You can buy this watch here if you're interested: Dialed Cycling Lab: dialedcyclinglab.com/product/garmin-instinct-2x-solar-graphite/ Try discount code: matt_legrand

I have been using the 2X Solar tactical for an year now and I have only charged it 6-7 times IN THE ENTIRE YEAR!

With the price drop on the 2x, I have been watching reviews. Thanks for the informative video. On an unrelated note, that traffic circle looks terrifying. 😳

I am by no mean a runner but I am a firefighter and I just bought it for sleep tracking and heart rate monitoring for calls in the middle of the night. Seeing how my HB goes from ‘0-100’ in a blink of seconds

Best B-roll footage in the business

LOVE.. LOOOVE my Fenix 6X. It’s been bulletproof for years.. hiking, biking, skiing, running, everything. I only take it off to shower. WTS.. it’s heavy. I know the weight affects HR accuracy. I can afford the 7X but I don’t want/need music, touchscreen or maps..or even any notifications. I think I’m going Instinct 2X. I love the old school screen. In years of owning a Fenix I’ve ever thought.. WHEW.. glad this screen is in color.

I’ve watched your video in recommendations several times, and I’ve decided to subscribe now. Love your way of speech, shifts in video and your personal opinion

Thanks for this sweet review. I was worried I would sell myself short getting this Watch mostly for running /biking. But like you said those features I would not even need. Getting this one for sure 🎉

Recently switched from an Apple Watch SE too the Garmin 2X. Batterylife, rugged en the sort of retro looks made me switch. This review made me turn over to the Garmin side.

Love your Clonetrooper decoration ! Flashlight is the one thing I use every single day. But the watch apart from that is awesome!

Hey Matt !!! Just love your video man , great review ! Got a subscriber ! I was wondering about this watch , now I know I should buy it's awesome ! But I'll go for the tactical version. Big thanks and cheers from Japan 🙌🏻✨

Just got the 2x to replace my aged 245. The biggest improvement...clarity! It's monochrome. But it is so much easier to read. It's so bright when there is ambient light. At night the backlight is so bright! 50percent is good enough for me. And the gimmicky flash led...turns out to be my next most used feature. Very useful!

I totally agree with you about the touchscreen buttons. For tall people (like myself) pressing such buttons is sometimes difficult no matter how big the display is, let alone accidentally pressing buttons. It happens to me all the time and it's especially annoying when it happens during a workout. This watch definitely has the two things I look for the most: a durable battery and reliability during workouts

Great video, yours was the review that finally made me bite the bullet [currently run a Fenix 6X Pro], just charging it now ready to setup later. Feels so much lighter, and can't wait to try the Training Readiness feature.

Just got an Instinct 2X Solar Tactical that's arriving tomorrow morning. No problem with size - I'm coming from a Casio GWG-1000 series Mudmaster. I've been wearing that watch 24/7/365 for about 8 years now with no thought at all about batteries. Looking for fitness features and GPS primarily. Don't really care about on watch mapping because I always have my phone with me. No touchscreen is OK because using a touch screen while moving is no Bueno. Good video. Spending time familiarizing with the watch before it arrives to 'hit the ground running'. Thx.

Maaaan u did a good job, thx) subscribed after 2 minutes✊🏼😃

Great review man Keep it up 👍

Today I compared the Garmin Fenix 7X Pro sapphire solar to the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar and... Yes, they are similar and yet quite diverse :) Nice review of the Instinct 2X 👍

Matt jumps from helicopter into lake. Its for a review I swear... Great review Matt. I love that red color. Reminds me of my 2nd band for fenix3 great price point. I have to admit

Quite sure this is a big upgrade from my samsung galaxy watch gen one. Pulled the trigger last night, going to pick it up tomorrow. Super excited, Ill let ya guys know.

Yes, I'm considering upgrading to the 2x solar tactical, as a hunter I have been using the original (basic) Instinct for a few years and I love the durability and functionality of this GPS watch.

You’ve got to teach me how to get that quality of b-roll!! 😅🤣 Awesome video Matt! 🔥

really nice reniew and explaination. I think of going for an Instict 2X Tactical thought because of the color they have and the green light. Simple screen and resolution is what we all need which are focused on the sports avtivities. What is missing is a memory to store music as this watch have a solar system that is capable to charge the battery, adding a music to this watch wouldnt be a big issue.

Awesome video! Question: have you tried to upload a course in the watch and use turn by turn directions? How long were you able to make the course and still use turn by turn navigation? I’m wondering because I’ve seen other reviews of this watch and other instinct watches where there’s a 50 point course limit for the watch. I’ve seen others say it’s not an issue if your course is mainly on roads and not trails where it becomes an issue. I would use it to navigate a course for the group runs I go on with others that can go as far as 17 miles.

excellent review congratulations, I'm just thinking of buying this 2x instead of my apple watch ultra because I don't feel so good, thanks for your review, greetings from Italy

Thank you! I’ve been trying to decide between the Instinct 2 Solar Tactical or the 2X. I already have a foretrex for more navigational purposes but these watches seem great for fitness and activity

This review really helped me solidify my purchase. I had an Apple Watch SE that shattered. I wanted an upgrade but battery life and durability were huge for me. It was this or fenix 7. I think I made the right choice in saving almost 300 bucks. I realized that I also prefer no touchscreen. Especially when swimming and not having accidental inputs.

Instinct = Fenix for the masses, hard to fault Garmin on this line of watches or this particular one. Thanks again for a great video, always first class quality (you must do video production for a living maybe..?). I still find Garmin software differentiation from model to model really annoying though TBH, makes it almost impossible to compare across the watches. Indeed, Garmin has a "Compare" facility which allows people to compare across up to 4 models (although it can only compare against generations ie new models v new models, older models against older models).

This watch almost won me over. Well it did until the wrist gesture barley worked on a not so great monochrome display, nothing like Casio displays. 50mm case and Garmin eco system along with a light weight was a great mix. Unfortunately this is another Garmin watch that should've had an e-sim or LTE to really get most out of it for me. Maybe next version 🤞. Thanks again

Thinking of getting the tactical version as it has ballistics capable

Thanks for the review, there is a question about this watch I hope you can help with. How long a breadcrumb trail can be loaded onto the watch?

I love my Instinct 2X tactical. It is perfect and has taken my heart in storm.

It is interesting to me that what makes the Instinct last so long is also what makes it unable to have mapping data. I think they could maybe get away with some basic road, trail and railway lines on a basic map without routing, but it would be very barebones and difficult to see. So between the Instinct and Fenix you have to choose what's more important, an extremely long lasting battery or mapping with climb pro and other things.

I have a question regarding other bands. You almost swapped the band with another one, but the swap was not complete. With a standard 26mm band that doesn’t have that hole in the middle, will the light from the torch be visible or does the band block the output light?

Hi Matt, I know Garmin watches use to have 2 different versions. One is APCA and the other one is ROW. The APCA version only contains English and some SE Asian languages, while the ROW version watches support multiple Germanic and Latin languages. For the newly released Instinct 2x, does it still have 2 versions? Or it has combined the SE Asian languages into it which sold in the US market? Thanks in advance.

Such an in-depth review, man. Would it be ok if we swim with it in saltwater? Also, the boxing feature is so cool. However, boxing is a powerful activity with lots of impacts to the watch. I am just wondering if the watch can actually survive such activity.

love the close up shots of the watch so that you can see the detail and pixeldensity. Besides that you need to explain something to your viewers. You say that the link to the cycling store is not an affiliate link. yet under the link in the description you post a discount code, so what happens if i use your discount code?

Very informative unbiased review brother. Hey but QUESTION? I noticed on the spec section on the Garmin website that the instinct 2x now has included a gyroscope as an additional sensor? Do you have any idea what it’s used for on the 2x? I came from using the instinct 2 solar which doesn’t have the gyroscope. Thx in advance.

I use GCT to help foreshadow injuries :) if i start seeing it get whacky, i know to back off a bit on the run

You earned my sub.

And though it is normally selling for $450, I just got it on sale for $100 off. What a freakin’ deal! Even though it doesn’t have some of the mega features of the high end watches, it is a tougher watch and the price allows me to get into a Garmin watch, since I couldn’t afford anything more right now. It still has the basic features I need.

What sort of cloud data tracking is involved with the 2x? (if any) A major reason I avoid any device that does health tracking is the data exposure concern when the telemetry is sent to the cloud and outside of my control.

just ( 18Jan24 ) .. about to get my Instinct 2X. Enjoyed your review of the product, thoroughly informative. Gives me the confidence to get this unit, my first Garmin.. moving away from AppleWatch :-) ...... just a little note; i noticed the Suunto Vertical twit at 3'55" :-) ... should that be a consideration??

I have a question..... and by the way, I really enjoyed your presentation. My question is, as a hiker of longish hikes, 25 to 35km per day, does the GPS tracker and all of the altimeter etc detail still get recorded? On another review the guy mentioned something like that the watch kinda stopped recording the details after 12 miles???

Was about to buy the epix but I don’t need maps or a touchable screen. I have a instinct 1 and this seems like a great upgrade, without dropping 1k. I have the AWU so I feel like the epix would not be needed. I plan on using this for the multi year bicycle tour Im planning on going on in a year or so. AWU battery life makes it a no go for adventure stuff.

Iv had mine for almost a month. My buttons no longer clicks like they used to. I'll have to contact Garmin about it. Only the light and up button click now. The others are quite now and mushy. I still enjoy the watch. I shouldn't have gotten red. It's so hard to match clothes with that kind of red. It doesn't match any red I can find. It's almost orange/pink. In multigps I was getting 15+% battery drain a day not included flashlight use(which drastically drains battery more) I was lucky to get through the week. I had to turn off spo2, set gps to gps only, and rarely use the flashlight. Now I'm getting 2 weeks of battery. This is with tracking long bike rides, long swims, long walks, short runs, gym workouts, all daily. I'm getting the sun daily to give me 2+%charge(around 160k lux)every day. So the battery is not as great as expected. If I used it as a smart watch and only tracking 1or 2 short activities a day or so, then yes it would be better. Idk if I'm happy with it. I really like the instinct. So this is still great. Idk if I have a bad one or I'm just using it to rough. Hard to tell..

I have a few questions: 1. Does it get whatsapp, mail, … notifications if connected to an iPhone? 2. Does it show the heart zone when you’re training, with an always on display? 3. Is it visibile at nighttime?

You mentioned the GPS tracking abilities of the watch but that it doesn't provide on device mapping, so if the watch is paired with a phone are there any apps that can sync with the watch to provide offline mapping capabilities? How would that work?

I like the instinct 2x watch it features are the same of instinct 2 , but except for the built-in flashlight that is bright

Hello After a couple of years and prices going up and down. What do u recom if someone has to buy a watch between ENDURO 1 BLACK Ti or INSTINCT 2X SOLAR TAC. What do u recom?

Will it do HR broadcasting to other devices like Foreunners and Fenix/Epix line?

I really want to try one on before I buy it but I can’t find a retailer that carry’s it. Only the Instinct solar 2.

Anything Garmin you come out a winner. best smart watch company on the market .

Hi! Is there any settings to make that small circle black background? Thanks!

FYI. Pox is 1-2% below actual, and sleep monitor has only 50% agreement with eeg. Breadcrumbs are limited to about 5km distance. Way point limited to 50. Still generally a good watch for limited nav and cardio data.

Had this watch for a few weeks now, love it, its great, except now my step count isn't resetting at midnight. Only every other day does it reset. Anyone have a fix for this? Really frustrating.

The only thing holding me back from buying this is the bulkiness. How is it when working out and sleeping?

Quick one mate, do Garmin have lots of subscription shit going on with these devices? I don't want to spent top drawer pricing for a device then have to spend a monthly subscription, as much as I want to get one and think it would be perfect for me.

I can't seem to find whether you mention your wrist measurement. Mine is around 17cm so keen to compare.

I keep going back ans fourth. I have an outdoor job in mountain terrain. The 2xs at 450 has an amazing batter and more accurate gps but the 7x solar has way better maps but not as good gps or battery...

Hmm Good review seriously considering buying this pity it does not have mapping but I only need mapping for bike touring and I have a Garmin 1030+ Do i need an Instinct 2x probably not will I buy it for £400 I dunno I need a watch for hiking and mountaineering and backup. This baby looks pretty adept that's the question Geez.😮‍💨

Did you find a discount code

A new Garmin 2x solar costs 259 dollars and a new Garmin 2 solar costs 303 dollars in my country. I feel like garmin 2x is gonna be too big for me, but its annoying that I have to spend 50 more dollars on a older watch. What do you think?

What I don't like about Garmin watches, is that it doesn't recognize steps from swingin your arm...I drive forklifts for a living, as in in a seated position most of the time, yet my stepcount is around 14000/day, just from turning the wheel on the forklift 😅

In Taiwan the tactical is actually cheaper than regular 2x

What about ocean tides?

Hows the hr monitor?

Significantly improved!? TELL ME MORE!!! I love that the price stayed the same. Big ups to Garmin for that. I love that you tell people upfront what you think. I want a kill switch!!!! Transflective...look at you and your fancy words. I love the puck charging thing! You rock for recommending them. All the youtubers talk about the flashlights! Having never lived with one, I guess I don't get it. I'm sad to have never seen "UNLIMITED" on my watch, but I love the battery life. I never remember "When was the last time I charged this?" That's a great metric to measure battery life. WHOA-saw your weather, it looks WARM THERE!! HRV question, what do the two sides of the chart mean. Does the left side mean "You're tired" or is that right side of the chart? I'm not sure I'm phrasing the question correctly... Decision time! I would love to hear what you think....upgrade or do not upgrade from the regular instinct 2 solar? I'll keep my mouth shut and tell you what I'm leaning towards after you tell me what you think! XOXO

Its on sale everywhere now, 20% off

It's there nap detection on this?

Why do none of these reviews talk about garmin pay?

$379 on Amazon for graphite today. Deal

are they feeling heavy when you wear them? And are they feeling heavy when you wear them?

Pixel resolution is not the same as pixel density measure

Garmin pay???

Released 3 weeks ago? It was released about 2 months ago, cuh.

prices of garmin watches are of the hook... I think all manufactures started thinking "if apple can do it, so can we"... Well.. Samsung, Garmin... You are not Apple... 400 for a plastic activity tracker? No thanks...

Music and Touch Screen are not really necessary.

Purchased the Surf edition, specifically for the tide data, had it less than a week. The first time it got wet, water leaked through the button and fried it. Garmin sent this model as a replacement due to recall on surf edition model. This model (does not display tide on face) ,Tide is third party glance that has to be downloaded, and is buried in prompts to find it, and ERRORS every time GPS button is used to update tide. COMPLETE TRASH of a watch and not worth the money....... Save your time and money ... luckily i still have my G-SHOCK DW7900

the alarm/chime sounds like micky mouse. casio timex 20$ sounds much better

No Garmin pay with this device

A beautiful g shock watch😅 It’s all plastic @Desfit.

I can get this or the fr955 for the same price, what should I get as a road cyclist?

I hesitate a bit with the white and red. Mostly because of the colours may be washed out over time🫤

I love the watch I just wish they had better colors.

50mm is getting into the Casio hockey puck watch size... I'll stick with the second gen Instinct solar tactical at 45mm.

what do you suggest between Garmin Instinct 2x and Garmin 955 965 which is better, Im confused ???🤔🤔🥲🥲