Garmin - epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition, 51m

A few months ago I made the transition from the FR245 to the Epix Pro Gen 2 Sapphire and have been enjoying the change, I especially like the larger and brighter screen. I hope you have a great time with the new watch!

I am also using an AMOLED (epix pro gen 2), which replaced a fr245.  I had a tough time in some scenarios with the MIPS display, such as on shaded trails and around subset (both common in my users). In these cases I am happier with the AMOLED. 

I'm also in Germany. I got Epix Pro 51mm Sapphire on Kleianzeigen for 450€, a few weeks ago. With a few months of warranty remaining even.

I would recommend either Epix Gen2 or Enduro 2. For hiking, especially if you're going to do multi-day hikes, bigger battery in 51mm options could be handy.

I hope you enjoy it and become a running monster!!!! Have a question. Would you please turn the metronome during a running session and let me know about it? Is it audible?? I have an Enduro 2 and an Epix Pro 2 51mm and both of them are quitet to the point I have to place attention and raise the wrist to be closer to the ear... I'm considering selling both...

You can set it to vibration, sound and both. Personally, I don't like the vibration, and I'm not sure if it may drain battery in ultras

Garmin epix pro sapphire has a great screen and sapphire glass - super discounted 50% now so more a straight swap in terms of value for AWU - battery and sport no contest farming is better

I own or have owned several of both lines. Both will satisfy any kind of activity tracking you could possibly want based on what you listed. I prefer to train and race with a Forerunner. It's lighter, and has a slimmer profile. You almost don't even notice you're wearing it. That said, it looks and feels like a toy. I prefer to wear a Fenix/Epix for most other situations. It's the more versatile watch because it can be "dressed up" easily and has a much more premium look over the Forerunners. That said, it's much more substantial and heavy. If I could only have one watch, I would personally go with the Fenix series primarily because of that versatility. You do pay for that "extra" though. I most recently did that with the Forerunner 965 and the Epix Pro 51. Loved both for the previously mentioned reason, but ultimately decided I didn't want to keep switching watches throughout the day. Sold the 965 to a friend, and kept the Epix Pro which I wear 24/7 outside of the very occasional charge.

Epix pro gen 2 sapphire 51mm, amoled display, less battery than the fénix but it still good and it’s cheaper since you can grab it in discount.

I was in the same boat a couple of months ago. I’m a big apple guy, love the ecosystem and the OS, nothing can beat that, but I didn’t want to charge my Apple Watch almost everyday anymore. And I also didn’t want an extension of my phone on my wrist. Wanted something different and decide to grab an epix pro gen 2, titanium sapphire for around 600 usd here in Mexico, I think it was a great deal considering it’s almost a 1000 usd watch which it’s insane tbh. I don’t regret buying it at all, I use it mainly for biking and running, 5 days a week, sleep tracking and health stats and I’m charging it once a week. The gps is great and the maps look awesome in the amoled display. As someone said above, coming from an Apple Watch, the learning curve is not easy, the menu is not as intuitive but I’m in love with the looks, roughness, functionality, battery, amoled display. Was thinking of getting maybe a fénix 7pro with MIP Disaplay to get more battery life but honestly for my activities I prefer the brightness of a amoled screen.

I’m basically full invested in the Apple ecosystem and had an AW 7 for years. I have the epix pro 2 sapphire now, and in the six months I’ve owned it I haven’t touched my Apple watch once. I did enjoy some of the connectivity for my laptop and even Apple TV, but 99% of the time I have my phone with me anyway which covers most of the stuff I used the watch for. I really don’t miss it. The epix is significantly more robust/tougher, and going from 30 hours of battery life to nearly 30 days is a game changer. Plus, the flashlight on the epix is one of the coolest features it has which sounds silly until you use the red light to save night vision when you gotta take a piss in the middle of the night.

Epix pro gen 2 51mm and instinct 3 solar 50mm. One AMOLED and one SOLAR I like both screens.

To be fair the Epix should be also a contestant here. In case OP prefers an AMOLED screen. The epix 2 pro sapphire 51mm offers up to 30 days of battery. I have the 42mm, record at least 2 hours of activity daily and still have battery for 5 days. If OP has the wrist for it, he should go for the larger models, regardless of the screen he chooses.

I have trained for triathlon, run obstacle course races, rucked, golfed, weight lifted and am doing my first Hyrox in March with a Epix Pro 2 Sapphire. Which has the same sensors as the Fenix 8 but can be had for half the price now. It doesn't get updated to the newest software features but it does get firmware updates. I'd recommend it.

I swam for triathlon training and for a sprint tri last summer. Garmin Epix Pro 2 and then an Apple Watch Ultra. Both were accurate in the pool. AWU was very accurate during the race (open water in a lake.)

For me, anything the native Apple application doesn’t provide (and there are more than a few), I can get with 3rd party apps. Athlytic or Bevel for training load and more advanced statistics. Training Peaks for workout plans and daily coaching. Zones for detailed HR data. Gentler Streaks for daily positive feedback. Yes, most if not all of those require a subscription but given the cost difference between the AWU and my Garmin (Epix Pro 2), I’ve got a few years to cover the price gap! Then throw in all the smart watch features AWU has that Garmin does not- it’s AWU for me. I went back to it after using Garmin for months.

I've been fooling around for more than a year, using multiple smart watches, trying to find my "Goldilocks" device. I juggle between Garmin Epix Pro 2, Galaxy Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra. Like you, I'm more than just a casual athlete (pickleball, golf, lifting, obstacle course racing and triathlon training are my go-tos.) But I'm not seeking the podium in the races. With the exception of pickleball, I'm largely participating in these activities not necessarily competing. I have a full time job and I'm a full time dad. If I were an athlete FIRST, I'd stick with my Epix Pro 2, full stop. (No phone call functionality there, by the way.) It's the superior fitness companion. It's great for pickleball (GPS outdoors too), fantastic for golf and best in class for endurance training. Also, in my experience, the Garmin's true advantage is being able to navigate the watch interface entirely with the hardware buttons. No water lock required. Invaluable for swims, rain or sweaty summer runs. But I'm not an athlete first. I like the smarter features that I get with the Samsung and Apple fitness watches. The features that fit my lifestyle outside of fitness. Like scanning my movie tickets when entering the theater, for example. And podcast and audiobook apps on my watch. I've not used the One Plus, but the Samsung and Apple Ultra watches offer enough battery life where I don't worry about them dying throughout my activities. I could do a 70.3 triathlon. I've played 36 holes of golf. So while it's nice to not have to charge the Garmin as often, it's a luxury I can forgo in order to get a more well rounded wrist-based companion.