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Tech 2024-02-20

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar: The Survival Smartwatch

Infinite battery life? Almost. The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is the G-SHOCK of smartwatches.

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Garmin Instinct 2 Solar: The Survival Smartwatch
Rating
4.8/5
Price
$349.99
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The Good

  • Unlimited battery in smartwatch mode (with sun)
  • Military standard toughness
  • GPS/GLONASS/Galileo
  • Health tracking

The Bad

  • Monochrome screen isn't for everyone
  • Plastic build feels less premium than Fenix

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar Review

Most smartwatches die in 24 hours. The Instinct 2 Solar can run indefinitely if you spend 3 hours outside a day.

Features

It tracks everything: heart rate, sleep, stress, SpO2, and your GPS location. It has a "Trackback" feature that guides you back to your starting point if you get lost hiking.

Verdict

The perfect bridge between a dumb G-SHOCK and an Apple Watch. If you prioritize function and battery over color screens, this is the winner.