Garmin really stumbled on something great by adding the flashlights to watches. It is really something you don’t realize how much you use it until it’s not there.
I have been wearing mechanical (automatics) watches for years, ever since I inherited my Dad's Rolex. I am 63 years old and have seen these smart watches around, Apple, Samsung etc... I never felt the need to get one, I am not into fitness, other than cycling and camping and my bike has a Garmin on it so why bother. I am also into camping and love Kayak camping. Nothing is better than paddling out over a lake or stream and finding a place to sleep under the stars. One problem, sometimes I get turned around or forget where I parked my car when heading back. The Track Back feature on this watch with the GPS Tracking would be a feature I would love and use often out in the wild. For this reason, I have been looking at these lately and after seeing this review (thank you by the way) I am convinced this is the model for me. I can't see myself wearing it every day but certainly every time I head out for an adventure. So yep, taking the plunge and ordering the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar, Graphite from Amazon today! So, you have converted me, way to go lol.
I had the instinct solar, instinct 2 solar (gave to friend) and this 2x is a game changer with the simple fact that the backlight looks so much better at night! The original and the i2 had that washed out look as you described
@@rollie5579 Not too big for me. I have really skinny wrists but the 2X sits much better than my previous Casio ProTrek, in terms of having to rotate my wrist to see the display properly. Otherwise, no I don't think it's too big. Feels and looks just normal to me.
Reasons why I find this better than Fenix 1. Price 2. Big Size (G-shock kind) 3. Amazing battery life (best so far) 4. Accurate HR and GPS tracking 5. Torch 6. Amazing display and easy to use buttons
Price definitely and battery life definitely. I also really like the fact that it looks like a smart G Shock. I love the torch, but the Fenix also has a torch. The display is great too. I think I like the simplicity of it.
I bought the instinct solar when it went on sale after the release of the instinct solar 2. After doing a bit more research I probably would have opted for the new one to be able to take advantage of the advanced training metrics, but didn't feel like it was worth upgrading so soon after getting the other one. This one definitely makes me think I might upgrade again.
@Ralph Reilly - I think you misread this one? I’m saying that they have value and that I expect them on more watches in the future. Underrated by others but not by those that have used them.
I ordered the Instinct 2S and a day later they came out with the 2X so I returned it and ordered the 2X. I like the bigger face and the flashlight is an interesting feature.
The flashlight feature alone would make me consider an upgrade from my Instinct(1) Solar. The better barometer/altimeter than my watch further adds to the lust. Everything else is more or less evolutionary. Which I wouldn’t complain about either. 😀
I ordered my new one today, after a Instinct Tactical then a Instinct 2 Solar Tactical now the next Tactical in the 2x version. It is really great to see that Garmin works on this brilliant series.
I spend my time running ultras and alpine climbing. I think this might be the watch that's worth upgrading from my ambit 3 peak that's been going strong for about 9 years. I think every watch up to this point has added fancy features at the cost of fundamentals that the ambit 3 peak got right.
I just realise now I’ve been spending 2h watching your reviews and consulting shopping sites. You are really the best reviewer on RU-vid for sport watches. Not pretentious, friendly voice, easy words, getting to the point in every aspect, never boring. Regarding Garmin Instinct 2x, well, I’m a strange person, I *love* this design, but my lifestyle is completely different than “military” or “adventurous” 🥺😩🥺😭
I have had Instinct 2x Solar since March 2023. Previously I had Instinct tactical, 2 instinct solar, fenix 6x and the best one is Instinct 2x Solar. Great look, mega-capacity battery, solar charging that works and a flashlight... the most frequently used gadget in this watch ;)
@@vijonbe I bought it in a store that gives a three-year warranty. I don't think I'll wear it for that long ;) What else do you recommend instead of Instinct 2x? If not Garmin, I would buy TREX 2
Actually it's a huge concern, don't want another Garmin since I don't trust them anymore, but there seems to be no other valuable option in the tactical sector.
@@vijonbe I have been using Garmin Instinct since 2020. I had versions I and II, now 2x... never had any problems with any automatic shutdown. Once in 2 solar days the compass broke, I got a second new watch. Maybe something newer or an improved crossover version will appear in some time. I like the combination of an analog watch and a digital one.
I just purchased it here in Germany. I have never own a Garmin watch before or any "smart watch", my present watch is a Casio G-Shock, but I wanted to give myself a wee treatment. I watch plenty videos about all the Instinct watches and I was about to buy one, but when I heard that this 2 X was coming out, then I preferred to wait. I got the Moss colour, cannot wait!
Great review! Very tempted with the flashlight feature. I’m debating on waiting to see what the Fenix 8 lineup has in store though. I might be able to pull off the I2X but I’m hopeful that the F8 will include a torch!
I have the Garmin fenix 7X Pro Solar Sapphire, an old Tactix Delta, Garmin Tactix 7 AMOLED, and the Instinct 2X Tactical. I have to say I love the simplicity of the 2x Tactical.
Hi, is there a range using GPS on the instinct 2x , if you were to say hike around 20km plus = to 12.5 miles plus , will you still get accurate tracking or even much more distance than that, say over a multi day hike ?
I love my Garmin watches. I have the tactix 7 Pro and Marq Athlete Gen 2 (also had Marq Athlete Gen 1 and fenix 6, 5, and 3 before those). Instinct models have always been intriguing to me for a lower priced, more durable, G Shock looking watching, but I didn't even realize you can't store music on them until watching your video. That's likely a non-starter for me. I never take my phone with me on my runs. Nice video and I agree, as I have one on my tactix, the flash light/torch is a nice feature that I find myself sometimes missing if I am wearing my Marq.
I have the very first version instinct, was thinking of upgrading to the instinct 2 solar when it launch but held back cos there is not much of an update between them, as less from my perspective. and now i happen to see your video on this instinct 2x!!!!! love on first sight! this 2x is the watch iam getting for sure. iam always a fan for big watch tho
It's a great idea to install a flashlight on the instinct 2x, because in some situations, you need light, for instance , finding the keyhole in a dark place. Plus, you probably can see bare eyes without glasses.
Oh my gosh! I might actually ditch my Apple Watch Series 8 for this! Only thing I'll miss on Apple watch - Responding to Notifications, Apple Pay... Might be those are worth losing for all the other benefits of this Instinct 2X
Very well analysed. I actually just ordered the 2x solar tactical version and then came accross with your video. And after looking at your review, now I am very much satisfied with my right choice, which fits in my budget.
I bought the Instinct 2x Tactical, about a month ago and am loving it. It has the Green torch option, rather than Red. I never used to sleep wearing a watch but now forget I have it on for sleep tracking. I find that function very useful. It shows just how much of my sleep time is in REM. I've only charged it once so far and it still has 25 days battery left. In time, I might get a green military style strap? Currently using the black one it came with. Before this watch, I wore a Casio Pro Trek. That watch is still perfectly fine, but I wanted a Smart Watch.
As an older man, all I want is a hiking watch. I want downloadable maps, abc, and long battery life. I wish I could strip out all the things I'll never use, it's just too complicated.
In a survival situation, a watch that can do math and talk shit jokes but die in 5 hours is definable not comparable to a self-sustaining GPS garmin. Also true for young people😂😂
Hej, I just wanted to say I am loving your Videos. It really keeps me up to date. I also just want to ask you, which watch are you using for your issues if you are not testing watches? Thanks in Advance for reply and keep going 💪💪
Oh that's cool, apparently you can unlock the ballistic calculator on the tactical version. Probably costs a buttload but that's cool to make it an option
Just ordered Instinct 2 Tactical for 320 euros, and now they release this! :D Oh well, never owned a smartwatch, it will be my first, obviously flashlight is such a great addition but paying original price atm at 500 euros for tactical is just too much and also it might be too big for my wrists. Probably will wait for Instinct 3 or so, since many people are happy with their Instinct 1 to this day.
Heey. Finally I decided to replace my 6x pro! I had to wait a whole year to realize the 6x is getting old, no more updates and the gps accuracy sometimes is horrible! Can’t wait to get it tomorrow! I watched this episode again, just to be more excited about it! 😂 Thanks again for the great video! Keep it up!
Do you know anything about how scratch resistant the glass of the instinct 2x is? I recently did a mudrun with a (lower tier) g shock and managed to scratch the glass. Would hate to have that happen to this watch.
Just sold my Fenix 7X and got myself an instinct 2X solar. I found that i didnt use most of the features of the 7X and i'm perfectly happy with the instinct 2X. Flashlight was the only thing that made me buy the 7X over the 7 two years ago.
Absolutely the best review video I've seen packed with all the info I'll ever need! 🙌🏼 I was wondering getting the Fenix 6X pro solar for $515 from Amazon but then this thing came out and I'm all confused now. I am training for a triathlon and i see that the 2X also has a triathlon mode in it and the gps accuracy for swim and other activities is pretty spot on too! Well it's obvious which one i should choose but since you're an expert what would you recommend? Should this watch be good for swimming and triathlons too? Cheers!
Between the 6X and 2X it really comes down to 4 major factors. 1.) Mapping: Fenix 6X has full topo mapping while 2X does not and has breadcrumb trail mapping. 2.) Display: Color vs Monochrome... which do you prefer. 3.) On-Board Music storage: Fenix has it, instinct doesnt. 4.) Battery Life: 2X is way longer in terms of battery. Other than that you do get more accurate GPS and HR on the newer 2X. Lots of considerations! Good luck!
@@ChaseTheSummit Thanks for your reply, really helped me make the decision.. Going with the 2X as I've always loved the instinct and love the monochrome display and the design factor here. Also the GPS n HR accuracy plays a major role here so it's a no brainer! Thank you once again for this wonderful review 😊
I bought the 2x because of the extended battery life and I also like the looks of it. I hike a lot and the navigation is good enough. A full map is nice but I need reading glasses anyway. So the basic map is enough for me. Like this watch a lot!
Thanks for the review Dave, definitely prefer this for my big boned 22cm circumference wrists. I've been waiting a long time for solar smart watches to reach a good self charging state. Maybe now is the time to switch out my old ABC Casio solar pathfinder to something more modern.
1:01 looks like they fixed the screen polarization so that it looks washed out from the top rather than bottom (as is the case with I2) 7:48 yasss they did change it. After a year of denying that I2 has a sht backlight we now know that they were gaslighting us.
I'm hopeful the backlight was actually upgraded... But it could also just be my luck of the draw as it was a similar situation on the older Fenix 6 backlight.
@@ChaseTheSummit your regular I2 is "normal" in a way that almost everyone complains about this issue. And those who don't complain have vested interest in not upsetting Garmin. Or they wear their I2's on the inside of their wrist - because backlight works pretty well if you flip the watch around.
Another question! I got a small wrist and I'm super happy with the fenix 7s standard edition, because I've already had some problems with power and solar glass so I skipped the sapphire solar edition, and also satiq and dual multiband, but don't need it, anyway my question is, do you think in the next iterations of the fenix or any other watch with a touchscreen, there would be possible to introduce a flashlight into a S model or is the formfactor to small and the battery wouldn't be capable of have that onboard? Because I really want a flashlight now but can't have the bigger watch..
I suppose anything is possible but I wonder if there's technical difficulties with cramming so much into such a small case. I agree though... I'd love to have the torch on my Forerunner 965 or Epix!
Thanks for a good review. Just ordered the Instinct2X-Tactical instead of the Fenix7 which is double the price. So nice saving while also getting most of the Fenix features. Cheers
i dont like or subscribe when im asked to like and subscribe i only like if i like it and i don't know if i like it yet but i might like it by the end of the video
How did it feel on the wrist during a run or workouts? My 2 solar stays pretty snug and I can barely tell it's there. Does the 2x feel like it wants to shake around, or is it light for its size?
It's pretty secure and light for its size. I didn't have any issues with it moving around and the heart rate data also looked surprisingly good for a bigger watch.
Great video, thanks for the review. I'm still wearing my original Instinct from 2018. It's working great, and still has good battery life. But, I think I'm going to pass it down to a family member and get the 2X.
The best series of watches Garmin have to offer! Always interesting when they release new Instincts. But, it still doesn't make me go team Garmin. Will be very interesting to watch this review :)
@@bmbullman I am torn between Coros and Polar. Disappointed on the lack of development in the Polar camp but waiting for their summer release (I hope). So atm my main watch is an Apex Pro 2. What are you yourself using?
@@RallihSarl I'm just getting started. I have a Fitbit Sense 2 that isn't very good. Tried out an Amazfit GTR 4 that was pretty good, but they shipped it with unfinished software. Had to return it. And I just picked up the Instinct 2x. Will be here in a week!
Hopefully the military isn't allowing GPS watches in combat zones because a GPS has a local ocillator that shines bright with a radio receiver. Oh sarge, how's the enemy locating our guys? Oh they decided to were stylish tracking devices? Very stylish, so worth it!
Plus the tactical has a night vision mode. And it has a stealth mode that shuts off all connections , anything that could be detectable is shut off during stealth mode
I had the original instinct. I liked the watch for what it was. The biggest problem I had with that watch was the click buttons wore out in 4-6 months. The buttons never stopped working, just no more click. Do you think the buttons are better on these newer instincts?
The Garmin Instinct 2x Solar Tactical itself is excellent! The only drawback of the clock is that the system sounds are very quiet. Even in quiet surroundings, such as at home, the system sounds are barely audible when the watch is not on the wrist, for example, but in another room. Even more so out on the street, where the system sounds are far from drowning out the street noise. I hope that Garmin will release an update for this, where the system sounds are much louder or better yet an option is integrated where the user can set the volume of the system sounds themselves.
Is anyone else’s instinct 2x fitness tracking just wildly inaccurate? I really love this watch, and one of the main reasons I got it was for fitness and health, but the running, and rep counting, etc. is pretty unusable, maybe mine is just defective?
I love your channel. You do a really exemplary job of presenting and analyzing the watches. You’ve informed a few great purchases. Side note: ordered a Coros Apex 2 Plus. It’s a dog. Screen freezes… permanently. I returned it and ordered the Instinct 2X. I need the Garmin accuracy for a fitness with multiple sclerosis study I’m about to do with a major NY hospital group (I have MS). Your review informed that decision. I love my Amazfit Falcon and T-Rex Ultra, but over time, their pulse tracking and SP02 start to get highly inaccurate when doing heavier workouts. That’s disappointing. I’m confident that this 2X will simplify my life a bit and provide superior data. Cheers! Keep up the great work.
I was looking for a "smart" watch that was wearable daily and also not ridiculously expensive (oh for a Fenix ir Epix). I has been wearing a Casio G-Shock. The Instinct 2X is perfect, great battery life not too flashy and simple to use. The torch (which can also be changed to a red light, has already be useful).
nice explanation..it helps....may things to know about the GARMIN INSTINCT 2X...thinking now ifill get it?? since i havd the GSHOCK RANGEMAN, but of course both system are totally different and functions
I justz upgraded from instinct 1 to the 2X. No brainer. Bigger watches a more masculine. Great review by the way. Thanks for explaining the GPS mode. I going to use the All+Multi band. Going from the Instinct 1 which has 6hrs of GPS time, I don't mind plugging in my 2X every once in a while.
Wasted good money on some Chinese junk of a Smart watch I saw online. No name watch. Nothing smart about it. It was a scam. Still,decided to buy the Garmin instinct. 2X Solar can’t wait for it to arrive. Thanks for the vid i’m sure the Garmin will please
Hey, many thanks for pointing out all the options. Just got my instinct 2x today. Looking forward of getting all the uses (or most) out of it. Again, great informational video, it's highly appreciated.
Hey man I have the Garmin 2x Tactical, have you encountered issues changing alt timezones on the watchface. Its really frustrating as I cannot figure out how to set alt timezones on the watchface, it only shows UTC or ZULU which is the same as my local time? cheers i appreciate it!
been using a 245 for abour 2yr plus...great watch except i hated the charging part. now that the battery is weaker, i need to charge almost every 2to3 days on smart watch mode only. if there is a run or any recorded activity, its a must charge after the activities. looking to buy instinct 2 then realised there is a 2X. am definitely getting the 2x. cos i do mostly tennis n badminton and all i need is the heartrate...just to make sure i am not overdoing it (a good badminton rally can drive HR to 180..prolong rallies can push it near 200 multiple times in 15min...at 52yrold...i better be careful!) anyway, the data can be viewed w full colour in the phone app.
I had the Instinct Solar. Loved it, gave it to my son. I do have bigger 8.5" wrists, so it always felt small. I got the Fenix 6X new for $389. Love it as well, has more than I'll ever need. Would have got the Instinct 2X if it was out at Christmas time when I got the Fenix.
I'm really thingking about updating to this from a first gen Enduro. I was going to wait for the Fenix 8 series/Enduro 3, but they'll probably have outrageous prices. Too bad this doesn't have proper maps, otherwise it would be a nice upgrade.
Hello After a couple of years and prices going up and down. What do u recom if someone has to buy a watch between ENDURO 1 BLACK Ti or INSTINCT 2X SOLAR TAC. What do u recom?
I have the AWU and just bought the 2x solar 50mm. Im going on a multi year bicycle tour and the AWU battery life is not good. As a smart watch AMU is amazing, but I’m gonna need an adventure watch. Probably end up selling my AWU.
I have the original Garmin Instinct, and noticed the HR monitor was waaaaay off when I wore a ruck. I figure it had to do with the straps affecting blood flow to my wrist (nothing super heavy),. I ended up using a chest strap. Does anyone ruck with the 2X on and also monitor their HR?
I am in the market for a new watch - considering the instinct 2x - looking to use for 100 mile ultras and multi day fast packing. Overall, looking for basic features , long battery life , and potential of live tracking. Thanks for your in depth review
Thanks for the video. In some of the smaller clips you twist your wrist. Does that do something to the face of the watch. Sorry I couldn’t tell. Maybe it’s the backlight which would be cool. Just not sure. Could you or somebody please clarify this. Thanks
As it's now mid-November in Wisconsin, the question arises as to how the Instinct2X Tactical will tolerate cold? I'm coming from a G-Shock GWG100 Mudmaster and could wear that outside the sleeve on base and mid layers and typically uncovered by a jacket sleeve to have instant visual access... so it got exposed to cold weather, with no issues. Will the Garmin hold up as well?
