Jump to product specifications<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p> Over the last few years Garmin has been pumping out new GPS watches at an impressive rate.<\/p> The new devices cover most price points with options starting at a couple-hundred pounds and progressing all the way up to well in excess of \u00a31,000.<\/p> At \u00a3349.99 (\u00a3249.99 for non-solar), the Instinct 2 Solar is considerably cheaper than the Fenix 7<\/a>. While this is far from cheap, is the Instinct 2 the best \u2018budget choice\u2019 in Garmin\u2019s lineup? Let\u2019s find out\u2026<\/p> Many of Garmin\u2019s top watches come in different sizes, and that\u2019s the case here, with the Instinct 2 available in 40mm, 45mm and 50mm case sizes.<\/p> The watch feels very solid and I felt comfortable using it at all times, no matter the activity.<\/p> It dealt with any bumps easily enough without suffering any damage and it\u2019s reassuring that the case around the screen protrudes beyond the display, ensuring it\u2019s well protected.<\/p> Garmin also says it\u2019s tested to U.S. military 810 standards for thermal, shock and water resistance.<\/p> Despite all this, the Instinct 2 Solar still feels lightweight (53g).<\/p> Unlike many of Garmin\u2019s newer launches, there\u2019s no touchscreen in play here, but you do of course get the brand\u2019s trademark five-button setup.<\/p> I\u2019ve always found this intuitive to use, and that\u2019s the case here, with dedicated buttons for up, down, back, select, backlight.<\/p> Long presses take you into the menu system, where you can customise your screens and widgets.<\/p> One thing I would note on the buttons, though, is that they do sit closer to the skin than I\u2019ve experienced with many other watches, so it\u2019s easier to catch arm hair when using them!<\/p> Unlike the Fenix and Forerunner ranges, the Instinct 2 uses a monochrome display.<\/p> While it\u2019s still legible, it\u2019s not quite as clear as the coloured screens found on the Forerunner 955 or Fenix 7, and feels a little dull compared to those.<\/p> The screen is also smaller than those two watches with a 23mm diameter (on the 45mm version), compared to the 33mm diameter you get on them (though their case sizes are slightly larger).<\/p> One thing you don\u2019t get on those watches, though, is a small inset screen in the top right that gives you navigation prompts and handy snippets of data.<\/p> On the whole, though, the screen felt functional and if I hadn\u2019t used larger watches, I\u2019m unsure if I\u2019d have an issue.<\/p> The Instinct 2 provides accurate GPS data and handy navigational features.<\/p> You get a compass, altimeter and barometer, and can also load up your own tracks. These can be planned and imported via the Garmin Connect web app, or you can find a track and upload it in the form of a GPX file.<\/p> The map view on the watch comes in the form of a breadcrumb trail, with no details behind the route. If you\u2019re carrying a map and compass (as you should be if in the wilderness), though, that shouldn\u2019t be an issue.<\/p> You\u2019ll get prompts of direction via the small inset screen in the top right and there\u2019s also a track back feature that helps you retrace your route should you need to.<\/p> The Instinct 2 comes with lots of fantastic training features, including training status, which explains the impact that your activities are having on your body, VO2 max, recovery time and daily suggested workouts.<\/p> Though never something to be taken as gospel, I have found these functions useful while aiming for fitness goals.<\/p> Naturally you also get heart rate info from the on-board optimal monitor, which underpins a lot of the performance info and is largely accurate, as I\u2019ve become used to from Garmin.<\/p> There\u2019s also a whole host of activity profiles to choose from, allowing you to track most sports you can think of.<\/p> Most modern smart\/GPS watches have a full gamut of additional features and functionality, as is the case here.<\/p> Expect smartwatch notifications (which you can switch off), sleep data, step count, sunset times, music controls and so on.<\/p> Remember when I said that the screen was a little uninspiring? Well that compromise means battery life is ace.<\/p> In fact, the solar version can theoretically keep going forever (in smartwatch or battery saver modes) if it had the right light conditions each day (that\u2019s about three hours of sunshine in 50,000 lux conditions).<\/p> Both the non-solar and solar versions have impressive battery stats. We\u2019re talking 30 hours (48 hours with solar) in GPS mode for the 45mm watch and 28 days in smartwatch mode (potentially unlimited with solar).<\/p> Realistically, that\u2019s a good full days of hiking in full GPS mode, though you can tune down the accuracy of the GPS for greater battery, making this a fine option for multi-day adventures.<\/p> You want a robust, functional GPS watch that packs incredible battery life and you\u2019re not too fussed about having the fanciest of displays.<\/p> If you want a better screen and don\u2019t need something so robust (or with quite as much battery life), check out the Forerunner 255<\/a>, which is similarly priced.<\/p> Price: <\/strong>\u00a3349.99 (solar, 45mm); \u00a3249.99 non-solar Ready to buy?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>What\u2019s the design like?<\/h3>
How easy is it to use?<\/h3>
How does the display perform?<\/h3>
How good is the navigation?<\/h3>
What training and performance features does it have?<\/h3>
What other features are there?<\/h3>
![\"Garmin](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2024\/01\/Garmin-Instinct-2-Solar-1.jpg\")
How good is the battery life?<\/h3>
Buy if\u2026<\/h3>
Facts at a glance: Garmin Instinct 2 Solar<\/h4>