Lets start off with a small introduction: Garmin Instinct 2 is designed as a little -brother/sister to Fenix 7. Just like the Fenix-watches, Instinct 2 has a raw and tough look which signals outdoor-activities and it is just as durable as a Fenix 7. The primary difference of the two collections is related to the interior designs and features.
The Garmin Instinct 2 watches come in different versions - and now you should listen carefully. There are two different sizes. The regular (45mm diameter) and a small (measuring 40mm diameter). In addition they also come with a solar panel version and one without. Last but not least the watches come in a surf-, camo-, tactical and normal version. So, if you are going to buy an Instinct 2 you need to chooze size, with or without solar panels and if you want it in a surf-, camo-, tactical or regular version.
Garmin Instinct 2 - New features
• New and improved display
• VO2Max-estimate
• More activities
• Sleep Score
• Design update incl. QuickFit watch strap
• Endless battery life in smartwatch-mode
• Garmin Pay
• ConnectIQ
• Incident- and fall detection
• Intensity Minutes 2.0
• Hydration, menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracker
• Health Monitoring Activity
• Under water heart rate monitor
New and improved display
All Instinct 2 versions are equipped with a new display with a higher resolution than previously. This makes the display clearer in all lighting conditions, also in bright sunny conditions.
VO2Max-estimate
Garmin Instinct 2 is designed with Garmins recognized VO2Max calculator which determines the state of your shape.
More activities
Garmin Instinct 2 has a lot more activity profiles than its predecessor, among them indoor climbing, MTB, winter sports, golf, virtual running, yoga, pilates and HIIT – incl. EMOM (every minute on the minute) and AMRAP (as many rounds as possible)
Sleep Score
Garmin Instinct 2 provides insights into your sleep. It will inform you how much time you have spent in the different stages of your sleep and it will provide you with a number from 0-100, showing the quality of your sleep. In addition it also provides great tips for how you can improve that number.
Design update incl. QuickFit watch straps
The design has become slightly more round and thin. Its more slim but has preserved its masculine and robust look. Now Instinct is also available in normal size and a small (S). Garmins QuickFit-system will allow you to to change watch straps quickly and easily.
Endless battery life in smartwatch-mode
The Garmin Instinct 2 solar panels are powerful enough to charge the watch in smartwatch-mode. Of course this requires you to be outside in sunlight but in those conditions you have endless battery life.
Garmin Pay
Garmin Pay has been installed in Garmin Instinct 2, so you can leave your wallet at home and pay with your watch. You can register your credit card in your watch to enable you to make payments - also without your phone nearby. And don´t worry, a code is required to make payments, so if the watch should fall into the wrong hands, the watch can´t be used for making payments.
ConnectIQ
Garmins Connect IQ allows you to adjust the look exactly to your taste. You can get watch dials, widgets, change data fields and download apps. You have lots of options for personalizing your watch with thousands of items ready for download.
Incident- and fall detection
If you are unlucky and take a fall during running, hiking or biking, your watch can via your phone send messages to your chosen contacts showing your GPS-coordinates and letting people know that you have been in an accident.
Intensity Minutes 2.0
Most people do activities during the day which they don´t track. Perhaps you go to the supermarket, cycle to work, vacuum or perhaps you wonder how many stairs you climb during a day. Thanks to Intensity Minutes 2.0 you get even more info on all the activities that you don´t track.
Hydration, menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracker
With the Garmin Instinct 2 you can register your daily water consumption, you can create reminders for consuming water to prevent you from getting dehydrated. In addition you can keep an eye on your menstrual cycle and possibly your pregnancy, so you can check specific patterns, etc..
Health Monitoring Activity
With your Garmin Instinct 2.0 this feature allows you to get a fast (takes two minutes) analyis of your important health data. Your heart rate, heart-rate variation, oxygen saturation of your blood, your respiration data and your stress levels - all data which can quickly be exported as a PDF, so you can share it with your doctor among others.
Under water heart rate monitor
The heart rate monitor in Garmin Instinct 2 can also be used under water, so you can get heart rate data if you are swimming, surfing or something different.
Specific features in the different Garmin Instinct 2 models:
Surf
Garmin Instinct 2.0 Surf is designed with specific profiles for the one who loves surfing. You get a windsurfing-profile, kitesurfing-profile and a Surfline-feature providing data on tide, wave height and wind at the five closest surf-spots (the feature only works when the watch is connected to your phone)
Tactical
Garmin Instinct 2.0 Tactical has been designed with a so-called Kill Switch. Its not a feature that all people will use but if you are enrolled in military operations or you find yourself in a war-ridden area, it can be a smart feature. Kill Switch will allow you to quickly erase everything on your watch if security becomes an issue. In that way all data - including GPS and similar features will be erased from the watch.
Instinct 2 - Other features
Garmin Instinct 2 also works as an activity tracker. It has an integrated accelerometer, tracking your number of steps, how far you walk and how many stairs you climb. In addition Instinct 2 also works as a smartwatch which can provide notifications on incoming calls, text messages or other messages from your phone via bluetooth. The watch is of course also equipped with a stopwatch, timer and alarm clock. In addition you also get info on sunrise and sundown and the watch will automatically convert to summer- and winter time. If you move into a different time zone, the watch will automatically make the change to the current time zone thanks to its GPS.
Garmin Instinct 2 - Sportsprofiles
Running, Treadmill, Trail running, Swimming in pool, Swimming in open water (OW), Cycling, Indoor cycling, Mountain biking, Hiking, Climbing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Cross-country skiing, Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), Rowing, Ergometer, Kayaking, Strength training, Cardio training, Staircase, Elliptical training, Yoga.
Garmin Instinct 2 - Navigation
Distance to destination, Altitude profile, Barometric development indicator, Trail running auto climb, Vertical speed, Total ascent / descent, Future elevation plot, GPS coordinates, Projected waypoint, Sight 'N Go (navigate to a point), Area calculation, Sun and moon information, Dual coordinate set, XERO positions.
Other profiles
In addition it has other profiles as well like hunting, fishing, parachuting, etc..
All Garmin Instinct 2 watches are waterproof and may descend to 100m. They are tested according to MIL-STAD-810 standards, which is military standards.
