Garmin has released two new adventure smartwatches, the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro.
The Epix Pro is now Garmin’s top-of-the-range, non-solar-charging, multi-sport GPS watch, with the Fenix 7 Pro knocking down the Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar a step in the solar charging stakes.
Garmin claims the Epix Pro delivers up to 31 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, up from a claimed 16 days for the Garmin Epix.
The Epix Pro comes in three sizes, has an AMOLED display and is designed to be worn 24 hours a day to collect fitness and wellness data, according to Garmin.
The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro is also available in three screen sizes. Claimed battery life increases to 37 days in smartwatch mode, provided the solar-charging screen is exposed to three hours of direct sunlight a day.
Both smartwatches come with new training metrics, including an Endurance Score, weather map overlays and a built-in LED flashlight, which Garmin says can light your way at night.
They also can receive smart notifications, download and play songs from music streaming services and checkout contactlessly at shops with Garmin Pay.
Like Garmin’s best bike computers, all models of the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro use SatIQ technology to navigate with multi-band GPS while economising battery life. Safety and tracking features, such as LiveTrack, are included too.
The Garmin Epix Pro is available in three models, starting from £829.99/$899. The three specifications of the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro start from £749.99/$799.
Garmin Epix Pro
The Garmin Epix Pro now comes in the same three case sizes (42mm, 47mm and 52mm) as the Fenix, each with an AMOLED display. Garmin claims this is easy to read in all light conditions.
In addition, all three Epix Pro models are now equipped with a flashlight at the front. The feature was previously reserved for the most expensive version.
Wrist-based heart rate monitors are generally less accurate than chest strap heart monitors, but Garmin says the watch’s heart rate sensor is now better at tracking your performance across multiple sports.
In darker ambient light conditions, Garmin says the Epix Pro’s new Red Shift Mode changes display colours to red to help the user’s sleep.
The Epix Pro’s new pre-loaded activity modes include football, basketball, racquet sports and horse riding.
Garmin claims the new weather map overlays can warn of changing weather conditions. Relief shading on the topographic maps makes them easier to read at a glance, according to the brand.
The new Hill Score feature that measures your ability to run uphill is less likely to interest cyclists than the Endurance Score.
This metric takes into account more than just your VO2 Max and analyses your activities regardless of sport to estimate your fatigue resistance and ability to sustain long efforts, according to Garmin.
In GPS mode, the Garmin Epix Pro’s claimed battery life is 58 hours.
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro
All three sizes of the Fenix 7 Pro now include the LED flashlight, multiband GNSS/GPS and solar charging. You’ll pay more for the Sapphire edition, but won’t get any extra features.
The Fenix 7 Pro has the same updated heart rate sensor as the Epix Pro. Garmin says the combination of the sensors being more spread out and sport-specific algorithms provides more reliable insight into the body’s physiological response to different types of exercise.
Weather mapping, relief shading, Endurance and Hill Scores are also available on the Fenix 7 Pro.
The Fenix 7 Pro’s battery can last for up to 122 hours in GPS mode with solar charging, according to Garmin, assuming constant use in 50,000 lux conditions.
Garmin says the Fenix 7 Pro can track numerous health and wellness indicators, such as heart rate variability, blood oxygen saturation, and stress and energy levels.
