Garmin Instinct 2X SOLAR, 50mm GPS smartwatch, built-in sports apps & health monitoring, SOLAR charging & ultra tough design features, up to 40 days battery life, Tan

The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar Tactical is a fantastic military styled rugged smartwatch that has pretty much everything you look for in this type of device, but with a utilitarian look that appeals to me. I like the memory in pixel display of the second generation Instinct as opposed to the current gen Amoled models. This does everything the higher end Garmin models do, with a couple of minor exceptions, for hundreds of pounds less in price point. I wear mine 24/7 and it takes a battering at work everyday with hardly a blemish to the hardwearing (yet lightweight) casing. For a big(ish) watch it weights next to nothing, so is comfortable on for extended periods. Monitors every type of fitness activity too, as well as sleep quality, and is relatively easy to use with practice, and has an excellent battery life (top up able with solar exposure). Does the business. Looks the business. Worth the investment.

After using the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar for the past few weeks, I can confidently say it's an incredible piece of technology that has seamlessly integrated into my daily life. If you’re considering this watch and wondering how it compares to the 2 and 2S models, the main differences are the size, battery life and the flashlight. The original Instinct 2 is 45mm, the 2S is 40mm, and the 2X is 50mm. I will attach photos of the front, size and back of the watch, and I have an 18cm wrist for reference. The battery life is also different, with the 2X being the best, then the 2, then the smaller 2S. The flashlight (unexpectedly one of the best features) is only available on the 2X model. Size and Display: The Instinct 2X Solar features a larger display compared to the 2 and 2S, making it incredibly easy to read notifications, track your steps, or check the time at a glance. The bigger screen is a welcome upgrade that enhances usability, whether you're at your desk or on the move outdoors. Plus, with more solar panel real-estate and upgraded solar panel tech, it makes the solar capabilities more meaningful. You literally gain more power by spending the same time in the sun, compared to the other models. Battery Life: The battery life of this watch is simply ridiculous. Even with multiple extra features turned on, I’m predicted to enjoy 30 days of battery life. I've been wearing it for 20 days and have 10 days left. This is a stark contrast to the daily charging routine required by other smartwatches, like the Apple Watch. This extended battery life means I can rely on it without constantly needing to recharge, making it ideal for busy people. I will need to charge this watch for 2 hours, once per month. No worries at all. I stopped using my previous smartwatch purely because it needed charging on a daily basis which I got sick of. I love that I can just wear this watch, without worrying about the battery. Built-In LED Flashlight: Unexpectedly, one of my favorite features is the built-in LED flashlight. Before buying, I really thought it was a gimmick that I wouldn't use, but It's surprisingly incredibly handy and something I use multiple times a day. Whether I’m navigating dimly lit areas in the my house late at night or need a quick light source for any task, this flashlight is incredibly bright and convenient. It easily lights up an entire room on full brightness, it's as bright if not brighter than my phone torch, and it's on my wrist at all times, easily activated with a swift double click of a button. I went to buy a used car the other day, and even used it to check under the car for rust. The seller found it very amusing and remarked that it was like a "spy gadget"! I honestly feel at this point that I would feel lost without it. Plus, it's LED so barely puts a dent in battery life. GPS Accuracy: The dual-band GPS on the 2X Solar provides exceptional accuracy. While I primarily use it for tracking workouts and runs, the precision it offers is impressive and ensures that my data is always accurate, whether I’m exercising or simply checking my route. I have attached a few screenshots of the Garmin Connect app so you can see what to expect with that. The GPS maps style image is the analysis of a quick walk I went on with my dog. You can see in the bottom left the red circle is where I had a quick mad dash with my dog who chased me around some grass and back to the path. Super accurate. Customization: The customization options available with the Instinct 2X Solar are extensive. I appreciate how I can tailor the watch face and settings to fit my personal style and needs. Not only can you completely change between dozens of watch faces, and potentially thousands more with the Garmin store, but when you've selected a watch face you like you can also edit every single data point on the face, choose exactly what you want to see, and where you want to put it on the display. The Garmin Connect app complements this perfectly, offering excellent insights into my fitness data and helping me track my progress with ease. It’s a fantastic tool for managing both my workouts and daily activity levels. One of my favorite features is the "training readiness" feature and body battery, which takes into account your sleep history, activity and stress markers, to determine whether you should rest or exercise. I have found it exceptionally accurate. When I feel good, I see my body battery is high to match. When I feel really run down, I check it and without fail see an awful body battery score. Durability: Despite being a rugged smartwatch, the 2X Solar fits comfortably and looks great for everyday wear. It’s built to be tough, but its design is sleek enough to complement a professional setting, making it just as appropriate for an office environment as it is for more demanding activities. In summary, the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar has proven to be an invaluable tool in both my professional and personal life. Its impressive battery life, handy flashlight, precise GPS, and customizable features make it a standout choice for anyone looking for a versatile smartwatch that performs exceptionally well in any situation. If you’re looking for a smartwatch that can keep up with a busy lifestyle and offer top-notch functionality, the Instinct 2X Solar is definitely worth considering. 5 stars all day. I am now officially a Garmin fan.

I’ll be honest, I don’t think I was the target customer for this watch, but now that I’ve got it, good luck trying to take it off me. As a long-time Apple Watch user, I’m still amazed by how tough this thing is. My last Apple Watch managed to get a scratch about 15 minutes after I took it out of the box. This Garmin, on the other hand, has been through two years of everyday use and even managed to damage my wall when I was trying to retrieve a lost dog toy. The watch just laughed it off and carried on. The battery life is incredible – I regularly get around 30 days between charges. In fact, my biggest issue now is finding the charging cable because I use it so rarely. Yes, there are newer models with fancy colour screens, but honestly, this one is perfect for me. It’s been with me through tough workouts, mountain hikes, and now, as I sit at my desk writing this review. It’s not the prettiest thing out there – it’s got that “so rugged only a mother could love it” kind of charm – but it’s solid, reliable, and absolutely brilliant. If you want a watch that just gets on with the job and doesn’t care what anyone else thinks, this is the one.

This watch truly shines as a dedicated companion for outdoor pursuits and general health monitoring. Its GPS performance, even within challenging woodland environments, is remarkably precise, keeping you within a couple of metres of your actual location – more than adequate for route tracking and navigation on walks. The heart rate monitoring also proves highly consistent across varying activity levels, accurately reflecting your exertion as long as the watch is properly snug on your wrist. For anyone who spends a good amount of time exploring, whether it's through the woods or simply tracking daily steps, this device provides reliable and actionable data. The daily insights are well-covered too. The Morning Report is a handy digest, offering quick glances at sleep health, battery levels, calendar entries, and weather – a perfect briefing to start the day. While customisation is available, the standard report seems to hit the mark for most users. Sleep tracking, with its breakdown of duration, types, and quality, adds another layer to understanding your overall well-being. From a smart feature perspective, the display is clear and readable, and while button shortcuts require a bit of memory for custom setups, the core navigation remains intuitive. It's also a relief to know you can easily tailor notifications, stopping the watch from buzzing incessantly with every minor alert – a thoughtful touch for maintaining focus. Where this watch truly impresses is its sheer durability. After three years of constant wear – through garden digging, house moves, and gym sessions – it's held up incredibly well, showing no scratches or dints on the casing or screen. The only component needing replacement was the strap after extensive use, which is entirely expected and a testament to the watch's build quality. The SmartThings integration is a genuinely practical addition, allowing for quick control of smart home routines directly from your wrist, like turning the heating on when heading home. Considering its robust feature set, exceptional battery life (even accounting for the UK's limited solar benefits), and impressive durability, the price point feels genuinely fair. It offers significant functionality packed into a compact device, easily justifying its cost against other smartwatches on the market, especially when comparing battery longevity to something like an Apple Watch. The only notable drawback, and it's a significant one for any long-term investment, is the non-replaceable battery. It’s an industry-wide issue, but it does mean that, ultimately, this excellent piece of tech has a finite lifespan, which is a bit of a shame for an otherwise near-perfect outdoor companion.

I’ve been using this watch for over half a year now, and I couldn’t be more impressed. It has survived everything I’ve thrown at it without so much as a scratch – and that’s saying something, considering what I've put it through. This watch has endured extended swims in the sea, daily runs, and some of the toughest environments imaginable. It held up flawlessly during a live fire gunnery camp and a freezing month-long exercise in rain, frost and snow. Its rugged build is genuinely military-grade, and it’s clear it was designed with durability in mind. The battery life is phenomenal – the solar charging feature doesn't really make any difference, but it wasily lasts a fortnight without difficulty. The GPS is accurate, which is invaluable for navigation in unfamiliar terrain, and the features (from tactical modes to fitness tracking), are intuitive and tailored perfectly for an active, demanding lifestyle. For anyone in the military or anyone who simply needs a tough, reliable, feature-packed watch, I couldn’t recommend the Garmin Instinct Tactical Solar enough. It’s exceeded every expectation and proven itself in the harshest conditions. Five stars, without hesitation!

After so many expensive smart watches I was fed up of the 1-day battery life only after disabling every useful feature possible and just stopped wearing them in favour of more simple digital watches and my favourite Suunto X-Lander. I came across the Garmin Instinct 2 as a cheap smart watch option with all the features. I originally looked at the Solar version but as it's winter in the UK and I mostly wear long sleeves even in the summer, I couldn't justify the extra £60. I haven't been disappointed. I get 30-days on one charge (no GPS) and with only a 2hr recharge, it's pretty much always on my wrist. I actually love the basic mono screen, which works best with light on dark watch faces, and that it's controlled entirely from buttons (no fingerprints to wipe from the screen). It took no time to work out what the buttons do and how to navigate the options. And if that's too awkward, the Garmin Connect app allows you to configure every aspect of the watch. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of activity options the watch can track, each with it's own customisable screens and data tracking. In particular, with the golf activity linked with the Connect Golf app, it does exactly the same as the golf version Garmin Approach S12 watch. Even without the activity tracking it's an amazing every day watch. It's the ideal size for my largish wrist, it looks smart, it's water resistant, it has built-in sensors for altitude, barometer, compass (as good as my Suunto) as well as temperature, heart rate and blood oxygen, steps; then the added GPS tracking and notifications all make this perfect for my needs.

My first venture into smart watches, never been interested before, I initially looked at some of the lesser brands due to price but couldn’t place my trust in them , I have a galaxy phone so studied the samsung watches very tempted but couldn’t handle the 1 day battery life . Attention then went on Garmin but put off by the prices and although I initially I wanted a colour display once the this chrome only display rugged Casio g shock imitating watch came to my attention at the perfect price on Amazon I was soon sold. 5 double function buttons which equates to 10 meaning no need for touching screen. This watch has plenty of smarts despite the humble appearance, I love the hot buttons for short cuts such as access to radio controls, I clean windows so like my radio so when a customer approaches 2 clicksand I mute the volume. When I Start a walk or bike ride it’s 2/3 clicks to record time and distance. Set up takes time to get it just right and lots of button pressing - learning which can be a tad frustrating but give it the time it needs,DO NOT Send it back, this is an outstanding watch in which I get 19 days battery life with minimal charging time when it eventually gets low. Watch looks/ feels great I have bought some click on straps as the one fitted was heavy and dull tho top quality as you would expect. Sleep features on watches bring different thoughts from reviewers but I think it’s mostly accurate and I like the morning report it gives me. The app is fine for me. The blue tooth range is excellent meaning I can leave phone downstairs and while upstairs I will receive all notifications of emails and WhatsApp and missed calls This watch may well appeal to younger ones with better eyes than my 46 year old ones , i do struggle a bit so as I said not for everybody, some may well be better off with the next affordable colour display . The rugged nature of the watch means I can not worry too much when at work or football, I did buy the black little cover to protect it which is good but haven’t bothered with screen protectors tho I would have other watch but the screen lays deep in to the watch. I definitely recommend Garmin on a company who create lots of watches for lots of different needs, even wagon drivers can buy a version of this for their needs, amazing. It’s great how it doesn’t look or drain battery like a smartwatch but smart it definitely is in every sense of the word.

The Instinct Solar 2 looks good and keeps its charge for an incredible length of time (3-4 plus weeks in my experience). However, my requirements for an activity tracker or smartwatch are very basic but one thing I do like to have is an altimeter to let me know how many floors I've climbed daily. The altimeter on the Instinct 2 is hopeless. Compared to a previous Fitbit device, it always gives a lower reading, but, more importantly, is very inconsistent when used for the same activity (mainly walks) on different occasions. This is despite resetting it, adjusting the settings so that all pressure changes are attributed to the altimeter (not wind etc) and washing its ports as suggested in instructions. The app is OK but is not particularly user friendly or useful to me, as is also the case with the watch user interface. It is, all in all, apparently reasonable value for money for many users but hasn't been for me.