Seems like this watch will be perfect for tracking my trips from the couch to the fridge. I've been meaning to get a handle on my spike in heart rate after I stand up.

You’re one of the most detailed reviewer yet. Keep it up man 👍🏻

I'm really liking this watch. It essentially has everything my vivo 4s has with a couple other added features and amazing solar charging and battery life. This is dope and that blue color is hot. Thanks for introducing this to me.

I encountered your page a couple of weeks ago and became a subscriber. Great content. This one particular video led me to buy the Instinct Solar. I wanted a sport watch that looks masculine and have a long battery life. I am not great at remembering to charge my devices. I also didn’t want something on my wrist that was an extra distraction like my phone, for example an apple watch. I wanted something purely for fitness. The instinct fits that description for me. And I am really enjoying it. So thank you

Just helped reassure my gift for my partner. I know she's going to love this watch. You got a new sub for this, thanks! 👌🏾

Great job on the review. It was honest and your explanations on some of the varying results was well researched and presented. Some people just complain and do not explain their complaints. Very helpful!

You’re almost at 100k! Keep it up man 👏

What a fantastic review, this has to be the most accurate someone ever has reviewed anything! Also, damn you are fit.

Love the reviews Des! One of the most underrated Pros of the Garmin Instinct is the weight. It's been my go to watch since I bought it. Lightweight and comfortable wearing it all day and in bed. Wouldn't love a comparison with why one would "upgrade" to a Fenix 6 and is "upgrade" even the right word?

99.1K....... LET'S GO, BABY! Take this channel to the MOOOOON! #100k

Thanks for this. Your video was exactly what I was hoping to find.

Great review, I´ve been long waiting for. I´ve had the tactical version over a month now. Have not had a chance to go over all the stuff it offers. It is very comfortable to wear and simply intuitive to use. Love it.

Bought the Original Instinct on Black Friday back in 2019 of Nov. It's been my daily watch for over a year now. No complaints. Use it to track running and biking mostly. Battery life of course has gone down a bit.

I love my Instinct Solar, I purchased it entirely on the strength of your original review and immediately when it became available in the UK 🇬🇧 It’s my go to daily watch whilst I’m at work (construction) and MTB watch when I’m doing hardcore DH. I Love the G-Shock fortitude allied to its superior functionality, it’s so intuitive and easy to use and battery life is extraordinarily good. It compliments my Forerunner 945, that I also purchased on your review recommendation... I use the Forerunner for less extreme fun as it’s not as rugged but I love equally and it’s functionality is outstanding

Great review, so in-depth and professional. Thanks for helping me make my decision on which watch to buy for cycling! Cheers!

Just got this watch to replace my iffy Suunto and am excited to learn its capabilities. Thanks for the great review!

I appreciate your effort to make a full rewiev! Good work man, thanks a lot!

Brilliant as always Des! Only just bought this as its on sale since the version 2 came out....look forward to see how i get on with it. Amazing how you and your channel has grown over the years when i first saw you with a few thousand subs! Amazing!

I still have my OG Instinct Solar. IMO it’s still relevant for my needs.🙂

Thanks for the long term review!

Almost at 100k let's gooo

Thank you! Totally earned my subscription

So this was the reason why you had the Instinct on your left wrist in the last couple of videos :-D (I was a bit hoping that maybe you are testing a new/yet unreleased feature :-D) Great content (as always), thanks!

I always search for your review before I purchase anything related to sports...great work ! You should get more subs for the work you do. I have the original instinct and love it ! Would love it if this have vo2 and can do Tri mode

Great job as always, Des!

Thanks for the in depth review. I just ordered it vs going the newer Instict 2 Solar edition.

I noticed your solar intensity readout is different than mine. Exact same watch. My readout is very linear, almost like a bar graph. Yours is smooth and with gradient.

I prefer my Instinct solar over my 6X Pro. Thanks for the deep dive.

Thanks for the amazing video. I'm going to give this watch a try, I hope the notifications are not too bad as that is my main concern! Great to hear the HR sensor performs well.

Thanks for diving deep into the barometer issues! Wish Garmin would have corrected the placement of the sensor from the last Instinct. A great video as always.

a super review thanks for the detail!

Excellent review...well done!

Great video. I love when reviewers geek out, meaning your testing with different device and comparing. I guess I am such a geek at heart. I really think this watch would be a big plus to all my activities. I am confused by all the many power modes, like if I want stats on a hike but do not need navigation, do I still need to turn on the GPS? I have several questions about when to use each mode like that. Anyway, love your review and have started following.

Just noticed the PM coffee mug (or James Coffee) 👌 Nice that this watch matches your ski jacket. So I wonder if it's the temperature gauge effecting the altimeter. 🤔 Amazing review as always. Great work Des! 👏

I appreciate your efforts in this detailed review! Great job. I've worn my Garmin Instinct Solar for months, everything worked as advertised in typical Garmin fashion EXCEPT the heart rate function! That sensor is horrible. I've worn my Tickr heart rate strap separately connected to a cycle trainer. My tickr recorded peaks at 180bps while the Instinct hit 120bps at its highest. I understand the strap is more more accurate but the variance is unacceptable. The instinct wasn't even remotely close! I wear an Apple Series 3 watch and that heart rate sensor can record comparable beats to my heart rate strap. There are MANY reasons to buy the Instinct Solar... But the heart rate function is not one of them.

Dope review per usual 🔥

Good review. I stumbled upon this review after I bought the watch, looks like I made the right decision.

Great review! I just picked up the Garmin Instinct Solar yesterday. Did one run with it, and so far so good. I was running with an Apple Watch 4 because that is what got me started on my fitness journey, but boy.... Talk about inaccurate. Bad on heart rate, even worse on GPS, and none of the advanced features. But then again, the Apple Watch isn't a dedicated sports watch like this. I think I'm going to love the Instinct, I'm testing it out with a 60k run this weekend.

Duuuude. This is gold! Are you using a screen protector on this instinct solar? Looks similar to the domed one I’m using. Also, I’m sure this is the one that sends you over 100k so early congrats to that! 💯 🔥

Great review! Thanks .

Great review, great video

Of course I hit the like button ! Thanks for the video always Take care of you

Great review! Funny you live in my hood. I was looking at those maps and know exactly where they were. I live in the same area. Except that you're in far better shape than I am. :)

Love the vid and the watch!

Thanks for good review 👍

Hey Des! Love the videos!

Great video, good info, but wish maybe in the future you could comment on sleep tracking. I love Fitbit's sleep tracking feature but that's really all there is with Fitbit when I hear your review for this Garmin watch. Thanks again for a great review though, helps me narrow down the watch I'm leaning to get.

thank you, great insight

Great video! I am trying to decide between purchasing the Fenix 6 and the Instinct right now. The only limitation I can see in the Instinct for the basic functionality is the internal memory of 16 MB. I would be interested to know how long a track could be recorded before it loops or you run out of memory.

im pretty late but thank you for the video:) im hoping to get this bad bot for christmas or my birthday in december! Hope youre doing well :)

If an Instinct Solar X (50mm) existed, it would be my perfect watch.

I really like my regular instinct for its simplicity, battery life and weight. This coming from someone that also has a Fenix 5 and Apple Watch SE.

Great review. I very excited to get this watch. Fits my needs much better than the Fenix 6 Solar

Thanks Des! Great review - as always :). Just a quick question, Instinct Solar doesn’t calculate vo2 max does it?

Amazing video! Just a couple of final questions, I read that by default when a watch has baro-altimeter the altitude corrections in Garmin Connect are set off, do you know if turnning them on helps for those desviations? Also I read that putting the watch in soapy water helps to remove sweat and dust from the sensor, have you tried it? Does it work?

Great review Des! I used the normal instinct for a while, especially for runs and mountain hikes. The elevation was sometimes way off, as soon as it got really hot outside and I was sweating a lot. Occasionally the elevation graph showed spikes, but it also seemed that the at some points it was not able to pick up the correct elevation profile either. My guess is that the position of the barometric sensor opening is not in favor for these conditions(hot temp. and a lot of sweating, wearing it on the left wrist). I had not seen such issues with my old Fenix 3 and my current Forerunner 945, where the openings are in different spots. All in all it's a great lightweight outdoor watch!

Great review, even though I still use my Fenix 5 plus daily, its battery got worse over the last 2 years so I'm looking into the solar powered options. This seems like a good buy!

great vid thank you

Phenomenal review, Des! I love my Fenix 6X. Skipped the solar because I wasn't sure if it's reached its technology peak. Have you posted a video about putting routes on the 6X or model that uses a similar technique? Have yet to try to figure it out. Does the Instinct have that capability? Thanks for your great information.

This guy is awesome!

Thanks for that real world usage review. Two questions, please: 1. How does it handle during night - any type of subtle backlight? Or maybe raise my wrist to power on the screen? Is it always on? And 2: do you get a vibration notification when someone calls your phone or when you get an iMessage?

Οοοοοοοοοοhhhhhhhh. He did it . There you are boyyyyyyyy. Nice one!!!!

Love that's reviews

Great video

I just ordered one of these and am looking at the options for the exercise programs. I am a disabled athlete and my primary sport is handcycling. As a Para athlete I have a very large chest to the point the chest monitor is very tight and uncomfortable to wear. Will the heart rate sensor on the watch work on the Garmin head unit? I noticed you have an edge 1030 on your bike. I know wrist based is not as accurate especially when pedaling with your arms but it would be nice lol. Looking forward to the watch coming in the mail. Switching from a Samsung watch

I love my original insitnct (except very sensitive alit/baro sensor). Just as an interesting side note...I don't know what steroid my unit is using but I'm close to 1-month battery life on a single charge...I didn't use GPS activities cuz I had ACL reconstruction surgery, but I'm wearing it 24/7 with 24/7 HR, stress, body battery is working, notifications are on, using alarms and timers and I'm tracking physical therapy sessions as a cardio session...I was surprised about this cuz according to the description, the original instinct lasts 14 days in smartwatch mode...

With the garmin instinct solar not really reading reps right you can either do these two things wear it a little tighter which is what i did and it worked perfectly fine or calibrate it which I have never done

New video from DesFit? Me acting like: First "click on like button" than start watching :D

excellent size, the tactix although an awesome piece, too big for me at 51mm.

Are the bands quick release

James Coffee Co SHOUT OUT! haha

Hi Des. I have Solar now, I had Instinct also. Altimeter was quite off until 7.00 update on the original Instinct. It happened when running. Sudden altitude drops recorded. Not related to sweating. On Solar (that is already updated, currently 12.20 update) this didn't happen. Anyway, altimeter data is not among the best, that is for sure.

Thank you,

The watch powers off when the button is pressed to perform the activity.. reason

Great video as always. For hiking and walks where relying on gps and maps for guidance, would this be a good choice or would one best opt for the Fenix 6 Solar?

I'll have it once it adds music. It will be perfect for me then. Thanks

Cool

New subscriber. Great video. I'm torn between an Apple Series 6 & a Garmin Instinct Solar (I've watched your Garmin/Apple comparison video). I have had several Garmin watches over the years. I certainly like/prefer the Garmin form factor & ruggedness but admittedly WANT, versus NEED, the in-depth metrics provided from the embedded apps as I am a recreational runner ("slogger"?) & biker. I guess the 'Dick Tracy' phone capability on the Apple watch is somewhat tempting. It's good to have choices, eh? Thank you ...

Hey, I've just purchased the Instinct Solar,in this blue edition... So,when you check the battery life,you get how many days and percentage left to use.....when you Solar charge the watch,you obviously get the chart on garmin connect,but does the amount you gain from SOLAR charging,automatically add onto the battery percentage or days you have left of charge ?? Thanks 👍

Hello, you are making great videos. I got myself an instinct solar after watching many of your reviews. I am doing some XC mtb racing and I am worried about the screen, should I get some protection?

Hi what year was it released? I wanna buy one but i think they might come out with a newer one with slightly higher price (still affordable). Also, how is the gps signal? I am hoping for a watch that can help me to navigate even when im offline.

Got problem with my solar tactical- after it autoupdated to 14.40 software, solar charging just died. It is just showing a little glimp of solar activity in same period of time everyday, around 2PM, no matter what I do. Its like showing me that it is got an error. I have red from multiple sources that it is an even hardware problem now and that any kind of reset can not bring it back. Just the swap with another watch from Garmin, if it still has waranty, will bring you back a fully functional watch. I will still wait for it to update on new 15.xx firmware and then I will decide to bring it back to the store or whatever.

Hey man awesome video as always. Super informative. I am really considering one of these to replace my Fenix 3 but have a few questions. 1- I wear my watch on the inside of my wrist and I wonder how much this will affect the solar charging, I’m guessing allot but wondering if it will still work a bit? 2- due to wearing it on the inside the face takes a battering as do a manual job and currently have a fenix 3 with sapphire and it’s flawless. How does the screen cope with a bit of abuse? Cheers bud.

Amazing Review, Which is a better buy between this and Casio GBD H 1000

Does it give temperature reading

Thanks for the video, very good. Its a shame this device doesnt support VO2 measuring, if it did it would be perfect.

Shame it doesn’t have the backcountry skiing mode. Hopefully Garmin will release in a future update.

Where can I buy the original cable of this watch ?

Will this watch or the instinct allow you to see a map to make sure youre on trail and don't take a different trail while mountain biking?

This is a great review! Subscribe

The battery management is improved due to Sony GPS sensor. It wasn't there on the original Instinct.

that blue looks tight. but I'm getting the purple. thanks for the detailed review. i watched and commented on your instinct video first. i don't need no fancy color screens. i want something that can last on a wilderness camping trip for several days in death valley or Yosemite. and can survive open water swimming in mountain lakes and works for daily lap swim. this is my guy. absolutely cannot afford the Fenix solar. thx 4 review. can you review the instinct surf watch? 🙂 my back country buddy surfs every day and could use a good wearable.

Hi there, thanks for the video, you and DC Rainmaker made me choose the instinct solar as mine preferred choice for an urban cycler as i am. A question , i undersood you are an IOS user, as i am... what do we loose and is it a deal breaker? would you suggest to move on to Android ?

can you do a video when u follow a gpx track with your garmin?

How useful would the Instinct Solar be for motorcycling?

How do you think the Instinct Solar or the Instinct 2 Solar would do for jumping rope? That is my primary mode of exercise.

When the watch is in "smartwatch" mode, can you use a simple stop watch function without using the GPS?

How many days or months the battery will last? without any charging with the cable and with the best battery saver mode. Thanks

So with what he said with solar charging why is it only like double the whatever. Or like it goes for 30 hours and an extra 8 with solar. Is that when you’d have to charge the thing and the solar can’t get anymore or something?

Thanks for the detailed and helpful review Des! I wondered if you prefer the instinct solar over the forerunner 945 for outdoor activities like hiking, short runs, bike rides and general training, sleep and health tracking? Thanks!