Ratings & Reviews for Garmin Instinct Solar Smart Watch with Step Counter, Heart Rate Monitor and Gps Enabled

So far, so GREAT!

I bought this watch 2 weeks ago to replace my Forerunner 230 which finally conked out after 8 years. Loved the simplicity of that watch. I mainly use the watch for walking, hiking, and biking and I find that my new watch has enough new features like heart rate monitoring, better sleep analysis, screen, and battery life to make me really love the Instinct Solar. I highly recommend!

Awesome watch!

Love the watch! It's great does everything I want it too

Save money, don’t buy solar

My original instinct finally crapped out. So I thought I would upgrade to the solar and save some battery bank and longer hikes. No go. A full charge lasts maximum of 3 days if you’re tracking, which is what I got from my old one. If I was just using it to tell time it probably would have lasted the 21 days, but then again I can get two years out of my old timex for that.

Great alternative to Apple Watch

Still discovering the gps features, but it’s a great watch for me.

Great Design and Functionality, sans Battery

This is my second Garmin watch and I love the functionality and ease use when setting up activities. The buttons allow for quick change and reference to commonly used displays. Less attractive is the battery life which promises 20 days when fully charged, but dies in less than a week. I have exposed the watch to full sun at the beach for an entire day with no noticeable change in battery life. If I could have a watch like this with the battery life Garmin promises, it would be a keeper. To add t...

Replacement watch

Sent this one as a replacement for corrupt firmware. Seems to have improved ver previous version. Looking forward to using it for a 100 mile Ultra in October.

Love the features

I’ve only had for a few weeks. So far I love it. Hope it last a long time.

Locks Up

There are several times where I have been on long runs and it locks up. I realize that I am still doing the workout but I am competative and it is not like I am going to rerun ten miles to get credit.

Battery starts to weaken after about a year or so

My Garmin Instinct Solar bought in November 2021 loses its charge fairly quickly now and has been for a while. Difficult to find out what the problem is exactly - i.e., does it need a new battery? If so, where do I take it to have it changed? What does it cost? Basic questions. Have cleaned charging ports but it just doesn't hold a charge for very long and the solar charging seems minimal.

I love it.

I primarily got it because of the GPS and military/L.E.O. uses, but I use the fitness and sleep tracking more than anything. Definitely helps track my readiness and fitness. Highly recommend from an Army Infantry Veteran.

2.5 years on and it’s already failing

A bit disappointed in how short a time this “robust” watch has lasted - it’s starting to turn itself off at night even tho battery still has life and the vo2 max no longer works - it’s otherwise a good watch - I just expected it to last longer than 2.5 yrs

Great smart watch for outdoors people or athletes.

I love Garmin products for their ruggedness and reliability. I have a 10 year old Garmin GPS, a 5 year old Garmin edge bike computer, and I used my non-solar Garmin Instinct daily for 3 years. I've had no problems with them and they have been through lots of abuse and some pretty epic bicycle crashes. I upgraded to the solar version of the instinct because I wanted to do 3-5 day off the grid bikepacking events without worrying about the charge on my watch. Bingo, this watch fits the bill. ...

Love the features, it is also dependable.

I am still leaning about the features but what I see my Garmin shows accurate time, gives me health updates of heart rate, steps an an average. This is top of the iceberg and can’t wait to take fishing out in the ocean for biometric pressure.

Second Instinct

Replaced a conventional Instinct with the Solar. Really like the watch, use it with Garmin TT15 collars on my dogs. I felt I needed the extra battery life. Wore my original Instinct daily for 3 years without a problem. Really put it to the test in the field and the gym.

Great clock!!

Excellent watch, with good features, resists harsh treatment and with great battery life.

Great Watch

I have had several Garmin watches, this one is the best. Excellent battery life.

Fan for Life!

The Instinct Solar is my first Garmin watch (not my last) and I have to say I am impressed with the battery life, solar charging, Bluetooth sync with my other devices, comfort, and the multiple functions for my day to day life...very impressive watch!

Just the smart watch I was looking for

This is my 5th Garmin and the best one so far. Before I got the instinct had to wear a watch on the other wrist to see the time. With this device, all the features of my previous vivosmart 4 plus time-right in front of me at all times. Love the ability to change watch face and the length of time between charges. Would have given it 5 stars except the solar charging is totally useless inside which I was hoping it wouldn't be.

Still learning

I have had the Garmin watch for two weeks and am still learning how to navigate it’s features. The font size is small and hard to real. Emails and notifications cannot be scrolled so I am constantly going to my iPhone so the watch doesn’t serve much purpose. I have not used it on my golf course yet to see how it navigates however I imagine the small font size will be an issue

Great in every way

Bought this to replace a non functioning fitbit that was replaced with a broken one. Loving the watch and the app. Seamless integration with everything I use