Garmin Instinct 2 Series: The Complete Beginners Guide

Just getting an instinct 2? No problem! Here's every Instinct 2/2S/Solar feature explained in detail and with tons of tips! Buy the Instinct 2 here (amzn.to/48vUE6Y), link helps support the channel, much appreciated!!!
I go hands-on with Garmin Instinct 2, 2S, and 2 Solar for a long-form feature explainer showing all the new features as well as many existing features in how they work, step by step.
This includes a user interface walk-through of the settings, sport modes, display aspects, GPS navigation and routing aspects, widgets, settings, Garmin Pay, and plenty more features and functions. If it's new, I've got it covered here.
This video is sponsored by SteadyRack: bit.ly/steadyrack-dc
Instinct 2 Written Review: www.dcrainmaker.com/2022/02/g...
0:00 Quick Overview
0:51 Watchface & Customization
2:18 Widgets & Activity/Health Data
10:12 All The Settings Options
17:28 Sport Modes & Usage
24:30 GPS Navigation & Routing
29:05 Sensors
31:31 Instinct Secret Flashlight Mode
32:49 Solar Functionality
36:28 Garmin Pay
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#GarminInstinct2 #Instinct2 #Instinct2Solar

[@MarkSinnottIreland]

Great video. One suggestion for Garmin Instinct 2 users: for me, I find it so much easier to do setup and change settings in the phone app. Its layout is far more logical and intuitive. Some of the watch's layout is confusing.

[@domeneccdi420]

Flashlight tip: you can turn the flashlight on by double clicking the light button. Thanks for the video. Very well explained. Peace from Spain.

[@dylan8394]

5 minutes in and I’ve learned more about this watch than i did the whole year of owning it

[@pomie123456]

Thank you for making excellent, straight forward reviews without any babbling. Keep up the good work.

[@fourthchute]

These are so helpful! Makes choosing and comparing watches so much easier. Thank you!

[@darkstepwarrior88]

This is the reason i watch your channel. In depth step by step walk through. I really learned so much about the watch. i like the secret flashlight function. i wish it had the real thing like the instinct 2X has.

[@twattster]

Helpful video, thank you for taking the time to go through this. Just got my instinct 2x!

[@andszym10]

Wow! All my doubts disappeared here ❤ fantastic full review!

[@BetaBuxDelux]

My garmin fenix 6 tipped me off to my undiagnosed sleep apnea. Did a sleep study and had it confirmed - thanks, Garmin.

[@ia6980]

Do you think instinct 2x can show similar data as fenix 5?

[@matthewbunn2017]

Thanks for the help! Really helped me understand navigation and where to go to find certain things on my new instinct 2!

[@desertfox1442]

Really in depth and I appreciate you going through each and every menu. Thank you !

[@chucklemon70]

I purchased an Instinct 2 last week and ha e been putting it through sea trials since. SO MANY OPTIONS! This video is awesome in that I'm finding MORE options and capabilities than I've seen myself. I think it might be a few weeks before I truly get the hang of this thing. A note about points: I can't speak to how courses are created either from the watch itself or other apps, but I can speak to how it's done with Garmin Explore. Basically each click on the map generates a point. Generally you can get away with as few as 3 points for an out and back hike (start, turnaround point, end). With other routes you only need as many points as to generate the course. Hopefully that points you in the right direction as to how to clear that up.

[@Omar_Chaaban]

Hey :) I haven't seen anyone talking about this but does the screen turn off like other smartwatches or does it always stay on?

[@jaccohospers219]

Bought one two weeks ago, very happy with it. The screen is (allthough black & white) better than expected, coming from a 235. The vibration is also much better, which annoyed me while working with the 235.

[@artemdaniliants7841]

Just got my watch, so this couldn't come at a better time. Thank you!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Cheers! Enjoy!

[@TeeeJaay1225]

just got this watch, i'd say a good bang-for-the-buck data recording watch, this watch is perfect for those data nerds that want a device that has a long battery life and doesn't mind the small and monochrome display if you are a cyclist and use garmin edge units, one important thing you must do to keep your training metrics accurate (recovery, fitness level, etc) is to ensure that before starting an activity on you edge device, you must successfully sync it first to garmin connect

[@Dcrainmaker]

Agree, the Instinct 2 series has amazing bang for buck. Enjoy!

[@harkpt]

Without doubt this was the best 'how to' video I've ever watched.

[@AkshayKittur]

Just got my watch last week, was struggling to use. This is all I needed. Thanks a ton!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Glad it helped! Thanks!

[@Omar_Chaaban]

Hey :) I haven't seen anyone talking about this but does the screen turn off like other smartwatches or does it always stay on?

[@elephant_888]

@@Omar_Chaaban It uses and always-on MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) LCD display, so it's always-on and visible in any environment with indoor or outdoor light.

[@MrBeewolf]

Excellent review! Thanks a lot for the help!

[@TheShauryapandey]

Thanks for making this excellent in depth video.

[@TrudleR]

That backlight flashlight trick was suuuuper useful!

[@williambreeze2659]

Thanks for the detailed guide 👍

[@waketv]

Great video. Thanks for that and congratulations for the work that you have done

[@tylernorberg4504]

Just got the instinct 2 solar yesterday. Upgrading from Fitbit Versa 3. Been doing research for weeks and your channel has been very helpful. I’ve had my Garmin instinct 2 Solar 2 weeks now and it makes Fitbit laughable. I hike and run a lot and this watch reminds me everyday why it’s worth every Penny. Absolutely a great watch.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks Tyler!!!

[@tylernorberg4504]

@@Dcrainmaker You and Desfit are both top tier. Helped me find exactly what I was looking for.

[@Omar_Chaaban]

Hey :) I haven't seen anyone talking about this but does the screen turn off like other smartwatches or does it always stay on?

[@tylernorberg4504]

@@Omar_Chaaban always on display

[@Omar_Chaaban]

@@tylernorberg4504 thank you :)

[@derkatzenfuerst6077]

That was extremely well done and informative, thanks so much!

[@NathanMorgan1976]

Very helpful video . Thanks for making it .

[@MarksdrivingschoolCoUk]

Fantastic video. I will now confidently set up my watch.

[@shaunoleary8740]

Thank you for this. It was very helpful

[@MissNikkor]

Excellent review and explanations

[@VazAonde]

Amazing! Thanks

[@lightzeref6103]

One of the best watch Garmin have made .

[@amircastilla07]

Thank you for the video and kudos from Belize.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!!!

[@benblizzard4446]

Great video, learned a ton

[@sanjaymohandubey1532]

DCR u r THE best reviewer outthere with insane details, loved ur content, kudos!!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!!!

[@sanjaymohandubey1532]

@@Dcrainmaker Bought the GIS2 over GIS1 solely based on your in depth review and its proving to be the best choice!

[@OGillo2001]

Thanks man you da boss in these kinda area

[@donny92]

so helpful! cheers man 🤙🏼

[@Picplosions]

Really handy video thank you!

[@milen.radanov]

Thank you for your reviews. They cover all I need to know before a purchase decision. However, I would like to know if there is an option in the menu to type coordinates and navigate to that point. I understand there are no maps or something but would be useful if someone gets lost to ask for coordinates and navigate there especially in the mountains.

[@johnandres4580]

Great review.

[@kenstitt5219]

Thank you for the video. I got the Instinct 2 about two weeks ago. It is packed with features. When I need detailed mapping, I just use my Fenix 5X.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Awesome - enjoy the new watch!

[@kenstitt5219]

@@Dcrainmaker when I turned the pulse ox setting to manual instead of when sleeping, I more than doubled the battery life. Your recommendation was spot on! Thanks!

[@17cream]

Nice one ☝️ very informative

[@qalandaralimazhar2764]

I got this today's! 🎉

[@camtron0]

I have just ordered my first smartwatch, the instinct 2 surf edition in large part based on your reviews. I mostly wanted the tide support. I like your review style. Detailed, factual, experience based, practical and concise for the data you give. If Garmin is listening I wish they made the solar version cheaper. The price difference of over $100 between solar and non solar is to extreme, particularly with the pay feature not being easy outside of the US. Also I wish they added sailing as a sport/activity profile.

[@nancynan8821]

he talks so fast that I cant understand 😢

[@getwetsoon]

Hey, i consider the surf edition as well (more for the tides than for counting waves) - are you happy with it so far?

[@mandaloresmercy]

I just got the Solar edition, and in the Connect app I could add tides, fishing, kayaking, boating (sailing speed support), etc on the normal solar watch (I assume it applies to non-solar now as well). A lot of the features cross special device types seem to be able to be enabled in the back menus when I was flipping through them, with the exception of some of the Tactical version options. Pretty cool! Especially I just wanted normal black/charcoal color

[@sgf501]

Thank you for this video! This was really helpful. I just got the Instinct 2 Solar yesterday. Coming from the Suunto Ambit Sport 3 this is something else. 😉 Very happy with it. One thing I noticed is that two buttons on the left (ctrl and menu) have a sort of double click. Like they are sticky somehow. Did you experience this Ray on one of your Instinct 2 watches? Thank you.

[@clarkansas6590]

Good information

[@darkstepwarrior88]

Also very good of you to deeply investigate what the course point limitation is. I find it very troubling that garmin could not explain their own technology. i wonder if the competition has the same problem with routes.

[@viniciuslima7503]

Good job

[@screight2]

Awesome!

[@DrJoeJoeHands]

Thank you

[@harinemesis]

Thanks so much for the review, loved it! Quick question: How do you get the watch face with a graph on it? It doesn't seem to be available on my watch. Is it through the Connect IQ store? If yes whats the name of the watch face?

[@jackriley1989]

Do you have any more videos going up this week Ray? There's enough leaks in the bucket already 🤣. Keen to hear more about how practical the solar functionality is on a bicycle computer

[@jeremysweeten2792]

Love the video so much that I almost forgot to WHACK THAT LIKE BUTTON! Thanks for the reminder!!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Haha...thanks Jeremy!

[@enb3810]

Thanks for the video!! I like the idea of a watch like this and I appreciate that they packed a lot of features in, but do you ever feel that it's a little convoluted?

[@MrMrsGamer]

My instincts 2 solar one piece Luffy edition is working well. Awesome feature!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Very nice!

[@EnricoLorenzoni599]

Hi! Thanks for the great reviews. As you have all those devices, which one are using day to day? I really can't decide between fenix 7 and apple watch.

[@jbl.laagan]

thank you so much for the video. i've been thoroughly searching the net for info regarding the 50 point limit coz it's driving me nuts when i go bikepacking lalong longer maps. do you have a recommendation of any other watch/device that does not have this problem? maybe even by a different brand? would really appreciate the help, thank you.

[@johnbuchheister9142]

I got the Solar version of this. Loved it BUT found my eyes are too old to read the info on the screen. Had to return it and go back to my Fenix 6X Solar.

[@fabreezethefaintinggoat5484]

thanks

[@andrewvillavicencio8496]

Great review as always, I hope they do not do a software update that makes it crash during a workout, like my Instinct solar. A year later totally unreliable when an activity is started.

[@bacchim]

Hey There!!! Greetings from Brazil. First - thank you so much for all the content you put together. Incredibly detailed and excellent to follow through. So, I got my Instinct 2 Solar and have a quick question: when you follow a Daily Suggested Workout a preset of fields and data are displayed at the data screen. Can you edit that specific screen? I know we can edit the Data Screen for the different activity profiles, but differ they from the Daily Suggested Workout ones. So, anyway we can edit the Daily Suggested Workout ones? Thanks in advance -

[@dyvel]

Garmin is expected to release the 255 and the 955 in the beginning of June. If that would be true how long in advance would you have gotten devices to test out?

[@dominicomucci3014]

Love my original instinct but the sleep tracker is garbage for me. It doesn't get sleep start time right. Like I can be watching TV, go up a flight of stairs get ready for bed and it sets me as asleep from when I was watching TV. Damsung thrash them on this. But for the GPS and battery power it's great. Also the solar isn't that useful in realistic use for me in UK working inside. But on holiday might have an impact. The only time it gets decent sun is during exercise and the burn from GPS outweighed any tiny gain from the sun. Great review! As a note to new users if you want the battery to last a long time switch off the sleep o2 measurements as they aren't that accurate anyway.

[@dmytrodance]

Thanks for the vid! Which watch would you suggest for hunting? I need a watch to notify if I move quite off the right direction, but not alarming me if I'm abit off corse when walking around some obstackles in forest. So it's not like navigation for a specific path, but rather emulating compasses. So I got concerned about those track points limitation. Are there better alternatives for hunters?

[@andycrites2589]

Fantastic resource. But I wish you could just slooooooowwwwww down a little maybe? I'm wearing out the pause button😅

[@Skundef]

Thanks for the insights! Would you recommend buying the Instinct 2 now or do you think it's worth waiting for the next version?

[@bradl2636]

Who is the target user for Instinct 2 vs 965, Epix 2, Fenix 7, Tactix 7..? I find the Garmin range really confusing. Seems to be lots of overlap and very similar price points except for maybe Fenix 7 and Tactix 7 that are clearly premium devices.

[@cybertroy2]

I'm stuck. I got the instinct solar 1. I am trying to track activity but when I press GPS button, the list of activities have a check circle on them and when I select it just checks(ticks) the circle. No other info comes on. On videos here I don't see any check circles on the activity list. What am I doing wrong?

[@marbendeleon3502]

What was your battery life with pulse ox on all the time and pulse rate? Trying to figure out if i have a defective device or my set up just drains a lot of batter. Can only get 4 days tops with those settings on plus the smart watch feature

[@ThomasTimlen]

I have had one issue with the Instinct 2 Solar while swimming and wonder if you or anyone here has also experienced or heard about it: The Instinct 2 Solar restarting itself during pool lap swimming. I started using the device on 01 June 2022 and have done 29 swims with it. On three occasions, or 10% of the swims, the device restarted itself during the activity. On the bright side, the laps recorded before it restarted were saved, and as soon as I saw the watch face (instead of the data screen for swimming) I could start a new swimming activity to record the remaining laps I had left. The watch software has been updated once or twice since I started using it, the present software is version 8.66 In every other respect (running, bicycling) the Instinct 2 Solar has been fantastic, this occasional glitch during lap swimming is the only annoyance I have encountered.

[@lizelder4740]

Is there a way to just go back to clock time (to check the time) while I am in swim mode without having to stop the app?

[@jonathandawson3091]

Hi does I need install a tempered glass protector for the watch dial? Or is it tough to withstand minor brushes (e.g. gorilla glass).

[@nc7067]

Is there a way from keeping the seconds timer from disappearing at all? I know it stops to save power, but it is annoying when I look down at it and it’s off not to mention when taking vitals it tends to be a pain.

[@ritchieorlando2155]

Hi. Thx for the review. Im curious, Is it easy to read during night time? Auto light during dark? Thank u

[@anthonyrampino7734]

Great review as always! I’m looking at this watch and the 945 and the Suunto 9 peak. They are close in price now. So, which one would you recommend for hiking, gym activities and for all around use? Thanks.

[@JohnSmith-tz4on]

The Suunto is unreliable and their warranty support is bad. Cry once and pay more. I'm not familiar with the 935 but I just bought the Garmin instinct two solar, great watch and it will last longer.

[@fishman80]

i have the instant 1 and it doesn’t auto sync. for example temperature, i have to open garmin connect for the temp to update. does the instinct 2 auto update/sync for the temperature?

[@theunz]

Hi looking at Instinct 2 solar vs Fenix 7 I am using instinct solar 1 now, but 1 it crashes way too often when I do swimming either pool or open water. I dont look at the watch often, so i often lost half of the swim. 2. old feature is more than enough, but Multisport is nice to have. Would fenix software is more stable? or would instinct 2 be fine for me? did i just have a bad piece? PS: it never crash on other activities. Just swim. Thanks

[@ivanmaurs14]

Is it possible to lock buttons while doing an activity? I always press them by accident while sailing. Thanks!

[@TalZKazaz]

Hello, Hello, great channel! what do you think on instinct 2 solar vs tactix delta? Thanks

[@phisme]

now this IS what I like to see in my recommended

[@Dcrainmaker]

Hahah, thanks!

[@Alede27]

I have an issue. I disabled basically everything in my 2S solar and it says that the battery will last 133h which is roughly 5 days. I don’t understand what i’m doing wrong when it should last 21 days 😅 any tips ?

[@Tetra84]

Can't find a way to turn on the just for sleep battery saver as seen at 17:00 ideas why it's not there?

[@vijaymverma4064]

How does this compare to 745 in terms of overall features? I couldn't find a video comparing 745 to instinct 2.

[@andersmalling]

I would love if the instinct 2 got maps in a simple way(compared to fenix7), with same colors as the display!!

[@Dcrainmaker]

One can dream! Instinct 3 anyone!?!

[@Debruineo]

Regarding the maximum number of points, I believe the Fenix 5 also had a similar limitation. I however used it as my only bike navigation and believe there was a little nuance. It loaded and showed the entire route BUT would no longer indicate turns after a while. It has been a while and I could be wrong but for some reason that's how I remember it.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yeah, it's been around in various Garmin devices in various ways. Kinda frutsrating.

[@Stanley349]

I can’t figure out any way to disable the vibrations during strength training. Does anyone know if this is possible? I like to keep them on for running so I know when I have completed a lap.

[@karma247ajm]

Great review 👍 I have the older Instinct Solar. It's great, except for the control of the back-light. A solar Casio uses the output of the solar panel to determine whether the back-light is required. My Instinct does not do this, but instead uses sunrise and sunset information; obviously this doesn't work for dark areas during the day or light areas at night. I wrote to Garmin about this, as it seems to me that it could be addressed in software; all the hardware is there to make it work. Garmin didn't reply. Does the Instinct 2 Solar have the option to work the way a Casio works? ..or does Casio have this system covered with a patent?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Interesting. I'm not aware of patents there. Though some modern watches now actually use an ambient light sensor to determine light status and change accordingly.

[@karma247ajm]

@@Dcrainmaker Thanks for your reply. So are the back-light options on the Instinct 2 Solar still the same as the Instinct Solar?

[@pleheh]

@@karma247ajm i would like to know this as well.

[@invisibleman53]

How do I set my watch for my sleep time of starting and waking ???

[@Evan.F07]

After I am done with a certain activity like boat and I no longer want to use that activity how can I return to all the other ones like run hike

[@coolsquad7428]

At 0:12 there is also a surf edition, decent G1 edition,tactial edition and more.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yup, I discuss those 10 seconds later…

[@Mic-healDay]

I do not have the safety submenu under my settings menu on my Instinct 2 Solar, nor do I have Garmin Pay. What am I doing wrong?

[@rtcuy5614]

Great review DC, thanks for sharing! I read that while on GPS tracking mode, the watch will not recharge with solar. Do you happen to know if this is true? I am thinking on getting it for a 10+ day hike in Greenland (summer) in which I want to track all day (I could slow down the GPS samples to one every 10 minutes, it doesn't need to do it every second) but I got a bit discouraged when I read that it wont charge while on GPS tracking mode. Is my understanding correct? Many thanks again for your review!

[@dainiushappy7688]

Yes, @DC Rainmaker, it would be nice to get information regarding solar charging while on GPS if such information is available. Thanks a lot. Nice review.

[@luc7976]

Garmin specs for Instinct 2 solar: GPS: Up to 30 hours/48 hours with solar**

[@RossDoughty]

Quick tip: No need to change the hotkey for the flashlight. Just quickly double press the CTRL button. Top left.

[@ranchotonaya7603]

I am thinking about purchasing the Garmin Instinct 2. Does anyone know if it is fully functional in Mexico.

[@dmytrodance]

Thanks for review! Can I text a link with my geolocation with Instinct or Instinct 2? Is it easy to do?

[@saarriola37]

How long will the stopwatch run before starting over?

[@TheVICVIC23]

If you have an iPhone do you need it with you when it comes to running. I usually never like to run with a phone and don’t want to get an Apple Watch

[@jorgefrancohidalgo4362]

Hi, just get mi watch, does it have an alarm to wake up? not able to find it.

[@Spellscape]

If you connect chest heart rate sensor is it turns off watch sensor (I hope so)?

[@eddo3335]

Great video, but no one seems to include app connectivity in these reviews. Can all of these setting be done more simply through the app? Or is configuring dependent on digging into menus through buttons on the watch.

[@Dwyeb73]

I have the same question. Doing all the settings on the watch would suck.

[@drumnbreakz]

At 21:40 he says that every setting is customizable on the phone, too.

[@lrdass]

Do this watch has an SOS signal just like the inReach? Could I replace the inReach mini for this watch?

[@getwetsoon]

i lke that one very much - if it would be possible to integrate the tides for surfing would be perfekt. isnt that possible?