Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - Instinct 2 Solar 45 mm Smartwatch Fiber-reinforced Polymer - Mist Gray
Average customer rating
4.5
(409 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 409 reviews
5 Stars
282
4 Stars
73
3 Stars
29
2 Stars
7
1 Star
18
Customer Reviews for Garmin - Instinct 2 Solar 45 mm Smartwatch Fiber-reinforced Polymer - Mist Gray
Customer Rating
5
The Adventure Watch That's Near Perfect
on January 11, 2023
Posted by: Anonymous
from Boston, MA, US
What I love:
The Instinct 2 is definitely rugged and built for adventure. Battery life is amazing, I go weeks without having to charge it even when I track workouts and adventures, not something you can do with an Apple watch. Watch face is inset so it doesn't get scratched easily. I love that when I track a workout it can detect what exercises I'm doing, though it's not always accurate, it's still a really cool function. It can also track climbing grades for bouldering and for rope it can track the height you climb as well as the grade, grade input is manual. The GPS function for outdoor runs, hikes, bike riding, kayaking and other adventuring is amazing. The insights you get afterwards are very informative. For example, for a mountain bike session, it can tell you speed, smoothness of the ride, ascension and the usual stuff like heart rate and distance. It connects with your phone easily, you can get notifications, so you can see who is calling you and can also read your texts.
The Instinct 2 is definitely rugged and built for adventure. Battery life is amazing, I go weeks without having to charge it even when I track workouts and adventures, not something you can do with an Apple watch. Watch face is inset so it doesn't get scratched easily. I love that when I track a workout it can detect what exercises I'm doing, though it's not always accurate, it's still a really cool function. It can also track climbing grades for bouldering and for rope it can track the height you climb as well as the grade, grade input is manual. The GPS function for outdoor runs, hikes, bike riding, kayaking and other adventuring is amazing. The insights you get afterwards are very informative. For example, for a mountain bike session, it can tell you speed, smoothness of the ride, ascension and the usual stuff like heart rate and distance. It connects with your phone easily, you can get notifications, so you can see who is calling you and can also read your texts.
What I don't love:
You can't rely on solar charging with the solar version of the watch, even though the user manual says it could theoretically run forever without being plugged in. It takes a lot of direct harsh sunlight for an extended amount of time to charge the watch any significant amount, you would have to be tanning on the beach on a hot summer day non-stop for an unhealthy amount of time. The tracking for rock climbing is a cool feature but honestly, I'd rather not wear it when I climb. Once you get pumped you don't like having a watch on your wrist, and aside from noting your grade or distance climbed it's not very informative or insightful. You can't store music on the watch, but you can control music through it as long as you have your phone on you.
You can't rely on solar charging with the solar version of the watch, even though the user manual says it could theoretically run forever without being plugged in. It takes a lot of direct harsh sunlight for an extended amount of time to charge the watch any significant amount, you would have to be tanning on the beach on a hot summer day non-stop for an unhealthy amount of time. The tracking for rock climbing is a cool feature but honestly, I'd rather not wear it when I climb. Once you get pumped you don't like having a watch on your wrist, and aside from noting your grade or distance climbed it's not very informative or insightful. You can't store music on the watch, but you can control music through it as long as you have your phone on you.
Overall, would definitely recommend this watch to anyone who is outdoorsy. However, you can skip out on the Solar version. If you're looking for just a running watch, go for the Forerunner, especially with the music storage function. The versatility of the watch with workout and adventure tracking is what sets it apart.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
on January 8, 2023
Posted by: Dashey S
I love the watch! It's very accurate! I just feel it looks too mannish for me.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Product (Firefighter/31/Male)
on January 5, 2023
Posted by: Austin B
Bridges the gap between a full smart watch and a traditional analog watch perfectly. The battery life is unmatched when you consider the available features. I was annoyed with how much time I was spending on my phone as a result of an Apple Watch notification, and the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar ensures I don't miss important notifications while not distracting me from what matters most. ABC features, fitness tracking, and weather are my biggest uses, and I have not had any issues with them whatsoever. The App Store can be tricky to set up and use, but after a learning curve, it's nothing to truly complain about. Overall I could not be happier. Outdoor enthusiasts, public service professionals, military personnel, or anyone looking for a less distracting but feature-packed watch - buy this! 10 out of 10, I highly recommend.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Love it!
on December 30, 2022
Posted by: Abbie S
This is my everyday watch, love the tracking and the app.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
fantastic.
on December 30, 2022
Posted by: Anonymous
from Fresno, CA, US
Used to have a fitbit touchscreen color tracker. Steps were off, and battery life was crap because of all the color touchscreen features.
This watch is perfect. Battery life is incredible. Tracking a few workouts per week, you need to re-charge every three weeks or so. I've found the GPS tracking to be very accurate and the Garmin app is easy to use.
Literally the only thing that was better about the fitbit was that it would automatically track activities. With the garmin, you have to remember to hit start, and hit stop. This watch is great. It does everything I want, and I am really happy with the price. I use it every day.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Best Fitness Tracker / Smart Watch Combo I've Ever Owned
on December 23, 2022
Posted by: Garrett W
I've owned many smart watches over the years from every major brand. From Pebble to Apple and more. Garmin is by far my favorite. The Instinct 2 Solar made me abandon my Apple Watch Series 8 and never look back. This gives you plenty of notifications but offers much more robust fitness and outdoor adventure centric tools. Also, buttons are SO much better than a touch screen for a fitness tracker. Love this watch. Can't wait for the Instinct 3. Oh and did I mention 24 day battery life! Plus the ability for indefinite battery life if you're outside enough! Alright, I'm done.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Exactly what I wanted
on December 22, 2022
Posted by: Anonymous
I got this to track exercise and some navigation when hiking/hunting. Workout tracking and performance metrics are very helpful. The larger watch face is east to read even when running. Definitely recommend for someone trying to get an active watch without really breaking the bank. Definitely recommend.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Instinct 2 solar
on December 21, 2022
Posted by: Anonymous
Amazing watch, remarkable amount of features and great price
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin