En effet. Beaucoup plus de compagnie devrait être conçu ainsi. Assurément plus facile à utiliser avec les services de la compagnie, mais tout de même indépendante sur la quasi totalité des fonctions.
I have a first generation Instinct Solar . I bought it just before the Instinct 2. I was a little annoyed at first, but when I saw the price my aggravation faded away…😂 I think I’ll keep my current watch. I still get software updates for it so it remains relevant. Great review.
Yea. The new Instinct 2 is definitively better... But at the same time what was making the first edition that good was the price. So the second is better, but the you got more for your money with the first gen.
@@PascalMarquisUnbox Hey Pascal, in case you know, is the "stealth" mode only present in the Tactical version? If so, afaik all Instinct2 have bluetooth, gps, ant+ and NFC (solar version). How do you disable those functions reliably? I might want have it on my wrist when sleeping and I dont want all that connectivity fry my balls or brain.
I think this watch is a winner. I ended up purchasing a 7X SS, but this is great value if you don't need all the extras of the Fenix line! Thanks for the review
You state that you can edit the watch face on your phone. When I select Settings / Appearance / Watch Face, it displays "Update Setting on Device - This setting is only available on your instinct 2 Solar"
I bought the instinct 2 surf solar. It lasted one week, failed to retrieve tides accurately. The first time i put it in water, it leaked through the button and completely fried. Garmin validated the warranty , but replaced it with the instinct 2 solar graphite due to a recall on the surf edition. Now this new one doesnt even have tide data, downloaded a third party glance for tide, and it fails every time (gps signal is stronger outside) when i am outside using it.......Total trash of a watch 450.00 paper weight. gonna stick with my GW9700 G-SHOCK.
Yes it's a lovely one. Just be carefull, it's a sport watch way before a smart watch. I highly recommend this watch but you should invest the time to listen to that video if you are shoping for a new sport watch : czcams.com/video/-3uI_AB7lDE/video.html
@@PascalMarquisUnbox i go a lot in mountain, I ski, I climb, I need a GPS and a great battery, the watch can control music (even though it’s not crazy and can’t download it). And I got a 25% discount on several Garmin watches including the Instinct 2. There is all i need on it
Nice review, thanks! Still not sure if it's better to collect a bit of money and buy Fenix 7 in several months or even Enduro 2 (which is really outstanding) in a half of year, or to buy this one today. The issue is I have a skin reaction to a metal while the usual plastic won't affect and Instinct 2 can sit on my wrist perfectly. But... the quality of a screen picture matters, really, maps are useful and Instinct doesn't have it all. But... There is an Instinct 2X Solar with a Torch! This one is worth to speak about ;)
For sure the Fenix Series is amazing. About the skin reaction with metal, I can totally understand, but have you ever try with titanium? I'm also sensible to some material with my skin, but with quality material, I'm all fine. Sure the Instinct 2X and the torch that is also an amazing map. The best gain with the fenix will be the mapping. I you don't have any GPS watch now, I would go with the instinct today, then upgrade to the fenix once ready. Garmin watches resell quite well. Get it here if you are ready : geni.us/Garminlnstinct2 😉
I can confirm that standart version of instinct 2 solar also has this polarization problem when using backlight. Can't understand how Garmin made so silly mistake. 😐 Otherwise those are very cool watches.
The lens material on this watch is not chemically strenghtened glass. It is power glass, which means gorilla glass dx. Only the non solar instinct 2 has chemically strenghtened glass.
I'm pretty sure it is actually the same principle as the fenix series. They actually say it's power sapphire. Witch in fact is a regular sapphire glass with a solar panel under it.
Hey how do you transition between sports in Multisport? Do you use Start or another button? And what is the difference in Multisport if you have the Transitions On or Off?
This video will give you all the answer and even more : czcams.com/video/VYHh_DJTG8o/video.html The menu of the fenix and the instinct is built the same way, but the instinct might have some limitation over the multisport and might also not be available.
One think missing is PC/mobile connectivity. It's likely the same for all Garmin smart watches, but I have old Samsung S3 Frontier, PC connectivity is non-existent, phone connectivity is via Samsung app that does not even work on all phones. Other question is how useable is heart rate monitor in real life. Cause my experience with S3 is that it fails on bike due to vibrations on anything except asphalt roads. Another problem of S3 is wireless charging: not very practical to carry another gadget that you can forget at home, USB charger is everywhere. But I'm not entirely decided if I need watch anyways - it can be good as HR monitor, on the other hand for bike it's better good to have map and some information in front of you (like distance when you know you should turn left after 700m) so maybe bulky GPS with map is better for some purposes ... well, considering how much time I spend on bike last years compared to walking and even cross country skiing, I think watch is better.
Everyone makes a video but completely avoids talking about the GPS functions. How to enable and disable when done using maps or navigation so the battery goes back from hours to days.
You got it in the power settings of the activity. You can choose a power mode. But prior that, you can edit the power mode from the main menu. You might find more information about it in that video. But I should do a video just on that.
I will surely do it in the next few month, but I will also surely forget to tag you. 😉 It will be publish on that channel : www.youtube.com/@HowToPM Take care! 😉
I think it is incorrect to say if the watch could be used if Garmin goes bankrupt but I could be wrong. I think the watch only saves about 100 hours of activity until you have to sync it. If you continually worked out and didn’t sync it to the app your memory would get full and you could not record any more activities. Are you keeping your Epix 2? I was thinking of getting one but I would want to have it always on and that is only a six day battery life and I use gps an hour a day for workout ls so I doubt it would even last six days.
Hi Chris. I never tried to reach the end of the memory without sync. However I think it would erase the older activity. But I can be wrong. However, that is not a problem as you can extract your activity with ''Android File Transfer'' witch is a google application available for free.
My Instinct 2 Solar, after a software update, got stuck and I had to hard reset it. After that, none of the sensors are working, and the battery is draining 100% in a few hours. 2 years old watch, out of warranty, no replacement. Very disappointed with Garmin.
I wold try to contact Garmin. You surely re-install the update from a computer, or wait for the next one. I also got a friend who got a free replacement with a neewer watch model with a 3 years old watch out of warranty.
I had tested 3 different instinct 1 and two of them gave me a terrible experience with the altimeter. The problem happen when you sweat on the sensor that is poorly place under the watch like you said. The instinct 2 totally solve that problem. It's a wonderfull watch. I still prefer the fenix series but the instinct is a great navigation tool.
I got a screen protector from Amazon. 3x tempered glass protectors for $10. Still leaves lots of bezel for protection. You save a lot of money vs buying one with sapphire crystal if that was an option.
@@PascalMarquisUnbox They way I look at it, it's something I'll be looking at daily and it would suck if all I could see was scratches. I've seen some video on youtube where a mountain biker was flying down a trail and happen to hit the watch on a branch and cracked the screen protector. Much better than cracking the actual screen. My 2 cents. :)
50,000 lumens is not high intensity sun, actually. A cloudy day, working near a large window is actually much higher. High intensity sun is 100K-150K easy depending on our region. In tropical countries it is over 200! My issue is that solar won't work below 0, and most of my adventures would be in places like Siberia. That only leaves beach holidays as the only time I'd be able to use solar.
I didn't tried the X model of the instinct two but it would be much likely like the regular model but bigger with a bigger battery and a flashlight. That is a super great thing. The fenix become very interesting if you want maps. Take a look at this video if you want the most of sport watches : czcams.com/video/-3uI_AB7lDE/video.html
I have a fenix 6 and am undecided between this and the tactic pro. huge price difference between the 2 but im fed up of charging my 6 every 10 days or so. Is it actually possible for the instinct 2 run indefinitely or would i just be charging less frequently..? I live in the uk so the weathers always crap!
In my opinion, you should decide based on the hardware experience you'd like, they are soo different. Even without solar, you should get over a month between charges, so I wouldn't worry too much either way!
Hum. I don't know all the sport mode by heart but if you don't see it in the menu it's just not there. I didn't test the surf edition but I would be suprise that it would not be there. Still you could record with an other similar water activity and change it in garmin connect later. I know it's far from perfect but that is probably the best you could do.
@@PascalMarquisUnbox thank you Pascal. Great video as always .... Awesome detail again as expected ... I watch ! ALL ! Your videos 🙂 appreciate all the time and effort and expertise you put in...
Seriously the best review I have ever seen!
Thanks a lot
Thanks! 😊
Le fait de pouvoir l'utiliser hors connexion et surtout, indépendament de la compagnie, est un énorme point de résilience à prendre en compte.
En effet. Beaucoup plus de compagnie devrait être conçu ainsi. Assurément plus facile à utiliser avec les services de la compagnie, mais tout de même indépendante sur la quasi totalité des fonctions.
I have a first generation Instinct Solar . I bought it just before the Instinct 2. I was a little annoyed at first, but when I saw the price my aggravation faded away…😂 I think I’ll keep my current watch. I still get software updates for it so it remains relevant. Great review.
Yea. The new Instinct 2 is definitively better... But at the same time what was making the first edition that good was the price.
So the second is better, but the you got more for your money with the first gen.
@@PascalMarquisUnbox Hey Pascal, in case you know, is the "stealth" mode only present in the Tactical version? If so, afaik all Instinct2 have bluetooth, gps, ant+ and NFC (solar version). How do you disable those functions reliably? I might want have it on my wrist when sleeping and I dont want all that connectivity fry my balls or brain.
@@maxmeier532 connectivity won't fry anything... radiowave arond you are way powerful than your smartwatch. It's the dose that make the poison
My Vivoactive 3 still gets updates several years later. You will be able to use it until it dies.
I think this watch is a winner. I ended up purchasing a 7X SS, but this is great value if you don't need all the extras of the Fenix line! Thanks for the review
CRZ CTRL!!! ROCK!
You state that you can edit the watch face on your phone. When I select Settings / Appearance / Watch Face, it displays "Update Setting on Device - This setting is only available on your instinct 2 Solar"
I bought the instinct 2 surf solar. It lasted one week, failed to retrieve tides accurately. The first time i put it in water, it leaked through the button and completely fried. Garmin validated the warranty , but replaced it with the instinct 2 solar graphite due to a recall on the surf edition. Now this new one doesnt even have tide data, downloaded a third party glance for tide, and it fails every time (gps signal is stronger outside) when i am outside using it.......Total trash of a watch 450.00 paper weight. gonna stick with my GW9700 G-SHOCK.
Hum. That is defenitively not a great experience for you.
I wanted a not too expensive smart watch as my first ever, and I definitely think I found it !
Yes it's a lovely one. Just be carefull, it's a sport watch way before a smart watch. I highly recommend this watch but you should invest the time to listen to that video if you are shoping for a new sport watch : czcams.com/video/-3uI_AB7lDE/video.html
@@PascalMarquisUnbox i go a lot in mountain, I ski, I climb, I need a GPS and a great battery, the watch can control music (even though it’s not crazy and can’t download it). And I got a 25% discount on several Garmin watches including the Instinct 2. There is all i need on it
Nice review, thanks!
Still not sure if it's better to collect a bit of money and buy Fenix 7 in several months or even Enduro 2 (which is really outstanding) in a half of year, or to buy this one today.
The issue is I have a skin reaction to a metal while the usual plastic won't affect and Instinct 2 can sit on my wrist perfectly. But... the quality of a screen picture matters, really, maps are useful and Instinct doesn't have it all.
But... There is an Instinct 2X Solar with a Torch! This one is worth to speak about ;)
For sure the Fenix Series is amazing. About the skin reaction with metal, I can totally understand, but have you ever try with titanium?
I'm also sensible to some material with my skin, but with quality material, I'm all fine.
Sure the Instinct 2X and the torch that is also an amazing map.
The best gain with the fenix will be the mapping.
I you don't have any GPS watch now, I would go with the instinct today, then upgrade to the fenix once ready.
Garmin watches resell quite well.
Get it here if you are ready : geni.us/Garminlnstinct2 😉
I charged first time i use very low mode maybe 4-5h bike activity and heart rate sometimes open rarely its finished 10days
feels like im watching a 9 years old explain what tyres are.
I can confirm that standart version of instinct 2 solar also has this polarization problem when using backlight. Can't understand how Garmin made so silly mistake. 😐 Otherwise those are very cool watches.
The lens material on this watch is not chemically strenghtened glass. It is power glass, which means gorilla glass dx. Only the non solar instinct 2 has chemically strenghtened glass.
I'm pretty sure it is actually the same principle as the fenix series.
They actually say it's power sapphire. Witch in fact is a regular sapphire glass with a solar panel under it.
"unboxing"... everything that is wrong with contemporary society, in one word.
Look at this guy getting confused by The compass "not working" at 24:50. 😅
Hey how do you transition between sports in Multisport?
Do you use Start or another button? And what is the difference in Multisport if you have the Transitions On or Off?
This video will give you all the answer and even more : czcams.com/video/VYHh_DJTG8o/video.html
The menu of the fenix and the instinct is built the same way, but the instinct might have some limitation over the multisport and might also not be available.
One think missing is PC/mobile connectivity. It's likely the same for all Garmin smart watches, but I have old Samsung S3 Frontier, PC connectivity is non-existent, phone connectivity is via Samsung app that does not even work on all phones. Other question is how useable is heart rate monitor in real life. Cause my experience with S3 is that it fails on bike due to vibrations on anything except asphalt roads. Another problem of S3 is wireless charging: not very practical to carry another gadget that you can forget at home, USB charger is everywhere.
But I'm not entirely decided if I need watch anyways - it can be good as HR monitor, on the other hand for bike it's better good to have map and some information in front of you (like distance when you know you should turn left after 700m) so maybe bulky GPS with map is better for some purposes ... well, considering how much time I spend on bike last years compared to walking and even cross country skiing, I think watch is better.
Everyone makes a video but completely avoids talking about the GPS functions. How to enable and disable when done using maps or navigation so the battery goes back from hours to days.
You got it in the power settings of the activity.
You can choose a power mode.
But prior that, you can edit the power mode from the main menu.
You might find more information about it in that video.
But I should do a video just on that.
@Pascal Marquis Unbox tag me when you do. That would be great info and I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks for the reply.
I will surely do it in the next few month, but I will also surely forget to tag you. 😉 It will be publish on that channel : www.youtube.com/@HowToPM
Take care! 😉
I think it is incorrect to say if the watch could be used if Garmin goes bankrupt but I could be wrong. I think the watch only saves about 100 hours of activity until you have to sync it. If you continually worked out and didn’t sync it to the app your memory would get full and you could not record any more activities. Are you keeping your Epix 2? I was thinking of getting one but I would want to have it always on and that is only a six day battery life and I use gps an hour a day for workout ls so I doubt it would even last six days.
Hi Chris. I never tried to reach the end of the memory without sync. However I think it would erase the older activity. But I can be wrong. However, that is not a problem as you can extract your activity with ''Android File Transfer'' witch is a google application available for free.
Android file transfer is a computer application. So you would be able to empty the memory over USB.
My Instinct 2 Solar, after a software update, got stuck and I had to hard reset it. After that, none of the sensors are working, and the battery is draining 100% in a few hours. 2 years old watch, out of warranty, no replacement. Very disappointed with Garmin.
I wold try to contact Garmin. You surely re-install the update from a computer, or wait for the next one.
I also got a friend who got a free replacement with a neewer watch model with a 3 years old watch out of warranty.
The altimeter on instict 1 is terrible on track run.the sensor is under the watch and touches the skin.the altimeter is good enough on instict 2?
I had tested 3 different instinct 1 and two of them gave me a terrible experience with the altimeter. The problem happen when you sweat on the sensor that is poorly place under the watch like you said. The instinct 2 totally solve that problem. It's a wonderfull watch. I still prefer the fenix series but the instinct is a great navigation tool.
Simplesmente top.👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
I got a screen protector from Amazon. 3x tempered glass protectors for $10. Still leaves lots of bezel for protection. You save a lot of money vs buying one with sapphire crystal if that was an option.
Sure. But I don't like to add anything on a glass... Personally. 😉
@@PascalMarquisUnbox They way I look at it, it's something I'll be looking at daily and it would suck if all I could see was scratches. I've seen some video on youtube where a mountain biker was flying down a trail and happen to hit the watch on a branch and cracked the screen protector. Much better than cracking the actual screen. My 2 cents. :)
50,000 lumens is not high intensity sun, actually. A cloudy day, working near a large window is actually much higher. High intensity sun is 100K-150K easy depending on our region. In tropical countries it is over 200!
My issue is that solar won't work below 0, and most of my adventures would be in places like Siberia. That only leaves beach holidays as the only time I'd be able to use solar.
Don't forget that the watch is on your wrist that will send heat to your watch. The watch migh remain warm even in cold thanks to you.
24:30 you are surrounded by electromagnetic fields... no wonder compass does not work properly...
Yes sure that can be an explanation.
The non replaceable battery (garmin recommended) will fail before garmin fail as a company, 5 years nohold charge
I ordered the watch should be coming tommorow so excited I skate does it have that in fitness
What kind of review of an outdoor adventure watch where you play with the buttons for an hour and don't actually use it?
Hi Pascal, could you compare instinct 2 with instinct 2x, also how about the instinct 2x vs fenix 6x thanks in advance
I didn't tried the X model of the instinct two but it would be much likely like the regular model but bigger with a bigger battery and a flashlight.
That is a super great thing.
The fenix become very interesting if you want maps.
Take a look at this video if you want the most of sport watches : czcams.com/video/-3uI_AB7lDE/video.html
I have a fenix 6 and am undecided between this and the tactic pro. huge price difference between the 2 but im fed up of charging my 6 every 10 days or so. Is it actually possible for the instinct 2 run indefinitely or would i just be charging less frequently..? I live in the uk so the weathers always crap!
If you really aim for long battery life, go for the Enduro 2. czcams.com/video/pUo9t7DvbTE/video.html
@Pascal Marquis Unbox thanks! It's quiet at work so will sit down and watch it now!
In my opinion, you should decide based on the hardware experience you'd like, they are soo different. Even without solar, you should get over a month between charges, so I wouldn't worry too much either way!
You'd still have to charge a solar Instinct.
Great Rev iew
I just bought an Intinct 2 tactical...but I surf too...can I add Surf to the sports menu or that only works In The Surf Edition? Tks for the Vid
Hum. I don't know all the sport mode by heart but if you don't see it in the menu it's just not there. I didn't test the surf edition but I would be suprise that it would not be there.
Still you could record with an other similar water activity and change it in garmin connect later.
I know it's far from perfect but that is probably the best you could do.
Or you could create your own surf with the ''other'' mode.
Dude, your opinion on the wrist bands is wrong. Switch the pins and then you can use Quickfit bands.
Yes you can use quickfit bands, they just dont visually fit well on it.
How can you tell somebody their opinion is wrong. Its their opinion it can't be right or wrong lol
how good is the battery life with smart watch feature, pulse ox and heart rate on all day? how long does it indicate on your i2 tac-sol?
Very good. See the ''battery'' chapter in the video.
What watch are you wearing btw
The one on my wrist was the Epix 2.
@@PascalMarquisUnbox thank you Pascal. Great video as always .... Awesome detail again as expected ... I watch ! ALL ! Your videos 🙂 appreciate all the time and effort and expertise you put in...
What’s make you dislike a “Plastic watch”?
I just personally prefer premium material like titanium.
I mean plastic is not bad.... I just don't like wearing it.
I also like the weight and feal that I have something at my wrist.
Polymer is PVC
PVC is a good quality plastic.
cringe
Jesus man, you always pronounce BEZEL like BEASEL..... It's BEZEL /ˈbɛz(ə)l/
It's funny though 🙂
Well... Here is my point of view on this one : czcams.com/users/shortsXloEDTpkKxM
But thank you I'll tell it right next time. 😉