To set up the Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2), power it on with the LIGHT button, follow the on-screen prompts, and pair it with Garmin Connect if you want phone notifications and activity syncing. Then connect to Wi-Fi to download maps, adjust the map display, add courses, and configure workouts from the Training menu. Menu names and feature availability can vary by activity and software version.
Get started and pair your phone
- Hold LIGHT to turn on the watch, then follow the on-screen setup instructions.
- Pair a compatible phone through Garmin Connect during setup if you want notifications and activity syncing. Garmin says compatible-watch users may also be able to migrate settings and saved courses while pairing.
- Check that the watch syncs with the phone, then charge it before beginning a large map download. This is a practical setup order, not a required sequence.
Garmin’s Getting Started instructions cover powering on and initial setup.
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Download maps to the watch
A Wi-Fi connection is required to download maps. On the watch, hold MENU and go to Map > Map Manager > TopoActive Maps > Add Map. Choose a map, press START, and select Download. If the download is queued, connect the watch to external power; Garmin may hold queued downloads until then to limit battery drain.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Map availability depends on the catalog and region. Check the options shown in Map Manager on your watch rather than assuming a particular map is available everywhere. Garmin documents the download flow in the epix Gen 2 Standard/Pro Series Owner’s Manual.
#1 Best Overall
- Ultimate high-performance smartwatch features a 1.3” always-on, stunning AMOLED display and a scratch-resistant sapphire lens with a titanium bezel
- Built-in LED flashlight with variable intensities and strobe modes gives you greater awareness while you train at night and provides convenient illumination when you need it
- New hill score feature measures your running strength and endurance during ascents and gauges your progress over time
- New endurance score feature combines training data from all your athletic pursuits to help you understand how training impacts your overall endurance
- Gain a more complete picture of your overall health, training and recovery with 24/7 health and wellness monitoring features such as HRV status and Pulse Ox; prioritize your rest and recovery with advanced sleep monitoring (this is not a medical device, and data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked; Pulse Ox not available in all countries)
Make the map easier to read
Map settings let you adjust contrast, orientation, zoom, track color, road locking, and detail. The right choices depend on how you navigate and how quickly you want the map to redraw.
- North Up or Track Up: North Up keeps north at the top of the display. Track Up keeps your direction of travel at the top.
- Dark mode and high contrast: Use these display options to suit your lighting and readability preferences.
- Auto zoom and detail: Auto zoom can adjust the displayed scale; higher map detail shows more information, but Garmin warns it may slow map redraws.
- Track color and Lock on Road: Set how the track appears and whether the map locks your position to a road, where the option is available.
Map options can vary with software and activity. Garmin’s manual explains the available map settings.
Rank #2
- Ultimate high-performance smartwatch features a large 1.4” always-on, stunning AMOLED display and a scratch-resistant sapphire lens with a titanium bezel designed for larger wrists. Physical demensions - 51 x 51 x 15.0 mm Fits wrists with the following circumference: Silicone band: 127-210 mm
- Built-in LED flashlight with variable intensities and strobe modes gives you greater awareness while you train at night and provides convenient illumination when you need it
- New hill score feature measures your running strength and endurance during ascents and gauges your progress over time
- New endurance score feature combines training data from all your athletic pursuits to help you understand how training impacts your overall endurance
- Gain a more complete picture of your overall health, training and recovery with 24/7 health and wellness monitoring features such as HRV status and Pulse Ox; prioritize your rest and recovery with advanced sleep monitoring (this is not a medical device, and data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked; Pulse Ox not available in all countries)
Create or follow a course
Send a course from Garmin Connect
- In Garmin Connect, open Training & Planning > Courses > Create Course.
- Create and save the course, then send it to the watch.
Create a course on the watch
Open an activity and use its Navigation > Courses > Create New menu. The exact choices depend on the activity and software version.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsChoose how the watch handles the route
| Setting | What it does | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Follow Course | Follows the course as drawn without recalculating. | You want to stick to the planned route. |
| Use Map | Navigates using routable maps and can recalculate if you stray from the course. | You want routing that can adapt after a deviation. |
Routing is activity-specific. Other controls can include activity optimization, popularity routing, calculation method, and avoidances, but not every option appears for every activity. See Garmin’s course and routing documentation for the watch’s menu details.
Rank #3
- Ultimate high-performance smartwatch features a 1.2” always-on, stunning AMOLED display and a scratch-resistant sapphire lens with a steel or titanium bezel designed for smaller wrists
- Built-in LED flashlight with variable intensities and strobe modes gives you greater awareness while you train at night and provides convenient illumination when you need it
- New hill score feature measures your running strength and endurance during ascents and gauges your progress over time
- New endurance score feature combines training data from all your athletic pursuits to help you understand how training impacts your overall endurance
- Gain a more complete picture of your overall health, training and recovery with 24/7 health and wellness monitoring features such as HRV status and Pulse Ox; prioritize your rest and recovery with advanced sleep monitoring (this is not a medical device, and data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked; Pulse Ox not available in all countries)
Add and start workouts
From an activity, hold MENU and select Training. Depending on what that activity supports, you can start a quick workout, choose a saved or preloaded workout from Workout Library, or open a scheduled workout in Training Calendar.
To find or build a workout in Garmin Connect, go to Training & Planning > Workouts, then send it to the watch. Only workouts compatible with the selected activity appear. When you start a workout, the watch can show its steps, notes, targets, and data. Strength, yoga, cardio, and Pilates workouts may also display instructional animations. Garmin Coach Plans require a Garmin Connect account and pairing with a compatible phone.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Garmin USA AUTHORIZED - Garmin Full USA Protection | Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2), 42mm, Sapphire, Soft Gold Steel, Light Sand
- Reliable Battery Performance – Get up to 10 days in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode, keeping you powered for daily training and outdoor adventures.
- Built-In LED Flashlight – Adjustable LED flashlight with red safety mode and cadence-matching strobe improves visibility and safety during low-light workouts.
- Advanced Health Monitoring with ECG App – Record heart rhythm data and detect potential signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib) for deeper heart health awareness.
- Advanced Training & Performance Metrics – Monitor endurance score, VO2 max, training readiness, stamina, and recovery time to improve performance while preventing overtraining.
Rank #4
- Ultimate high-performance smartwatch features a large 1.4” always-on, stunning AMOLED display and a scratch-resistant sapphire lens with a titanium bezel designed for larger wrists
- Built-in LED flashlight with variable intensities and strobe modes gives you greater awareness while you train at night and provides convenient illumination when you need it
- New hill score feature measures your running strength and endurance during ascents and gauges your progress over time
- New endurance score feature combines training data from all your athletic pursuits to help you understand how training impacts your overall endurance
- Gain a more complete picture of your overall health, training and recovery with 24/7 health and wellness monitoring features such as HRV status and Pulse Ox; prioritize your rest and recovery with advanced sleep monitoring (this is not a medical device, and data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked; Pulse Ox not available in all countries)
A practical everyday setup checklist
- Pair a compatible phone if you want notifications and activity syncing.
- Download the TopoActive map you need over Wi-Fi; connect the watch to external power if the download is queued.
- Set map orientation and contrast for readability, and balance detail against redraw speed.
- Transfer or create courses in Garmin Connect, then select Follow Course or Use Map based on whether you want the planned route preserved or routing to recalculate after a deviation.
- Add workouts that match the activity you plan to use, either from the watch’s Training menu or Garmin Connect.
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