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The Garmin Epix is was released as the [[Best Running Watch| top of Garmin's GPS watch line]], though it's been superseded by the [[Garmin Fenix 5X]]. The Epix has nearly all of the functionality of the [[Garmin 920XT]]Fenix 5X, plus support for but now costs far less. It's 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. The , but Garmin's support of Epix is rather poor and the Epix has doesn't have the best level latest version of Connect IQ. This means you can't use the [[Stryd]] supportapp, which is or a number of others that require the latest version. You can still get the only way of getting really extremely accurate pace & distance and pace informationof Stryd while recording a GPS track, but you can't get running power so easily. Its The Epix has a clear display, real buttons, touchscreen, map display and rich functionality make , which makes it one of the best watches if you combine it with a [[Stryd]] footpod, and you can afford it. One caveat The big concern I have is that Garmin seems to be forgetting about the Epix, with few fewer firmware updatesthan other devices, though they did issue one in Feb 2017. On the other hand, the price of the Epix has dropped dramatically, making it a rather more attractive option. 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]]. It looks like activating WAAS might improve accuracy, it's still not great. The good news is that the Epix had outstanding has good support for the [[Stryd]] footpod which allows you to get extremely accurate pace and distance while retaining all GPS navigation features.

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]], you'll need to can [[Charge On The Run]]. See [[Best Running Watch#Watches for Ultrarunning| Watches for Ultrarunningcharge it while running]] for more detailsas detailed below.

* The Epix can give a reasonable estimate of how far you've run but the errors can add up. The amount of error depends on your route; in straight lines the Epix is okay, though even then it's worse than most other devices. However, on a twisty course it is out by around 0.75 mile on a 20 mile run. That's enough to mess up your marathon training. This translates to errors on your average pace! I'd highly recommend you use the Epix with the [[Stryd]] footpod.

The Epix has no major flaws, and these cones are really more quibbles than anything else.* The lack Epix is not unattractive in a rather plastic way, but it's nowhere near as elegant and stylish as the [[Polar V800]]. In a strange way, I think the looks of firmware updates for the Epix is epics have proved to be one of its bigger problems. While I think it's better looking than the biggest problem [[Garmin 920XT]], I think it's trying to look more stylish and less functional, which gives it facesan air of "tried but failed" in the stylistic department. This lack Garmin might have done better to package it so that it looks like it's intended to be plastic, rather than aiming to mimic the looks of support is extremely disappointingthe Fenix range.

While the Epix has poor GPS accuracy, even the best GPS watch is still not good enough for accurate pacing. The answer currently lies with [[Stryd]] and extremely accurate Footpod that can measure distance and pace far better than GPS. The Epix has the best level of Stryd support, and will allow you to have all the accuracy of Stryd for pace and distance while having GPS active. This allows you to maintain all of the navigation features of the Epix, including the full color maps, which is probably why you want an Epix anyway. You can even get an estimate of your [[Running Power Meters| Running Power]] from Stryd via a , but only if you set Stryd to send the power information as if it were the Cadence field. This feature might get removed, so if Power is important to you, then be cautious about getting an Epix. It's possible Garmin will update the Epix to the latest version of [[Connect IQ]] data fieldwhich will allow you to run the Stryd app. I'd strongly recommend getting a [[Stryd]] Footpod to go with your Epix. If that's too expensive, I'd argue that you're much better off getting the Stryd and saving money by getting a cheaper watch like the [[Garmin Vivoactive]].