Garmin Instinct 2S Solar Standard 40mm Rugged GPS Smartwatch Mist Gray

2024-06-06T20:00:00

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!

Fixdgear60

Originally posted at

2024-05-31T20:00:00

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.

Velocity F.

Originally posted at

2024-05-25T20:00:00

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.

Mexi

Originally posted at

2024-05-23T20:00:00

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

VJSmith

Originally posted at

2024-05-22T20:00:00

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.

Dius

Originally posted at

2024-05-17T20:00:00

Had the Apple Watch previously (for YEARS), much prefer the simplicity of this watch. Only thing I cannot do with this, that I did with Apple, is respond to texts which isn't a big deal. Highly prefer the Garmin.

Whitney

Originally posted at

2024-05-07T20:00:00

Been using the Garmin 2S Instinct for about a month for logging runs and workouts. Overall amazing battery life and a plethora of metrics to track recovery, sleep, and stress. Coming from and Apple Watch 5, this was the upgrade I didn't know I needed.

Johnnyontherocks

Originally posted at

2024-04-27T20:00:00

Great watch. Love the many different activity features. This works so much better than my versa 4.

Ash83

Originally posted at

2024-04-20T20:00:00

Bought four weeks ago. I've had a Tom-Tom and two Samsung watches. While i liked them, I think I love my Garmin. Charged twice; once when I opened the box and then 20 days later. I seem to be getting some solar charging but it is still long sleeve and cloudy time here in Cleveland. Health reports are great. GPS when on runs or hikes in the woods is accurate. I love my Garmin InReach Mini 2 and that was a big reason to go with the Instinct Solar. The Garmin Connect app is amazing. Can't wait to take this on my backpacking and upcoming 21 day rafting trips on the Colorado.

Tommy R.

Originally posted at

2024-04-18T20:00:00

I have only had my Instinct 2S Solar a couple of weeks, so I am still learning about all the features and how I want to use it. But even in two weeks, I find myself not wanting to be without it for a minute. And the solar charging and long battery life makes that possible for longer between charges. I like the basic health stats and the extras that help me with my training for long distance hiking. Great watch at an affordable price!

LollyV

Originally posted at

2024-04-17T20:00:00

I am a previous owner of the Instinct and just love my old watch. This is smaller and the wrist band is much smaller. I am still trying to get used to the differences and the watch face is smaller and has too much information on it. I would prefer to have the option of going back to the face with just 4 fields and larger time numbers. Also, I could push the GPS button and my hiking app would come up first. Now I have to scroll through lots options to hike. Possibly there are ways of reordering the options. Also, the altimeter doesn't seem as accurate. So far (winter) the solar feature has had an opportunity to function much.

RobinK

Originally posted at

2024-03-27T20:00:00

Love all the features, more useful than I expected

ChrisH

Originally posted at

2024-03-11T20:00:00

Nice but the watch band is a little small! Wish they had a option for larger watch band

Elf D.

Originally posted at

2024-03-05T19:00:00

But learning how to use it is challenging moving from nighttime watch face to daytime should be a one button push. Not several buttons and different for morning report screen and afternoon watch face screen. During the day it's easy in the morning the same button routine does not work. Finally found a position that stated do not change watch face by checking on it the watch does not go into night mod with morning report. I have thousands of dollars worth of Garmin equipped Gps units & walkie-talkies with maps. All are old all still work I did not have any trouble with the instructions for those units. Suggest you make a cliff notes version of the manual that then references the more detailed portions of the manual this way when you're learning how to use it you can use the shorter version and not have to search through the longer version. The shorter version should include the most commonly used features.

Pathfinder#1

Originally posted at

2024-02-20T19:00:00

Excellent work. Customer service 100% Everything Recommend!

Khriz2024

Originally posted at

2024-02-19T19:00:00

The Fenix 7, like most Garmin watches I've worn, delivers on its promises. I highly recommend this to anyone who can afford it.

Dev2473

Originally posted at

2024-02-13T19:00:00

I'm in love with my Instinct. I love the design and the rugged look. The smaller size fits my wrist perfectly. It doesn't have the fancy touchscreen but I am 100% fine with that. I'd rather have the buttons. It has all the features I want and then some. I wear it all day and night so I can track my sleep. Love the morning report when I wake up. I run and hike a lot and it's been fabulous for that. Bonus-solar powered! Thank you Garmin!

OutdoorsyGrl

Originally posted at

2024-02-12T19:00:00

The watch is just next level! It's amazing! I wear it to bed, work on my cars, and honestly sometimes forget about charging because it last so long. Would recommend for anyone who is looking for a watch that can do it all but still have style to wear with a suit. I get compliments everywhere I go

Thanousay

Originally posted at

2024-02-08T19:00:00

Live pictures from my Ring camera are a plus I did not know I needed. The colors and morning insights are very lovely. First Garmin I've had to loosen due to skin irritation from the charger connection area on the back.

Fenix S.

Originally posted at

2024-02-02T19:00:00

I used the Golf widget and didn't need to use my range finder once. I can't wait to try it this spring for skiing and climbing 14ers in Colorado.

Bob L.

Originally posted at

2024-01-26T19:00:00

I love the watch as it has many features. I have not had a chance to test the bike feature yet, but I am sure it will do its job.

Knox

Originally posted at

2024-01-19T19:00:00

I received this watch about one month ago because I will need a good watch for a long backpacking trip I am taking this year. The watch's solar is excellent and I have only charged it 2 times since I spend a great deal of time outdoors! The battery life lives up to the advertising! The features are wonderful and covers all I need. The Garmin Connect app, sums up my workouts and sleep. There is a bit of a learning curve to understand how the watch works and all that it is able to do...but a little practice makes perfect!

Jodi L.

Originally posted at

2024-01-17T19:00:00

I have had the Instinct 2S Solar for about a month and I'm super glad with this purchase! I love to run, hike, raft, kayak and I feel like this watch fits perfect for my lifestyle. I love the rugged/sporty look of the watch. Also, I love the size of this watch. It doesn't look too big or too small on my wrist. 10/10.

tmorris

Originally posted at

2024-01-17T19:00:00

I was looking to switch out from an aging Apple Watch for like a year now. I finally made the switch over to the instinct 2s solar and am in love with it! I get all of the phone notifications I want without a touchscreen interface! I no longer worry about working on a project and having a touchscreen smacking against wood and breaking (although as a long time Apple Watch user [think generation 1 around the time the 2nd came out] I am very used to protecting my watch which is ANNOYING)?. One of the big reasons I switched is that 3 years ago I ended up getting a full black and white sleeve on my watch arm and had to switch over to my other wrist so my watch wouldn't lock up on me? I was not convinced I would have any luck whatsoever but read a few reviews scattered across the garmin lineup that mentioned dark ink and the sensors still working?. Personally I actually have tested Apple to garmin HR with my garmin being on my tattoo wrist and Apple on the non offending wrist and Garmins doesn't seem to actually be all that affected by my ink? it did take me a minute to find a place the sensor will pick up what it needs too but now that I have I am back to wearing my watch on the correct wrist and I've actually been LOVING it!!!

maxncheese24

Originally posted at

2024-01-17T19:00:00

I got this watch for its long battery life, and to use the basic health tracking functions (calories, heart rate, etc.). I am not using it to track any complex training metrics. Very satisfied with battery life, it's not a watch you need to plug in every couple days. However, the solar charging seems a bit scammy; you might gain "3 days" of charge on a really sunny day but it drops back down much quicker than 3 days. Seems like they exaggerate the number to make you feel like it's doing something but then sneakily reduce it in the background. I also find heart rate monitoring to be very spotty. A lot of the times when I am working out my heart rate will be elevated after a set but the watch is reading 100-110bpm, and will suddenly shoot up to the actual 150-160 once I sit down and my arm is not moving. This delay is very long sometimes, some times it doesn't seem to track at all, and other times it appears to do great. Sleep tracking is also spotty, I've had it tell me I'm sleeping while I'm driving my car down the highway plenty of times. Overall I'm happy with it. I don't expect 100% precision on all of these metrics from a wrist watch. It's great to get a general feel for things, not necessarily high precision.

bob27cat83

Originally posted at

2024-01-07T19:00:00

I brought it one month ago. Iam extremely happy charging coming more than 18days.

Kedar

Originally posted at

2023-12-31T19:00:00

Too early to review but it's cumbersome to learn. Thank goodness for UTube. Not sure solar adds anything to the charging from what I can see. Time will tell on the ruggedness.

Low m.

Originally posted at

2023-12-28T19:00:00

At the beginning it felt weird but because i never had a bulky watch before, once i got used to it i have to say its been great, love everything about it, im a very active person and have to say battery does run out quite quick and the solar does not make a difference, but apart from that great device!

Puente

Originally posted at

2023-12-26T19:00:00

I bought this a month ago and I'm so happy I did. It has great features, from tracking workouts accurately to tracking sleep. The solar power feature is nice, but will probably be more helpful in the summer when the watch isn't covered by a sleeve all the time. I'm still getting use to it and figuring everything out but so far it's great!

SarahHors99

Originally posted at

2023-12-26T19:00:00

I've had this watch for 3 weeks now, and I love it. It's stylish and it works well. Since I'm in the PNW I don't get a lot of sun this time of year, so it hasn't been solar charging much, but still the battery lasts me about 10 days. I like it's customizable settings for activities. My only complaint is that it's not very intuitive . I've had to watch a few videos to figure it out. Also, I wish it connected to Alltrails! Overall, it's a nice robust smart watch.

KayBees

Originally posted at