The Garmin Smart Watch, Instinct 2 Solar, is a rugged outdoor watch designed to withstand all elements. With its impressive battery life and extensive features, it has gained popularity among sports enthusiasts. In this review, I will share my personal experience with the Instinct 2 Solar and why it has become my favorite sports watch.
As someone who constantly tests various sports watches, I have been wearing and testing the Instinct 2 Solar for several months. One of the standout features of this watch is its remarkable battery life. In normal day-to-day usage, it can last up to 28 days in smartwatch mode and up to 30 hours in GPS mode. The addition of the solar lens on top of the display allows the watch to last even longer under the right conditions. During a nine-hour GPS tracking activity, the watch still had 78% battery remaining, which is exceptional compared to other sports watches. The monochrome display not only saves battery but is also easy to read in bright sunlight, making it perfect for outdoor activities.
The Instinct 2 Solar offers a wide range of functionality, including tracking steps, heart rate, blood oxygen level, calories, sleep, and more. It provides valuable insights into your health and fitness, such as VO2 Max and training effects. The accuracy of the watch, especially in tracking heart rate, has been impressive, giving results similar to those obtained from a chest strap. While it may lack topographic maps like some other Garmin watches, it compensates for it with its rugged design and extensive health and fitness features.
Garmin Smart Watch: Incredible Battery Life
Its incredible battery life is one of the standout features of the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar. In smartwatch mode, the watch can last up to 28 days, and in GPS mode, it can last up to 30 hours. But what sets this watch apart is its solar lens on top of the display. With the right solar conditions, the watch can actually last indefinitely without needing to be charged. This is a game-changer for those who enjoy outdoor activities and don’t want to worry about running out of battery. Even during extended GPS tracking, the Instinct 2 Solar still maintains an impressive battery life. For example, after a nine-hour hike with continuous GPS tracking, the watch had 78% battery remaining. This exceptional battery life makes the Instinct 2 Solar a top choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
Garmin Smart Watch: Rugged and Functional Design
Reminiscent of a Casio G-Shock watch, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar features a rugged and robust design. Its fiber-reinforced polymer case and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass make it water-rated to 100 meters and thermal- and shock-resistant. This watch can withstand the toughest outdoor conditions without skipping a beat. Additionally, the monochrome display not only saves battery life but also remains highly visible in bright sunlight. The watch’s functionality goes beyond its durability. It offers a range of Garmin sports, health, and fitness features, including step tracking, heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen level measurement, and sleep tracking. The watch also tracks VO2 max, provides training suggestions, and offers insights into your aerobic and anaerobic training effects. Overall, the Instinct 2 Solar’s rugged design and comprehensive features make it a reliable and functional companion for outdoor enthusiasts.
Accurate GPS and Heart Rate Monitoring
Ensuring accurate tracking of your outdoor activities, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar delivers excellent GPS accuracy. Even in the “max battery GPS” mode, which conserves battery life by using only one of the two possible antennas and taking location data less frequently, the GPS accuracy remains impressive. The heart rate monitoring is also reliable, with minimal interference from moisture or sweat. Unlike some other sports watches, the Instinct 2 Solar doesn’t require a tight fit to provide consistent heart rate readings. During strength training, the accuracy may vary slightly compared to a chest strap, but this is a common challenge for most sports watches. Overall, the Instinct 2 Solar offers accurate GPS and heart rate monitoring, enhancing the reliability of your fitness tracking.
Intuitive Interface and Companion App
Easy to use and intuitive, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar features a button-based interface. The five dedicated buttons allow for simple navigation and minimize the chances of accidental inputs. The watch’s companion app, Garmin Connect, provides a user-friendly interface for reviewing your recorded workouts and activities. It also allows you to customize watch settings and access additional features through the Garmin IQ app store. While the app is convenient for configuring settings, the watch itself can function independently thanks to its built-in GPS. This means you can track activities and receive notifications even without your phone nearby. The option to receive notifications from your phone on the watch adds another layer of convenience. Overall, the Instinct 2 Solar’s intuitive interface and companion app enhance the overall user experience.
Versatile Sizing Options and Solar Capability
To cater to different preferences, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar offers versatile sizing options. With three sizes available (S, standard, and X), you can choose the size that best fits your wrist and style. The S and standard sizes offer the same functionality, while the X size includes a mini flashlight feature. The option to choose a solar variant adds another level of versatility. While the solar capability doesn’t provide unlimited battery life for most users, it can significantly extend the battery life when exposed to moderate sun exposure. This feature is especially beneficial for those who spend a lot of time outdoors and want to maximize their watch’s battery life. Whether you opt for the standard or solar version, the Instinct 2 Solar offers a range of options to suit your needs.
Garmin Smart Watch: Overall Value and Satisfaction
Exceptional value for its price is offered by the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar. With its rugged design, impressive battery life, accurate tracking features, and intuitive interface, it provides a satisfying experience for outdoor enthusiasts and fitness enthusiasts alike. While it may lack certain advanced features like topographic maps, it compensates with its reliability, durability, and comprehensive health and fitness tracking capabilities. Whether you prioritize battery life, durability, or functionality,
Pros:
- Outstanding battery life – The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar has an impressive battery life, lasting up to 28 days in smartwatch mode and up to 30 hours in GPS mode. The solar lens on top of the display allows the watch to last even longer with the right solar conditions.
- Rugged and robust design – The Instinct 2 Solar is built to withstand tough outdoor conditions. It is water-rated to 100 meters, thermal- and shock-resistant with a fiber-reinforced polymer case and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass. It is perfect for outdoor activities.
- Wide range of features – The watch offers multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo), built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter, and all-day health monitoring features. It also has built-in sports apps for various activities, VO2 Max tracking, and training features.
Cons:
- No topographic maps – Unlike other Garmin watches like the Phoenix Seven or the Enduro, the Instinct 2 Solar does not have fully integrated topographic maps. This feature may be missed by users who rely on detailed maps for their outdoor adventures.
- Minor accuracy issues during certain activities – While the overall accuracy of the watch is good, some users have reported slight discrepancies in heart rate tracking during strength training sessions. However, this is a common issue with most sports watches.
- Limited customization options – The Instinct 2 Solar has a monochrome display and does not provide colors or touch screen functionality. This may be a drawback for users who prefer more customization options or a vibrant display.
Read also:
- Garmin Vívofit 4: A Reliable Activity Tracker with Impressive Battery Life and Customizable Display
- Garmin vívosmart® 5: A Versatile Fitness Tracker for Health Monitoring and Goal Achievement
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is a standout sports watch with outstanding battery life and robust functionality. For those who prioritize a durable watch and require long-lasting battery performance, this is an excellent choice. Although it may not have all the bells and whistles of higher-end smartwatches, its simplicity and reliability make it a top contender in the market. I am extremely satisfied with my experience using the Instinct 2 Solar, and I highly recommend it to anyone in need of a reliable and long-lasting sports watch.
Questions & Answers:
Question: How long does the battery last on the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar?
Answer: The battery of the Instinct 2 Solar can last up to 28 days in smartwatch mode and up to 30 hours in GPS mode.
Question: Is the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar suitable for outdoor activities?
Answer: Yes, the Instinct 2 Solar is designed to be rugged and robust, making it perfect for outdoor activities. It is water-rated to 100 meters and thermal- and shock-resistant.
Question: Does the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar have built-in sports tracking features?
Answer: Yes, the watch comes with built-in sports apps for running, biking, swimming, strength training, and more. It also offers features like VO2 Max tracking and training statistics to help you reach your fitness goals.
