Add to your order
- Coverage for accidental damage including drops, spills, and broken parts, as well as breakdowns (plans vary)
- 24/7 support when you need it.
- Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims.
- No Additional Cost: You pay nothing for repairs – parts, labor, and shipping included.
- Coverage: Plan starts on the date of purchase. Drops, spills and cracked screens due to normal use are covered from day one. Malfunctions are covered after the manufacturer's warranty. Real experts are available 24/7 to help with set-up, connectivity issues, troubleshooting and much more.
- Easy Claims Process: File a claim anytime online or by phone. Most claims approved within minutes. If we can’t repair it, we’ll send you an Amazon e-gift card for the purchase price of your covered product or replace it.
- Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
- Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.
- No Additional Cost: You pay nothing for repairs – parts, labor, and shipping included.
- Coverage: Plan starts on the date of purchase. Drops, spills and cracked screens due to normal use are covered from day one. Malfunctions are covered after the manufacturer's warranty. Real experts are available 24/7 to help with set-up, connectivity issues, troubleshooting and much more.
- Easy Claims Process: File a claim anytime online or by phone. Most claims approved within minutes. If we can’t repair it, we’ll send you an Amazon e-gift card for the purchase price of your covered product or replace it.
- Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
- Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.
- Buy a lot of stuff on Amazon? Tons of items eligible for coverage, from the latest tech like Laptops, Game Consoles, TVs, Phones, and Cameras to major appliances, sporting goods, tools, toys, personal care, furniture, and more (not eligible for commercial or business use items).
- Accidents Happen. That’s why for your portable products we cover accidental damage from handling such as drops, spills and cracked screens. We also cover electrical and mechanical malfunctions, power surges, and wear and tear.
- Past and Future Purchases covered. 30 days after you are enrolled, all eligible past purchases (up to 1 year prior to enrollment) and future eligible purchases made on Amazon will be covered by your plan as long as you are enrolled.
- Fast, easy claims. Frustration-Free claims, with most filed in minutes. We will fix it, replace it, or reimburse you with an Amazon e-gift card for the purchase price of your product (excluding tax). File at Asurion.com/amazon.
- No Hidden Fees. For just $16.99 a month + tax you’re covered for up to 5,000 in claims per 12-month period. *THIS PROGRAM IS MONTH-TO-MONTH AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL CANCELED* Coverage for all products ends 30 days after the plan is canceled. Cancel any time.
Add to your order
- Coverage for accidental damage including drops, spills, and broken parts, as well as breakdowns (plans vary)
- 24/7 support when you need it.
- Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims.
Buy new:
$237.48$237.48
Ships from: Amazon Sold by: Big Rocket Man USA
Save with Used - Like New
$225.49$225.49
FREE delivery Tuesday, April 8
Ships from: Tech for Less Sold by: Tech for Less
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6 VIDEOS
-

Image Unavailable
Color:
-
-
-
- To view this video download Flash Player
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar, GPS Outdoor Watch, Solar Charging Capabilities, Multi-GNSS Support, Tracbak Routing, Graphite
Learn more
Return this item for free
We offer easy, convenient returns with at least one free return option: no shipping charges. All returns must comply with our returns policy.
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select your preferred free shipping option
- Drop off and leave!
Learn more
Purchase options and add-ons
Special Feature | Recovery Time; MTB Dynamics; Wrist-Based Heart Rate; Stress Tracking; Sleep Score and Advanced Sleep Monitoring; Body Battery™ Energy Monitoring; Pulse Ox; Fitness Age; Intensity Minutes, Multi-GNSS Support; ABC Sensors; Tracback® Routing; Smart Notifications; Connect IQ™ Store; Safety and Tracking Features; Built-in Sports Apps; HIIT Workouts; VO2 Max; Daily Workout Suggestions See more |
Connectivity Technology | Bluetooth, USB |
Wireless Communication Standard | Bluetooth |
Battery Cell Composition | Lithium Polymer |
GPS | GPS Enabled |
Shape | Round |
Screen Size | 1.27 Inches |
Brand | Garmin |
Model Name | Instinct 2 Solar, Graphite |
Style | Instinct 2 Solar |
About this item
- Go longer than ever with solar charging that gives you unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode (assuming all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions)
- Battery life: in smartwatch mode, unlimited with solar charging in 3 hours of direct sunlight (50,000 lux) per day; in GPS mode, up to 48 hours with solar charging continuously in direct sunlight (50,000 lux)
- Built-in sports apps to take on running, biking, swimming, strength training and more; plus, VO2 Max and other training features
- Live the ultimate connected life with smart notifications and Connect IQ compatibility when paired with your compatible smartphone.
- Track your adventures with the built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter, plus multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo)
- Understand your body better with all-day health monitoring features that track your heart rate, sleep, Pulse Ox, respiration and more (Pulse Ox not available in all countries. This device is intended to give an estimation of your activity and metrics; it is not a medical device)
- Extend your battery life and your time doing what you love using the power manager to see how settings and sensors impact your watch’s battery life and make changes on the fly
- Rugged GPS smartwatch is water-rated to 100 meters and thermal- and shock resistant with fiber-reinforced polymer case and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass
Frequently bought together

Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Top Brand: Garmin
From the manufacturer



Compare with similar items
This Item ![]() Garmin Instinct 2 Solar, GPS Outdoor Watch, Solar Charging Capabilities, Multi-GNSS Support, Tracbak Routing, Graphite | Recommendations | |||||
Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | |
Price | -41% $237.48$237.48 List: $399.99 | -37% $285.00$285.00 List: $449.99 | $279.99$279.99 | $399.99$399.99 | $368.99$368.99 | -15% $529.99$529.99 New Price: $623.95 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Saturday, Apr 5 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 8 | Get it as soon as Saturday, Apr 5 | Get it as soon as Saturday, Apr 5 | Get it Apr 10 - 11 | Get it Apr 2 - 3 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sold By | Big Rocket Man USA | Innovative Housewares | Escape To Nature | Amazon.com | TipTopDeals | A&J Variety Inc |
size | 45 MM | 45 MM | — | 45 mm | regular | One Size |
operating system | — | — | — | Garmin OS | Proprietary Platform | Garmin OS |
display size | 1.27 inches | 1.27 inches | 0.9 inches | 0.9 inches | 4.1 inches | 1.4 inches |
connectivity tech | Bluetooth, USB | Bluetooth, USB | Bluetooth | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB | Gps | GPS |
supported applications | Elevation Tracker, Distance Tracking, Fitness Tracker, Multisport Tracker, Sleep Monitor | Elevation Tracker, Distance Tracking, Fitness Tracker, Multisport Tracker, Sleep Monitor | GPS | Fitness Tracker, Multisport Tracker, Messages, GPS, Find My Phone | GPS | GPS |
input interface | buttons | buttons | buttons | buttons | buttons | buttons, touch screen |
wireless standard | bluetooth | bluetooth | bluetooth | bluetooth | bluetooth | bluetooth |
water resistance | — | water resistant | waterproof | water resistant | water resistant | water resistant |
case material | — | — | Stainless Steel | Fiber-reinforced polymer | LABEL RESINA | Stainless Steel |
gps navigation | GPS Enabled | GPS Enabled | Built-in GPS | Built-in GPS | Built-in GPS | GPS Enabled |
resolution | 480 x 272 | 480 x 272 | 480 x 272 | — | 400 x 400 | 480 x 272 |
Videos
Videos for this product
5:56
Click to play video
Garmin Instinct 2 Review - Watch Before You Buy
The Product Lab
Videos for this product
0:20
Click to play video
Honest review of Garmin instinct 2 solar watch.
Caleb
Videos for this product
5:35
Click to play video
The CLEAR Choice: Garmin Forerunner 55 v. Instinct 2
Mike P.
Videos for this product
2:37
Click to play video
HONEST review of Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
Taylor Pinkus
Videos for this product
1:10
Click to play video
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar - The Best Adventure Watch?
Jeffrey Grant
What's in the box
Looking for specific info?
Product information
Product Dimensions | 1.57 x 1.57 x 0.52 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 1.83 ounces |
ASIN | B09NMKGRMZ |
Item model number | 010-02627-10 |
Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #3,033 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #3 in Handheld GPS Units |
Connectivity technologies | Bluetooth, USB |
GPS | GPS Enabled |
Special features | Recovery Time; MTB Dynamics; Wrist-Based Heart Rate; Stress Tracking; Sleep Score and Advanced Sleep Monitoring; Body Battery™ Energy Monitoring; Pulse Ox; Fitness Age; Intensity Minutes, Multi-GNSS Support; ABC Sensors; Tracback® Routing; Smart Notifications; Connect IQ™ Store; Safety and Tracking Features; Built-in Sports Apps; HIIT Workouts; VO2 Max; Daily Workout Suggestions |
Other display features | Wireless |
Human Interface Input | Buttons |
Scanner Resolution | 480 x 272 |
Color | Instinct 2 Solar (Graphite) |
Whats in the box | Instinct® 2 series smartwatch, charging/data cable, documentation |
Department | Unisex-Adult |
Manufacturer | Garmin |
Date First Available | February 9, 2022 |
Weight | 52 Grams |
Standing screen display size | 1.27 Inches |
Warranty & Support
Feedback

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar, GPS Outdoor Watch, Solar Charging Capabilities, Multi-GNSS Support, Tracbak Routing, Graphite
Share:
Found a lower price? Let us know. Although we can't match every price reported, we'll use your feedback to ensure that our prices remain competitive.
Where did you see a lower price?
Fields with an asterisk * are required
Product Description
Whatever you do, own it with Instinct® 2 Solar. This rugged GPS smartwatch is tough enough to keep up with you and unique enough to fit your style. Plus, solar charging gives you unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode (assuming all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions) so you can take on life’s unlimited possibilities. Do more of what you love with preloaded activity profiles for running, biking, swimming, strength training and more. When paired with a compatible smartphone, you even can stay connected to what matters to you with smart notifications, Garmin Pay™ and Connect IQ™ compatibility. Understand your body better with all-day health monitoring for energy levels, stress, sleep, Pulse Ox and much more (Pulse Ox not available in all countries. This device is intended to give an estimation of your activity and metrics; it is not a medical device).
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this wearable computer to be a perfect smart sports watch with excellent fitness tracking capabilities, particularly noting its heart rate monitoring and activity tracking features. The device receives positive feedback for its outstanding battery life, great features including specialty capabilities and apps, and intuitive setup process. Customers appreciate its durability, noting it can take a beating, and its functionality, with one customer mentioning seamless iPhone music integration. While some customers find the size perfect, others consider it too small.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers praise the watch's quality, describing it as a perfect smart sports watch with a good app.
"...All in all, this is a fantastic smartwatch/fitness tracker for people who value simplicity and phenomenal battery life...." Read more
"...Beats any apple watch and is a great back up when off grid. Watch communicates with satelite to map the GPS if you have zero connection. Buy it...." Read more
"...The integrated strap itself feels like it's good quality, though I imagine it will eventually need to be replaced after a few years of putting it on..." Read more
"...Overall, this is an excellent watch with a wealth of features. Just expect to study the manual and memorize buttons and other functionality...." Read more
Customers appreciate the watch's fitness tracking capabilities, particularly its heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking features.
"...Many watch faces to customize and view the data that is important to me. So far has been very durable and the battery last many days." Read more
"...wanted this for the GPS with outdoor activity and the heart rate and fitness features...." Read more
"...It can take Pulse Ox readings as well, although this feature is disabled (on "manual test only") by default as it gives a bit hit to battery..." Read more
"...GPS - 5 stars- cool feature...you can even use it for navigation...not real easy but pretty accurate, great if you are hiking and..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the watch's battery life, with one customer noting its great capacity.
"...So far has been very durable and the battery last many days." Read more
"...The fit is great and the battery life is as well...." Read more
"...The watch does soak up meaningful charge off solar- a 1 hour bike ride on a very bright day I noticed a 3% increase on the battery- which is about..." Read more
"...battery life - 5+ stars ...I can get 20 days plus on a single battery charge...." Read more
Customers find the watch easy to use, describing it as intuitive and simple to manipulate, with one customer noting that basic information access is straightforward.
"...When I got this watch I was pleasantly surprised by ease of use with respect to swapping through the menus and selecting what you need...." Read more
"...this is a fantastic smartwatch/fitness tracker for people who value simplicity and phenomenal battery life...." Read more
"...measuring steps - 5 stars - works great and even captures indoor swimming better than i..." Read more
"...This Garmin though not was sophisticated, touch screen etc...." Read more
Customers appreciate the watch's features, noting that it includes many specialty capabilities and apps, and does everything they need and more.
"...Step counts are very accurate. The software is great and has way more features than I use but can easily be adapted to bring what one uses to the..." Read more
"...You get three sizes, several special editions that include some specialty capabilities/apps, several colors in each size, and the option of solar or..." Read more
"...Overall response time of the watch, the features and the look is outstanding. Beats any apple watch and is a great back up when off grid...." Read more
"...Though, again, it has a pretty surprising array and number of features---most of which I've never used.) Big fan." Read more
Customers praise the watch's durability, noting its great build quality and ability to take a beating, with no signs of wear.
"...So far has been very durable and the battery last many days." Read more
"...GPS accuracy I've found is excellent, and only take a tiny hit when in "max battery GPS" mode, which uses only 1 of the 2 possible antennas and..." Read more
"Hands down the best watch out there in it's class. Durable and rugged and can definetly take a beating...." Read more
"...This is a rugged watch that is perfect for outdoor activities and I would recommend it unless the key you want to focus on is sleep...." Read more
Customers are impressed with the watch's performance, particularly noting that the solar panel functions well, and one customer mentions it works seamlessly with their iPhone for music.
"...measuring steps - 5 stars - works great and even captures indoor swimming better than i expected, usually does great outside and the app has way..." Read more
"...It calls no attention to itself. The screen isn't tiny or anything: the display is plenty readable...." Read more
"...The app was just updated recently. It works well, but isn't as intuitive as the previous version. Learning curve again, I think...." Read more
"...it is very comfortable to wear, very usable and just plain wonderful. I have no idea how I have lived life without it...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the watch's size, with some finding it fits perfectly on their wrist while others consider it too small.
"...not a huge fan of the strap, I have narrow wrists and it's still a bit short and hard to get buckled just right...." Read more
"...The fit is great and the battery life is as well...." Read more
"...These are improvements, so I bought an Instinct 2s. It is still too big - the primary reason I bought it. I also have a fitbit...." Read more
"...It also doesn't cost a thousand dollars. You get three sizes, several special editions that include some specialty capabilities/apps, several colors..." Read more
Reviews with images

BADASS WATCH!
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2025Color: Instinct 2 Camo (Graphite Camo)Size: 45 MMStyle: Instinct 2Pattern Name: WatchVerified PurchaseI've had Fitbit, amazefit, and samsung. This watch is better. It has a bit of a learning curve coming from a Fitbit but it is so worth it. Tracks very accurately. Step counts are very accurate. The software is great and has way more features than I use but can easily be adapted to bring what one uses to the front screens. Many watch faces to customize and view the data that is important to me. So far has been very durable and the battery last many days.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2025Color: Instinct 2 Solar Tactical (Black)Size: 45 MMStyle: Instinct 2 SolarPattern Name: WatchVerified PurchaseI’ve had smart watches I was issued through the military before so that’s nothing new to me. This is therefore a more I formed review. When I got this watch I was pleasantly surprised by ease of use with respect to swapping through the menus and selecting what you need. Does take some time perhaps to memorize where to go for each item but that is to be expected. I mostly wanted this for the GPS with outdoor activity and the heart rate and fitness features. (Fitbit only ever broke after 3 months, that is to say stopped working out of the blue). The compass is on point and the heart rate monitor is spot on as well. One of the coolest things about this is that it connects to an app and you can look for even better watch faces that have exactly what you want to see on them instead of just the default, that’s the kind of support GARMIN gives with this. I got the watch face that displays heart rate, so I don’t have to swap through menus or use the app to see it in real time. The fit is great and the battery life is as well. You should be aware that some features use up more battery than others, such as active GPS etc, so if you use that you can expect the battery to drain a little bit more quickly. The only adjustment I needed to make was the charging cable, I needed to pinch the lip of the plug with needle nose pliers ever so GENTLY just to adjust them the tiniest amount so it seated properly in the watch which is one of the pictures. I am very happy with this purchase!
I’ve had smart watches I was issued through the military before so that’s nothing new to me. This is therefore a more I formed review. When I got this watch I was pleasantly surprised by ease of use with respect to swapping through the menus and selecting what you need. Does take some time perhaps to memorize where to go for each item but that is to be expected. I mostly wanted this for the GPS with outdoor activity and the heart rate and fitness features. (Fitbit only ever broke after 3 months, that is to say stopped working out of the blue). The compass is on point and the heart rate monitor is spot on as well. One of the coolest things about this is that it connects to an app and you can look for even better watch faces that have exactly what you want to see on them instead of just the default, that’s the kind of support GARMIN gives with this. I got the watch face that displays heart rate, so I don’t have to swap through menus or use the app to see it in real time. The fit is great and the battery life is as well. You should be aware that some features use up more battery than others, such as active GPS etc, so if you use that you can expect the battery to drain a little bit more quickly. The only adjustment I needed to make was the charging cable, I needed to pinch the lip of the plug with needle nose pliers ever so GENTLY just to adjust them the tiniest amount so it seated properly in the watch which is one of the pictures. I am very happy with this purchase!
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2023Color: Instinct 2 Solar (Mist Gray)Size: 45 MMStyle: Instinct 2 SolarPattern Name: WatchVerified PurchaseThe Instict series sites essentially at the bottom of Garmin's smartwatch lineup. It's a monochrome screen, controls are via buttons rather than touch, and it's not a mini-phone for your wrist. That said, I'm really not sure any of those are a bad thing, and in some cases, for the better.
The monochrome LCD screen is easy to read in bright sunlight, something that can't always be said for color TFT touchscreens (or the brightness has to be maxed, zapping the battery in a hurry). It also has battery life measured in weeks, not hours. It's also "always on", so you don't need to waggle your wrist or tap it to wake the screen up to check the time.
I've never been a fan of touch interfaces on a watch. Some brands handle it better than others, but given the form factor, you're trying to either poke miniscule icons, or are just going rough swipe gestures- which can too easily be done accidentally. A few dedicated buttons are clear, easy to use, and accidental inputs are quite rare. The Instinct has five- one functions generally as as "OK", one is "Back", two are up/down for menus, and the third generally functions as a menu/options for whatever screen or activity you're on. It's surprisingly intuitive to figure out.
GPS accuracy I've found is excellent, and only take a tiny hit when in "max battery GPS" mode, which uses only 1 of the 2 possible antennas and takes location data less frequently. Heart rate data also is quite accurate, and seems minimally affected by moisture/sweat. You also don't have to have the watch strapped on uncomfortably tight to get consistent readings, as I've found with some other devices. As long as it's not totally flopping around, you'll get good readings. It can take Pulse Ox readings as well, although this feature is disabled (on "manual test only") by default as it gives a bit hit to battery life.
The companion app I found is easy to use and gives robust data about recorded workouts or activities. It also allows you to configure (most) watch settings, but for some reason a few can only be adjusted on the watch directly. This isn't a big deal, and after initial setup, you won't be needing to touch these much, if ever. That said, unlike a lot of smartwatches, the app or a phone link isn't totally essential. The watch can function entirely on it's own as it has GPS built in (some other watches rely on the GPS in your phone, so away from your phone, they can't do much beside count steps and tell you the time). You can choose to get notifications from your phone on the watch, and being it lacks a speaker or mic can't dictate responses, but you can choose to send a few canned responses like yes/no/can't talk now/I'll get back to you soon, ect without having to stop what you're doing or fish your phone out.
There is a separate app- the main one is Garmin Connect, but there is an "app store" called Garmin IQ where you can download extras like mini-apps for different sports or activities not built in, different watch faces, and even some basic games. I didn't find much of interest there, it seems more aimed for their higher-tier watches with more capabilities, but you can sort by what watch you have and it will only show content that's compatible with yours, a nice touch. The watch face has 12 pre-sets to choose from, 6 each in both "dark on light" and reverse "light on dark" patterns. Each preset then be further customized to change what each data field displays from dozens of options.
The Instinct 2 does support Garmin Pay for contactless payments, though this does require a link to the phone- and Garmin Pay only supports a couple of the major CC's. I don't use this feature (I very rarely use it on my phone either), to me it's just as fast/easy to pull a wallet out and tap the card, than pull my phone out or tap through a few menus on my watch to pull up a payment. But, it's there if you want it.
Also nice is the Instinct line comes in 3 sizes- the "S" 40mm, the standard 45mm, and the "X" 50mm. The S and standard are functionally identical, aside from the standard having a bit larger battery and thus longer life. The X adds a mini flashlight feature, but I carry a EDC light anyway- which is far brighter- and 50mm watches I find a little too chonky for my taste. Some reviews complained about the default band not being hinged, although I think this would only be a concern if your wrists are substantially slimmer or thicker than normal. For the vast majority of people, it will be fine. I find it perfectly comfortable to wear 24/7 and the very fine "notches" give a lot of adjustability to get the fit just right. There are other bands you can get from both Garmin and third parties, including one with hinged pivots.
You also get the option of solar, which enables "unlimited" battery life in theory, but in practice, this won't be the case for most people. Garmin makes this claim assuming the watch gets 3 hours of moderate sun exposure a day, and in "smartwatch mode" only, i.e, not using the GPS. The watch does soak up meaningful charge off solar- a 1 hour bike ride on a very bright day I noticed a 3% increase on the battery- which is about how much it does down each day just in smartwatch mode with 24/7 HR monitoring on. So it recouped a day of battery in only about an hour, cool! It does function, but riding a bike has the watch face directly facing up- other activities like walking/running will net much less exposure (you can check a graph of the last 6 hours), and even on a sunny day, only net a trickle of power. 1 hour of GPS usage also takes about a day's worth of standby time, so if you plan to track activities routinely, don't expect a watch you "never" have to charge". Even if you do so seldom or never, unless you consistently spend several hours outdoor every day, chances are you will still need to occasionally charge it. Still- compared to most smartwatches that need charging every couple days, if not every day, the Instinct offers stellar life. Fresh off the charger, mine reports about 30 days of battery. Using the GPS for a few hours a week to track some jogging, I find realistically, I get between 2-3 weeks before the battery is down to 10% or less and it starts asking for the charger. I'm sure the solar contributes to that, but I don't imagine it added more than a day or two. If you don't spend a lot of time outdoors, or live in a location that's overcast- or you wear a jacket a lot- you can probably skip the solar option and save $100. If you live in a sunny climate and spend a decent amount of time outdoors, the solar can help stretch the battery and net you an extra few days before charges. While I don't doubt the "unlimited" claim is technically possible, it would require foregoing most of this watch's main features (GPS) almost entirely, and spending a fair bit of time outdoors on sunny days.
It does use a proprietary USB charger cable, which pulls about 0.6 watts while charging (so even the most basic 5w charging brick from an old iPhone, or a USB port on a computer, will charge this just fine). The charging is relatively brisk. A full charge from ~5% to 100% took only about 90 minutes (it seems to gain about 1% charge per min), so if you need a quick top up, just a 10 minute plug in can net you another couple days of battery.
All in all, this is a fantastic smartwatch/fitness tracker for people who value simplicity and phenomenal battery life. It doesn't offer the dozens/hundreds of activities to track like some others, and offers only the basics for phone connectivity. It also doesn't cost a thousand dollars. You get three sizes, several special editions that include some specialty capabilities/apps, several colors in each size, and the option of solar or not.
Top reviews from other countries
-
andre desrochersReviewed in Canada on May 14, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars andre
Color: PoppySize: 40 MMStyle: Instinct 2SPattern Name: WatchVerified Purchasequalité
- ShaunReviewed in Canada on December 7, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Watch. Wonderful, amazing, battery life. Great app!
Color: Instinct 2 (Graphite) Non-SolarSize: 45 MMStyle: Instinct 2Pattern Name: WatchVerified PurchaseI purchased this watch several weeks ago. I wanted it to replace a Samsung smart watch that they, as they tend to, abandoned support for in their application.
Wow! I am sincerely GLAD that I chose this Garmin Instinct 2 rather than upgrading to one of the newer Samsung offerings. Not only does the Instinct 2 offer an impressive set of health and fitness tracking features but it does so with a battery life that lasts weeks rather than hours.
Rather than watching my battery fade and planning when to top it up next, I now just enjoy my health tracking with the confidence that I'll be able to access the features and data whenever the inspiration strikes!
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on July 27, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars You know what time it is
Color: Instinct 2S Solar (Neo Tropic)Size: 40 MMStyle: Instinct 2S SolarPattern Name: WatchVerified PurchaseKeeps track of all important data of slee, exercise like weight lifting, cycling, running, swimming ect.
Garmin's are the best worth the money.
Amazon CustomerYou know what time it is
Reviewed in Canada on July 27, 2024
Garmin's are the best worth the money.
Images in this review
-
Edgar MoraReviewed in Mexico on June 4, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente reloj
Color: Instinct 2 Solar Tactical (Black)Size: 45 MMStyle: Instinct 2 SolarPattern Name: WatchVerified PurchaseThe media could not be loaded.
La gran diferencia entre el instintic 2X: el cristal y la carcasa tiene mayor resistencia a la abrasion, tracción y protección contra caídas y arañazos, aplicación de balística, surf, snorkel, y otras actividades que básicamente si no eres de deportes o actividades no te servirá mucho
Edgar MoraExcelente reloj
Reviewed in Mexico on June 4, 2024
La gran diferencia entre el instintic 2X: el cristal y la carcasa tiene mayor resistencia a la abrasion, tracción y protección contra caídas y arañazos, aplicación de balística, surf, snorkel, y otras actividades que básicamente si no eres de deportes o actividades no te servirá mucho
Images in this review
-
jose anselmoReviewed in Mexico on April 15, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Increíble reloj
Color: PoppySize: 40 MMStyle: Instinct 2SPattern Name: WatchVerified PurchaseThe media could not be loaded.