Garmin Instinct Solar
Buy Garmin Instinct Solar at today's best price
7 minute read
Overview
The Garmin Instinct Solar is a rugged outdoor watch designed for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts. This watch is known for its impressive battery life, enhanced by solar charging capabilities.
Key Features:
- Solar Charging: Integrated solar panels extend battery life significantly.
- Rugged Design: Built to military standards for shock, water, and thermal resistance.
- GPS and Navigation: Includes GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo (satellite navigation systems) for accurate tracking.
The Garmin Instinct Solar is an ideal choice for outdoor adventurers who prioritize long battery life and durability for extended trips. Its solar charging offers extended use, making it suitable for long expeditions.
Based on our monitoring of prices across the internet, it's currently just above the median price of running watches today.
Verdict
The consensus on the Garmin Instinct Solar
The Garmin Instinct Solar is praised for its exceptional battery life, especially in smartwatch mode, thanks to its solar charging feature. It is well-suited for adventurers who need a reliable watch for long trips without frequent access to charging. The watch's GPS accuracy is commendable, making it a trustworthy companion for navigation. However, the small screen and lack of advanced training features may not appeal to those seeking a more comprehensive fitness watch. The design is rugged and durable, but the buttons can be accidentally pressed during activities. Overall, the Instinct Solar is a solid choice for those prioritizing battery life and outdoor durability over advanced fitness tracking. Its solar charging capability makes it a standout option for extended outdoor use.
Garmin Instinct Solar: Base model
The Garmin Instinct Solar is a special version of the Garmin Instinct. It introduces solar charging capabilities, which significantly extend the battery life compared to the original model. The Instinct Solar also features a new GPS chipset and heart rate monitor, enhancing its performance for outdoor activities. While it maintains the rugged design of the Instinct, the solar panels integrated into the watch face set it apart, making it a more suitable option for long expeditions.
Comparable Watches
The Garmin Fenix 6 is a good alternative for those seeking advanced training features and full mapping capabilities. While the Instinct Solar excels in battery life and durability, the Fenix 6 offers more comprehensive fitness tracking and analysis. It includes music storage, Wi-Fi syncing, and a larger display, making it a better choice for users who prioritize these features.
The Suunto 9 Baro is another option for outdoor enthusiasts, offering similar durability and GPS accuracy. It features a larger display and more advanced training metrics, making it suitable for those who need detailed fitness analysis. However, the Instinct Solar's solar charging gives it an edge in battery life, especially for long expeditions.
The Polar Grit X is a strong contender for those who value outdoor navigation and fitness tracking. It offers similar GPS accuracy and durability, with additional features like hill splitter and fuel-wise. While the Instinct Solar has superior battery life due to its solar charging, the Grit X provides more advanced training insights for fitness enthusiasts.
Special versions of Garmin Instinct Solar
The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar builds upon the Instinct Solar with enhanced features and improved solar charging efficiency. It offers a larger display and additional activity profiles, catering to a wider range of sports and outdoor activities. The 2X Solar version also includes advanced health monitoring features, making it a more comprehensive option for fitness enthusiasts. Its improved solar technology provides even longer battery life, making it ideal for extended outdoor adventures.
The Garmin Instinct 2S Solar is a more compact version of the Instinct Solar, designed for those who prefer a smaller watch size. It retains the solar charging capabilities and rugged design of the original model, while offering a more comfortable fit for smaller wrists. The 2S Solar version includes similar features, such as GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring, making it a suitable choice for outdoor enthusiasts who need a reliable and durable watch.
6 Garmin Instinct Solar Pros & Cons
3 Pros
3 Cons
In Depth
Battery life
The Garmin Instinct Solar excels in battery life, offering up to 24 days in smartwatch mode and up to 30 hours in GPS mode. With solar exposure, these numbers can extend to 54 days and 38 hours, respectively. This makes it an excellent choice for those who need a watch that can last through long expeditions without frequent charging. The solar panels integrated into the watch face help recharge the battery, making it ideal for outdoor adventures.
Screen quality and brightness
The screen of the Garmin Instinct Solar is monochromatic and under one inch, but it is designed to be visible in sunlight. This makes it suitable for outdoor use, where bright conditions are common. However, the small screen size may be a drawback for those who prefer larger displays for easier readability during activities.
Strap comfort
The Garmin Instinct Solar comes with a silicone strap that is comfortable for extended wear. It is lightweight, which adds to the overall comfort, especially during long activities. The strap can be easily changed to any 22 mm quick fit band, allowing for customization based on personal preference.
Heart-rate monitor accuracy
The heart rate monitor on the Garmin Instinct Solar is decent, providing reasonably accurate readings during activities. However, it may not be as precise as external sensors. The watch can also measure blood oxygen levels, which is a useful feature for monitoring overall health during outdoor activities.
GPS accuracy
The GPS accuracy of the Garmin Instinct Solar is highly reliable, making it a great choice for navigation during outdoor activities. It uses GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo systems to provide accurate tracking, even in challenging environments like canyons or dense forests. This ensures that users can trust the watch for precise location data.
Sleep tracking
The Garmin Instinct Solar includes sleep tracking features, allowing users to monitor their sleep patterns and quality. This can be beneficial for those looking to optimize their rest and recovery. The watch provides insights into sleep stages and overall sleep quality, helping users make informed decisions about their sleep habits.
Virtual coach and recovery
The Garmin Instinct Solar offers basic coaching features, such as heart rate-based exercise recommendations. However, it lacks advanced training analysis and recovery metrics found in other Garmin models. This makes it more suitable for users who prioritize outdoor durability and battery life over detailed fitness coaching.
Who should buy the Garmin Instinct Solar?
The Garmin Instinct Solar is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who need a watch with exceptional battery life and durability. It's ideal for adventurers who embark on long expeditions where access to charging is limited. The watch's solar charging feature is particularly beneficial for those who spend extended periods outdoors. Runners who value GPS accuracy and heart rate monitoring will find this watch useful for tracking their activities.
Who should not buy the Garmin Instinct Solar?
The Garmin Instinct Solar may not be the best choice for those who prioritize advanced fitness tracking and training analysis. If you are looking for a watch with comprehensive coaching features and detailed metrics, you might want to consider other models. The small screen size and lack of music playback may also be drawbacks for some users. Those who prefer a more stylish design might find the rugged look less appealing.
Garmin Instinct Solar: What's it good for?
The Garmin Instinct Solar is well-suited for outdoor adventures and long expeditions where battery life is crucial. Its solar charging capability makes it ideal for running in remote areas without access to power. The watch is also great for hiking and mountaineering, providing reliable GPS tracking and navigation features. Its rugged design ensures durability in harsh environments, making it a dependable choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
4 Garmin Instinct Solar FAQs
How does the solar charging work on the Garmin Instinct Solar?
The Garmin Instinct Solar uses integrated solar panels in the watch face to capture sunlight and extend battery life. This feature is particularly useful for outdoor activities where access to charging is limited.
Is the Garmin Instinct Solar suitable for swimming?
Yes, the Garmin Instinct Solar is water-resistant up to 100 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water activities. It can track swimming metrics and withstand exposure to water.
What are the main differences between the Garmin Instinct Solar and the Garmin Fenix 6?
The Garmin Instinct Solar focuses on battery life and durability with solar charging, while the Garmin Fenix 6 offers advanced training features, full mapping, and music storage. The Fenix 6 is better for those who need comprehensive fitness tracking.
Can the Garmin Instinct Solar track heart rate accurately?
The Garmin Instinct Solar provides decent heart rate tracking, but it may not be as accurate as external sensors. It is suitable for general monitoring during activities.
