Our review: Great battery life and accurate data combine in this no-fuss, decent-value GPS watch
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Over the last few years Garmin has been pumping out new GPS watches at an impressive rate.
The new devices cover most price points with options starting at a couple-hundred pounds and progressing all the way up to well in excess of £1,000.
At £349.99 (£249.99 for non-solar), the Instinct 2 Solar is considerably cheaper than the Fenix 7. While this is far from cheap, is the Instinct 2 the best ‘budget choice’ in Garmin’s lineup? Let’s find out…
What’s the design like?
Many of Garmin’s top watches come in different sizes, and that’s the case here, with the Instinct 2 available in 40mm, 45mm and 50mm case sizes.
The watch feels very solid and I felt comfortable using it at all times, no matter the activity.
It dealt with any bumps easily enough without suffering any damage and it’s reassuring that the case around the screen protrudes beyond the display, ensuring it’s well protected.
Garmin also says it’s tested to U.S. military 810 standards for thermal, shock and water resistance.
Despite all this, the Instinct 2 Solar still feels lightweight (53g).
How easy is it to use?
Unlike many of Garmin’s newer launches, there’s no touchscreen in play here, but you do of course get the brand’s trademark five-button setup.
I’ve always found this intuitive to use, and that’s the case here, with dedicated buttons for up, down, back, select, backlight.
Long presses take you into the menu system, where you can customise your screens and widgets.
One thing I would note on the buttons, though, is that they do sit closer to the skin than I’ve experienced with many other watches, so it’s easier to catch arm hair when using them!
How does the display perform?
Unlike the Fenix and Forerunner ranges, the Instinct 2 uses a monochrome display.
While it’s still legible, it’s not quite as clear as the coloured screens found on the Forerunner 955 or Fenix 7, and feels a little dull compared to those.
The screen is also smaller than those two watches with a 23mm diameter (on the 45mm version), compared to the 33mm diameter you get on them (though their case sizes are slightly larger).
One thing you don’t get on those watches, though, is a small inset screen in the top right that gives you navigation prompts and handy snippets of data.
On the whole, though, the screen felt functional and if I hadn’t used larger watches, I’m unsure if I’d have an issue.
How good is the navigation?
The Instinct 2 provides accurate GPS data and handy navigational features.
You get a compass, altimeter and barometer, and can also load up your own tracks. These can be planned and imported via the Garmin Connect web app, or you can find a track and upload it in the form of a GPX file.
The map view on the watch comes in the form of a breadcrumb trail, with no details behind the route. If you’re carrying a map and compass (as you should be if in the wilderness), though, that shouldn’t be an issue.
You’ll get prompts of direction via the small inset screen in the top right and there’s also a track back feature that helps you retrace your route should you need to.
What training and performance features does it have?
The Instinct 2 comes with lots of fantastic training features, including training status, which explains the impact that your activities are having on your body, VO2 max, recovery time and daily suggested workouts.
Though never something to be taken as gospel, I have found these functions useful while aiming for fitness goals.
Naturally you also get heart rate info from the on-board optimal monitor, which underpins a lot of the performance info and is largely accurate, as I’ve become used to from Garmin.
There’s also a whole host of activity profiles to choose from, allowing you to track most sports you can think of.
What other features are there?
Most modern smart/GPS watches have a full gamut of additional features and functionality, as is the case here.
Expect smartwatch notifications (which you can switch off), sleep data, step count, sunset times, music controls and so on.
How good is the battery life?
Remember when I said that the screen was a little uninspiring? Well that compromise means battery life is ace.
In fact, the solar version can theoretically keep going forever (in smartwatch or battery saver modes) if it had the right light conditions each day (that’s about three hours of sunshine in 50,000 lux conditions).
Both the non-solar and solar versions have impressive battery stats. We’re talking 30 hours (48 hours with solar) in GPS mode for the 45mm watch and 28 days in smartwatch mode (potentially unlimited with solar).
Realistically, that’s a good full days of hiking in full GPS mode, though you can tune down the accuracy of the GPS for greater battery, making this a fine option for multi-day adventures.
Buy if…
You want a robust, functional GPS watch that packs incredible battery life and you’re not too fussed about having the fanciest of displays.
If you want a better screen and don’t need something so robust (or with quite as much battery life), check out the Forerunner 255, which is similarly priced.
Facts at a glance: Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
Price: £349.99 (solar, 45mm); £249.99 non-solar
Size: 45mm x 45mm
Thickness: 14.5mm
Weight: 53g
Display type: Monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
Display size: 0.9in (23mm)
Battery life: 28 days (unlimited in its solar guise) in smartwatch mode; 30 hours in GPS mode (48 with solar)
Barometer: Yes
Ready to buy?
For more Garmin models, check out our full roundup of the best GPS watches.
