How to find the right product for you
This Product Comparison Calculator will allow you to compare products in one of two ways. Choose from the two dropdown menus below to auto-populate the product boxes with results, or click on the product boxes to activate your own personalized choices. Once the product boxes are shaded per your liking, click the “COMPARE NOW” button to retrieve a customized product comparison graph.
Currently there are eight product types:
– Watches (and bike computers!!!!)
– Trainers (for cycling indoors)
– Activity monitors (things like Fitbits and step counters)
– Power meters (for cycling)
– Action Cams (things like GoPro’s and the like)
– Heart Rate Sensors (Straps and Optical sensors that measure HR)
– Trainer Apps (for cycling indoors on trainers)
– Drones (primarily sport focused options)
For trainers, the focus is primarily on computer-integrated trainers that provide resistance control. Additionally, like the watches I only include units that I’ve personally reviewed and/or used.
Select product use/budget for a comparison from the drop down menus:
Note: While many running watches have a basic bike mode, only running units that are multi-sport focused are also included in the bike-only results (in addition to bike-specific units). Hiking units are those that include a Barometric Altimeter, Magnetic Compass and navigational functions.
Or select products for comparison by clicking the product boxes below:
Comparison Results:
Function/Feature | Garmin Epix (Gen 2) | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated March 24th, 2024 @ 12:39 pm New Window | ||
Price | $899/$999 | $599/599EUR |
Product Announcement Date | Jan 18th, 2022 | Apr 30th, 2019 |
Actual Availability/Shipping Date | Jan 18th, 2022 | Early May 2019 |
GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes (with Galileo too) |
Data Transfer | USB/Bluetooth Smart/WiFi | USB/Bluetooth Smart/WiFi |
Waterproofing | Yes - 100m | Yes - 50m |
Battery Life (GPS) | 30 to 42 hours (depends on mode) | 36hrs GPS, 60hrs UltraTrac |
Recording Interval | 1S or Smart | 1S or Smart |
Dual-Frequency GNSS | Yes - Sapphire editions only | No |
Alerts | Vibrate/Sound/Visual | Vibrate/Sound/Visual |
Display Type | AMOLED | |
Backlight Greatness | Great | Great |
Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | Yes | YEs |
Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | Yes | Yes | Voice Integration | Garmin Epix (Gen 2) | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Has Mic/Speaker | No | |
Can make/receive calls | No | |
Voice Assistant | No | Music | Garmin Epix (Gen 2) | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Can control phone music | Yes | Yes |
Has music storage and playback | Yes | Yes |
Streaming Services | Spotify, Amazon, Deezer | Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, iHeartRadio | Payments | Garmin Epix (Gen 2) | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Contactless-NFC Payments | Yes | Yes | Connectivity | Garmin Epix (Gen 2) | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | Yes | Yes |
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | Yes | Yes |
Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | Yes | Yes |
Group tracking | Yes | Yes |
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | Yes (via phone) | Yes (via phone) |
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | Cycling | Garmin Epix (Gen 2) | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Designed for cycling | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Capable | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Configuration/Calibration Options | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter TSS/NP/IF | Yes | Yes |
Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | Yes | Yes |
Strava segments live on device | Yes | Yes |
Crash detection | Yes | Yes | Running | Garmin Epix (Gen 2) | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Designed for running | Yes | Yes |
Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | Yes | Yes |
Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI OR HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) | WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI OR HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) |
Running Power | With extra sensor | With extra sensor |
VO2Max Estimation | YEs | YEs |
Race Predictor | Yes, plus PacePro | Yes |
Recovery Advisor | Yes | Yes |
Run/Walk Mode | Yes | Yes |
Track Recognition Mode | Yes | Yes | Swimming | Garmin Epix (Gen 2) | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Designed for swimming | Yes | Yes |
Openwater swimming mode | YEs | YEs |
Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | Yes | Yes |
Record HR underwater | Yes | Yes |
Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | YEs | YEs |
Indoor Drill Mode | Yes | Yes |
Indoor auto-pause feature | No (it'll show rest time afterwards though) | No (it'll show rest time afterwards though) |
Change pool size | YEs | YEs |
Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M |
Ability to customize data fields | Yes | Yes |
Captures per length data - indoors | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Alerts | Yes | Yes | Triathlon | Garmin Epix (Gen 2) | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Designed for triathlon | Yes | Yes |
Multisport mode | Yes | Yes | Workouts | Garmin Epix (Gen 2) | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Create/Follow custom workouts | Yes | Yes |
On-unit interval Feature | YEs | YEs |
Training Calendar Functionality | Yes | Yes | Functions | Garmin Epix (Gen 2) | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Auto Start/Stop | Yes | Yes |
Virtual Partner Feature | YEs | YEs |
Virtual Racer Feature | Yes | Yes |
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | Yes | Yes |
Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No |
Weather Display (live data) | Yes | Yes | Navigate | Garmin Epix (Gen 2) | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | Yes | Yes |
Markers/Waypoint Direction | Yes | Yes |
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | Yes | Yes |
Back to start | Yes | Yes |
Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | Yes | Yes |
Download courses/routes from phone to unit | Yes | Yes | Sensors | Garmin Epix (Gen 2) | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Altimeter Type | Barometric | Barometric |
Compass Type | Magnetic | Magnetic |
Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | Yes | Yes |
SpO2 (aka Pulse Oximetry) | Yes | Yes |
ECG Functionality | No | No |
Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Footpod Capable | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Power Meter Capable | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Lighting Control | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | yes | No |
ANT+ Remote Control | No (can control VIRB though) | No (can control VIRB though) |
ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | No |
ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP) | Yes | Yes |
Shimano Di2 Shifting | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | YEs | YEs |
Temp Recording (internal sensor) | Yes | Yes |
Temp Recording (external sensor) | Yes | Yes | Software | Garmin Epix (Gen 2) | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
PC Application | Garmin Express | Garmin Express |
Web Application | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect |
Phone App | iOS/Android | iOS/Android/Windows Phone |
Ability to Export Settings | No | No | Purchase | Garmin Epix (Gen 2) | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Amazon | Link | Link |
Backcountry.com | Link | Link |
Competitive Cyclist | Link | Link |
REI | Link | Link |
TPC | Link | DCRainmaker | Garmin Epix (Gen 2) | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Review Link | Link | Link |