Garmin Instinct 2X review

Garmin Instinct 2X Review

Garmin has launched the Instinct 2X solar, which is essentially a larger version of the Instinct 2 solar, but with additional features. Due to its bigger case, the watch has been equipped with new features, including longer battery life than the previous model. And We’ll cover all that and more in this Garmin Instinct 2X review.

Additionally, the Instinct 2X offers new training feedback features, as well as activity profiles and improved GPS accuracy. It also comes with a flashlight that is similar to the one found on the Fenix 7X. Despite all these features, the Instinct 2X solar is impressively priced at only $449.

I have been testing out the new Instinct 2X Solar and in this review, I will be discussing all the new features of the watch, including both the software and hardware improvements. Additionally, I will cover the battery life and provide various examples to showcase the GPS and hardware accuracy of the device across different activities. Check out the latest price of Garmin Instinct 2X price here.

There are two versions available: the Instinct 2X Solar and the Instinct 2X Solar Tactical Edition. The latter comes with some extra features like a Jump Master profile for those who jump out of airplanes, specialized navigation features such as dual position GPS formatting, and Night Vision compatibility, and it is priced at $499. Other than these differences, both versions offer solar charging.

The Instinct 2X Solar comes with new training and performance feedback features, new activity profiles, a new GPS chipset, and a flashlight. It is worth noting that all versions of the Instinct 2X come with solar charging capabilities, so there is no non-solar version available. This simplifies the decision-making process for customers.

Garmin Instinct Design:

The Instinct 2X has a new size that completes the Instinct 2 lineup. The Instinct 2X has a 50-millimeter case, while the Instinct 2 has a 45-millimeter case, and the Instinct 2S has a 40-millimeter case. This means that there is an Instinct watch for every wrist size. Although the 50-millimeter case size may sound big, it is surprisingly comfortable and wearable.

Based on my wrist size, which is around 184 millimeters in circumference, I usually prefer a mid-sized watch such as the Instinct 2 at 45 millimeters, the midsize Fenix 7, or Epix at 47 millimeters. However, I found that the Instinct 2X was even more comfortable to wear than the Fenix 7X or Enduro 2, and I believe a large part of that is due to its weight.

The Instinct 2X weighs 66.5 grams, while the Fenix 7X Solar weighs 95.8 grams, the Enduro 2 with its Ultra fit band weighs 69.5 grams, and the Instinct 2 mid-size model solar weighs 52.9 grams. The difference in weight, particularly when compared to the Fenix 7X, can make a significant difference in terms of comfort and wearability.

Another factor that contributes to the comfort and stability of the Instinct 2X is the integrated band, which conforms to the wrist and helps to keep the watch secure. This design also contributes to better hardware accuracy.

The band on the Instinct 2X is similar to the Instinct 2, with stretchy and comfortable material, but it is slightly shorter, which was a surprise. In terms of hardware, the Instinct 2X shares the same retro and rugged design as the Instinct 2, but with the addition of screws to the construction and an X pattern. Check out the latest price of Garmin Instinct 2X price here.

Garmin Instinct 2 Flash Light And How To Activate It:

With its larger size, the Instinct 2X has more space inside, which has allowed Garmin to include a dedicated LED flashlight that was first introduced with the Fenix 7X. The addition of the flashlight is a significant feature and is incredibly useful in various situations. The flashlight feature is also available on the Fenix 7X and the Tactix Delta Solar.

To activate the flashlight, simply double-press the upper left-hand button. The controls menu can be accessed by long-pressing the same button, where you can adjust the brightness level and switch to the red LED, similar to the 7x and Enduro 2.

Interestingly, the Instinct 2x Tactical edition features a green LED, which is considered more useful in tactical situations. It’s worth noting that the Instinct 2x refers to it as a torch, while the 7x and Enduro 2 use the term flashlight.

Furthermore, the Instinct 2x features a strobe function that can be accessed through the controls menu. There are several options available, including blink mode, pulse mode, beacon mode, blitz mode, and the ability to create a custom strobe pattern.

In addition to the larger case size, the Instinct 2x boasts a larger display than the Instinct 2. Despite this, it still shares the same five data field limit on a data page as its predecessor.

The 2x’s larger size allows for an even larger solar panel that surrounds the display, providing up to 50% more solar charging power than the smaller Instinct 2. The display also utilizes Power Glass Technology, which features a translucent solar panel on top of the LCD display.

Another noteworthy feature of the Instinct 2x is the updated solar intensity widget, which displays Lux hours. This feature is borrowed from the Fenix 7x and Enduro 2 and provides more detailed information about the user’s solar exposure.

Garmin Instinct 2X Battery Life:

Due to its larger size, the Instinct 2x offers longer battery life compared to the Instinct 2, regardless of whether solar charging is utilized. In Smart Watch mode, the Instinct 2x can last up to 40 days, whereas the midsize Instinct 2 offers 28 days. With enough solar exposure, both models have the potential for unlimited battery life, but the Instinct 2x’s larger solar panels make it easier to achieve.

When it comes to recording outdoor activities, the Instinct 2x outperforms the Instinct 2 with double the battery life in GPS-only mode and substantially longer battery life in other modes.

Additionally, the Instinct 2X is equipped with a multi-band satellite chipset, which provides up to 27 hours of battery life in this mode. Even with the highest accuracy setting, the battery life of the 2x is comparable to that of the Instinct 2 Solar.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that the Instinct 2x comes with a USBC charging cable, as opposed to the USB Type-A cable included with previous models.

One of the new features on the Instinct 2x is Garmin’s Morning Report, which displays useful information such as sleep details, HRV status, weather, and calendar events on a handy screen that pops up every morning.

The Instinct 2x also includes all the health and activity tracking features that come with the Instinct, including 24-hour heart rate tracking, blood oxygen saturation tracking, stress tracking, step tracking, and floor climb tracking throughout the day.

It also has advanced sleep tracking that can monitor sleep stages. Additionally, the Instinct 2x comes with a range of training and performance feedback features, such as a performance widget that can display VO2 max for both running and cycling.

In addition, the Instinct 2X includes a race predictor widget for common running race instances, and a training status feature that takes into account various factors such as VO2 max trends, training load, HRV status, and recovery.

Furthermore, the Instinct 2x also features training readiness, which is the same advanced training readiness feature found on Garmin’s high-end watches such as the Fenix 7, the Forerunner 945, and the Forerunner 745.

Training readiness refers to how prepared you are for your next workout, while training status reflects how your previous training sessions have impacted your fitness and performance. Various factors, such as your sleep quality, recovery time, HRV status, and acute load, are considered to calculate your readiness score. This feature, which I’ve been using since it was first introduced on the Foreigner 955 last year, is truly remarkable.

It’s worth noting that training readiness is exclusive to the Instinct 2X and won’t be added to the regular Instinct 2s through a software update. However, the Instinct 2X does come with a new obstacle course racing profile that allows you to separate your race into running and obstacle portions. To start and end an obstacle leg, simply use the lap key.

New Activity Profiles

Apart from the obstacle course racing profile, the Instinct 2X is introducing a couple of new activity profiles, including boxing and mixed martial arts. These new profiles will be added to the already extensive list of activity profiles that the Instinct 2 offers.

It’s worth mentioning that the new obstacle course racing profile and the new activity profiles like boxing and MMA will also be added to the Instinct 2 and Instinct 2s through a software update in Q2 of this year:

SmartWatch Features:

The Instinct 2X and Instinct 2 Solar offer the same smartwatch features. You can receive notifications on either an Android or iPhone device, but if you use an Android phone, you can respond to text messages with predefined responses that you can customize in Garmin Connect. Additionally, the Instinct 2X has Garmin Pay for offline payments and can display weather information and calendar events synced from your phone.

In terms of GPS accuracy, the Instinct 2X has a dual-band or multi-band satellite chipset, which is an upgrade from the Instinct 2. This technology is designed to provide increased accuracy in environments where satellite signals may be weak, such as areas with tall buildings, rock faces, or heavy tree cover, where these objects can interfere with satellite signals.

It’s great to hear that the Instinct 2X has excellent GPS accuracy. During a road test, the total distance measured by the Instinct 2X matched up with other devices that also had multi-band technology. The elevation gain was also consistent.

Furthermore, during an out-and-back test, the GPS tracks on the Instinct 2X showed a clear distinction between one side of the road and the other, which is impressive. Overall, it sounds like the GPS accuracy on the Instinct 2X is top-notch.

It’s good to hear that the GPS accuracy on the Instinct 2X is solid, even in challenging environments, thanks to its multi-band satellite chipset. While the GPS accuracy on the Instinct 2 was already accurate enough, having this technology on the 2X is definitely a plus.

It’s worth noting, however, that the Instinct 2X does not come with the Auto Select or sat IQ mode found on other Garmin watches like the Fenix 7X or the Enduro 2. This feature allows the watch to automatically select the best satellite signal, which can be particularly useful in areas with weak signals or interference.

This technology, called sat IQ or Auto Select, aims to automatically switch between different satellite modes in order to save on battery life. It recognizes that the highest accuracy setting may not be necessary at all times, such as when you are in an open area with no obstructions.

In those situations, a single-frequency mode would suffice. However, when satellite signals are likely to degrade, the technology would automatically switch to a dual-frequency mode. It’s worth noting that this technology doesn’t have the desired mode, which is a bit of a downside. However, the argument can be made that the 2x already has impressive battery life. Check out the latest price of Garmin Instinct 2X price here.

How Accurate Is Garmin’s Hardware:

The Instinct 2x utilizes Garmin’s latest fourth-generation Elevate heart rate sensor, which is also used on the Instinct 2. The results obtained from this sensor on other Garmin watches have been pretty accurate. Let’s take a look at how the 2x performed.

Starting with an indoor bike ride at a steady state, the sensor’s performance was quite impressive. There were only minor blips here and there, which are nothing to be concerned about.

Interval Training: In interval training which is a bit more challenging. The results were excellent, with only a minor blip observed at the beginning, likely from the arm-based optical heart rate sensor. The Instinct 2x performed shockingly well with rapid changes in heart rate, which is precisely what one would want to see.

Outdoor Biking: As we transition into summer and take our biking outdoors, we encounter new challenges for optical heart rate sensors to contend with, such as vibrations and bumps on the road.

Despite these obstacles, the 2x model performed exceptionally well on this ride and produced one of the best results I’ve seen from a watch. Although there were a few blips along the way, overall, the heart rate accuracy during road biking was impressive.

Mountain Biking: Mountain biking presents an even greater challenge for accurate heart rate monitoring using a wrist-based optical sensor than road biking. The constant gripping of handlebars and rough terrain can cause the watch to bounce around on your wrist, regardless of how tightly it is secured. However, the Instinct 2x still performed admirably in this activity, which is impressive for a wrist-based optical heart rate sensor of this size.

To illustrate this point, during the ascent, the Instinct 2x was consistently close to the external heart rate sensors I was using, despite the rough terrain. However, during the second half of the ride, while descending, the accuracy of the heart rate reading did shift and was not as spot on. Nevertheless, the overall result from the 2x was very good for mountain biking.

Garmin Instinct 2X Review – Strength Training:

Strength training is known to be one of the toughest activities for wrist-based optical heart rate sensors to monitor accurately due to the constant gripping on the dumbbells and varying arm movements, which can be challenging for these sensors to detect.

Despite these difficulties, the Garmin Instinct 2x model still performed fairly well during this activity. Although there were some higher readings during certain sets and the optical heart rate sensor was slightly off on one side, the Instinct 2X still matched up with the overall trends across all sets and was also reliable during high-intensity intervals.

Overall, the Instinct 2x is a great addition to the Instinct line, providing a larger size and new features to the lineup. Check out the latest price of Garmin Instinct 2X price here.

LEAVE A RESPONSE

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About the author: Edouard Balik is a Tech writer at Superfashion.us website. He creates Tech related articles using natural creativity and language tools, Market realities. Edouard loves discussing smartphones and smartwatches Tech and specs using his expertise in the field and reading their news. https://twitter.com/BalikEdouard