Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - Instinct 2S Solar 40 mm Smartwatch Fiber-reinforced Polymer - Neo Tropic
Average customer rating
4.3
(163 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 163 reviews
5 Stars
104
4 Stars
33
3 Stars
9
2 Stars
4
1 Star
13
Customer Reviews for Garmin - Instinct 2S Solar 40 mm Smartwatch Fiber-reinforced Polymer - Neo Tropic
Customer Rating
4
Terrible watch band, great watch otherwise
on May 23, 2024
Posted by: Dius
I'm not sure what species they designed the watch to fit comfortably, it isn't a human though. Most 20mm bands can be adapted, which then fixes the problem. Garmin uses a funky oversized pin, that won't fit every band, but there are options. The other downside, certain outside brightness, you won't be able to see the face. Light on isn't quite bright enough. Full daylight, full night it's fine. I'm near 50 and eyesight isn't great so the small script is eh. Those are the cons I've got. The rest is great. Menu nav is good, sensors accurate, workout reps great, battery life amazing, recharge quick.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, May 30, 2024
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Good bang for your buck
on May 24, 2024
Posted by: VJSmith
I have triathlons for 25 years always used a Garmin w HR monitor
I haven’t raced in 4 years and in my training decided to get this model and put my iwatch in the drawer awhile
Response from GarminBy Garmin, May 30, 2024
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Good watch
on May 26, 2024
Posted by: Mexi
I should have gotten the bigger watch face surface..it's a little too small for my eyes to see everything but I finally found a watch face that allows me to read everything even though it's boring. So far the solar charging is less than impressive..and I'm not sure how it will last on a multi day hiking trip. I charged it some in the sun today and for about 90 minutes I got a 2% charge. I bought this hoping it would allow me to trace multi day hikes with the solar charging but I'm skeptical. More to come I guess.
I like that it has built in hiking activities because that's what I primarily bought this for and the track back feature.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, May 30, 2024
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Loving it so far.
on June 1, 2024
Posted by: Velocity Fitness
I got this as a Mother’s Day gift. I have had several Apple Watches and made the switch to Garmin. There was a steep learning curve there for a while, but adapting fairly well. The only issue I have is I have to run with an iPod touch and Bluetooth headphones because Garmin doesn’t have capability to have Apple Music, so that’s been a huge switch, going from listening to music right from my Apple watch to now wearing another device to listen to music, but really that has been the only major drawback, otherwise very happy with my Garmin watch.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, June 3, 2024
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Great watch but poor back light
on June 7, 2024
Posted by: Fixdgear60
Bought this watch about a month ago to replace my annoying Apple Watch. Great battery life and do not have to baby it! Very tough and do not have to by all kinds of accessories to keep from scratching it like an Apple Watch. The only complaint it the back light washes out the watch face with a blue light. Not very easy to read in the dark at any setting. Love this watch and its size. It is a reasonable 40mm and does not bump or get caught on anything!
Response from GarminBy Garmin, June 7, 2024
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
1
Two things I like and a lot of things I hate
on June 7, 2024
Posted by: ReallyNotAFan
Two things I like: The watch will track my runs as runs, which I have had an issue with using another brand of fitness app. I like that the watch records elevation for my runs and hikes.
The things I hate: After my second run wearing the Garmin 2S Solar, Bluetooth stopped working and I cannot get it to work again. When I go to Ctrl > Menu and select the phone icon, I am not given any way to enable Bluetooth or pair the watch with my phone. I have tried to follow all the troubleshooting steps in the owner's manual and none of them work. I also find the watch bulky and the watchband makes my wrist really sweaty when I run. I have another brand's fitness watch and I do not have that issue with it. The app interface is too busy and not easy to customize. I also hate having to use another app to track my calories and water intake. The calorie counting app is free, but every time I tried to use, they tried to sell me the premium version for a monthly fee.
The things I hate: After my second run wearing the Garmin 2S Solar, Bluetooth stopped working and I cannot get it to work again. When I go to Ctrl > Menu and select the phone icon, I am not given any way to enable Bluetooth or pair the watch with my phone. I have tried to follow all the troubleshooting steps in the owner's manual and none of them work. I also find the watch bulky and the watchband makes my wrist really sweaty when I run. I have another brand's fitness watch and I do not have that issue with it. The app interface is too busy and not easy to customize. I also hate having to use another app to track my calories and water intake. The calorie counting app is free, but every time I tried to use, they tried to sell me the premium version for a monthly fee.
I would not buy this again.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, June 10, 2024
Thank you for your review and experience with the Instinct 2S Solar. We would like to discuss this further over email. If you would please email us at product.support@garmin.com.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
1
Very disappointed
on June 19, 2024
Posted by: CDCN
Battery life is no where near the advertised life, the gps is horrible, the ability to modify the watch face is not as advertised, my old Garmin was better in every respect, would not recommend to anyone
Response from GarminBy Garmin, June 28, 2024
Thank you for your review and experience with the Instinct 2S Solar. We would like to discuss this further over email. If you would please email us at product.support@garmin.com.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Love it!
on September 28, 2024
Posted by: Rkm23
I love the battery life and all the features. I do wish however that the smaller Instincts had the actual flashlight. The flashlight that is on the screen is a no for me.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, October 3, 2024
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin