Clear prompts lead me step-by-step through the process, which took roughly 10 minutes. Get 24/7 health and wellness monitoring with wrist-based heart rate, Pulse Ox (not available in all countries), stress, and enhanced sleep tracking (this device is intended to give an estimation of your activity and metrics; it is not a medical device). Digital Trends Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on our sites. It does, however, have automatic rep counting thanks to the gyroscope. Garmin advertises 14 days of battery life under regular usage and 16 hours in GPS mode. The watch syncs up quickly. If you are, for example, tracking a mountaineering expedition, this reading can help your analyze your high-altitude acclimatization. Released in 2018, the original Garmin Instinct watch was a popular, durable fitness tracker with a deep feature well. Do you create great content about any of the products or brands we sell? Purpose-built for tough environments and people who break convention like it's bread, Garmin Instinct GPS watches are mid-range priced outdoor smartwatches created for lifestyles that are anything but mid-range. The Instinct is outdoorsy on the outside and the inside. There are plenty of color options as well. Runners and golfers especially will love the array of advanced features on the fenix 6. Garmin also makes it easy to customize the watch face to fit your tastes. Plus, customize your watch with Connect IQ and use Garmin Pay for contactless payment! I wore it on jogs, to the gym, while packing to move to a new apartment, and on the job as a professional cameraman. The display is clean, bold, sharp, and you can read important information at a glance without having to interrupt your activity. The Garmin Instinct is more of a GPS watch than a smartwatch. But its really worth holding out for a month or two and saving the extra cash for the fenix 6. Take a look at some of the other best Garmin watches. Perhaps more useful is the Incident Detection function, which will contact an emergency contact if an incident is detected during a workout. All Garmin Instinct and Instinct 2/2S rugged GPS watches offer: With all Garmin Instinct and Instinct 2 watches you can train smarter with preloaded activity profiles for running, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and more. Instinct 2dzl Edition is the first rugged smartwatch designed specifically for professional truck drivers who want trackable health metrics, short-break workouts, and many truck plaza conveniences for over-the-road lifestyles. COROS Pace 2 vs Apex Which Watch Is Right for You? Lets dive deep into the comparison so you can make an informed choice! Another highly useful feature that the fenix 6 delivers is a customizable battery saver. Because the Garmin Instinct Solar can draw power from the sun, you may never need to charge it. GPS is a huge eater of battery life, and both watches include modes that prioritize battery life over continuous GPS data. Besides myself, we have a team of runners, cyclists, and cross-fitters who research, write, and edit everything on the website. Unlike the Fenix series, the Instinct lacks onboard topo maps which are not compatible with the low-resolution, non-color display. However, the I, Garmin Instinct 2 Series Daily Smart Features, Instinct Solar, SolarTactical, SolarSurf, & SolarCamo, Smartwatch: Up to 24 days/54 days with solar, Garmin Instinct 2S, Instinct 2S Camo, Instinct 2S Surf, Garmin Instinct 2, Instinct 2 Camo, Instinct 2 Surf, Instinct 2 dezl, Garmin Instinct 2S Solar, Instinct 2S SolarSurf, Smartwatch: Up to 21 days/51 days with solar, Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 50 days/Unlimited with solar, Max Battery GPS Mode: Up to 54hrs/114 hrs with solar, Expedition GPS Activity: Up to 25 days/105 days with solar, Garmin Instinct 2 Solar, Instinct 2 SolarSurf, Instinct 2 SolarTactical, Smartwatch: Up to 28 days/Unlimited with solar, Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 65 days/Unlimited with solar, Max Battery GPS Mode: Up to 70hrs/370 hrs with solar, Expedition GPS Activity: Up to 32 days/Unlimited with solar, Garmin Instinct 2 Series Rugged GPS Watch Colors, Top Garmin Watches of 2022 | Instinct 2/2S vs fenix 7 vs epix (Gen 2), Should You Upgrade to a FlightScope Mevo+ Pro Package? Runners will appreciate the features on both watches. You can receive incoming notifications on the watch, but that is about it. I found one of mine from college, and we spent two days seeing who could wrack up more steps. And the 2022 Instinct 2/2S series keeps that promise of durability and versitility while bringing upgraded features, battery life, sizes, and mission-specific models to fit your lifestyle. Once upon a time runners just put their shoes on and ran, maybe using a stopwatch to keep track of pace and time. The Instinct supports GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo and connects quickly to these satellite systems. While the Garmin Instinct Solar isnt ugly, its also not shy about its rugged nature. We took it hiking, trail running, and backpacking to find out. First, its surprising that the Instinct doesnt measure something as simple and baseline as respiratory rate, but it doesnt! Both can alert you if your heart rate goes unusually high or low. In full transparency, we may collect a small commission (at no cost to you!) In the right corner is a small circular window that by default displays the date, while the rest of the display shows your stats. This can give insight into general health, as well as how effective your workouts are. The Wired Runner is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. The Instincts basic navigation features saved me from getting lost on more than one occasion. But, if you hike, maybe you want to see sun-up and sunset (vampires will like that, too, Id imagine). Subscribe to the PlayBetter Newsletter. Each of the sizes has some small differences in features, with the S being the least feature-heavy, and the X containing the most advanced features. Windsurfing and kiteboarding activities let you measure your GPS position, speed, distance and heart rate; plus, see elevation for your kiteboarding jumps. Nike Pegasus vs Brooks Ghost Which Is Right for You? Garmin offers a one-year limited warranty that covers defects in materials or workmanship. For free. The fenix is packed with golfing features, including: The Instinct is a great smartwatch that offers a wide range of useful features. If weight is of importance to you, the Instinct is lighter on the wrist, at 1.8 ounces (52 grams). He enjoys covering pop-culture, tech, and the conflation of the two. Even though some people report issues with elevation, I had no problems with elevation. A pencil and a notebook were all you had to keep track of your workouts. Instinct vs Instinct 2 Performance Metrics & Sports Apps, With all Garmin Instinct and Instinct 2 watches you can train smarter with preloaded activity profiles for running, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and more. But we truly believe the fenix 6 is the full package, especially for runners. Weather and calendar apps are standard. Non-charging Instinct lenses are made from chemically strengthened glass. Despite the fitness watchs relatively large size45 mm in diameter, 15.3 mm thick, but only 53 gramsI barely noticed it after a week of use. Sensors are all the built-in tech that allows your watch to sense external things, like distance, GPS routes, or altitude. My only complaint is that the black lettering on the dark grey plastic is nearly impossible to read without holding the watch up close to my eyes. The Instinct has stress tracking and offers a relaxing breathing session to lower your stress levels when they rise. Activity tracking is accurate both the heart rate and distance were similar to the Garmin Fenix 6S Pro and the Forerunner 245. One of the first things youll notice is that the fenix 6 costs a good $250+ more than the Instinct. Like most Garmin watches, the Instinct has over 25 different activities that you can track. The Garmin Instinct Solar watch builds on the original Instinct watch and provides a host of features at a price in line with feature-rich smartwatches (though a little less than fashion-forward flagship models). In their design upgrade, Garmin also moved the barometric sensor from the back of the watch to the side to improve functionality. Two independent removeable keeper loops on a fully vented silicone band keep both Instinct and Instinct 2/2S GPS watches secure and ensure they dont get snagged up. Once I had memorized the basic user interface, navigating functions became much fasterand I didnt need to squint. Our review process starts with me, Ben Drew, The Wired Runner founder and head writer. Learn more here. In full GPS mode, the fenix 6 can run for up to 36 hours. It may not have the detailed metrics of the Instinct but the Watch OS app store offers plenty of outdoors-focused apps. Weighing 52 grams and measuring 45mm across the casing, the Garmin Instinct is significantly smaller than the Fenix series. Like most Garmin watches, durability is outstanding. Enter your email to receive our weekly newsletter! The Instinct is more than just a fitness tracker. The fenix has some handy extras in this department. Elevation was accurate within a 100 feet of my Garmin InReach and published summit elevations. It laughs at sweat, wipes clean after hiking through the mud, and wont run out of power when you decide to run a super marathon through the desertor spend a long weekend working in your garden. The first Garmin Instinct watch offered fitness tracking, health monitoring, exercise challenges, as well as outdoor GPS and mapping. It has an adjustable backlight for use at night. You cannot connect to Garmins Connect IQ app store. The $300 Garmin Instinct can be found on Garmins website, Amazon and other online retailers. And, of course, all Instinct 2 series watches are available in the 2S sizeexcept the Solar-Tactical Edition and the dezl Edition. Original Garmin Instinct, Instinct Tactical, Instinct EsportsCase Size : (H x W x D) 45 x 45 x 15.3 mm; Weight: 52g, Garmin Instinct Solar, SolarTactical, SolarSurf, SolarCamoCase Size : (H x W x D) 45 x 45 x 15.3 mm; Weight: 53g, Garmin Instinct 2 All Editions (Instinct, Solar, Camo, Surf, SolarSurf, SolarTactical, dezl)Case Size : (H x W x D) 45 x 45 x 14.5 mm; Weight: 52g, Garmin Instinct 2S All Editions (Instinct, Solar, Camo, Surf, SolarSurf)Case Size : (H x W x D) 40x 40 x 13.3 mm; Weight: 42g. All rights reserved. Also, the upgraded design offers a smoother style and improves functionality. But since when does that matter in a sports watch? This exercise tool is built tough to withstand your workout or a no-holds-barred afternoon on the field. Another feature that can do the same is respiratory rate during exercise, which the fenix also tracks. In short, it handled the day-to-day smartwatch stuff well, which isnt always a given with some of the more fitness-oriented wearables. I also used it hiking on 10 to 12 mile hikes and found the battery had enough stamina to track a day-long hike with juice to spare. Verdict? For beginners looking for a smartwatch to track basics so they can get used to it, the Instinct would be fine. The Garmin Instinct Solar watch connected seamlessly to my iPhone 12 Mini, which I loved being able to leave in my back pocket most of the time. Subject to terms and conditions. This is movement-oriented and can be used for counting reps of exercises or steps. The fenix delivers much more advanced metrics for runners. The fenix 6 has quite a few extra features in this section. This gives insight into how effectively youre breathing! Click here to learn about our review process and affiliate structure. By Brian S. Hawkins Based on my experience, these estimations are not exaggerated. Customizable screens and activity profiles are also present on both models. The Instinct has a 16-hour battery life on the same mode. This burly fitness watch is built for adventure. The direct connection isnt as convenient, but it is faster. It only monitors your heart rate and movement to break down your sleep into light, deep, and REM sleep. The Instinct uses the same basic, intuitive interface found on Garmins other devices. Its important to note that in this usage mode, you lose significant GPS accuracy in tracking your distance and real-time pace. We are available via phone Monday thru Friday from 9AM-5PM ET. My wife and I went for a bike ride around town and the watch told me not only my heart rate, how many calories I burned, and other biometric stats, but it also gave me an extremely accurate map of where we rode. Neither of the watches is heavy, though, and its not likely youll notice much difference when wearing either one. Fitness trackers have become essential gear for athletes, people concerned with health, or anyone living an active lifestyle. Whats more noticeable is the fact that the fenix display is a color screen, while the Instincts isnt. Garmin and other third-party manufacturers offer them in a variety of materials like leather, nylon, and plastic. Check our round-up of the best smartwatches for more options. What you need really depends on what youll be using the watch for. The data you get from your smartwatch can be used to find out your strengths and weaknesses to create better training plans. Plus, I never knew previously how much of a workout I was getting on set; it was nice to learn that my job gives me a passable excuse to skip the gym. Updated May 24, 2022 4:10 AM. Pair with the dzl app on your compatible smartphone for access to workout tutorials that fit within standard break times. A compass, barometric altimeter, and thermometer are built into both. PlayBetter's mission is to provide our customers with the latest training gear from the world's top brands - backed by our unmatched customer service, Free 2-Day Shipping, and No Questions Asked Free 60-Day Exchanges & Returns! The extra features mean youll be covered no matter what sport youre doing. Use jumpmaster mode to calculate high-altitude release points according to military guidelines and helps to navigate you to your objective once youve jumped. However, the instinct in the Instinct Solars name doesnt quite refer to its user interface, which isnt as intuitive as it could be. Unsubscribe any time. From VO2 max to cadence to ground contact time, out watches can track it all. Choose the size that fits your wrist and lifestyle. You can also set up Strava Live Segments on your Garmin. Enable stealth mode to stop storing and sharing your GPS position and disable wireless connectivity and communication. The Instinct has no golfing features whatsoever, so this could be the make-or-break feature for those who love a round or two. You can set race goalswhether youre a beginner or experienced runneras well as personalized training plans. On both of these watches, youll find functions like heart rate zones, maximum heart rate, HR alerts, and the ability to share your HR details with other devices. Tracking in more challenging environments with multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo). Though you cannot get rid of this extra window, you can customize both windows to show whatever metrics you want. Everything You Need to Know, ** total_quantity ** | ** unit_price ** / ** unit_measure **, SHOP ALL GOLF LAUNCH MONITORS & SIMULATORS, Garmin tactix Delta Solar with Ballistics, SHOP THE GARMIN INTINCT 2 COLLECTION ON PLAYBETTER, SHOP THE GARMIN INSTINCT 2/2S COLLECTION ON PLAYBETTER. We hope that you love our articles and find them useful and informative! First up, the most noticeable difference is that the fenix 6 starts around $550-600 (and goes up depending on features/models), while the Instinct (standard) costs about $300. It measured elevation and ambient temperature as wellinformation that would be extremely useful if I were training for bike races. Both of the watches offer three different navigation systems: GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. Instead, our revenue to operate this website comes from affiliate links, including Amazon, Zappos, REI, and others. when you click on some of the links in this post. Smartwatch: Up to 21 daysBattery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 50 daysGPS: Up to 22hrsMax Battery GPS Mode: Up to 54hrsExpedition GPS Activity: Up to 25 days, Smartwatch: Up to 28 daysBattery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 65 daysGPS: Up to 30hrsMax Battery GPS Mode: Up to 70hrsExpedition GPS Activity: Up to 32 days, Smartwatch: Up to 21 days/51 days with solarBattery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 50 days/Unlimited with solarGPS: Up to 22hrs/28 hrs with solar Max Battery GPS Mode: Up to 54hrs/114 hrs with solarExpedition GPS Activity: Up to 25 days/105 days with solar, Smartwatch: Up to 28 days/Unlimited with solarBattery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 65 days/Unlimited with solarGPS: Up to 30hrs/48 hrs with solarMax Battery GPS Mode: Up to 70hrs/370 hrs with solarExpedition GPS Activity: Up to 32 days/Unlimited with solar, Instinct 2S: Graphite, Deep Orchid, Poppy, Instinct 2 Solar: Graphite, Mist Gray, Tidal Blue, Instinct 2S Solar: Grpahite, Mist Gray, Neo Tropic, Instinct 2 Solar Tactical Edition: Black, Coyote Tan, Instinct 2 Solar Surf Edition: Bells Beach, Instinct 2S Solar Surf Edition: Ericeira, Instinct 2/2S Rugged GPS Watches $349.99, Instinct 2/2S SolarSurf Edition $499.99, Instinct 2 SolarTactical Edition $499.99, Instinct SolarTactical Edition $449.99, Instinct Esports Gaming GPS Smartwatch $299.99. Today well be comparing the Garmin Instinct vs Garmin fenix 6, two popular high-end models designed for extensive backcountry adventuring. Garmin Instinct fills the gap between expensive adventure watch and affordable fitness watch. Dual-format GPS coordinates with latitude and longitude references offer unparalleled situational awareness. And you are under absolutely no obligation to purchase from these companies. Both also have swimming features. It also covers all the major health and wellness metrics such as sleep tracking, step counting, stair climbing, calorie burning, and more. I was able to use the breadcrumb map and the backtrack feature to find my way back to the original trail. You can also choose between the standard model, tactical model, eSports, camo, or surf version. Garmin's solar face tech can power the watch indefinitely with three hours of sun exposure each day. Still, its appeal goes well beyond its longevity. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks. Its good for beginners or tactical buffs. They also both track your sleep cycles and hours, hydration level, and menstruation, although youll need to download the Garmin Connect app for these. We expect the watch to last at least three years under normal usage. Enter the $300 Garmin instinct, an affordable outdoors-focused watch that takes the best of the Fenix and houses it in a rugged, good-looking package that rivals Casio. While simplicity is a nice benefit, maximizing battery life provides the primary motivation for the monochrome face. The Instinct screams outdoor watch with a look that reminds us of Casios hardcore sports watches. They also both have something called Garmin Elevate Wrist-Based Heart Rate Monitor, which accounts for external factors when measuring heart rate.