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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Garmin Epix Review}}
[[File:GarminEpix.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The {{Garmin Epix}}, showing a topo map.]]
The Garmin Epix is the top of Garmin's GPS watch line. The Epix has nearly all of the functionality of the [[Garmin 920XT]], plus support for full color maps. Having a good map display is great for both urban and wilderness runners when they're in unfamiliar surroundings. The Epix includes [[Connect IQ]] that allows it run applications, much like a smartphone. SadlyIts clear display, real buttons, touchscreen, map display and rich functionality make it one of the best watches if you can afford it and are okay with the poor GPS accuracy and its bulk. For a simple evaluation of a GPS watch, I look at how well it can answer some basic questions:* '''How far did I run?''' This is the most basic question, and sadly, the Epix has rather poor [[GPS Accuracy]], and while firmware updates might improve this slightly, I doubt it will get close to the accuracy of the [[Polar V800]] .* The Epix It looks like activating GLONAS and WAAS improves accuracy, it's still not great. How big a problem this is a great device for casual runners. Its clear displayyou will depend on the type of course you're running, real buttonsbut if this is important to you, touchscreen, map display and rich functionality make the best option if look for a more accurate watch. * '''How fast am I running?''' Knowing how fast you 're running can afford be a nice to know, or it and are okay with can be vital for your training or race performance. Because of the poor nature of GPS, watches that rely on GPS accuracy and its bulksignal alone tend to have serious problems with current pace.* For marathon runners Thankfully, the Epix lacks a critical feature; an accurate is one of the few devices that will display of current pace[[Pace from a Footpod]] while getting all other data from GPS. While * '''Where am I don? 't expect most casual runners will be as concerned by ''The Epix has full color maps, the lack of accurate current pace, this is critical ability to many marathon training programsdownload a course, and to effective marathon pacing strategygive directions back to the start. The only way I found of getting accurate current pace This is to use the older as good as it gets. * '''What's my cadence? '''[[Garmin 610Cadence]]''' '''is one of the most critical and often overlooked aspects of running. If you get your Cadence right, many other things naturally fall into place. Not only does the Epix get [[Garmin 310XT]], or [[Garmin 910XTCadence]] with from a [[Footpod]], it will also get it from the Garmin Run Heart Rate monitor. (Connect IQ may change this in There is also support for Cadence from the futureinternal accelerometer, though I find that's not as accurate. The Cadence alerts are especially useful for keeping you on track.)* For ultramarathon running the battery life of the Epix makes it a strong candidate, especially with the mapping functionality. If you hope to be still moving during the [[Second Dawn]], the Epix might be for you. See [[Shoes#Watches for Ultrarunning| Watches for Ultrarunning]] for more details.
=GPS Accuracy=
The [[GPS Accuracy]] for the Epix is poor at best; while it's not the worst I've seen, it's close to the bottom of the pile. Determining if it's acceptable for your running will depend on your usage.