Garmin Instinct 2 In-Depth Review: 12 Things You Need To Know!

With the Instinct 2 series though, no longer is the watch focused entirely on the hiking/general outdoors realm, now it’s a full multisport/triathlon watch too! Complete with everything from power meter support to mountain bike metrics. It supports nearly every sensor type the Fenix series does, along with performance-focused metrics like training load/status, and recovery. Meanwhile, for day-to-day use, it’s now got Garmin Pay (Solar edition only), pregnancy and menstrual cycle tracking, as well as full Connect IQ app support. And like most Garmin wearables, it further extends its battery profile, now officially claiming ‘Forever power’ in more battery categories with the solar editions (don’t worry, I’ll put that to the test too).

But we’ll get into all those details and plenty more throughout this review. I’ve been testing the Instinct 2 series for quite some time, and have put in countless hours to figure out what works well…and what falls short. I’ve used the Instinct 2, Instinct 2 Solar, and 2S Solar – as well as recruiting my wife to put in hours and workouts on the Instinct 2S Solar. All of this includes a wide variety of conditions from on and off-road riding and running up volcanos, runs in freezing temps, openwater swims, cities to mountain passes, and everything in between. Oceans, forests, deserts, and more.

0:00 Instinct 2 Overview
0:38 Models Explained
1:48 New Sports Profiles
2:42 Connect IQ Apps/Watchfaces
3:24 Battery & Solar Changes
5:00 Training Load/Recovery/Status
5:49 Power Meters, Sensors and Data
6:56 Optical HR Sensor Upgrade
8:03 Heat & Altitude Acclimation
8:33 Phone-Based Configuration
9:12 Widget Glances
9:34 Tactical Edition Kill Switch
10:38 GPS, Elevation, Heart Rate Accuracy
12:42 Watch Stability & Readiness
13:47 Final Recommendations

---

Amazon links I may earn a commission via the Amazon Associates affiliate program.

#Instinct2 #GarminInstinct2 #GarminInstinct

[deantreloar]

I have the Instinct 2 Solar, I love it, but I think the solar charging feature is not nearly as effective enough to justify the price increase. For average users, going in and out of doors, full and dappled sun exposure, it's just not enough. I bought this when I worked outdoors and whatever I gained through solar, I lost with the first workout. Personally, I would strongly encourage folks interested to go with the non solar model and save money.

[TUBEDOUT]

I've had this watch almost a year and love it- use it as my primary watch. As long as you don't need to make phone calls and texts on a watch, it's great.

[bhulk]

Honestly the level of detail you put in your videos are unmatched. Whether its a garmin watch or your gopro enduro batteries, I am so thankful that I stumbled upon your channel.

[alexcrow]

Great work! Very thorough review! I would be happy to see a little update later (if it's possible) in regards to: 
1) software updates (whether they dealt with existing bugs and whether removed restrictions for uploading your own corses, 50 points for a good hike/bike ride is a joke, it's 2022 for God's sake!) Garmin positions Instinct as a good outdoors watch, but instinct 1 solar sucks at dealing with uploaded routes (you either lose half the amount of the points you so carefully planted on the map or get nothing at all)

2) whether their claims for unlimited battery with solar live up to their claims or is it another marketing BS. 

In terms of new colours I am very disappointed with Garmin's policy to lock specific colours for specific sizes/specifications. For example I want to buy Electric lime + 45mm + solar, but it's only available as non solar option. Annoying!

[inakilrg]

Thank you Ray, your publishing tons of content these last weeks!
I’m looking forward the inReach 2 review 😊

[pietrmuffei]

As always: thanks for that much data. I still rock the original instinct and battery life is still good for charging every 2 weeks. Only feature that might push me would be Garmin pay, as the instinct is my daily and I usually have my phone to pay with me. Rocking the 645M for sports

[sammy]

An easily missed feature you didn't mention on the tactical, Its a military feature but also a great safety feature. The tactical can display current location in UTM and also grid reference system. If i needed help id love to give an 8-10 figure grid reference to mountain rescue.

[potholeinsurance]

My family and I just got this for my dad's 50th this Monday, hoping he likes it! He's had the Garmin forerunner for like 6 years now and his strap recently broke.

[fitgearhunter]

I love love love the blooper in the middle - well done. And incredibly great review and summary all around

[ianduckett]

Hah - I knew you and Des would have reviews popping up. Really appreciate your guys dedication! I love my Garmin Instinct but I was really curious how this one stacked up.

[krsb]

Can’t have asked for a better review. Great work. Thank you!

[ChaseTheSummit]

07:29 I feel this lol. Great work Ray! Nailed all of the points!

[VerdeMugurel]

If they also reset the encryption key after the delete it should be safe enough (I guess the data is encrypted so it would be quite difficult to break a good encryption key in a life time, and this way you'll need to guess it first too). Awesome content by the way, I recently ordered the instinct 2x solar after a while of researching the Garmin watches and your videos helped.

[Eric_Casteel]

I appreciate your content. It has helped me pick 3 different wearable. Instinct a while back, a 5x plus about 4 years ago, and I just got this one after this video. Been watching for a LONG time.

[krispewkrem]

I was mainly interested in the surf features.

But the first instinct was absolutely awful for surfing and I’ve realized I just want to surf without worrying about any stupid gadgets or wave count or speed or anything.

Nifty, but doesn’t seem worth the upgrade if you already have an instinct. But for a new watch, this is a badass little setup.

[wallyocho]

I literally just bought the 1 on Monday... of course a new version dropped :(
Update: thanks to this in-depth I made the plunge to turn in the original version for the 2 solar. Thank you!

[DCNewsom]

I’m so glad I found this video. I had no idea there was a S version. I have smaller wrists and the full size was a bit too big.

[christrejbal]

Great review!

I got the OG instinct for black Friday 2021.

As someone who enjoys the ruggedness, adequate HR monitor, body battery, and basic activity tracking, it doesn't seem like I need to upgrade.
But those extra features look awesome!

[fennoman]

As a soldier I appreciate the fact that you can get it in tan colour too and one of the main reasons I chose it over others.

[frenchiemak]

Thanks for the overview Ray! Great info. I just got my updated Instinct 2 Tactical Solar and love it!