Garmin Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro unveiled with new LED flashlights and features

Date:
Wed, 31 May 2023 11:00:20 +0000

Description:
Were no longer in the dark! Garmin Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro have arrived, and they look great.

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Garmin Fenix 7 Pro and Garmin Epix Pro have officially been announced, and both watches boast new features including an adjustable LED flashlight for training in the dark, and two new training metrics: the Hill Score and the Endurance Score.

Both available in three sizes - 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm - the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro are, like their predecessors the Garmin Fenix 7 and Garmin Epix (Gen 2) virtually the same watch inside (and outside, as you can see above), albeit two of the best Garmin watches you can buy. Both sport the same titanium bezel, colorways, and size ranges.

The few differences are mainly that the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro has Garmin's battery-extending Power Glass solar technology built into its economical memory-in-pixel screen, whereas the Garmin Epix Pro sports the impressive AMOLED display seen on previous Epix models and this years Garmin Forerunner 265 and 965 models. While the screen is sharper and brighter on the Epix,
that means no solar.

The flashlight, too, has been seen on the Fenix range before, notably the big 51mm Garmin Fenix 7X Solar. Set into the watchs bezel, users can opt for a softer red light to avoid compromising their night vision, or one of four levels of bright white LED light. An eye-catching strobe mode offers additional safety. (Image credit: Garmin)

As it was previously only available on the biggest, most expensive model, its good to see the flashlight filter down to all sizes, even the dinky 42mm
Fenix 7S Pro and 42mm Epix Pro, which are the watches we tested. What is
brand new, however, are the Endurance Scores and Hill Scores. The Hill Score is a new metric based on power output that, put quite simply, rates your ability to run uphill.

Below the surface, you can use your hill score to uncover a lot about the
kind of power your legs can generate for short periods. Your Endurance Score is a measure of your ability to complete sustained exercises such as longer runs and rides, and uses several statistics to calculate this including your VO2 Max score. Both features need at least two weeks of run data before providing a score, so we werent able to test during our brief hands-on of
both devices.

There are a few cool new features such as Up Ahead, which will automatically flag points-of-interest checkpoints such as aid stations during races, and additional preloaded activity profiles ranging from soccer to whitewater rafting. Both devices are getting updated heart rate sensors said to be comprised of spatially diverse optical sensors and new topographical map overlays to signify weather patterns, so you can see whats coming at a glance while youre out on the trail.

The Epix Pro series starts at $899.99 / 829.99 in the US for the 42mm model and 47mm model, and $999.99 / 929.99 for the larger 51mmm model. and the
Fenix 7 Pro series starts at $799.99 / 749.99 in the US for the Fenix 7S Pro 42mm model and 47mm model, and $899.99 / 829.99 for the 51mm Fenix 7X Pro. Australia prices are forthcoming but were not available at the time of writing. (Image credit: Future) Analysis: Two amazing watches just got better

After the sudden arrival of the latest Garmin Forerunners this year, we were expecting a fully-fledged Garmin Fenix 8 model to appear soon after. However, the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro series have arrived instead, and the mantra from Garmin seems to be if it aint broke, dont fix it.

The TL:DR of it all is that two of Garmins best watches got slightly better, with two new scoring tools, a bunch of new workout profiles, the Fenix 7Xs
LED flashlight, and improved heart rate sensing. Were not yet sure what
effect the flashlight will have on the devices infamously powerful battery life, but the 7S Pro is said to last 14 days in smartwatch mode, while the 51mm model is said to last an impressive 37 days.

I am excited to see the effect Hill Scores and Endurance Scores will have on my Garmin Connect workout profile as a whole. What many people dont realize
is that all these Training Readiness Scores, VO2 Max, recorded workouts,
Sleep Scores and so on end up building a comprehensive picture of health, a picture that becomes more detailed with each new widget added. A good Endurance Score cant be measured without weeks of sustained heart rate and power output information.

But Im even more excited to go running at night with the flashlight on. Weve only had a brief test of both watches so far, but rest assured, well be testing both best running watch contenders more thoroughly in due course.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/garmin-fenix-7-pro-and-epix-pro-revealed


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