Garmin promises unlimited autonomy for its Instinct 2 Solar connected GPS watch

Designed for outdoor sports activities, the first Garmin Instinct of the name had seduced us by the good quality of its measurements and its sports monitoring, as well as by its robustness and the good readability of its screen. By its autonomy of one week also, although we remained unsatisfied with regard to the Solar version which we considered disappointing, the integrated solar sensor not allowing to sufficiently recharge the watch to avoid a charge at the socket . Never mind, Garmin has improved its system and does not hesitate to announce a “unlimited autonomy” for its replacement, the Instinct 2!

Double autonomy

According to Garmin, this feat is achievable thanks to the overall improvement in battery life, with the Instinct 2 now able to run for up to 28 days in smartwatch mode, double what the first Instinct achieved. The instinct 2 is indeed much more energy efficient. The Power Glass solar glass integrated in the Solar version can thus more easily compensate for the loss of energy when the watch is exposed to the sun. This is why Garmin proudly indicates that its watch no longer needs to be recharged, provided that it is possible to expose it to direct sunlight (at 50,000 lux) for 3 hours a day. A limiting criterion that must be taken into account and which a priori excludes a certain number of users.

Be that as it may, it is still a very good autonomy that Garmin promises, which also announces up to 30 hours of operation in GPS mode (48 hours with solar recharge during use) for its Instinct 2 Solar in 45mm version.

A more compact 2S version

The American manufacturer also offers its watch in a 40 mm version, the Instinct 2S (also available in the Solar version), whose autonomy is reduced to 21 days in connected watch use, and 51 days with use of the solar sensor under the conditions aforementioned. In GPS mode, the 2S can still last 22 hours, the Solar version granting itself an additional 6 hours.

In addition to cosmetic changes, this second version of the Instinct benefits from several improvements, starting with a higher definition of its screen, going from 128 x 128 pixels to 156 x 156 pixels. Always monochrome, the transflective screen has the advantage of being energy efficient and very readable, even in direct sunlight.

A watch always focused on robustness

Like the first version, the Instinct 2/2S is designed to withstand outdoor activities. It has a reinforced polymer case and scratch-resistant glass. Garmin also indicates that its watch meets military standard 810, in terms of resistance to shocks and high temperatures. The Instinct 2/2S is also 10 ATM certified, for guaranteed water resistance up to 100 m deep.

Always more health and performance monitoring

In addition to tracking sleep, stress level and heart rate, the Instinct 2/2S is now able to calculate VO2 Max, body age and various training-related parameters, such as its impact on our body and the recovery time required after exercise. She also incorporates new programs such as HIIT and suggests a daily workout schedule.

The Instinct 2/2S now manages around forty different sports and offers a multisport profile if you chain different activities during the same workout, for example. It also adds specific bike modes, for gravel and e-MTB.

Variations for specific activities

Water sports enthusiasts will turn to the Instinct 2/2S Surf Edition, which integrates surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing activities, as well as a specific tide widget. Compatibility with the Surf Sessions application is also on the program.

Garmin is also thinking of the military who will be able to choose the Tactical Edition, the watch distinguished by its stop button which erases all its data quickly, a stealth mode to record its activities without communicating its position, a screen compatible with night vision goggles and even a skydive-specific Jumpmaster activity.

The Garmin Instinct 2 and Instinct 2S are available in different colors. They are marketed at the price of 350 €. Count 100 € more for the Solar versions and another 50 € for the Surf and Tactical versions.