Garmin Instinct 2X Solar, Rugged GPS Smartwatch, Built-in Flashlight, Solar Charging Capability, Multi-Band GNSS, Flame Red

I was in the market for a ‘smart G-shock” watch but was very disappointed that one meeting my needs didn’t exist. I saw the Instinct 2X solar and decided to buy my first Garmin device ever. After 2+ years of traveling the world and not babying this watch, I am happy to say this watch is easily my favorite watch ever and has performed amazingly if not perfectly. I wanted a tough watch ✅, solar charging ✅, heartbeat and sleep monitor ✅✅, world time capability ✅, step counter✅; the sports modes and GPS modes were a bonus and I’d never thought I’d use them until quite recently. I can not tell you how many people I’ve impressed with just the flashlight alone. It took me 2+ years to find the GPS tracking useful until I realized I can use it to precisely pinpoint the gravesites of deceased relatives in the cemeteries. I saved each location in the watch and it leads directly back when I go visit to pay my respects. No more playing “I think it’s over here” with my cousins and siblings when we visit our deceased ancestors.This watch has been all over the world with me including the beach and ocean in Neves and the jungles of Costa Rica. It’s scratched up, dinged, been immersed in fresh and salt water and still keeps working.The battery life is awesome, up to 41 days on a full charge in smart watch mode but this is the only criticism I have about this watch. My previous EDC solar G-shock watch was 100% solar, no charging or battery changes needed. The instinct 2X solar claims unlimited power with 3+ hours of direct sunlight but I find I need to charge the watch about once a month for a few hours which isn’t bad (compared to an Apple Watch) but it’s not 100% solar powered.I’m considering the instinct 3 solar but the only potential deal maker for me to give up the instinct 2X solar is if the instinct 3 solar is 100% solar, no external charging needed.All in all, I love this watch! It’s 99% perfect in my opinion. If it was 100% solar, then it would be perfect.

This watch is one of the best purchases I have ever made!! I find myself using the flashlight feature multiple times on a daily basis. You don’t realize you need it until it’s there!! I use it all the time!!I love that it sips battery life!! I charge it once, maybe twice, every other month!! It tracks my sleep, my steps, and my heart rate and I don't even have to think about it.It’s amazing for running and hiking, and the “track back” feature is super nice if you are ever lost on the trail or in the mountains because it will tell you step-by-step where to go to get back on the original path you took to get there. I also love that it’s solar powered, although it’s more of a nice gimmick because I don’t find it adding crazy amounts of charge to the watch, but I’m also not in the sun a ton, I prefer to hike in the evenings, so maybe I’m not the best candidate to review the solar part.All the other features are amazing, from the barometer to the altimeter to the compass!! It even has built in alarms, stopwatch etc. and you can read your texts. Literally everything you need!I’ve also taken this watch to hell and back, from dirt to rocks, to grime, to mud and it’s still just as good as ever check out these photos of over a year more of use as my daily driver.

I love this watch.I upgraded from the Instinct Solar and it's quite the upgrade! I mostly use it to track my running and hiking as well as all the everyday stats, and it does a good job with that. The battery life is pretty great, too. Even with 6+ activities tracked per week (around 5 hours), I don't often have to charge it, and that's with the additional satellites enabled.One of my favorite upgrades is the flashlight, which as one reviewer mentioned, you don't realize how useful it is until you have it - like smartphone flashlights. I did, however, find out that you can't run the blinking flashlight while doing a programmed workout which is unfortunate. It's getting darker and it would be nice to be able to use it for safety while also recording a workout.