Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 3: A Detailed Comparison

## Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 vs Fitbit Versa 3: Detailed Comparison

Choosing between the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 and Fitbit Versa 3 is like choosing between a high-performance sports car and a reliable daily driver. Both have their advantages, but they meet very different needs and budgets. Let’s take a look at a detailed comparison to see which one is right for you.

Design and Build

The Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 is a robust watch made from premium materials like titanium and sapphire crystal. It’s surprisingly durable and looks like it can withstand anything. The AMOLED display is bright and easy to read even in bright sunlight. It’s a colorful watch, but it’s quite bulky, so not everyone will be comfortable wearing it all day.

The Fitbit Versa 3, on the other hand, is much sleeker and lighter. Its 1.5-inch AMOLED display is bright, clear, and comfortable to wear around the clock. As a more casual wearable device, it’s designed to integrate seamlessly into everyday life.

Features and Functionality

The Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 is packed full of features for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. It offers comprehensive tracking for a wide range of sports and activities, customizable metrics, and advanced navigation tools with topographic maps. GPS tracking is surprisingly accurate, and battery life is impressive, especially considering the AMOLED display. However, the interface can be complicated and overwhelming for new users, and basic smartwatch features like a voice assistant and speaker for calls are missing. Also, the step counter sometimes counts too many steps based on hand gestures.

The Fitbit Versa 3 isn’t as feature-rich as the Garmin, but it has enough features for everyday fitness tracking and smartwatch functionality. It has built-in GPS, accurate heart rate and sleep tracking, and the ability to take calls on your wrist. You can also choose between Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The Fitbit app is user-friendly and provides detailed health information. However, the touch buttons are unstable, and the UI sometimes stutters or freezes. App selection is also limited, and iPhone users can’t respond to text messages on the watch.

Performance and Accuracy

In terms of performance, the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 outperforms the watch in terms of GPS accuracy and heart rate tracking. The new Elevate Gen 5 sensor is remarkably accurate even during intense workouts. It also offers new metrics like endurance and hill score, although they still need improvement. The battery life is impressive, lasting several days even with the display on all the time and GPS usage.

The Fitbit Versa 3 also provides accurate heart rate and sleep tracking, and the built-in GPS is reliable for most activities. However, SPO2 measurement is only available during sleep and on some watch faces, which is somewhat limiting. The speaker volume is also not loud enough in noisy environments.

User Experience

The user experience of the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 has a difficult learning curve. The interface is complex, and it takes time to get used to all the features and options. However, once you get used to it, the watch will provide you with a wealth of data and information.

On the other hand, the Fitbit Versa 3 is much easier to use. The Fitbit app is intuitive, and the watch is easy to operate. However, the touch buttons are unstable, and the UI is sometimes annoyingly unstable.

Pros and Cons of Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2

Pluses:

• Sturdy construction with premium materials like titanium and sapphire crystal.
• Bright AMOLED display with excellent clarity and outdoor visibility.
• Extensive tracking capabilities for a wide range of sports and activities.
• Accurate GPS tracking and advanced navigation aids.
• Impressive battery life, especially considering the AMOLED display.

Minuses:

• High price tag, especially for the Sapphire Edition.
• Complex interface with steep learning curve.
• Overkill for regular users who may not use all advanced features.
• No voice assistant or speaker for calls.
• Step counter can count steps with hand gestures.
• No solar charging option.

Pros and Cons of Fitbit Versa 3

Benefits:

• Built-in GPS to track activity without a phone.
• Calls can be made on your wrist.
• Choice of Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
• Bright and vibrant 1.5-inch AMOLED display.
• Accurate heart rate and sleep tracking.
• Convenient Fitbit app and detailed health information.

Minuses:

• Inconvenient touch buttons responsiveness.
• Frequent user interface stutters and freezes.
• Limited selection of apps in the Fitbit store.
• SPO2 measurement is only available during sleep and only on certain watch faces.
• iPhone users cannot reply to text messages.
• Insufficient speaker volume.

Overall

The Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 is a high-end sports watch for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who want the very best in data, navigation, and tracking. It requires a significant investment but delivers outstanding performance and durability.

On the other hand, the Fitbit Versa 3 is a great choice for those looking for a more affordable and easy-to-use smartwatch with solid fitness tracking capabilities. It is perfect for everyday use and offers a good balance of features and functionality. Ultimately, the choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and priorities.