And it's going to be a love hate kinda thing I think
It's only a (non pro) Epix Gen 2, on offer at H Samuel - £324
But I'm seeing how the ecosystem works before going big on a nice watch. Bought an Edge 840 for the bike too - pretty much to integrate health/heart monitoring, as well as some navigation/mapping stuff.
First impressions - I didn't expect the watch to feel so cheap - expected it to feel a bit more premium (the original RRP isn't exactly cheap), the OS is a bit of a challenge, building watch faces is painful. Build quality and first impression useability are falling way behind Samsung at first glance.
It's this how it is, or am I being too picky and just need to learn the watch?
I'm going to persevere regardless, but the Samsung's aren't getting sold just yet
It is certainly a clunky system to set up. Not exactly drag and drop. Once you have it set up it works pretty well. I find it very robust software wise. Logging is pretty faultless. The GPS is also very accurate, way more than my phone. I can see every time I cross the road or have a wobble. I've done some editing but tend to just download faces. There's loads of good options made by other people.
Overall I'm happy and if I lost it I'd buy another.
Just download faces install Garmin IQ on phone its super straight forward.
Just download faces install Garmin IQ on phone its super straight forward.
Yeah done that, it's definitely a thing. Compared to my usual installation of watch faces, 'super straight forward' isn't a term I'd use.
Installed a genuine Garmin Epix face (not sure why I had to pay for it) and changing the colours, complications etc gives you no preview you just have to select an option and hope for the best. Don't like it, go back in and select some more random options
Some of the neweer watches are easier to configure as you do it on the Connect app instead of on the watch itself. That being said, I tend to stick with one of the standard/supplied faces. I've configured my Edge 840 a bit more though.
Can't say I've spent too much time faffing with the settings on mine but think it's ace. As slick as my wife's Apple Watch is the battery life is unacceptable and it's very style over substance. Can't comment on Samsung watches as I gave up on the brand after several phones and various other appliances.
That being said, I tend to stick with one of the standard/supplied faces.
The face the watch came with was ok TBF, but as soon as I connected to the IQ app it disappeared never to be seen again, so I was forced to create my own.
Maybe a glitch, dunno, but it's slightly frustrating compared to what I'm used to.
I'll maybe do some screenshots tomorrow and compare to the Samsung OS
Surely it depends what brand you are used to? I'm used to Garmin watches. Not owned one but initial impressions of Samsung and others by comparison they seem a bit primitive and cheaply made when trying them in shops. Perhaps I just need more time with them.
Depending on the model (Garmin have many) I'm not sure they are always chasing the same customers as Samsung/Apple/Google, more outdoorsy watches like Suunto and Polar.
Garmin aren't perfect. There's some clunkiness and it seems like there are sometimes several menus or ways of accessing a function that could be streamlined into one.
I got an enduro3 a week ago. Still on 21 days of battery…
I crashed wearing my Instinct last week and it was completely encased in clay. Clawed/Rinsed it off and it looks like new again. Son's apple watch is covered in scratches after any kind of ground contact.
Battery life is superb. His needs charging every day.
Agree that the system is clunky but I don't use that much.
This face was free with my Epix and easy to edit with real time preview
I'd agree Garmin aren't chasing same customers as Apple Google Samsung etc I briefly had a Pixel watch very flash but a charge could scarcely get through a day and it failed to track activities a couple of timed a week. Sold it and bought a Epix been very happy long battery life, flawless tracking and once you get used to it the depth of functionality is impressive. IMHO a decent leather strap makes it look more upmarket.
my partner ditched her apple for garmin as the battery wouldn't go a full day for her. she's a full convert.
I've had the same Epix 2 for a year or so, picked it up from the H Samuel PSA here.
For me, it's streets ahead of the Samsung watch I had, although I only had the pretty basic one. I love the battery length and am used to the menus now.
I've tried a few faces, this is my favourite...paid a few euros for it but it's a good mix of easy to read info and a nice looking analogue face.
Also replaced the strap as I didn't get on with the silicon one.
Had an Apple Watch for about 4 years. Now on a cheap Epix gen 2 and loving it so far.
I miss Siri and unlocking my laptop automatically but other than that it’s been a painless transition. Actually, the music controls aren’t as slick on Garmin. Activity tracking is night and day better on the Garmin. If I didn’t exercise a lot I’d probably be happier with the Apple but I’m loving the training metrics on Garmin.
I don’t love any of the stock Garmin faces but I’ve found (a free) one that apes the Forerunner face style which I like.
Been a Garmin watch user for a few years now, sounds like I'm probably an odd case as I've done very little with the watch and still using the face it came with.
I've configured the data screens to show the fields I want and I've got the notification stuff sorted and all good.
It loves on my wrist pretty much 24/7 - removed for showers/baths/charging (every 10 days-ish).
I've not found the need to spend much time playing with it...sounds like I should try and get a bit more involved with it and see what it can do/show on the watch face.
Ok let’s start listing things that we get these watches to do. i bet there’s loads I’ve missed
I can send a gpx file to it via Connect or Komoot and naviagate with it
Broadcast heart rate to my head unit. I had to do this on the king alfred way. I managed to get confused in the blue tooth settings and get some one pulse on my handle bars. It was easier to spot my watch in the bluetooth list than my chest strap
I have succeed in logging my pulse whilst swimming
You only have to do the set up once, then forget about it. The looks are very utilitarian, they are designed from the outset as fitness watches, not lifestyle/fashion watches which have a few fitness functions. If the look/feel of a watch is more important then maybe Garmin is not the right choice. My Instinct 2 is nearly 3 years old and the battery still lasts for almost a month on one charge, albeit a little less (but still great) if I use the GPS lots. Despite a lot of abuse including a few epic crashes, it looks as good as new. They are not perfect, the app can be a bit glitchy at times and I hate that when the battery eventually dies it's not replaceable. On balance though, I think they do a great job and are good vfm - especially with STW discount.
Was getting fed up with my AW7, battery was ok day to day but poor for activity tracking.
I will say the Garmin metrics are a lot more pessimistic than Apple.
I have an AW series 4 and been looking at all the Garmins for days.
Just wanted better stats for riding and hiking.
Looked at the Epix 2 for ages but it looks really big, in the end I went with a refurbished Venu2 for £168 off Amazon.
Will see what it’s like, seems to have all the basic functionality I need.
The enduro is big on paper. (51mm) but doesn’t feel particularly bulky or more noticeable on the wrist than my old 45mm AW.
Getting used to it a bit now and quite liking it. The whole Garmin ecosystem (as people have said) seems much better for fitness activities.
Will give it a while longer to get used to and possibly migrate my whole smart watch usage over to Garmin, using the Epix for sports and work and probably get Fenix 8 when the Pro model comes out.
Fancy a Marq Adventurer, but at 47mm (same as the Epix, fancy the bigger screen at 51mm.
The Epix doesn't feel like a big watch to me and I have fairly small wrists
I've just done my first ride with the Venu 2, very good, the stats seem better laid out than Apple for performing activities.
Choosing a watch face is the hard part.
Choosing a watch face is the hard part.
Configuring them is harder - there's no preview for the changes you make. Pick a colour, or a font, or a layout for the time/date/complications and save to watch, see if you like it, if not go back in and change it. With the Samsungs you can see every change you make on the phone screen before saving
I recently got a Venu 2sq. I did have a Garmin watch ages ago (more than 12 years) and it was a bit large to wear all the time. I held off getting another as I usually just put a phone in a pocket but am starting to do a bit of running again and a watch is more convenient. Was finally convinced by the PSA thread which with the STW discount reduced the watch to £90 as long as you are OK with black.
So far seems great. Not too big and does what is says. Also tried the komoot app as this seems to be a way to get a more basic Garmin to work as a navigation device. Not gone anywhere new yet so not tested properly but seems functional for breadcrumb trail type navigation.
Battery seems to last at least a week, although not using the GPS much as been too much other stuff going on to get out much.
Can edit them direct on the enduro which is essentially a fenix8.
I am a big fan of the wrist flashlight now…
