8,101
edits
Changes
From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
no edit summary
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Garmin Epix Review}}
[[File:GarminEpix.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The {{Garmin Epix}}, showing a topo map.]]
The Garmin Epix is was released as the [[Best Running Watch| top of Garmin's GPS watch line]], though it's been superseded by the [[Garmin Fenix 5X]].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, but Garmin's support of Epix is rather poor and the Epix doesn't have the latest version of Connect IQ. This means you can't use the [[Stryd]] app, or a number of others that require the latest version. Its You can still get the extremely accurate pace & distance of Stryd while recording a GPS track, but you can't get running power so easily. 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 and are okay with the poor GPS accuracy and its bulk. 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 GLONAS and WAAS improves might improve accuracy, it's still not great. How big a problem this The good news is that the Epix has good support for you will depend on the type of course [[Stryd]] footpod which allows you're running, but if this is important to you, look for a more get extremely accurate watchpace and distance while retaining all GPS navigation features. * '''How fast am I running?''' Knowing how fast you're running can be a nice to know, or it can be vital for your training or race performance. Because of the nature of GPS, watches that rely on GPS signal alone tend to have serious problems with current pace. Thankfully, the Epix is one of will support the few devices that will display current [[Pace From A FootpodStryd]] while getting all other data from GPSfootpod.
* '''Where am I? '''The Epix is as good as it gets for navigation. It includes:
** '''Color Maps'''. You'll see full color maps, rather like a smart phone, with roads and paths marked out.
** '''Compass'''. A magnetic compass can help you orient yourself or the map. Without a magnetic compass you have to be moving for the GPS to give you a sense of direction.
* '''What's my cadence? '''[[Cadence]]''' '''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 [[Cadence]] from a [[Footpod]], it will also get it from the Garmin Run Heart Rate monitor. There is also support for Cadence from the internal 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 can [[Best Running Watch#Watches for UltrarunningCharge On The Run| Watches for Ultrarunningcharge it while running]] for more detailsas detailed below. {{BuyAmazon|AZID=B00S776RW8|AZN=Garmin Epix}}
=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.
* 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. * GPS watches are not accurate enough to give you a useful display of your current pace. However, the Epix will display your current has great support for the [[Pace From A FootpodStryd]] while getting data like distance and overall pace GPS. * The Epix supports both GLONASS and WASSfootpod, but something I have not gathered sufficient data to know if they will help accuracy (initial testing suggests not'd highly recommend.)
If you want better [[GPS Accuracy]] than the Epix, then the [[Polar V800]] is by far the best I've tested, though the [[Suunto Ambit3]] is close and a better all-round running watch. For more details on GPS accuracy, see the section "GPS Accuracy Analysis" below.
=Garmin Epix Pros=
* The Epix will display full color maps, which can be freely and easily downloaded from the internet.
* The Epix has great support for the [[Stryd]] footpod. It will display pace and distance from the extremely accurate Stryd while retaining all GPS navigation features. For situations where pacing is critical, such as running a marathon, this is a must have feature.
* The Epix supports Garmin's [[Connect IQ]], which allows for the creation of apps in much the same way you can run apps on Android or iOS.
* The Epix is larger than devices like the [[Garmin 620]], and it doesn't look like a traditional watch in the way the [[Garmin Fenix 2]] does. However, I have tiny wrists (less than 6 inches) and I found Epix is quite comfortable, with a strap that works better than most I've tested. The Epix fits my wrist far better than the [[Polar V800]] which I have to wear over a sweatband.
* The color display on the Epix has much richer colors than some of Garmin's earlier watches. In other sports watches I don't think that color adds much functionality, but it's vital for the Epix to be able to display maps. The font sizes are mostly easy to read, though occasionally I've struggled. The Epix has exactly the same size and resolution display as the [[Garmin 920XT]].
* There is also support for the [[Firstbeat| Firstbeat Estimate of Recovery Time]] before the next workout, which I also like, though you have to take this with a large pinch of salt.
* The Epix will cache the GPS satellite locations for the next few days to reduce startup time. This is particularly useful when travelling to a new location as older devices can take minutes to get a fix when travelling. I hate standing around on a street corner in the cold, dark, early hours of the morning waiting for my watch to tell me I can start running. In my testing the satellite acquisition was generally very rapid, and the Epix is sensitive enough to get a fix inside my house. However, I have had issues with the Epix acquiring a signal near tall buildings, more so than other devices I've tested.
* There are five real buttons as well as a touchscreen on the Epix, which is a great combination. The touchscreen allows you to press and hold on a displayed value to change it while you're running, something I've really liked. I've had no issues with the Epix in the rain, but I've had several reports from runners who've had problems.
* The prediction of your [[VO2max|V̇O<sub>2</sub>max]] worked well for me, but I would not rely on its accuracy.
* The Epix will upload your workouts to Garmin Connect via USB, or via a smart phone and Bluetooth. The smart phone can upload a workout as it takes place, which is nice for folks tracking you during a race, though it means wearing the watch and the phone together. If you plug the Epix into a computer it will function as a flash drive, giving you direct access to your workouts as '.FIT' files. The FIT files provide compatibility with a huge range of software. One of the few things that are in the [[Garmin 920XT]] and not in the Epix is the ability to upload workouts over WiFi, which was nice.
* A minor win for the Epix is it's charging cable; it's the only device where I've found the cable clips into the watch easily and reliably.
=Garmin Epix Cons=
The Epix has no major flaws, and these cones are really more quibbles than anything else.
* The 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 the epics have proved to be one of its bigger problems. While I think it's better looking than the [[Garmin 920XT]], I think it's trying to look more stylish and less functional, which gives it an air of "tried but failed" in the stylistic department. 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 the Fenix range.
* The Epix includes an internal accelerometer to give you an idea of pace and distance while running on a treadmill without a footpod, but I found the accuracy was rather poor. I have yet to come across a watch that can reasonably estimate your pace from the movement of your wrist, nor does it seem likely that this functionality is practical.
* You need to have the new HRM for the some of the features. The Epix will display Heart Rate and calculate [[Firstbeat| Training Effect]] with the older Garmin HRM, but not Ground Contact Time or Vertical Oscillation.
=Comparisons=
Here are some of the watches that our competitors for the Epix:
While I don't consider these missing features as 'cons', it's worth understanding the features that are missing compared with other watches. You'll notice that the Epix has a rather short list of missing features.
* '''Web Configuration'''. Some watches allow you to setup the configuration via a web site, and then download your changes. This is vastly easier than fiddling with the watch.
=Stryd Support=
''Main article: [[Stryd]]''
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, 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]] which 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]]. To get pace and distance from Stryd while recording the GPS data, pair as a normal footpod. Settings -> sensors -> add new -> footpod. Under the sensor, set speed=always, distance=always, calibration -> auto calibrate disabled.
[[File:Garmin Epix Stryd.jpg|center|thumb|300px|The Garmin Epix menu showing the two settings to get pace and distance from Stryd.]]
=Charge On The Run for Ultramarathons=
''Main article: [[Charge On The Run]]''
The Epix's standard battery life is not enough for longer ultramarathons; most runners in a 100-mile race will need a little longer at least. One option is to reduce the GPS polling interval, which bumps the battery life up to 50-hours, but you could also [[Charge On The Run| consider charging the Epix during your run]]. The Epix has about a 500 mAh (milliamp-hour) battery based on my measurements, so it doesn't take much to recharge it. In fact, the problem is generally finding a battery pack that's small enough, as batteries tend to be heavy. My two preferred options are below, the Anker and the PulsePak.
{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Charge On The Run - Batteries (1).jpg|none|thumb|200px|The Anker and the PulsePak.]]
|[[File:Charge On The Run - Batteries (2).jpg|none|thumb|200px|The inside of the PulsePak]]
|[[File:Charge On The Run - Batteries (3).jpg|none|thumb|200px|A close up of the PulsePak battery.]]
|}
The Anker is much bigger (3.75"/9.5cm) and heavier (2.9oz/82g), though it's shape makes it easy to carry in your hand and it will slip into the pockets of Race Ready shorts. It holds 3,350 mAh, which is way more than you need, recharging the Epix more than six times over. It's reasonably priced at <jfs id="B005X1Y7I2" noreferb="true"/>. The PulsePak is far smaller (2"/5cm), lighter (0.5oz/15g), and cheaper at <jfs id="B00WBIK25C" noreferb="true"/>. It only holds 500 mAh, but that's enough for a full charge, and it's small enough to carry a couple. The obvious approach is to use the charging dock and cable that came with the Epix, holding a battery pack in your hand, which is shown below. I'm not a fan of this approach as the battery occupies your hand and the cable is rather long. You can tuck the battery in a pocket, but then the cable really annoys me. (Putting the watch and battery in a pack or pocket seems to defeat the object of having a watch if you can't see it.) The Garmin Epix has its charging port on the side, and the cable just clips in. You can see the standard cable below, along with an aftermarket adapter. (The yellow cable tie is just a marker so that I can find where the watch is plugged in when I've got lots of them on charge at the same time.)
[[File:Charge On The Run Epix (1).jpg|center|thumb|300px|The standard charging cable that comes with the Garmin Epix.]]
As with most other watches, you can wrap the long cable around your arm and hold the battery in your hand, though this is a little cumbersome.
[[File:Charge On The Run Epix (7).jpg|center|thumb|300px|The rather cumbersome option of using the standard cable.]]
Here is a side view showing how standard connector clips on.
[[File:Charge On The Run Epix (6).jpg|center|thumb|300px|]]
You can buy a cheap aftermarket charging adapter that has a micro-USB port <jfs id="B01H59ZZO4" noreferb="true"/>.
[[File:Charge On The Run Epix (2).jpg|center|thumb|300px|Aftermarket charging adapter.]]
Rather annoyingly, the micro-USB port is on the underside of the adapter; life would've been a lot easier had it been on the top.
[[File:Charge On The Run Epix (4).jpg|center|thumb|300px|]]
I found the best option was a short (1'/30cm) right angle micro-USB cable that allowed me to tuck the smaller battery pack into the wrist strap (<jfs id="B00W6URQPE" noreferb="true"/>). This is a less-than-perfect, but it works.
[[File:Charge On The Run Epix (3).jpg|center|thumb|300px|]]
As you can see from this side view, even with the right-angle USB cable the plug tends to press on my wrist. The sweat band is needed to create enough of a gap for the plug.
[[File:Charge On The Run Epix (5).jpg|center|thumb|300px|]]
=Downloading Maps=
This is the easiest way to download maps I've found so far.
* Go to [http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/ http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/] on a browser
* I select "Routable Bicycle" which seems to work well.
* Choose the location; in the US, select the state you want under "North America" drop down.
|- valign="top"
|[[File:BridgeGarmin Epix.jpg|none|thumb|x300px| You can see the Epix sometimes does okay under the bridge and at other times struggles. It does particularly badly on the twisty section, cutting the corners. It does better, but still not great, with the sharp turn seen on the right side of the diagram. You can see the Epix occasionally having more significant problems, but most of the time the accuracy is merely poor. (This diagram has tracks color coded with green indicating good accuracy through to read indicating poor accuracy, and the lap markers as blue dots.)]]
|[[File:BridgeGarmin Epix with GLONAS+WAAS.jpg|none|thumb|x300px| With GLONAS GLONASS and WAAS enabled, you can see the tracks are much closer together, as are the blue lap markers. The twisty section is actually slightly worse accuracy, suggesting rather more smoothing. (This diagram has tracks color coded with green indicating good accuracy through to read indicating poor accuracy, and the lap markers as blue dots.)]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:AccuracyGarmin Epix.jpg|none|thumb|x300px| This close up section of a zigzag shows the problems the Epix has tracking the course. There is poor alignment between the tracks and the change in direction of the course, and the lap markers are widely spaced. (This diagram has tracks color coded with green indicating good accuracy through to read indicating poor accuracy, and the lap markers as blue dots.)]]
|[[File:AccuracyGarmin Epix with GLONAS+WAAS.jpg|none|thumb|x300px|Here you can see how GLONAS GLONASS and WAAS have tightened the tracks and reduced the errors. The tracks are tighter and they follow the course much better .(This diagram has tracks color coded with green indicating good accuracy through to read indicating poor accuracy, and the lap markers as blue dots.)]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:ZigZagGarmin Epix.jpg|none|thumb|x300px| Here the Epix does not display the typical GPS behavior of having the tracks that have the green lines shifted slightly down and to the left, blue up and to the right. The errors with the Epix seem more random and diffuse, thought the lap markers are offset, with the blue and green clustered separately. (This image has the tracks color-coded for direction, with green coming from the right, blue from the left.)]]
|[[File:ZigZagGarmin Epix with GLONAS+WAAS.jpg|none|thumb|x300px|GLONAS GLONASS and WAS improve the accuracy, but the pattern does not have the coherence of other watches, though the lap markers are still offset, and maybe a little further apart. (This image has the tracks color-coded for direction, with green coming from the right, blue from the left.)]]
|}
=Comparison Table=
{{:Best Running Watch-table}}
