The latest wristwatch from Garmin uses solar power to last indefinitely. Compared to Garmin’s more expensive smartwatches, this one is a lot more affordable.
Garmin has revealed the Instinct 2 series, a next-gen array of rugged smartwatches featuring a solar-powered model that could potentially last forever without being removed from the user’s wrist to charge.
As a follow up to the Garmin Instinct we evaluated in 2020, the Instinct 2 is the company’s first wearable gadget to claim limitless battery life when utilising the built-in solar charging standard on the 45mm variant. While the solar charging panel alone can’t support regular GPS usage and some other typical demands of the finest sports watches, it can power the Instinct’s smartwatch mode (notifications, basic applications, and so forth) for an endless period of time.
Again, the “smartwatch that never dies” claim applies to the Solar version of the Instinct 2. The Instinct 2 also comes in a normal, non-Solar version as well as Surf, Tactical and Camo models with specific features. The Surf Edition is bundled with a tide widget and Surfline Sessions compatibility, for example. All versions feature distinctive colour choices, too.
In addition to special editions, the Instinct is available in a “S” variant, (or a lower size choice) for the first time. The Instinct 2S is 40mm whereas the Instinct 2 is 45mm. We’ve seen this branding method utilised on one of the greatest smartwatches, the Garmin Venu 2. As much as I enjoyed the first-gen Instinct, it seemed a bit bulky for my wrist, so I’m wondering about if the 2S will be more comfortable to wear.
Regardless, the Instinct 2 still sort of looks like a G-Shock, and I believe that’s part of the lineup’s attraction. There’s no touchscreen like Garmin just put to the Garmin Fenix 7. Instead a five-button array is utilised to browse the different menus and exercise displays.
Speaking of working out, the Instinct 2 is packed with the improved heart rate sensor seen in the Venu 2 and Fenix 7, and allows monitoring for more than 40 activity categories. The watch tells you how hard you should work each day, as well as how much stress you’re under and how much battery life you have left. The Instinct looks to be able to stay up with the finest fitness trackers even if you’re not out in the mountains or seas.
Other significant smartwatch improvements may be seen in the Garmin Instinct 2. For starters, Garmin Pay is now supported, allowing you to make contactless payments with your watch. Additionally, it is compatible with Garmin Connect IQ, making it possible to use third-party apps like Starbucks and AccuWeather.
This might be the most tough Garmin watch ever made for adventurers. For now, we’ll have to wait until we can put it to the test ourselves.
With prices beginning at $349 for non-solar devices and $449 for solar-capable ones, the Garmin Instinct 2 is now available.
Key specifications
- Meets military standard 810 for shock and thermal resistance
- Water-resistant to 100 meters
- Monochrome display
- Over 40 activity tracking types including indoor climb, bouldering, golf and backcountry ski
- Garmin Pay for mobile payments
- Up to four weeks’ battery life in smartwatch mode
Garmin has introduced a new smartwatch to its collection of outdoor devices. The Instinct 2 has scratch-resistant glass and is available in two sizes. As long as the device is exposed to enough sunshine each day, the manufacturer claims that the battery life will never run out. The Inspire 2 is a budget-friendly alternative to the Fenix 7 and Epix watches that were unveiled in January for $349 (£300, AU$549) each.
There is a 40mm watch face on the Instinct 2S and a 45mm watch face on the Instinct 2. Similar to other Garmin watches, both models contain health and fitness monitoring functions, such as a body battery indication, sleep score, and VO2 Max. A new sort of multisport activity allows you to switch between various workouts while maintaining your total time and distance.