Garmin upgrades epix Pro and fēnix 7 Pro Series smartwatches

Garmin is offering its latest feature-packed epix Pro Series GPS smartwatches in three sizes: 42mm, 47mm and 51mm.

They come fully loaded with health monitoring and fitness functions, all accessed via a crystal-clear AMOLED display.

And, despite the power and range of the gadgetry, the watches will keep running for up to a month between charges, although a built-in LED flashlight will drain the power a little faster.

“To be your best, you need the best, and we’re excited to bring innovative features to our most capable smartwatch yet. Packed with innovative training tools, mapping updates, health and wellness insights and more, the new epix Pro Series means you no longer have to choose between the features you want, but rather which size is best for you,” says Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales.

Among the onboard features and accompanying cloud-based smartphone app, the epix Pro Series offers:

• Red Shift Mode changes display colours to shades of red to help users better acclimate to darker conditions and reduce sleep cycle disturbance.
• New, preloaded activities including soccer, basketball, racquet sports, horseback riding and more.
• Better understanding of fitness levels with advanced training features such as hill score and endurance score.
• Runners using the Up Ahead feature can now see certain point of interest checkpoints like aid stations on a map to get a better understanding of what’s ahead.
• An optimised heart rate sensor offers enhanced multisport performance tracking.
• New weather map overlays make it easier to view upcoming weather conditions.
• Relief shading makes topographic maps easier to read.

As well as mains charging, the watches are also topped up with solar power to extend battery life.

The 42mm and 47mm are on sale now starting from £750 for the standard models. The 51mm Pro Standard costs £930.

Garmin fēnix 7 Pro Series

Also new from Garmin this month is the fēnix 7 Pro Series premium multisport GPS smartwatches with solar charging and improvements to training functionality and mapping.

The watches also come with built-in LED flashlights and will run for up to 37 days in smartwatch mode and up to 139 days in expedition mode.

Available models include fēnix 7S Pro – 42mm, fēnix 7 Pro – 47mm and fēnix 7X Pro – 51mm, with options for standard and Sapphire Editions.

Suggested retail prices start at £750.

Enhancements for the latest fēnix 7 Pro Series include:

• Built-in LED flashlight.
• Next-generation MIP display with redesigned pixels and backlight for better readability and increased brightness.
• Heart rate monitor has improved optical sensors and sport-specific algorithms for better understanding of how the body is responding to exercise.
• Endurance score measures how easy it is to sustain prolonged efforts while also taking into account training data like VO2 max, short and long-term training loads and more from all other athletic pursuits.
• Hill score gauges how easy it is to run uphill by measuring running strength on steep climbs and running endurance on long ascents while also evaluating progress over time based on VO2 max and training history.
• Up Ahead alerts wearer to upcoming points of interest on a map such as aid stations.
• Weather map overlays show upcoming weather conditions.
• Relief shading improves legibility of topographic maps.
• Additional preloaded activities: Whitewater rafting, motocross, overlanding and dozens of other new activities help users stay active.
• SatIQ^™ technology and multi-band signal reception combined with multi-GNSS provide superior positioning accuracy in challenging environments, all while optimising battery life.
• Preloaded TopoActive maps provide multi-continent mapping from around the world².
• Outdoor Maps+³ lets explorers receive premium mapping content, like satellite imagery, public land maps, enhanced TOPO maps and more right on the watch.
• SkiView Maps allow skiers to view run names and difficulty ratings for more than 2,000 preloaded ski resorts worldwide while CourseView Maps let golfers access preloaded full-colour maps for more than 43,000 golf courses around the world.