Garmin Instinct 2 Solar Tactical Review, The BEST Tactical Watch of 2022! 

Alpha and Del, thank you for making these points (clearly). I had not noticed this display washout; but was able to test my IS1 and IS2 side by side to see the difference.

Got the old instinct tactical solar and loves it. Took it with me on many deployments and it worked very well. Absolute reliable on any hard mission.

I have both a Fenix 7 pro and Instinct 2 Tactical. I use the instinct specifically during flight duties on mil aircrafts because its just so damn rugged and functional. Love it.

I just got this watch today it arrives ima few days I’m actually really exited!

Was looking for kill switch combination - thank you! :)

Just ordered, going to be sweet to have for the upcoming fire season

I absolutely love this watch. I was considering buying the Fenix, but when I saw the Instinct 2 with the better battery life and cheaper price, I got hooked. It really reminds me of a cooler version of the G Shock. I like Casio and currently use a Pro Trek Solar. The Garmin is probably the perfect smart watch. Apple has ridiculously short battery life, the Fenix also is quite a lot more expensive and to be honest, I don't need a coloured screen. The Instinct, with the rugged ability yet all the features, is perfectly fine. I don't need to make phone calls on the thing. I just want a mutlifunction smart watch that has a long battery life, looks good and will stand the test of time. I think this is it.

I'm following this watch since the Instinct 1. But I couldn't afford it so far. This is a real nice watch. One thing I miss on this watch is the maps. We can't see near by streets and trails. We can only upload them. So I can't leave my phone behind. The Fenix would be a complete watch. But it's way too expensive. One more thing about Instinct 2 is seems they have flipped the glass. You can't see the time when you turn on light in Certain angle.

Just picked up this watch and actually pretty surprised with it. I initially I didn't think I would like the screen but It did grow on me. Im coming from a Fenix 3 HR. Sensor wise, it does feel like I get all the tracking I wanted with the same sensors as the Fenix 7. I'm finding I am not missing the color screen that much. The only thing which would be nice as an add was a ballistics app but so far pretty happy.

I’d appreciate the detailed review of it! 😊

Great review! I definitely hear one of the background songs is from those late night laptop ads…. If you know what I mean 😉

I had several versions of Instinct 1 and 2 but I also think that the visually most beautiful is the Tactical version. I didn't like graphite very much visually, fortunately it had a compass defect and I sent it back to the service, getting a new watch in the Tactical 2 Solar version ;)

This intro is so vibrant.

Great review! My Instinct 2 is being delivered on Monday, and I feel I already know it after watching this.

I just ordered this bad boy. I've had Fitbits, G shocks, and even midrange and "high end" submariner watches spanning an unfortunate cost range. I keep going back to a 25 year old Timex that has chunks torn out of the bezel, because it is the only thing that has kept ticking (har har) through multiple deployments and other abuse. I'm excited to give this a whirl... If it's as durable as old faithful, I'll be impressed!

Big fail that you can't have a tide chart widget on the tatical. Would be a great feature to have an alarm at a specific tide time. Example: 2 hrs prior to high tide.

Thanks for the review. The only question I can't seem to find answered is if we can reply to messages with the phone? I have seen one video that showed one watch say "are you ready" and another watch saying "let's go" but it never said anything about if it was one watch responding to the other message.

Really awesome please 2x tectical

What is your backlight setting for general use?

Do a review on the Garmin Instoc cross over Tacticle

Hey, nice review! I'm a little late to this, but have been debating this or the 2x. Been leaning toward this because I think the 2x might be a little big for me. My wrist is 17 cm roughly. At this time now, is it still worth it to buy an Instinct 2 Solar Tactical at full price over the 2x, or is it too close to a new release? I'm unsure of how often Garmin releases new models. Thank you!

Where did you get the g shock watch face? Don’t see it in CIQ or was it built on the watch face builder site?

Hi, can you tell me if the red logo can be adjusted or it was edited in the beginning to make it look all black ? Thankyou

Hi one question I see you wear a Casio 5600 how the instincts size compare to it

Can you set the screen to turn off at bed time? I like the look of the instinct 2 series, but my wife is really light sensitive at night.

While stealth mode is activated can you still use / follow your waypoint or navigation as if you where on a hiking trail? Or would it mess up your coordinates while stealth is activated.

I had the 1 only got 2-3 weeks solar i was out 3-5 hours each day? I was not using any gps or sports just sms and phone alerts battery life?

Battery life is great. I charge up every few weeks and it's really only half empty.

Question, can it be used on the underside of the hand?

I may be very late to comment on this but as per your view which is the best colour for this black or coyote tan? I have also seen some reviews saying colour fades or washes away in few months. Is it true?

Can you set the time to 12hr mode instead of 24hr mode?

Garmins most beautiful make ever..... Better than 2X solar tactical... (I love its size)

What’s the battery life with health and activity tracking on (pulse rate on auto and pulse ox on always on)?

why is th watch crown of the tactical different as it is?

I've just bought the 50mm, what size is yours?

My only gripe, aesthetically, is the red "Solar" label. Is the Tactical even offered in a non-solar version? More importantly, why make it red?

any tracking,in case of lost issue....?

Bought this version New off Scamazon and got it out of box and took a couple attempts to connect to phone as popped up saying failed connection. Garmin Instinct 2 Solar Tactical Rugged Watch V2 (name on box bit of a mouthful). Tried to change things on the watch in the app but says it couldnt and i had to use the clunky long winded menu to change things which really sucked in all honesty. Watch feels plastic and cheap in my hand considering its £400. While i was sitting down and in GPS mode as i moved my hands it was saying i was taking steps which give false readings and considering the GPS can tell im on the same spot pretty poor? Immediate false readings. Screen was glossy and hard to read unless looking directly down at it in sunlight. In person looked a bit dinky and had nothing Rugged about it. I hate things being called something in the name its not. Just like Smart cars... i dont think they are Smart. Interface is really long winded and just so dated compared to other great watches out there. Sent back.

Less music more explanation!

Realistically how long will it last before the battery losing it's capacity and it become an dead device on my shelve.

Hmmm should I sell my Charlie and Bravo and get this?.

Pro tip - it does NOT WIPE the watch, it just reset its. All the data is still there and quite easy to recover.

Is the display impact resistant against airsoft bb's? 😁

Does this casio-like watch face come on it or did you install it?

my solar intensity didnt work at all. its never show a solar indicator and i cant charge with solar.

Can i use this to time 2 mike run time?

Hello, how instinct 2 works with iOS? Are there any problem?

If you're in special operations and you're jumping out of a plane, you should probably use the altimeter the military gave you. Same for a civilian jumping for fun. They will have given you a better one. Kind of a silly feature to have on a watch.

But can you get it wet???

This tac have a mods dive

As a civilian I like this watch but it's too functional for me , it's purely for people in the armed forces

Bruh… damn near 2 minutes of intro?!

Dislike music

I'm tactical and this watch ain't it

What's that intro song?

40mm ???