring it). Ticwatch has a couple of models that can offer up to 5 days and extend way past that buy using their essential power system which turns features on/off and extending battery life - not that this and the 5 days is reliant on use of dual screen which is a plain lcd screen. They are also large watches and previously durability and updates have been issues (not sure if they still are). Then you could go for watches that offer similar functionality but are running their own os - depending on the watch and the size you can get anywhere from up to 5 days to potentially unlimited battery life (garmin instinct 2 or 3 solar models 45mm or 50mm - same with the instinct tactix models - of course based on getting enough sunlight to recharge and based on usage habits - but at very least will give month to months between charges). Look at brands from garmin, ccros, polar, suunto, amazfit, huawei and potentially fitbit. The best will fit your other requirements as they all meet your battery life requirement. If you want +5 days AOD, even then a lot of the models from these brands will cover it - especially the larger case sizes i.e. +45mm. i..e I have a Garmin Epix 2 which is now +4 years old (haven't yet found anything that is way better and worth the upgrade despite checking regularly) - I generally charge it once a week (usually between 40-55% when I charge) and that includes 30 to 60 mins of gps activity every day (minimum) and usually a couple of extra hours of gps every weekend. Also includes a variety of indoor activities (no gps, but during these activities the watch screen is set to AOD on).

That explains the lower battery life. For all of them when using AOD on up to 5-7 days is pretty normal - the big exception is the larger case size of the Epix 2 51mm or the Fenix 8 (amoled) 51mm and the tactix version where you can get around 10 days with AOD on - as they have much much larger batteries.

Tried most of them (wear os / apple watch/ polar / suunto / amazfit / huawei) -- and my current favourite is Garmin - have been running an Epix 2 for +3 years and my general daily driver.

as you main focus is swimming I would stick with a garmin (the 5 buttons ones so a forerunner, instinct, fenix (and its variants like epix); suunto, polar or coros. Having the buttons enables you to swap data tracking screens while resting to check stats. as to which is best will depend on the swimming stats and features you require.

none of those will work due to the surfing which is considered a high speed/pressure sport (guess when come off an hit waves or end up doing a washing machine the pressures may get too much for a 5 atm warrenty. Your best option would be to try and pick up an instinct 2 (try for the surf version as it has a couple of niche additions like the tide table watch face) or a garmin fenix 6, or fenix 7 / epix 2 - as these all cover exactly what you need, plus have built in surf tracking app (includes wave counts and will show rides post activity in the app - would add the surf tracker data field as it can help fineese the wave count).

either should be fine - personally prefer the amazfit eco system (but possibly as its sort of a direct rip off of garmin's eco system). --- sync for both with strava is a bit hit and miss compared with garmin. The main stuff should be fine but other stuff may not sync as well. With garmin its super rock solid including stuff like surfing etc - but really with garmin connect there is no need for strava (except for potentially community related stuff if mates are on different platform) - as it just gives so much more detail than free strava and to a degree even subscription stava - especially when it comes to things like surfing etc. With garmin can see my wave count, longest wave, max speed, surf time, session time, - i get a map showing each wave ridden and the details (length, speed, time); and usual hr, benefit, the total distance paddled compared to actual surf distance, calories , sweat loss, intensity minutes, training beneft etc etc, Compared to Stava basic - where get the basic data but don't get the wave data, and your tracked activity looks like a big massive blob. So not overly useful from that perspective etc - plus if you have surfline the garmin system can hook in with them too. Checking ebay - there are options for second hand garmin instinct 2 surf within that price range and fenix 7 / epix 2 for a bit more (could also check fenix 6 options).

not sure it fits within your budget but the Garmin Fenix 8 or Forerunner 970 is about the only watch that fully fits your requirements. You could go with prior gen Fenix (and its variants like Epix) if you don't mind not having a mic & speaker. If you are prepared to take reduced options in terms of the offline maps - you could look at huawei models and other amazfit models like the balance 2 (however I think its the same sensor so probably will not work well either). Note that for the T-Rex 3 and for the other suggested models if the HR isn't accurate for you (always a possibilty) then you can always add a chest strap to get accurate hr.

would go with the amafit. Don't use budget - have garmin Epix (amoled verison of the fenix 7). Stick to better brands as apps are better and have better support for hardware and software - so amazfit, huawei, garmin, coros, polar, suunto, fitbit - maybe xiaomi (but seem more hit and miss on the support); wear os if on android or apple watch if on iPhone. Garmin - battery life is easily 1 week - usually around 40-55% when charge - depends on level of activity. Watch is now 4+ years old. My fenix prior to that is still running fine and is now 6+ years old. Generally only charge it more than once a week when I do a week of hiking and am using gps approx 7hrs per day and includes map use and navigation too. All brands mentioned are reasonably reliable and should give you at least 2 years out of your watch. Wear os and apple watch are closer to once a day to multiple charges per day.

I have had wear os (variety of different ones), apple watch, fitbit, huawei, amazfit, polar, suunto and coros - and currently the best fit for what I currently need is garmin. Coros I never tried due to their requirements for their training system which didn''t meet my requirements, and I haven't had a casio smartwatch cause I think you get way better bang for buck elsewhere and they have a long way to catch up with the others. Haven't tried the cheaper brands as just don't think you get value for money due to the lack of support and failures which are common in these brands. Therre is no best watch or system- there is only the best one that works for you! the one that best matches your needs, requirements and budget. I needed offline maps with offline navigation, boating/sailing/windsurfing//surfing features, strength training, rowing features, an accurate training system, and something that could track golf and help me improve my golf game - I also needed something durable and at least 10atm. At the time, and due to the offline navigation there is still only one brand that meets all those requirements and that is the garmin brand, and only the fenix model (and its variants like the epix). Made my choice a lot, lot easier. It also helps that it itegrated with a calorie tracking system (MyFitnessPal - though it now has that built into garmin via subs); and that its health metrics can assist you with determining drivers (i.e. accurate to show impacts of illness, straining body, bad habits etc). But it really should come down to what you need and what you are prepared to pay and where you are prepared to compromise. At the time I was much more limited and garmin really was the only choice - and technically still is - and considering my Epix is +4 years and rock solid and still looks like I just bought it - I have been very happy. If I was to look today with same requirements it would have to be the fenix 8 (or a variant) unless I was prepared to compromise on offline navigation (also the detail in the offline maps), the sailing (and other boating features) and take a heavily reduced impact on the golf features, and potentially not as good on training features - then yes I could save quite a bit of money. When my Epix goes I will then look at my options then and address how my needs at that point may change what I consider my best option. But considering that nothing new has come out that better addresses my requirements, and that I have no new ones, or any of the old ones are no longer required - why spend money at this point for something that doesn't give me any added advantage.

the best watch is the one that best meets your needs and is a price you can afford. Also note that apple watches are locked to iPhone and cannot work with android; and similarly wear os (pixel, samsung, oneplus, ticwatch etc) are locked to android and cannot work with iPhone. Should also look at garmin, coros, polar, suunto, amazfit, huawei and fitbit - will all work with either android or iPhone. Best option might be to talk about what you want out of a smartwatch from a) smarts, b) health, c) tracking fitness - talk about what types of activity and level of data; d) any of useful info - i.e. battery life, torch, offline maps, scuba diving, tracking golf, shootiing, hunting, track flight hours, climbing (indoor or outdoor), high speed/pressure sports like surfing, kite boarding etc etc. These days you name it and their is likely an option that will cover what you want - its just the cost where you may have to compromise.

I think you need to understand HRV - to take a HRV recording you have to be inactive as being active impacts your HRV, hence while it will only show stress during the day for inactive periods - if being exercising it will only show it a certain period post activity as that impacts HRV too, so has to wait for your ANS to recover from the activity before it can start to show it again. If any watch is showing you HRV during active periods its giving you garbage as they don't understand how your ANS is impacted by activity. All day stress is really only useful in terms of looking at your daily average as a trend - there are too many factors that can otherwise impact it. If you want more info about the stress metric and HRV would suggest starting with Firstbeats white paper on the stress metric (considering they are the first ones to introduce that metric). Re the HR - were you actively tracking an exercise session or just looking at the HR widget - if just looking at the widget track an activity as in 24/7 mode its running at reduced power for HR, when tracking an activity it pushes up to full power mode.

actually technically the apple watch doesn't measure HRV continuously - it only measures it every 2 to 5 hours and it will take the readings more frequently when you are sedentary or in specific conditions like when you are sleeping, or when AFIB mode is active (this can increase the HRV tracking feature to every hour or so). But the during the day readings are of very limited value - its the variation to the trend over time that is way more important. The really important HRV readings are those that are done during your sleep period as there are less factors that can influence the readings. This is a line worth reading - it is potentially biased as his showing why his software is better - but the underlying concepts are valid. And while it has been updated , as its a couple of years old now and hence why the original data didn't include apple watch cause at that time their HRV was absolutely useless, and since then all of the brands have also improved their HRV reporting etc (garmin's for example is now continuous during the night) - it doesn't change the underlying message / principle. Taking readings during the day is of very very limited use.

As you say you understand how HRV and ANS work then you should understand why there are gaps in Garmin's Stress readings and shouldn't be surprised by them, but as you stated you were surprised, it made me assume that haven't fully researched the subject / grasped how HRV and ANS work. PS - can't remember if I stated already that for garmin you can get a direct HRV reading at any point by running the 2 min health snapshot - this will show your the HRV value on the watch - but can't display on the watch face (at least not with standard watch faces). Can pull up at any time via the health snapshot app or the health snapshot widget. But coolest thing is the ability to see a list of them in connect web - the individual reports are all pdf, but the web shows a list of them and you can also see a list of main attributes (customizable) so can your RMSSD for each recording so pretty easy to spot a trend from this if performing them regularly at a specific time. \[Within the PDF file it also includes a SDRR value\].

I am fully aware you can pull HRV during a workout (mine is set to) and know the reason - but that is very different to pulling during 24/7 where far more factors are at play than there would be during a workout. Also its a bit painful to use that activity HRV data as while its logged in the fit file the garmin connect app/web doesn't currently show that data, which of course means you have to use a 3rd party app - and currently I can't be bothered to mess around with multiple apps. And yes most garmins running the elevate 4 or 5 HR Sensor still offer the HRV during workout (for main activities). Note that if the watch offers the performance condition data metric, which can set on data screen and get alerts for it - and while its not a purely HRV related - it does include HRV along with pace and HR to provide a real time assessment of your deviation to your baseline VO2max. And while I know this is more than just HRV I feel that to a degree its sort of incorporating what HRV logging does i.e .how your body is adapting to the training load of that session. Worth noting that all of the 4 fitness brands - garmin, coros, polar and suunto all only do HRV as overnight not during day (Suunto does offer resources which is sort of like garmin's body battery and also sort of does take stress (based off hrv) into account) - for the same reason - too many drivers could be impacting it; Coros does offer a manual record too like Garmin does. Also when you think about it the purpose of Apples all day HRV is around recovery - the other brands provide a host of other metrics that do a similar think i.e. Garmin's recovery metric; training status, and training readiness --- basically providing that data is an easier to use , simplified format (and all include HRV as part of the data that is used to determine their values).

HRV logging - its on in case I ever need it /want it - if you don't log it you can't go back and get it. Yes needs chest strap as optical HR generally isn't accurate enough to get an accurate R-R interval detection. Apps - garmin connect app store only shows the apps that are available for you watch. What I loved about the connect iq web version is you could see all the apps and then send a message to a dev to extend to your model as generally they didn't always update for new models. However since they have stupidly closed the web version of the store its now much harder to find those apps (use web search now). Alpha HRV wouldn't help you anyway as it also requires a chest strap in particular the polar h9 / H10 or garmin hrm pro. They tend to only recommend these straps as these have been validated by platforms that do HRV during an activity and thus are known to provide accurate r-r intervals. Performance Condition: [https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-2CF5620C-E585-4E0A-9CC3-9565533EEE4D/EN-US/GUID-7556D1C8-1685-43B9-A091-D43D2F719F1F.html](https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-2CF5620C-E585-4E0A-9CC3-9565533EEE4D/EN-US/GUID-7556D1C8-1685-43B9-A091-D43D2F719F1F.html) V4 does have it has a metric, so you could pull it in as a data field on your tracking screens on the watch. But that is about as good as its going to get unless you go chest strap. Always find its a compromise finding right watch - and as already stated don't really know of any watch that does what you want - as stated tech's not really there yet to set it up the way you want. Samsung features require latest samsung phone (though its normally possible to sideload onto other android phones but can be slightly challenging) - also they have heavy region locks so would also need to know that its not locked in your country/regioni cause if it is then there is no joy - can't do what you can with garmin where ccan spoof to unlock feature and once unlocked will work anywhere (i.e. ECG).