Garmin Instinct 2X Solar Tactical Edition Black
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According to our smartwatch expert
The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar Tactical Edition Black can handle the toughest conditions and meets the military standard. The Instinct 2X is a large and heavy 50mm watch. Note that you should have a wrist circumference of at least 19cm. The watch doesn't look as nice on a smaller wrist. You can quickly switch between day and night mode and even read the screen with night vision goggles on. The watch also has a 'Kill Switch', which can erase all your data with a push of a button in case of an emergency. Charge the smartwatch on the go via solar power. That way, you can use it for an extra long time. The Garmin Instinct 2 is suitable for the fanatic outdoor athlete. The watch is resistant to extreme temperatures, and it's shockproof. You can also dive down to a depth of 100m with it. With a VO2 max reading, you can also accurately track your fitness. The Instinct 2X provides insight in your recovery time after your workout. That way, you know if you're ready for a new workout. Thanks to the built-in GPS receiver, you can keep track of your route while leaving your smartphone at home. The watch also tracks your health, like your stress level and sleep quality. You can view incoming notifications on the watch, so you're always up to date. And you can pay with the watch via Garmin Pay.
Note: a charger isn't included. Do you want to charge the watch via a socket? Use the charger of your smartphone or order a separate charger.
This watch is recommended for a wrist circumference of 19 to 22cm.
Compatible with operating system | Android, iOS | |
|---|---|---|
Height | 50 mm | |
Recommended for wrist circumference | 19 - 22 cm | |
Quality of sports readings | Excellent | |
Quality of health readings | Good | |
Battery life in time mode | 960 hours | |
Type of heart rate measurement | Optical heart rate measurement | |
Required iPhone model | iPhone 6s or later |
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I switched via a Vivosmart4 to an Instinct Solar (version 1), via an intermediate step to the Casio DW-H5600 (that was nothing!) to an Instinct 2X Solar to an Instinct 2X Solar Tactical.
Actually, I always wanted a Casio 5600 with heart rate monitoring because of indestructibility and reliability, but Casio is years behind other brands. The DW-H5600 had a less reliable heart rate measurement, much, much less customization options and far fewer functions, plus it was much more clumsy to use. The Garmin Instinct can be compared to the Casio in terms of robustness, although it is a round model instead of a square one.
I was very satisfied with the 2X regular version, but found the color scheme on the model annoying: the white stripes made me think there were scratches on the glass. I also had a few small things that made me decide to opt for the Tactical variant. It was just as expensive but with red accents. Note: the 2X is already a large model, but the Tactical is 0.2 mm thicker than the regular version and this is not mentioned anywhere! Might make all the difference in how often you bump him.
Positive: -The battery life is longer than I know from any other Smartwatch. Apple watches have to be plugged in every day! This can last about 40 days if you use it as a smartwatch like I do, always on, continuous heart rate measurement and the occasional activity with GPS. -great feedback about my sleep, so I better understand why I don't always wake up rested and can do something about it (note: he has to measure about 3 weeks before he gives results). -morning report can be personalized and therefore wake up nicely
-messages from your phone can be set per app so that Whatsapp or system notifications don't drive me crazy -I don't have to worry about it being damaged, I swam with it in open water, rafted and cycled. support from Garmin is excellent through their customer service. -lots of features that are mainly on more expensive watches (e.g. flashlight, different activities) -the flashlight seems superfluous because everyone has a light on their phone, but I use it much more often than I thought in advance (also proved to be very useful on vacation!). -it is actually always easy to read without backlight. -you can make shortcuts of the buttons on the watch yourself, which I use for example for a timer to shorten my shower time.
To think about: -I have not yet reached the battery life of 43 days with a fully charged watch, especially in the last 2 weeks it is deteriorating faster than he estimates. It can't really do without charging ('tough solar'), but about 3 hours in the sun will extend the battery life. And also charging for a day or 35 at 3 hours is already a long time, of course. -there are 2 colors in the flashlight: white and green. On the regular (not Tactical) 2X white and red. I found red a more convenient and applicable color than green. -if you're new to Garmin Connect it will take you a while to figure it all out, it's not always intuitive, but there's always info to be found at Garmin or on the internet on how to get something done. -there are many more functions than you will use (the advantage is that if you decide to do a training once, it is usually done). -it is not a color screen and not a touchscreen, which is not a problem for me, you can do everything with the buttons.
-it's a really big model. No problem for my wrist, but I notice that I bump it more often (especially in the beginning) than, for example, the Casio or the Instinct Solar (first version).
david
7 August 2023
Automatically translated from Dutch
Super portable watch, light and robust
Alex
25 June 2023
Automatically translated from Dutch
See plus points.
Peter
27 September 2023
Automatically translated from Dutch
Thanks to Garmin Pay, it's possible to pay contactless with your Garmin Instinct 2X Solar Tactical Edition Black. Even without having a wallet or smartphone with you. Want to know more about Garmin Pay and how to install it? Read this article.
Product number | 925568 | |
|---|---|---|
Manufacturer code | 010-02805-03 | |
Brand | Garmin | |
Warranty | 2 years | |
Processing of your defect | Via Coolblue | |
Old product returned for free |
Compatible with operating system | Android, iOS | |
|---|---|---|
Required iPhone model | iPhone 6s or later | |
Required Android version smartphone | Android 7.0 or higher | |
Operating system | Garmin OS | |
Year introduced | 2023 | |
Guaranteed support with updates | 48 months after release date |
Watch case color | Black | |
|---|---|---|
Watch case material | Plastic | |
Watch case shape | Round | |
Height | 50 mm | |
Width | 50 mm | |
Depth | 14,5 mm | |
Weight | 67 g | |
Size watch case | Extra large | |
Recommended for wrist circumference | 19 - 22 cm | |
Total storage capacity | 32 MB | |
Shockproof | ||
Controlled via buttons on device |
Watch strap material | Silicone | |
|---|---|---|
Watch strap color | Black | |
Closure type | Buckle | |
Interchangeable watch strap | ||
Compatibility watch strap | Product specific |
Screen type | MIP | |
|---|---|---|
Always-on display | ||
Data display | Digital | |
Touchscreen | ||
Color screen | ||
Adjustable watch face | ||
Type of glass | Hardened glass |
Battery life in time mode | 960 hours | |
|---|---|---|
Battery life in sports mode | 60 hours | |
Battery/battery capacity | 205 mAh | |
Energy source solar power | ||
Wireless charging |
Internet connection options | WiFi only | |
|---|---|---|
Bluetooth | ||
ANT+ | ||
Independent music player | ||
Music controls | ||
Built-in microphone | ||
Built-in speakers | ||
Spoken directions | ||
Call options | Only answer calls | |
Smartphone notifications | Receive messages, Send messages | |
Smart reply | ||
App installation possible | ||
Camera operation | ||
NFC | ||
Contactless payment | ||
Contactless payment system | Garmin Pay | |
Country contactless payment | Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands |
Pedometer | ||
|---|---|---|
Measures distance | ||
Speedometer | ||
Calorie counter | ||
Measures stairs climbed |
Heart rate measurement | ||
|---|---|---|
Heart rate zones | ||
Heart rate sensor | Chest strap sold separately, Integrated pulse sensor | |
Type of heart rate measurement | Optical heart rate measurement | |
Heart rate measurement moment | Continuously | |
Irregular heartbeat notification | ||
Heart rate measurement under water |
Quality of health readings | Good | |
|---|---|---|
Skin temperature sensor | ||
Oximeter | ||
Blood pressure monitor | ||
EDA sensor | ||
Sleep score | ||
Measure REM sleep | ||
Average heart rate during sleep | ||
Measure recovery during sleep | ||
Menstrual cycle tracking | ||
Pregnancy monitoring |
Quality of sports readings | Excellent | |
|---|---|---|
Recommended for sports | Biking, Fitness, Golf, Hiking, Mountaineering, Multisport, Outdoor, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Triathlon, Water sports, Winter sports | |
Adjust sport profiles | ||
Manual training programs | ||
Save personal records | ||
Measure fitness age | ||
Recovery advice | ||
Interval training | ||
VO2 max measurement | ||
Automatic pausing | ||
Measures minutes of intensive training | ||
Measures average speed during activity | ||
Lap counter | ||
Race prognosis | ||
Measures step distance | ||
Measure running cadence | ||
Measures swimming distance | ||
Measures swimming speed | ||
Swimming lap counter | ||
Connection to fitness machines possible | ||
ATM score | 10 |
Built-in GPS receiver | ||
|---|---|---|
Global satellite navigation system | GLONASS, GPS, Galileo | |
GPS application | Navigation, Route registration |
Compass | ||
|---|---|---|
Altimeter | ||
Type of altimeter | Always On altimeter, Barometric, GPS | |
Accelerometer | ||
Thermometer |
Fall detection | ||
|---|---|---|
Alarm function | ||
Geofencing |
