Pros
Excellent durability and rugged build
Solar charging significantly extends battery life
Built-in flashlight is powerful and useful
Accurate multi-band GNSS support for navigation
Intuitive user interface and seamless smartphone syncing
Wide range of accurate activity tracking features
Waterproof and can withstand extreme weather conditions
Comprehensive app without subscription fees
Good battery life even with heavy use
Highly customizable buttons and functions
Comfortable watchband
Useful features for outdoor activities like GPS and storm alerts
Efficient solar charging technology
Cons
Solar charging requires direct sunlight to be effective
Altimeter could be more accurate
Monochrome display, not as modern looking
Main Product Advantages
10 Durability
The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar has excellent durability, capable of withstanding rough treatment, extreme weather conditions, and is suitable for various activities like hiking, swimming, and running.
10 Multi-Band GNSS
Multi-band GNSS support provides accurate location tracking in challenging environments, ensuring reliable navigation whether in deep valleys, near tall buildings, or under thick canopy.
9 Solar Charging Capability
The solar charging feature extends the battery life significantly, making it highly convenient for long outdoor activities where access to power sources is limited.
9 Battery Life
The battery life is outstanding, lasting up to 40 days with solar charging and up to two weeks with intensive use, making it ideal for extended outdoor adventures.
8 Built-in Flashlight
The built-in flashlight is powerful and versatile, useful for night treks and finding items in dark conditions, although it can rapidly drain the battery if used excessively.
8 User Interface and Connectivity
The user interface is intuitive, and syncing with smartphones is seamless, providing notifications, weather updates, and other essential information efficiently.
8 Activity Tracking
Accurate activity tracking capabilities for various activities, though some specific activities like jumping rope may not track perfectly. Includes heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and more.
8 Health Monitoring
Comprehensive health monitoring, including heart rate, VO2 max, and blood oxygen levels, with no subscription fees for accessing detailed health metrics.
8 Design and Comfort
Durable and comfortable design, with features like a larger screen that’s readable without glasses, and a comfortable band that is suitable for all-day wear.
7 Price
While slightly pricey, the watch provides excellent value for money, especially when on sale, considering the feature set and durability. However, it falls short compared to more expensive models like the Fenix and Epix in terms of display and navigation.
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar Review
Whatever you do, own it with Instinct® 2X Solar. This bold, rugged GPS smartwatch is tough enough to keep up with you and unique enough to fit your style. Plus, solar charging gives you unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode when exposed to 3 hours of direct sunlight (50,000 lux) per day.
Built-in Flashlight
When the sun sets, use the built-in LED flashlight to keep going and stay visible. This is a particularly useful feature for those who love outdoor adventures that extend into the evening or night.
Preloaded Activity Profiles
Do more of what you love with preloaded activity profiles for running, biking, swimming, strength training, and more. This makes it easy to switch between diverse workouts and keep track of your performance across different activities.
Accurate Positioning
Count on multi-band signal reception technology to provide more accurate positioning, and multi-GNSS support to provide more reliable service in challenging environments. This ensures you are always on the right track, no matter where you are.
Smart Connectivity
Check your wrist to stay connected with smart notifications, Garmin Pay™ contactless payments, and Connect IQ™ app integration (when paired with your compatible smartphone). This allows you to stay in touch and carry out essential tasks without reaching for your phone.
Health Monitoring
Understand your body better with all-day health monitoring for energy levels, stress, sleep, Pulse Ox, heart rate, and more. Note that this is not a medical device, and the data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked. Pulse Ox may not be available in all countries.
Conclusion
The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar is an impressive and robust GPS smartwatch designed for those who lead an active lifestyle. With features like solar charging, built-in flashlight, and extensive health monitoring, it is well-suited for both outdoor adventures and everyday use. The addition of smart connectivity makes it a comprehensive tool for modern living.
