Garmin Instinct Solar Review

A pretty solid watch and significant upgrade to the standard Instinct by the looks of what Garmin are quoting on expected battery life.

The solar doesn't seem like a gimmick on the Solar Instinct... more of a gimic on the Fenix 6 but would rather have the option than not. Battery life gains on the Instinct solar over the regular are substantial. I purchased the Solar Instinct and Fenix 6x solar to try out. As much as I liked the Fenix 6x solar, I couldn't justify 3x's the price when the the Instinct Solar had much better battery life, just as durable and did everything I wanted in a fitness/activity tracker. I prefer the looks of the Fenix 6x solar (looks good in professional dress attire) and the all the data you can fit on the home screen. However, the amazing battery life on the instinct solar won me over and that's what I ended up keeping. I wanted a low maintenance fitness tracker and the solar instinct fits the bill. One other issue was the Instinct solar's screen is much more visible in darker lighting than the Fenix 6x solar. The Fenix6x solar was very visible outdoors in direct sunlight, but not so much indoors.

Nice work on this review! That battery life is out of this world. I like the size of it and the overall rugged look to it.

Ordered a blue one here in Australia via eBay. $130 cheaper the fact I don’t need to charge. I’m a postie well electric push bike here in Australia. I’ll claim this watch 100% via my tax guy next year. It does have an internal battery that charges I hope I can swap it out in years to come?

Hi, I did the exact same upgrade from the vivo active HR too. Also, the exact same reasoning. A tougher outdoor watch(without touch screen) that gets out of the way but will silently track metrics without interrupting the activity. Use it when needed with reliable battery life. I have run into a couple of niggles but over all its a great upgrade. Thanks for the video.

Brilliant watch the moss green I reviewed is the best colour in my opinion. Garmin have done a brilliant job with the solar instinct.

Did you try cleaning out the holes on bottom where the sensor is. Stuff can plug it up and mess up readings.

Track back I’d love to use to you set a marker then you can wall back. Never need to charge I want it

Hi there, was wondering, was it the circumference of your wrist? Maybe 165mm?

Cool watch, nice review 👍

I have the same old Vivactive HR, and the band is falling off. I was thinking that I should go for the Vivoactive 4, but this seems like the right choice for hiking off path in the woods, although a bit pricey with the solar. Now that you have had it for a while, would you still recommend it? Maybe it will go on sale on Cyber Monday.

I just got mine yesterday. It's very different than the Samsung frontier its replacing. I just wish we could use the app to configure the screen orientation instead of fiddling with the buttons so much.

can you use garmin coach on this device?

Nice review... what is your wrist size?

Good honest review. Mine is in the post. :)

Can you tell us if its possible to recharge some power only with solar after it was off because of battery is fully discharged? ...and we dont have the cable in this moment ?

Can you tell me if the current time is displayed when running the stopwatch? TIA!

How did you last so long with the VAHR? I always found it so uncomfortable to wear. I have had the VA3 and that is much easier to wear. But, I’m thinking of something new now too.

So, how is it that this thing has SUP and ROW setting, but can't even display KNOTS, which is the standard for speed over water? Great watch, but that's a serious mistake from Garmin. Being able to display knots is a VERY basic ability and it cripples this watch for SUP, Sailing, rowing and so on.

Can i know this watch is instinct Solar tactical edition or instinct solar graphite?? It’s helps me a lot !! Thank you