Garmin Instinct 2S Solar Rugged GPS Smartwatch, Graphite

Product Information

Though, there isn’t a way to see either of these widgets if in the middle of a workout, which is a little quirk. If you’re hoping to use your watch to navigate new areas regularly, you’ll be much better served by the Garmin Fenix 7, which absolutely excels here. Further, there’s no support for any sort of smart-wake features, such as timed to a given sleep phase. Recovery time is also an extremely useful tool; even if you're a regular runner or rider, you might be surprised just how long it can take to recover from an intense effort, and if you don't get sufficient rest then the Instinct 2 will factor this in and extend your recovery period.

Garmin Instinct® 2S Solar | Smaller-Sized Rugged GPS Smartwatch

Like the increasingly popular Apple Pay, Garmin has also added Garmin Pay to the Instinct 2, which is accepted most places that allow for contactless credit card and app payments. If you don't have a route and just need to get to a location but you do have the coordinates, you can enter those into the watch and then follow the arrow which will be routing you directly to get to the location. In the case of hiking, that’s unlikely, but the same concept applies if you were in a run or other workout. If you value accurate backcountry tracking and not having to charge a battery, this is the best adventure watch on the market.The Instinct 2S Solar, left, has a 40mm bezel and a slimmer profile compared to the first-generation Garmin Instinct Solar (right) and the standard 45mm Instinct 2 and 2 Solar series. Don’t get me wrong: It’s helpful to have a suite of battery-management options (customizable battery saver, toggling on/off battery-sucking functions like PulseOx, etc. Some may think it backward that this isn’t a touchscreen, but we found the traditional three-button set-up perfect. Heart rate tracking is excellent as well, and thanks to the new smaller 40mm case option, it’s more practical and comfortable to wear at night so you benefit from full 24-hour health tracking.

Garmin Instinct 2S Solar review | Cyclist

I tracked a trail run using both my gen-one Instinct Solar and the new 2S Solar to track a trail run, with identical tracking results. I would say the importance of colour depends on what is being displayed and adding colour for the sake if it isn't always useful. The Instinct series was the second set of Garmin devices to get solar, following the original Fenix 6X Solar edition. If you’re an avid runner or triathlete who loves all things outdoors, with a generous slice of adventure, then the Garmin Instinct 2S will be a match for you.

I managed 8 hours and 50 minutes of sleep one night this weekend, which my 2S declared “long and refreshing REM sleep,” with a quality score of 88 out of 100. Looking at the edge area first, if you look directly at the watch (not on angle), this mostly disappears.