Fenix 3 and Epix: Garmin SportWatch new top of the range
Two major announcements for the American company at CES in Las Vegas: Fenix 3 and Epix are models developed on the basis of the features seen in the Garmin Forerunner 920XT, integrated with specific functionality for people who spend much time outdoors.
About 2 months have elapsed since the debut of the Garmin Forerunner 920XT SportWatch, model that is positioned by the US as a new reference for fans of triathlon.
Of this product we have had occasion to speak in depth in this news, noting that Garmin has chosen to equip it with all the advanced features of running dynamics already implemented in Garmin Forerunner 620 and Garmin Fenix 2 but extending some advanced features such as the estimated VO2 Max, Also cycling activity.
Today Garmin chooses the frame of CES 2015 in Las Vegas presents the latest in its range of SportWatch intended for triathletes and those who spend long-time outdoors. Let’s talk about Garmin Fenix 3 and Garmin Epix, models that integrate the set of features implemented in Garmin Forerunner 920XT with integrating some specific possibilities.
We start from Garmin Fenix 3 product that joins Garmin Fenix 2 being offered in 3 different versions with slightly different exterior finishes.
Garmin Fenix 3 Silver and Garmin Fenix 3 Dark have price and technical characteristics identical, differing only for the colors, while the model Fenix 3 Sapphire uses a lens in scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and is certified to withstand submersions up to 10 atmospheres against 5 atmospheres of the other two models and Garmin Fenix 2.
These key features of the Garmin three models Fenix 3 SportWatch:
- Sapphire glass lens, stainless steel bracelet (3 Fenix Sapphire).
- Integrated GPS antenna on the bezel EXO ™ with receiving GPS / GLONASS.
- Screen Chroma ™ 1.2-inch anti-glare color, with buttons.
- Sport profiles reset: trail run, cross country skiing, downhill skiing / snowboarding, climbing, hiking, running, cycling, swimming pool / open water, triathlon and others.
- Functions of fitness training as VO2 Max for running and cycling, with Vector® associated alert recovery (when used with a band cardio¹).
- Record personal records and informs you about the time of prediction of the race.
- Equipped with 3-axis compass, altimeter and barometer.
- TracBack, to find always back your track path.
- Smart Notification and compatible with the IQ store Garmin Connect ™ for further customization.
- Compatibility Connect IQ ™ for custom apps, widget, clock faces, and data fields.
- Functions fitness band: daily distance, calories from midnight, number distance covered during the day, sleep monitoring.
- Audible alerts / vibrated and exhortation to the movement.
- Index water resistance up to 50m (100m for Garmin Fenix 3 Sapphire).
- Battery life up to 6 weeks in watch mode, up to 50 hours in UltraTrac mode, up to 16 hours in GPS mode turned on.
The range has been developed by Garmin Fenix for fans of trail, and in Garmin Fenix 3 find all the specific characteristics affecting the fans of this discipline, high autonomy in the first place. Next to this there is no want of what has been developed by Garmin Forerunner 920XT for: this makes Garmin Fenix 3 an ideal product for avid triathlon and in general for those seeking one SportWatch very advanced yet features a design and finishes more than quality (or, to put it in high fashion, with less plastic) than those of 920XT.
Garmin Epix is instead based on a screen 1.4-inch diagonal, color and touch screen functionality, ideal for reproducing the integrated maps in memory of 8 Gbytes. This product has been developed for those users who need to consult a map in real time constantly, using obviously the GPS sensor in conjunction with preloaded maps.
Like Garmin Fenix 3 advanced features are the same that we have seen in the Garmin Forerunner 920XT: this product suitable for fans of triathlon, adding to this the advanced cartography and the benefits of a large display diagonal.
The Garmin Epix main technical characteristics specified by Garmin :
- Touchscreeen color high resolution 1.4 inch.
- Stainless steel case with PVD coating coated resistant.
- Europe preloaded topographic maps 1: 100,000.
- Integrated Memory 8GB to download maps or road Garmin.
- Auto-routing with turn by turn.
- Integrated GPS antenna on the bezel EXO ™ with receiving GPS / GLONASS.
- Barometric altimeter and 3-axis compass with automatic calibration.
- Smart Notification and compatible with the IQ store Garmin Connect ™ for further customization.
- Battery life up to 4 months in clock mode, up to 50 hours in UltraTrac mode, up to 24 hours in GPS mode turned on.
- One-year subscription to BirdsEye2 free included in the product.
The target audience for this product is then, even more than Garmin Fenix 3 , the user moves to walk or run outdoors outside roads and trails and requires detailed maps available.
Since the models that go beyond what is offered by Garmin Forerunner 920XT prices move upward accordingly. Fenix 3 Gray has a list of $499 and $549 in the version bundled with heart rate monitor; for version Fenix 3 Silver lists are the same as for the model Fenix 3 Sapphire the price is $599, available only with band bundle. Garmin Epix is the price of $549, which add $50 for the band included.
