Absolutely agree - also well worth it. But also really not that expensive. Current special I think is $81 for 2 years - and then you can also use for all other streaming services (i.e. Netflix etc). But for cycling - perfect fit.
Just remember many of the races that are live on SuperSport (i.e. TdF) will not stream to South Africa (license issues). To fix that you need a VPN like NordVPN - then just sign onto a UK server for example - and viola! Nearly every race is streamed live! No adds! Cycling Heaven! I use Ematic Android Box - and it all works perfectly.
Epix 2 has built in "display torch" just double tap the top left button. Very bright white screen and I must admit does give off enough lite in a dark room to do whatever may be needed.
3 x Indoor sessions - Avg time 1hr 20 mins per session - I link watch to my Kickr 5
1 x Outdoor session - Avg time 2.5 - 3 hrs. (although sometimes I only use my Garmin Edge when riding outside but sometimes I run both just to compare)
Good review - but for the life of me I cannot quite fathom why people would want to leave the Epix screen on all the time. The gesture mode (with AOD off) is super sensitive and the slightest move lights the screen up. No person on this wonderful planet sits the whole day and looks at his watch face (although the beautiful AMOLED is tempting). With AOD off - I get 10+ day easily and that includes several training sessions. That is perfect for me in terms of charging. I also found that charging the Epix is a LOT faster than what I had with my 6x (and cannot compare with 7 series). So I really do not lose that much recording - about an hour say every 12 days? For me totally acceptable
One week (8 days) into my Epix 2 - and I am chuffed!! Have not missed my 7x large screen AT ALL! Used it on about 4 indoor sessions (outside on bike use my Garmin Edge). Started with 16 days battery life. Right now watch is on 42% (7 days) left. So battery good - check! Outside and in direct sunlight the display is VERY visible - check! Touch screen very smooth no lags/delays - check! Cannot yet download my fav screen (not yet compatible) - not checked! Do I feel I should have bought the 7x (I had a 6x) - ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Dude - you must have had a bad experience somewhere that tarnished you for life. I vehemently differ from you. I will be the first to admin that their software testing/quality control (internationally) falls slightly short of best practices. Sometimes they fix one thing but break something else. More than once - buttend to fix quickly. Garmin SA however - I have had nothing but the BEST SERVICE POSSIBLE!! Especially when devices breaks or pick up some serious issue. Nearly every time this has happened to me - they replaced - no questions asked. Sorry - but I just do not agree with your view - but it is your right to table it though.
Ordered directly from Garmin - you may get cheaper prices once LBS and other sport shops get stock - but I was willing to pay RRP to get it quickly. To be honest - I was surprised to get it 5 days after placing order and paying.
Unbelievable! Screen is bright and crystal clear (excuse pun as it is Sapphire Edt). Brightness at medium only and it is good enough for me. That AMOLED is SUPERB - much much much much clearer than 6x
It seems not everything is touch screen - you need to use in some cases a combination of buttons and screen touch. You would start something on the screen but need to perform some actions via the buttons. Will take a little while to get used to.
Screen touches are VERY smooth and quick to respond.
Not all watch faces are yet on this watch. So my favourite watch screen (Chariot J-Shock) is not yet available for download - just need to be a bit patient. Other watch faces are incredibly clear
Much lighter than my 6x and feel the diff immediately. Ordered a nice red wrist band to go with "red button" - eish what am I?
Smaller screen not even a small worry. Brightness is so good I really do not see the difference. Everything fits perfectly and data screens easy to read.
Still figuring out the watch/phone combination as I read you can now do much more customisations on the phone (i.e. activity data fields setup etc) - need some more time to check this feature. For now I just set it all up on the watch and with touch screen was a breeze really.
I set AOD to off and gesture mode on. Gesture is super sensitive. Hardly a move and screen comes on. Found that sometimes on the 6x the screen did not come on with every arm move.
Will do my first training with watch today and see how that goes.
Took a shower with watch last night and screen changes were all over the place as water fell on the screen. It reacted all the time and jumped between screens. Guess this is expected and one could just lock the touch screen before a shower...or just accept the screen reactions
Charged last night - battery said 16d and right now still shows 16d. Will see how accurate that is - especially when one does training.
Pulse OX - super accurate comparing it with with these medical finger majingies - they were a match (ok 1% diff- but I could just have breathed differently at the moment of measure)
So far - all I can report 🙂
I have mailed Garmin this morning to order Epix 2 Sapphire - awaiting their feedback. I currently have the 6x Pro Solar and the 7x is simply too small a jump to justify the upgrade. The AMOLED display is really a good improvement. I purchased the Venu 2 some time back (I really wanted a Garmin AMOLED watch- ) but sold it within a week as it is very limited in terms of its Indoor Cycling capabilities (i.e. no power trainer sensor etc). The Epix addresses all of that! Will probably try to sell my 6x Pro Solar once I get the Epix.
I mailed Garmin hoping for some info - just got the generic response that they are not able to provide dates or prices a yet. We need to be patient. The Epix really appeals to me but if it will nudge the R20k barrier I am not so sure! Same path as fancy cell phones - ridiculously expensive
Yup saw that - but I am panicking a bit. Between $900 - $1000 over da waters. Can you imagine what they will cost here in SA when launching? I have my eye on the Epix (same as DC Rainmaker) BUT - I have a dreadful suspicion the watch will be close to R20K - and that is just ridiculous!
Read the articles and feel (as I suspected) the jump from the 6x to 7x (hardware wise) is not that substantial. The Epix with the nice screen (AND decent battery life) is the proper upgrade
With all leaks it seems to me the Fenix 7 will not be that big a jump from the Fenix 6. Same screen size, resolution etc. Mostly new sensors and likely touch screen. Other functionality is software related that you can get on Fenix 6 as well. How much enhancements is specific to the hardware? Not a a lot it seems. Seems the Epix 2 is the alternative if you want the NICE display etc. Whether it will have all the same bells and whistles as the Fenix 7 is not yet clear.
In my opinion - bike has no influence whatsoever on the GPS computer. You can ride a scooter, 26 inch, 29 inch or your car - it should measure the same. However every ride can differ slightly for the same course - sometimes you cut corners, take it wide, ride slightly zig-zag etc - all of these can influence distance. But the device used for forward motion has no affect on the computer
Yup we have confirmed time slots and also received a mail to confirm. This mail however does not contain any QR code. It just confirms you have a booking slot.
So - still no QR code SMS received - not me or my son and we both have seeding mails. I guess it is now just going to EXPO to collect number with supported documentation - excluding "this QR code" thing! I so hope we do not get flack at expo entry! Not in the mood for this!
Just because it is the norm does not mean you should accept it as standard! Always look for was to do things smarter/faster. With that said - no flack to give from me. For now it is what it is - hope to enjoy my 20th ride, albeit on my slow MTB with knobbies. My race snake days long done - now just enjoy every ride I do with my son. What a privilege! Brings tears to my eyes!
There is no doubt chaos is brewing. I have booked a slot but that is it. No SMS or QR code received. We also have a driver going to collect on Thursday for about 4 of us. Most of the slots are already filled so our times do not even align. It is 80km away from me - so no easy driving for us. The whole concept of number collection in this digital era should seriously be revisited.
Has anyone received a mail with a QR code after registering for number collection? I received a mail saying tx you have booked - but NO QR code.... yet
