Due to my function right here at ZDNET, I’ve the chance to judge an intensive variety of wearables, from ones made for out of doors adventures to ones {for golfing}. Naturally, it is all the time powerful to determine — with a brand new watch on my wrist each different week — which is my go-to wearable.
Assessment: Be careful, Apple. Garmin’s Enduro 2 is the extremely sports activities watch to beat
That modified with the Garmin Enduro 2which was launched final summer time and continues to be one of many very uncommon units that I’ve used day by day for a complete yr.
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Garmin Enduro 2
Garmin’s flagship watch of 2022 stays a worthy competitor in 2023 with its photo voltaic show, LED flashlight, excellent battery life, and software program updates that preserve it up to date with the latest watches.
A yr later, the Enduro 2 nonetheless squeezes out longer-rated battery life than most rivals, due to its GPS mode, getting roughly 110 hours per cost, generally extra. It stays the battery champ for Garmin and I actually love trying on the estimated battery remaining and seeing weeks out there whereas solely charging the watch about as soon as a month.
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When you spend time operating stadium stairs or mountain climbing mountains, then you may additionally be all in favour of incomes Expedition badges with the Enduro 2. I may even earn badges by skipping the elevator in favor of the steps on the workplace. There are badges for elevation modifications and step depend, however you possibly can solely work in the direction of incomes badges with one hike or climb at a time.
The colourful lime inexperienced begin/cease button and inexperienced bezel highlights on the hour markers attraction to me and I might actually pay the additional $100 value of the Enduro 2 over the newer Fenix 7X Professional Sapphire Photo voltaic for the colour scheme alone. I bought a inexperienced and grey elastic loop band to accompany the Enduro 2 and it appears implausible.
The highest proper button is the beginning button, protected by the watch case
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
Remember that the Garmin Enduro 2 is a really massive watch, however with the elastic loop band and my wrist measurement, I barely really feel it hooked up to my wrist. I am positive I may need felt it to start with however after a yr of sporting it day by day. it has change into part of my physique.
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Many new Garmin high-end watches have vibrant AMOLED shows, however by selecting this show know-how you must compromise with battery life and photo voltaic charging. As a lot as I really like the intense screens, the large numbers on the Enduro 2 look simply superb on the memory-in-pixel show. And when taking part in out of doors actions, this show will get loads vibrant.
The LED flashlight on the Enduro 2 set the usual final yr and continues to be probably the greatest in 2023. I exploit the flashlight day by day and have not been in a position to return to utilizing a watch with out the function.
The highest LED gentle on the Garmin Enduro 2 lights up the darkish
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
I’ve had the chance to check out a Garmin GPS sports activities watch with the very best of each worlds, an LED flashlight and an AMOLED show, however nonetheless discover the Enduro 2 a barely higher match for my way of life. The one factor I can consider that Garmin may add to the Enduro 2 is built-in mobile help for emergencies and sharing my location with relations as I take part in wilderness actions.
Additionally: Why my Garmin Enduro 2’s LED flashlight is my favourite function
We noticed such a function come to the Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE and I actually cannot consider anything that might make the Enduro any higher.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
Garmin launched a number of new watches in 2023 with LED flashlights and glorious battery life, just like the Epix Professional and Fenix 7X Professional. Each supply an analogous expertise to the Garmin Enduro 2 and for brand new patrons, one among these two is probably going the higher selection due to the cheaper price tags.
Nonetheless, the Enduro 2 squeaks out a bit extra endurance, sufficient to warrant a spot on my wrist on daily basis. When you already personal an Enduro 2, get pleasure from it and preserve utilizing it for years to return. Garmin has been actively updating its watches for the previous couple of years and the Enduro 2 has the potential to maintain you transferring ahead for some time.
