Garmin Instinct 2x Tactical Solar Watch - £282.88 using code delivered @ Jura Watches

Make no mistake, this an excellent price for this watch. However, it may be more than you need for general fitness training.

Although Garmin would hate to admit it, most people could get by with one of their entry level watches like the Forerunner 55 which can be bought for about £120, or even its predecessor the FR45 which can be bought on eBay or elsewhere for about £60 to £70 if you are prepared to go down the refurb route.

It is quite a jump to the next reasonably current Forerunner which is the FR255 as it costs about £240. Again, you can go back one model to the FR245 and save the best part of £100.

The original Venu is a nice watch but you are paying a bit extra for the Amoled screen which may not be a priority. Its sister model is the Vivoactive 4 which is exactly the watch as the Venu but with an ordinary screen. The Venu 2 range is also excellent but quite pricey.

You mentioned hiking in your question. If you just want to track your hikes then all the watches I have mentioned, plus the original Instinct range, would do you. If, however, you want to navigate your hike using your Garmin then you are looking at a watch with mapping facilities. These are obviously more expensive and could mean the Fenix 6 or 7, the Forerunner 945/955/965 or even the Epix 2.

My advice is always to spend a bit of time reading the DC Rainmaker site as he posts some of the best reviews, including all the currently available Garmin models.

DC Rainmaker Garmin reviews

This lasts 40 days without a charge and charger in about 90 mins. I'd say you're better off with a cheaper instinct if that's important. The standard solar 2 can be found for 150 I reckon on a good day.

Where did you buy the nylon strap from if you don’t mind me asking?

I have a few Garmins (965 + Epix Pro 51mm right now) and I have always been tempted to try an Instinct and as this price it seems rude not to

No idea what I am going to do with 3 watches!- the Epix 51mm is fantastic and I really rate the 965 too.

I am not sure its THAT much of a bargain. as £450 is too close to 7x Sapphire prices though.

Because the Instinct line always seemed to be a bit unloved even though it's very feature-packed and at the end of the day, it's basically a smartwatch with monochrome display which is what a lot of people see if they don't look deeper. At a quick glance, it could be passed off as a Casio G-Shock despite what it can do.

Yes. You use Garmin Connect and this syncs with Strava if you wish. (edited)

I am in the same boat , bit on the price but much bigger than my Solar 2

You never know. You might do a tactical HALO jump and then have to use UV goggles to see the time. Then get captured and have to use the kill switch so noone can see what your PBs are and your heart rate. 😁 (edited)

Hey, what did you find you missed when using the Instinct over your 7x already, or what was the main drawbacks for you to return it?

Is that the paint coming off one of the screws , top right ?

Just do it for the flashlight. I couldn't do without it now. Every reviewer says the same.

Doesn’t seem to work

Is it under warranty? Garmin is normally 2yrs and replace watches with no quibble

Apple Watch Is an extension of your phone. A Garmin is good and proper activity tracker. It has the best trackers by far.

I use my OG instinct solar for mtb, trail run, road runs, strength training and the odd hike. It handles these well with the strength training being the weakest area imo. It pairs with sensors like speed and cadence too. The strength training you can manually add exercises, weights and reps afterwards afterwards but I tend to not track my workouts so much these days anyway as I just keep tabs on that stuff in my head or use fitnotes app. I will grab a couple of screenshots of the running and biking metrics if you like? Also it links straight to strava too once you connect accounts (edited)

Don’t know about the ant devices, but I bought a 255 and didn’t click with it (coming from Apple Watch 7). Bought an instinct 2 Solar and was wowed by it! Extra battery life, solar, mono display is actually really crisp and easy to read. It’s really cool.

Good luck on your next mission.

I think a few people have issues but often it's caused by not cleaning the watch and letting sweat accumulate. Every day I give the watch a quick rinse in warm soapy water and don't wear it in the shower. I make sure my wrist is dry and the watch before putting it back on. A few minutes a day not wearing these won't affect the data much and I also know people who's straps are always falling apart but all my watches are on the original straps still. Obviously not saying this applies to you as you mentioned a nickel allergy but I thought it could be useful for others if getting a slightly itchy wrist