Garmin has an almost overwhelming amount of smartwatches for all types of athletes. While they have a huge selection of golf watches – including the S42, S60, S62, and more – they also have tons of more advanced watches as well.
In this review we’ll compare two premium watches… the Garmin S70 vs. the Garmin Epix Pro.
VS
Garmin S70 vs. Garmin Epix Pro Review and Comparison
Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
Let’s start with the higher end model – the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2. This amazing watch has more sizes and styles than the S70. The slogan, “Your watch, your way” allows you to design the right one for your wrist.
It’s available in three case sizes; 42 MM, 47 MM, and 51 MM. Plus, there are four editions; standard, sapphire, pro standard, and pro sapphire. Prices range from $899 to $999 depending on the size, edition, and model/color.
This is more than a golf watch but one to wear all the time thanks to the amazing health, navigation, and activity features. It has a long battery life (16 days in smartwatch mode) or 30 hours in GPS mode. Not to mention a built-in LED flashlight, responsive touchscreen, and the watch is even resilient as it’s tested to U.S. military standards.
Here are some of the most impressive features of this Garmin smartwatch.
Performance Features
If you’re training for a race, triathlon, or just love the outdoors, this is probably the watch for you. The performance features on this Garmin Epix Pro are impressive including:
- Visual race predictor: Easily estimate your pace for a 5K, 10K, half, or full marathon.
- Training Readiness: A readiness score helps you prepare for the day analyzing your sleep, recovery, and training laid to figure out your ideal schedule.
- Impressive performance metrics: You can gauge advanced metrics such as VO2 max, training load, real-time stamina, and more.
Plus, it has a “Garmin Coach” which provides advice for running from expert coaches.
Navigation and Golf Features
Whether you’re hiking, golfing, or camping, this watch can help you out. It has ABC sensors to navigate your next trail, sky view maps with 2,000 preloaded ski resorts, and of course golf course maps. Like the S70 and other Garmin watches, it has 43,000 golf course maps around the world.
Other golf features include:
- Tempo training.
- Garmin Golf app.
- Digital scorecard.
- Yardage to doglegs and layups.
- Virtual caddie (more on that below).
- Playslike distance (more on that below).
- Yardage to front, middle, and back of green.
Advanced Health Features
It’s never been easier to learn more about your body, health, and recovery with the Epix Pro. You get a detailed report each morning to easily monitor your heart rate and better understand your sleep score. It even has a “jet lag adviser” to help you understand how to alter your sleep or exercise schedule when traveling.
If you’re active with hiking, running, swimming, golfing, and more, this is likely the watch for you. While it’s not cheap it’s like having a personal trainer, doctor, and golf coach on your wrist at all times.
Garmin Approach S70 Golf Watch
The Garmin Approach S70 is a watch that is made for avid golfers who want to take their game to the next level. While it’s not cheap either – $649 to $699 – it warrants the higher price with the features we’ll discuss today. It’s a big upgrade from the Garmin S60 or the S42.
Let’s start with the looks – the Approach S70 has a full color touch screen with a bright display. It comes in two sizes, 42 mm or 47 mm, with three band colors to choose from. Or, you can choose from the QuickFit bands in tons of other colors at $49 each.
When comparing the Approach S70 vs. the Epix Pro (gen 2) it’s important to note they have the same golf features – including 43,000 golf courses. But the Epix Pro has many more advanced features for other health and outdoor activities.
Here are some of the golf highlights that are available with both watches to help your golf game.
Virtual Caddie
Not only do these watches provide front, middle, back distance, they also provide yardages to layups and doglegs. These are much easier to spot on the large touchscreens and make it easier to take the right club for certain shots.
Another highlight of these Garmin watches is the Virtual Caddie. As they said on their website,
“This feature uses your shot data from previous rounds, along with elevation, wind and the layout of the hole to determine which club you should use and where you should aim on your next shot. It’s like having your very own caddie.”
If you’ve ever had the chance to hire a caddy for 18 holes you know it’s a massive benefit. This watch feels like a caddy with so many amazing features including the Playslike Distance.
Playslike Distance
Both of these Garmin watches have the “Playslike Distance” feature which is a huge step up from a rangefinder with slope.
Not only does it help you gauge if a shot is uphill/downhill, it factors in temperature, air pressure, and humidity, to provide a new distance.
This feature should help you have more confidence on every swing as you know the exact distance to the target.
Tempo Training
Did you know that all elite golfers have the same tempo?
That’s right, the best players have a 3-1 tempo, meaning the backswing takes three times as long as the downswing. But training this is easier said than done… until now.
Both of these Garmin watches have a “tempo trainer.”
Here’s how they described it, “Devices that support the TempoTraining metric can measure your backswing and downswing times. The ideal ratio of these times is 3-to-1. By utilizing audible tones or vibrations, TempoTraining helps teach you how to get your swing into the right rhythm.”
Other Golf Features
- Pinpointer: Think of this like a compass always aiming at the flag.
- Green contour data: This helps you understand the slope of a green to improve putting and chipping.
- Auto Shot game tracking: This records full swing shots to better understand your round in a post game performance. It also pairs with the Approach CT10 sensors to include chipping and putting.
Make sure to check out the full specs on the Garmin website as the list of features is nearly endless.
Closing Thoughts
Both Garmin watches are great choices – it just depends on if you want it for golf or other areas of life.
If you’re more health conscious and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, etc. opt for the Epix Pro. It has a more rugged design that can withstand just about anything and has insanely advanced health features.
If you’re an avid golfer who wants to have a caddy on your wrist, opt for the S70. It’s slightly cheaper and still has plenty of health and fitness trackers.
Either way, you can’t go wrong with one of these Garmin smartwatches.
