Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - Instinct Solar Smartwatch 45mm Fiber-Reinforced Polymer - Flame Red
Average customer rating
4.1
(732 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 732 reviews
5 Stars
449
4 Stars
122
3 Stars
50
2 Stars
42
1 Star
69
Customer Reviews for Garmin - Instinct Solar Smartwatch 45mm Fiber-Reinforced Polymer - Flame Red
Customer Rating
2
It's just okay
on August 10, 2020
Posted by: Dave B
It is a good watch and does what I bought it for but the solar panels don't charge the watch like my Casio G-Shock. Solar charging is a disappointment but the watch operates like a beast. Good watch overall but overpriced for the quality of the solar changing panels.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, August 11, 2020
Thank you for your review and your experience with the Instinct Solar. We would like to discuss this further over email. If you would please email us at product.support@garmin.com.
Thanks Jenny
Thanks Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
I Am Very Pleased with my New Instinct Solar
on August 10, 2020
Posted by: aktrout
I have had two different FitBit watches and the Galaxy Watch and the Galaxy 2 Watch. The Instinct Solar is my favorite.
I like that it is easy to read in all conditions. I am particularly pleased that with the accuracy and consistency of the heartrate monitor, which is quite important to me. I also like that I can turn off the things I have no interest in using like text notifications and phone calls. I just use the watch as a watch and a fitness tracker that is it. That is all I want.
The battery life is terrific. I don't know what the maximum life is, but it is way over a week. It has been over a week since I charged it last and it is reading that I have 11 days left.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, August 11, 2020
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
What the Apple Watch should have been all along
on August 10, 2020
Posted by: thiswatchisactuallyfire
I’ve gone through a myriad of smart watches since the pebble and fitbit started making waves all the way to the Inspire, Versa, and Apple Watch 3
The weaknesses of all of those smart watches was the fact that they weren’t simple to use but more glaringly their battery life was so short that charging them became a chore. To make matters even worse, only recently have smart watches started keeping the watch face on without you having to do some gesture or motion to see what time it was.
Essentially, they reinvented the square wheel and created gorgeous devices that are functionally useless for anyone that does real work with their devices.
I always ended up using my phone for the time, which made the watches glorified notification devices and why bother charging that every day?
They all ended up being sold at ridiculous bargains because they were taking up space.
This Instinct Solar however will be the last watch I buy unless I break it or they physically brick it.
It’s amazing. I really cannot give enough props to the engineers both of the hardware but also the software.
Solar Charging is one of those “DUH” things every “smart device” should have and it makes it so that you can infinitely increase the longevity of each charge AND you don’t have to fret about the charging wire because you CAN just leave it in the sun and charge it. Brilliant.
The watch faces are minimal and have relevant info. No fluff. I LOVE it! I DO wish I could remove the bottom widget but meh maybe I need to know what the outside temp is.
Navigating their OS is really simple and if you’ve ever worked with a digital watch you’ll be able to figure it out like I did. I didn’t even need to consult a manual because almost all digital watches use a single click and click-hold style of navigation.
I really really really like this watch. It’s the first I’ve consistently worn ever.
I love it’s simplicity and it’s familiarity.
To me, it’s what the Apple Watch should have been all along. THIS is a smart watch. The perfect blend of the old and new school.
Hats off to you guys. Get in touch one day I’d love to buy you some beverages whatever your team prefers.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, August 11, 2020
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great watch
on August 10, 2020
Posted by: RobD
I’ve had this about a week, and I’m loving it. It offers a bunch of features, too among them that it’s solar powered. It works wonderfully for runs, I’d venture to say it’s a bit more accurate than my running app, but takes a bit to get used to using. I would highly recommend this model for the sportsman.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, August 11, 2020
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great watch
on August 10, 2020
Posted by: Big Woe
Haven’t used all the gadgets on it. But so far loving it.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, August 11, 2020
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Best one yet!!!
on August 10, 2020
Posted by: Sparke4
I have owned the Fenix 3, the Forerunner 935 and the Instinct, and so far the Instinct Solar is my favorite. It's powerful and lightweight, ticking all the boxes.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, August 11, 2020
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great running watch
on August 10, 2020
Posted by: TerryD
I've been using this watch for running for about a month now and love it. It's a nice upgrade from my Vivoactive 3 which is also a good runner's watch. For some reason I find the Instinct Solar easier to use and navigate it's features.
I appreciate the use of the buttons vice a touch screen for my uses. One complaint that I have with the Vivoactive 3 was the touch screen's sensitivity in the rain. I always needed to lock the screen in the rain due to changing screens, sometimes changing settings. If you prefer a touch screen you may not like the Instinct Solar.
I also really dig the solar aspect. So far I only need to charge about every 2 weeks. I usually run about 40-50 miles a week with the GPS running and recording my stats.
I enjoy learning how to use the many features. Today I used an option in the running activity that set my distance goal.
I find do far the watch integrated well with my chest strap and I've just added a Inreach Mini.
If you want a rugged watch for running and outdoor activities I think this might be a good candidate. I love it for my needs.
I appreciate the use of the buttons vice a touch screen for my uses. One complaint that I have with the Vivoactive 3 was the touch screen's sensitivity in the rain. I always needed to lock the screen in the rain due to changing screens, sometimes changing settings. If you prefer a touch screen you may not like the Instinct Solar.
I also really dig the solar aspect. So far I only need to charge about every 2 weeks. I usually run about 40-50 miles a week with the GPS running and recording my stats.
I enjoy learning how to use the many features. Today I used an option in the running activity that set my distance goal.
I find do far the watch integrated well with my chest strap and I've just added a Inreach Mini.
If you want a rugged watch for running and outdoor activities I think this might be a good candidate. I love it for my needs.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, August 11, 2020
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Perfect all around watch
on August 10, 2020
Posted by: Cashew59
This is the perfect watch for people who enjoy the outdoors whatever activity they desire,, love the Garmin connect app that syncs to the watch it’s a wealth of information ,, long lasting battery ,,get my text messages ,,, track my runs and hikes it’s the perfect fit for me
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, August 11, 2020
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin