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
5
Great watch for active people
on April 26, 2023
Posted by: Jose D
I use this for all my day to day activities, in and outdoor, but better yet on my bike rides.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Perfect Outdoor Watch
on April 10, 2023
Posted by: Oliver A
Perfect outdoor watch. Quite reliable for tracking my runs, hikes, ascents, and all in between. It's clunky and big, but I expected that and am not wearing it for style points. Solar is solid
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Solid
on April 6, 2023
Posted by: Jeremy M
After 2 years of ownership this watch has never let me down. It's simple to use, accurate in activity tracking, and lasts several weeks between charges. Tracking information is surprisingly detailed when paired with the Garmin Connect app. Features such as controlling music and locating my phone are welcome extras I use regularly.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Rugged and Long Lasting
on February 5, 2023
Posted by: Danielle V
Overall this product is my every day to go to watch for fitness. I am able to track all my fitness, heart rate, oxygen level, and calories. It includes unique activity tracking such as snowboarding, boating, and SUP. I also find there is a social aspect to wearing one of these in public, definitely a conversation starter. The battery lasts a long time which is nice since I do like to track my sleep and do not want to charge overnight.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Close, But Lacking
on January 2, 2023
Posted by: Anonymous
I've used this watch on a daily basis for about 2 years now. Overall I think it functions well, has a good assortment of activity profiles build in, and the battery life even without the solar is pretty good. I will say though, I'm not really sure how much the solar charging really helps. I think the one thing that prevents me from being able to give this full stars is the lacking function of VO2 max. Being an avid cyclist and wanting to take my training to the next level, I was to be able to see my current training load. In order to do that, you need a device that can do VO2 Max. Even with a chest heart rate monitor, the Instinct still can't deliver that metric. I just ordered the Forerunner 255 because of this, so all my training stats with work together. If it had that one function, I would be all in.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
on November 10, 2022
Posted by: Emma B
I love this watch when I am in the backcountry because it doesn't need to be charged often an I find the GPS really helpful when navigating! The battery has lasted me 30 days!
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
1
Get a second band if you actually do activities...
on October 13, 2022
Posted by: Courtney M
from Atlanta, GA, US
I have had this watch about a year and a half and am an avid whitewater kayaker. So far I have been lucky that the waterproofness has held up. I do not climb or do any other activities where my watch might get snagged or pulled on. The band on mine is about to snap from daily wear. Buyer beware if you expect durability.
Edit: About 18 months in owning the watch it completely stopped functioning and Garmin will not warranty. They are selling me a refurb with only a 90 day warranty. Good luck, hope you get one that doesn't decide to suck right after warranty is up.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Durable, easy to nagivate, packed with features
on September 9, 2022
Posted by: Darragh S
Initially I intended on using this watch for riding and hiking ad I am not accustom to wearing a watch day to day, however a few of the features have led me to keep it on all the time.
I find it really handy for casual and training rides, the GPS and altimeter is surprisingly accurate and even when commuting I find myself checking my speed and pushing myself a little harder. I enjoy tracking my rides and trying to live up to the weekly challenges. I have found every so often I have to calibrate the GPS so which somehow increases the accuracy of altitude.
On to the non active features. I sometimes work as a grip on film sets and I love that I can keep my phone on silent (sometimes vibrate can make noise against my tool belt) and sill not miss any messages or emails. I thought there was no way I would wear it while sleeping but the sleep tracker and body battery was enough of a health advantage that I kept it on.
On to the non active features. I sometimes work as a grip on film sets and I love that I can keep my phone on silent (sometimes vibrate can make noise against my tool belt) and sill not miss any messages or emails. I thought there was no way I would wear it while sleeping but the sleep tracker and body battery was enough of a health advantage that I kept it on.
I haven't worn a watch in years but this has me now impulsively checking the time and my notifications and it is subtle enough compared to other 'smart watches'.
Overall it is a great product and has more utility than I initially thought it would.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin