Garmin Instinct Solar Review – Check What It Can Offer

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Garmin Instinct Solar comes with military-grade rugged build, solar charging capabilities, and epic battery life that can last up to weeks. With a perfect balance of durability, functionality, and endurance, the Garmin Instinct Solar is a solid option.

Table Of Contents Show

What Garmin Instinct Solar Offer?

  • The Garmin Instinct Solar has solar charging technology that dramatically extends battery life for weeks without plugging in.
  • Garmin Instinct Solar has multi-GNSS support including GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo for highly accurate location tracking.
  • It has a Pulse Ox sensor for monitoring blood oxygen levels to assess sleep quality, altitude adaptation, and overall wellness.
  • The Garmin Instinct Solar has a rugged fiber-reinforced polymer case that meets U.S. military standard 810 for thermal, shock, and water resistance.
  • Garmin Instinct Solar has a monochrome, sunlight-visible display that remains clear in bright outdoor light to check data while hiking, biking, or running.
  • It has multiple activity profiles for sports like running, swimming, strength training, and mountain biking.
  • The Garmin Instinct Solar has 24/7 heart rate monitoring for tracking exercise intensity, daily stress, and resting heart rate trends.
  • Garmin Instinct Solar has Bluetooth connectivity for delivering smart notifications such as calls, texts, and weather updates.

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Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Solar charging for unbeatable battery life

  • Rugged, military-grade durability

  • Accurate GPS with multiple satellite systems

  • Comprehensive health tracking (Pulse Ox, stress, sleep, heart rate)

  • Supports many outdoor and indoor activities

  • Smart notifications and weather updates

  • Water-rated up to 100 meters

Cons
  • No music storage or playback

  • Display is monochrome and lacks touch interface

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Comparison

FeatureGarmin Instinct SolarGarmin Forerunner 945Garmin Fenix 6 Pro
DisplayMonochrome, transflectiveColor, transflectiveColor, transflective
TouchscreenNoNoNo
GPSGPS, GLONASS, GalileoGPS, GLONASS, GalileoGPS, GLONASS, Galileo
Battery LifeUp to 54 daysUp to 14 daysUp to 14 days
Music StorageNoYesYes
Pulse Ox SensorYesYesYes
Altimeter/CompassYesYesYes
Weight53g50g83g
Water Rating100m50m100m
Activity ProfilesMultiple outdoor/indoorAdvanced running, triathlonMulti-sport, backcountry
PriceCheck Instinct Solar PriceCheck Forerunner 945 PriceCheck Fenix 6 Pro Price

FAQ

Is the Garmin Instinct Solar waterproof?
Yes, the Garmin Instinct Solar has a water rating of 10 ATM, meaning it can withstand pressures equivalent to a depth of 100 meters. It’s safe for swimming, snorkeling, and heavy rain.

Can the Garmin Instinct Solar play music?
No, it does not have onboard music storage or playback. However, it can control music on your paired smartphone.

How long does the battery last with solar charging?
With sufficient sun exposure, the watch can last up to 54 days in smartwatch mode and unlimited in battery saver mode. Usage and sunlight intensity will affect real-world performance.

Does it have a touchscreen?
No, the Instinct Solar uses physical buttons for navigation. This is ideal for use in harsh environments where touchscreens may be less reliable.

Can I use it for running and cycling?
Yes, it supports both running and cycling activity profiles, including GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and workout metrics.

Is it compatible with iPhone and Android?
Yes, it works with both iOS and Android smartphones via the Garmin Connect app for syncing data and receiving notifications.

Does it monitor blood oxygen levels?
Yes, it features a Pulse Ox sensor that tracks blood oxygen saturation, which is helpful during sleep and at high altitudes.

Can I use it for hiking or trekking?
Absolutely. It includes GPS, altimeter, barometer, and compass, making it perfect for hiking, trekking, and exploring remote terrain.

Is the display easy to read in sunlight?
Yes, the monochrome transflective display is designed to be readable even in direct sunlight, making it great for outdoor use.

Does it have smart notifications?
Yes, when paired with a smartphone, it can display calls, texts, calendar events, and app alerts.

What materials are used in the build?
It features a fiber-reinforced polymer case and a chemically strengthened, scratch-resistant display for extra toughness.

Can it track sleep and stress?
Yes, it includes advanced sleep tracking and stress monitoring, giving insights into daily recovery and well-being.

Is there onboard mapping or navigation?
While it doesn’t have detailed maps like higher-end models, it supports breadcrumb trail navigation and TracBack routing.

Does it support heart rate monitoring?
Yes, it uses wrist-based heart rate monitoring for 24/7 tracking and during workouts.

Can I customize the watch face and data fields?
Yes, you can personalize data screens for different activities and select from multiple watch face options.

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