Garmin EPIX vs PHENIX3 vs 920XT ??

scott dinhofer

During TOC I noticed a few people using the Garmin Phenix which has led me to explore this device as well as the newer EPIX.

Wondering what opinions people have of these vs the 920XT?

I am currently using the 910XT and considering an upgrade

Douglas Sutherland

Since my ability to tract elevation changes has been lost on the 910xt, I am in the same boat. I assumed the 920XT was the industry standard.

scott dinhofer

the Eipx & Phenix both have "all of the functionality of the 920xt" plus they have some functions for hiking, nav, etc
The Epix lacks Wifi, but has bluetooth.

Iam thinking the mapping feature of the Epix would be good to have on the fly when I explore new bike/ run routes... instead of having to pull out phone and rely on data coverage...

Al Truscott

Epix looks HUGE. Unless Skiing/hiking are part of your life, no need for more than 920.

scott dinhofer

it's shockingly right there with the others
920XT - 1.9” x 2.2” x 0.5” (48 x 55 x 12.7 mm)
910XT - 2.1" x 2.4" x 0.6" (54 x 61 x 15 mm)
Epix - 2.0” x 2.1” x 0.7” (50.8 x 53.3 x 17.8 mm)
Fenix 3 - 2.0” x 2.0” x 0.6” (51.0 x 51.0 x 16.0 mm)

Dino Sarti

Wifi is really nice... It's one of the cooler features of the 920.

novaavant

I had a 910 and sold it when the 920 was coming out and had the 920 for about 2-3 weeks before returning it for a fenix 3. I wanted a watch that I could use as a daily wear watch and the 920 being all plastic and square just didn't work for me. I kept banging it into things mostly because of the square shape and it started to get scratched up pretty quickly. Feature function was great and the screen was really nice but as a daily wear it just didn't work.
The fenix 3 is a round watch with all the same features as the 920 plus the features of the fenix 2. As a daily wear watch it's been great. I have super skinny wrists and it has not bee too big or heavy during swims or runs. Because it's all metal and glass I also have zero scratches on it. The screen is not as bright as the 920 but overall I'm very happy with it. It does everything I need plus some stuff I'm sure I'll never use.
For the same reason as the 920 I don't think the Epic would work for me plus I just don't need all the extra functions of that unit but your mileage may wary. Check out the DCrainmaker reviews if you have an hour to kill, he details out every single feature on all three watches.

MattAaronson

I bought a Fenix and returned it. Couldn't read it easily. Plus it's really heavy. The 920xt is a triathlon watch, pure and simple.

Trish Marshall

Posted By Doug Sutherland on 18 Jul 2015 08:38 AM


Since my ability to tract elevation changes has been lost on the 910xt, I am in the same boat. I assumed the 920XT was the industry standard.

My 910 is always off from my 500 as well as training partners.  I just moved to an area with a hilly mtb trail I want to run and want reliable data on elevation as Choo is a HILLY run!  I did clean the watch and did a hard reset, but data is still janky!  GAH!

Trish Marshall

So how about accuracy? Anyone have good data on that? I just want to run the same route and get similar data. I don't want to think I've run 700ft of elevation when its really only 300 or whatever. Yes, I know the data isn't rock solid, but consistency would be nice!

William Jenks

I have nothing to add to this, but I am sure waiting for the day where we really get to the point that I can wear my "910" as a normal watch as well. That's one of the promises of the Fenix and some people are good with it and some people don't think Fenix is ready for prime time as an every day watch. See the two entries above. :-)

For now, I haven't seen the reason to upgrade from my 910 on a bang/buck basis.

robin sarner

310xt. Cheap. Works fine. Don't have to sell a child if you lose it.