The call of the great outdoors is strong and with that in mind we’d love to introduce you to the Garmin Instinct – a rugged GPS watch built to withstand the toughest environments. With solar charging, the wearable lets you get out and do what you love longer.
The team at Garmin reached out to ask us to review the Instinct 2 Solar and Instinct 2S to test out both watches during our outdoor adventures, and write an honest review of our experience using them. Over the past 2 months we’ve been putting the products to the test in the mountains; hiking, scrambling, climbing, paddle boarding, running and in the gym for tracking workouts.
In this review we’ll look at the following (click to skip to each section):
- Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
- What is the difference between the Instinct 2 Solar and Instinct 2S
- How does Garmin solar work?
- How to set up Garmin Instinct
- How to use Garmin Instinct Solar
- How to connect Garmin Instinct to Strava
- How to start activity on Garmin Instinct Solar
- Does Garmin instinct solar track steps?
- Is Instinct Solar waterproof?
- Is it worth getting the Garmin Instinct Solar?
- Garmin Instinct 2 Solar review
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
Instinct 2 and 2S watches are made for adventures, with built-in activity apps from bouldering to hiking, plus military grade hardware that’ll tackle whatever you throw at it. Instinct 2/2S has unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 72 hours in GPS – because no good adventure story includes “and then I had to charge my watch”.
Constructed to military standards for thermal, shock and water resistance, the Garmin it’s built with a chemically strengthened and scratch-resistant display that’s easy-to-read, especially in direct sunlight. While exploring, feel confident going off the beaten path, as Instinct features multiple GNSS networks to track users location in more challenging environments than with just GPS alone.
With multiple sizes, unlimited battery life, bold new colours, and robust lifestyle features, Garmin’s most unique wearable family is designed for wherever life takes you
What is the difference between the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar and Instinct 2S
The main difference between the Garmin instinct 2 and 2S is size; the Instinct 2 is 14.5mm thick with and 45mm case, while the 2S is 13.3mm thick and has a 40mm case size. Upon review, the 2S seems to be more suited to someone with smaller wrists.
The other notable difference is the battery life. Both watches offer a good amount of battery life in smartwatch mode, however the Instinct 2S is significantly better with a pretty decent 21 days, vs 28 hours for the Instinct 2. We reviewed the Solar edition of the Instinct 2, which lasted around 50 days, promising an indefinite battery life in smartwatch mode.
The Instinct Solar models also offer Garmin pay, for payments on the go. With a tap of their watch to compatible payment systems, users can check out quickly and move on to their next adventure.
How does Garmin solar work?
Garmin’s Instinct Solar models offer unlimited battery life, by converting sunlight into battery power, perfect for any keen outdoor adventurer. Charge on the go with Garmin Power Glass technology, and unlike most other solar charging sports watches, the Instinct will harvest energy without sacrificing the design and look of the watch.
The watch will charge to 100% when in full direct sunlight. You can view the status of the charge and solar usage with a handy line graph visible on the widget of the watch.
How to set up Garmin Instinct and app
The watch is super easy to set up. Once unboxed, charge the watch fully and download the Garmin connect app to your smartphone.
- Press the CTRL button to power up the watch
- Use up and down bottoms to scroll language options
- Press GPS button to select language
- Select check mark to begin paring your phone and open the app
- Create or sign in to your account using the app
- Open settings in app and add device, and select connect it
- Set your user preferences
How to use Garmin Instinct Solar
- Hold CTRL button in to view power saving menu and other settings
- Press GPS button to view, add and track your activates
- Hold SET button to view and set timers and alarms
- Press ABC button for overview
- Hold ABC button to view your compass
- Hold MENU button to view all settings
- Use the MENU button to scroll up in any setting
- Use the ABC button to scroll down in any setting
Now you are ready to start tracking. You can change any of your settings using the watch, or app at any time. Learn more on the Garmin website. www.garmin.com
How to connect Garmin Instinct to Strava
It is really easy to connect the Garmin watch to Strava. Simply open the Garmin connect app > settings > connected apps > Strava > agree and authorise. Once both apps have been connected and synced, you will be able to see 90 days of past activity and anything further tracked.
How to start activity on Garmin Instinct Solar
Before you start tracking activities, you will need to customise the activity types. You can do this via the app or watch. Using your watch, press GPS and scroll down to add (+), then simply scroll through the activities available and add the ones you aim to track regularly.
Once you have all your activity types added to favourites, to start a new activity, simply press GPS, scroll to the activity that you would like to track and press GPS again to begin.
How long does the Garmin Instinct series take to charge
Using the standard method of charging (without being in sunlight for solar), during our tests the watches both took around and 1 hour and 30 minutes to fully charge. There is a handy widget on the screen of your watch that tells you how many days the current battery charge will last you. So if you have 1/5 of battery it will say you have around 5 days worth of power.
Does Garmin instinct solar track steps?
Yes, the watch tracks your steps taken each day and you can view this on the watch face or using the app. You can also set a daily step goal if your looking to hit a specific target each day, with insights and daily/weekly comparisons, as well as distance and calories.
Is Instinct Solar waterproof?
Yes, the Instinct series from Garmin is water-rated up to 100 metres deep. We tested both watches wild swimming and paddle boarding, and both watches are still fully functional after being submerged in lake water. In addition, after 2 months of wearing 24 hours per day, the watch is fine after swimming and showering.
Is it worth getting the Garmin Instinct Solar?
If you’re an outdoor adventurer like us, then we’d highly recommend the solar version of the watch, it gives you the added benefit of charging as you hike / run / climb. If your workouts don’t extend to outside of the gym, then the Instinct 2S is probably more useful for you.
Garmin Instinct 2S/2 Solar review / final thoughts
Both the Instinct 2S and 2 Solar have performed well over the past 2 months of testing. As someone who has tried and tested most brands on the market, I’d say Garmin is my favourite in terms of being tailored for outdoor explorers.
One of the best things about the Instinct series is the TracBack® feature. Before venturing out, you can use the Garmin Explore™ app to plan the trip in advance and when it’s time to head back to camp, the TracBack® feature on the watch can navigate the same route back to the original starting point.
Beyond that, the Garmin Instinct features fitness and wellness tracking and apps to keep you in tune with your body while on the trail, at the gym or in your local park. It’s the perfect all-rounder.
