Garmin Instinct 2 Series: The Complete Beginners Guide

[@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

[@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?

[@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?

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@pomie123456]

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

[@pat_welsh]

Just got this watch on sale and it's a great piece. Garmin makes great stuff and their software is top notch. It just works.

[@lightzeref6103]

One of the best watch Garmin have made .

[@TrudleR]

That backlight flashlight trick was suuuuper useful!

[@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.

[@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 :)

[@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

[@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!

[@twattster]

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

[@fourthchute]

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

[@andszym10]

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

[@romaingoudin5857]

thank you, long but worth it, and no time lost

[@CollapseableInfinity]

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

[@desertfox1442]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@matthewbunn2017]

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

[@MrMrsGamer]

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

[@Dcrainmaker]

Very nice!

[@artemdaniliants7841]

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

[@Dcrainmaker]

Cheers! Enjoy!

[@TheShauryapandey]

Thanks for making this excellent in depth video.

[@OGillo2001]

Thanks man you da boss in these kinda area

[@amircastilla07]

Thank you for the video and kudos from Belize.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks!!!

[@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.

[@NathanMorgan1976]

Very helpful video . Thanks for making it .

[@derkatzenfuerst6077]

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

[@arturjj.travel]

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

[@philunwin7688]

If think this guide goes too fast and you want to slow it down, click the settings gear icon (on the video, bottom right), then select "playback speed", choose the speed you want.

[@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.

[@blisterfree]

My guess is a course point is a point along the course which the watch defines as a major change in direction and offers guidance as you approach. An imported (ex Strava) course will, like any gps track, contain many points but because the course wasn’t created on the watch, which points are assigned as “course points” is unpredictable / wonky and the algorithm it uses is impenetrable, probably to Garmin’s help desk as well.

[@darkstepwarrior88]

@@blisterfree good shot at trying to explain in. to bad it is still speculation as long as Garmin don't explain in themselfs.

[@richardwitt8248]

Dude - you are amazing.

[@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.

[@VazAonde]

Amazing! Thanks

[@phisme]

now this IS what I like to see in my recommended

[@Dcrainmaker]

Hahah, thanks!

[@CM-ef8fu]

Thanks mate!

[@williambreeze2659]

Thanks for the detailed guide 👍

[@MarksdrivingschoolCoUk]

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

[@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?

[@donny92]

so helpful! cheers man 🤙🏼

[@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?

[@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.

[@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.

[@MrBeewolf]

Excellent review! Thanks a lot for the help!

[@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.

[@qalandaralimazhar2764]

I got this today's! 🎉

[@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.

[@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.

[@Picplosions]

Really handy video thank you!

[@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 ?

[@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?

[@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**

[@andycrites2589]

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

[@ostarakonrad9907]

Theres a fun feature under settings where you can play a video at slower playback speeds

[@rzawistowski33]

Slow video to .75x

[@pieterrossouw7507]

Just slow down the vid

[@MeatSlap30]

My guy, the video is already almost 40 minutes LOL. Just speed up the video

[@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.

[@pilarpsp127]

Question regarding Garmin Pay - is there is a fast way to access it about going to menu and search for it (like on Apple Watch when you press the side button twice and Apple Pay shows current card) ?

[@MissNikkor]

Excellent review and explanations

[@TommyHunter-f8h]

My biggest problem is that my eyes are bad and the print in the instruction book was so small that I couldn't read it thank you for this video can you make one on how to control KZbin through my watch? I'd like to be able to skip commercials.

[@shaunoleary8740]

Thank you for this. It was very helpful

[@brettbrunsell5769]

Did the hr sensor improve from the 1 to 2? I remember the 1 was pretty bad. Also did the sleep monitoring get better? Thanks 💪🏽

[@lexx348]

HR monitoring precision improved, but sleep tracking still behind Apple Watch, almost no deep sleep detection. Check out the Scientific Reviews channel

[@floppinfish]

​@lexx348 my instinct 2 has deep sleep recognition

[@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…

[@benblizzard4446]

Great video, learned a ton

[@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.

[@shanebaird543]

Does the normal instinct 2 have the surf mode. I don’t like the color of the surf model and would still like to be able to use the surf workout mode. I don’t need to sync with Surfline, I just want the surf activity.

[@Letsnotzumba]

I was looking for something simple and rugged to replace my Apple Watch, Specifically was looking for battery life and monochrome display. Crazy how much features this thing packs!

[@drumnbreakz]

Can't go wrong with this one! I really recommend it. Only the bare minimum smartwatch features (most of them are just gimmicks anyways), but in exchange you get ruggedness, tons of sports and battery time.

[@jeremysweeten2792]

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

[@Dcrainmaker]

Haha...thanks Jeremy!

[@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?

[@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?

[@valentinstefanov1502]

Is there a GPS option to track if I'm on the trail while cycling? Can it connect to strava and select pre-made routes or ones near me. Thank you

[@Ivancitovic]

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

[@frogturtle]

gshock: tells time instinct 2: tells life

[@evawilhelm5113]

at times I don't know which button you press...

[@ritchieorlando2155]

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

[@saarriola37]

How long will the stopwatch run before starting over?

[@jey8605]

Thanks for the review mate. Question though, is this the actual watch you use? Or is this just for reviewing?

[@Dcrainmaker]

I use it for time to time. But I prefer the other screens of the Foreunner and Epix series as my long term watch.

[@TalZKazaz]

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

[@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

[@TT-rl4su]

Which is generally better? Instinct 2 on Venu 2? Is my assumption Instinct 2 correct? Has a Barometer etc?

[@17cream]

Nice one ☝️ very informative

[@invisibleman53]

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

[@ldsnurse9268]

If I have a route I want to navigate, can I plan it out on my phone and then load it to the watch? Will it calculate pace count?

[@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.

[@johnandres4580]

Great review.

[@pipiflippy]

How convenient is it to unlock Garmin Pay without a touchscreen?

[@screight2]

Awesome!

[@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!?!

[@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

[@votdfak]

I've tried to use this watch over Apple Watch, battery is awesome, fitness metrics, app is great, but notifications, display and UX is much worse. Maybe I'll keep it just for holidays because I hate to charge Apple Watch every single day. Garmin Pay is ok, but you need to enter your pin (and it is cumbersome) every I think 24hrs, compared to Apple Pay it sucks. Yeah, that bezel is awful design choice, I second that.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yeah, Apple is impossible to beat when it comes to nuances of the notifications especially. I'm not actually in love with the overall UI of the Apple Watch in terms of sports per se, but it's good for day to day usage.

[@votdfak]

@@Dcrainmaker I just wish they would introduce rugged Apple Watch with at least 5 days worth of battery life.

[@viniciuslima7503]

Good job

[@ia6980]

I love this kindle style watch, but enduro 2 looks like a better choice. I bet instinct 3 or 4x will have touch screen, just like kindle

[@c.a.q]

Hi, Does this watch have a built-in Altimeter and Barometric Sensors?

[@kindpanda1075]

Did they add TRAINING LOAD FOCUS?

[@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?

[@wildwolf8983]

What Garmin watch do you recommend for hiking? ,my budget is $500.

[@weerobot]

Don't Think I'm Active enough for that watch 😂

[@JohnSmith-tz4on]

Kinda the point for me anyway, bought one to inspire me and goal set.