Garmin Instinct Smartwatch (1 Year Review)

[@ksull72487]

At $200 bucks its probably still one of the best GPS fitness watches out there and it came out in 2018. Garmin did well with the instinct. Its aging well and still keeps up today. They do hold up as well. They take a beating. No Garmin pay and things like that but it has everything you would want in a watch plus like he said would make a good survival tool as well and the battery life still beats a fitbit by a long shot.

[@andrewmillermileage]

100% agree, it’s a bit barebones but it does what it’s made to do very well

[@FiremanFrach]

Great review. I’ve had my original Garmin Instinct solar for almost three years. I used to wear it all the time but started getting back into traditional watches and G Shocks. I still love it and swear by it. I can’t see myself upgrading (and killing my bank account) to a watch with features I will probably never use. Garmin still updates the software on this anyway. Been through a lot with me before I retired from the fire service. It passed military grade testing (MIL-STD-810G) and is rated for 100 meters (330. Feet).

[@andrewmillermileage]

I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the review and the watch and god bless you for your service as a firefighter. But yeah upgrading past the instinct gets costly, I want to try to catch a sale on possibly the Fenix before I get into Ultra Marathon training in 2024 just for that solid battery life.

[@FiremanFrach]

@@andrewmillermileage Absolutely. You have a legit purpose for it. May I suggest the solar version? Good luck on that Ultra Marathon. And thank you for the kind words. It was a heck of a ride. 👨🏻‍🚒😉

[@rodog504]

So im looking for a watch and a fitness tracker. Primarily step tracker and then grow from there. Seems like a good fit.

[@andrewmillermileage]

I would agree, it’s solid for GPS tracking useage for walks, runs, bike rides and what not and I use it regularly as a fitness tracker. Definitely a solid place to start without breaking the bank

[@rodog504]

@@andrewmillermileage is it worth the upgrade to the solar in your opinion?

[@andrewmillermileage]

@@rodog504 I don’t think so, I considered it for my next upgrade but I can’t think of any real situation where I would either be without my charger or using it long enough to where it would be detrimental I need it working. I also can’t say I know anyone that opted for the solar ones

[@rodog504]

@@andrewmillermileage appreciate ya.

[@andrewmillermileage]

@@rodog504 you’re welcome, thanks for watching. Hope you enjoy the watch!

[@RaleX89]

It's certified for 100m depth or about 330ft😃

[@mutant0177]

In the instinct 2 there is a kind of sos function by sending an sms to registerd users that you need help and send live data on you location.

[@lumajon]

Awesome review. I just got my own recently the fit is amazing 😅

[@TheCreateOutdoors]

Thanks for the review Andrew! Been looking at a durable outdoor watch and I think this is the one for me.

[@andrewmillermileage]

You’re welcome my friend, it’s a solid watch for sure, I’m actually wearing it as we speak. Hopefully you love it as much as I do! Enjoy the adventure

[@ReedJ50]

It’s an awesome watch!

[@Simon89Jeppesen]

I miss a topographic map where you can put on a point you want to go to with roads and streetnames as the fenix 5 series has.

[@andrewmillermileage]

Yeah that’s definitely a feature I wish this watch had but I imagine one of the current higher up models has to have that feature

[@Earclops83]

I really just need a reliable backtrack system. Last time I went elk hunting, I got turned around and lost for 3 hours. Hopefully this will do the trick in two weeks😂

[@mattconklin4026]

Has it helped?

[@Earclops83]

@mattconklin4026 Yes! I went into an unfamiliar territory for a weekend with a couple of people, and at one point, we split up to try and drive elk towards one of us. I used the watch to track my path, and it guided me back perfectly.

[@WeShootBack1776]

Main reason I use it , it's absolutely amazing for finding your way back to your car or truck backpacking

[@ekimailag2721]

Hi Andrew,nice to know I'm from Philippines I'm plan to buy this watch,

[@andrewmillermileage]

That’s awesome! I have a few friends from over there here in the states, enjoy the watch my friend

[@ekimailag2721]

@@andrewmillermileage thank you my friend hoping you can visit here in the Philippines and try our best terrain and beautiful spot for trail run my friend, ❤️

[@mattconklin4026]

I had gotten some bass pro gift cards for the holidays, and I decided to oder this watch.

[@andrewmillermileage]

Solid choice, hope you enjoy the watch and enjoy your holiday

[@ballesterosjosue]

I just picked this up at my local Target, clearance for $114 🙌🏽

[@andrewmillermileage]

Absolute steal, enjoy the watch!

[@peterzilik3006]

I bought 2nd hand for 60€. 1st owner had it since 2019 and used it while sporting only. 4hr hiking pulled 2 bars of battery. Havent tested it longer yet. I’m very happy with it.

[@touringolem9657]

I have had the solar version for years. I wear it 24/7 (sleep tracking etc). I wore it on a 200+ mile hike and it recorded my gps no problem at all for 12+hrs a day. Just needed a charge when i got to camp, I had a power bank with me for my phone etc anyway. Regarding your sos messaging comment it does have tracking through your phone and can actually send an sos from the app which will pull location data from your watch, but obviously you need phone signal.

[@yorusuyasoul69420]

It seems they fixed the compass lag now its smoother nah which is cool

[@suurge23]

By any chance do you know if the heart rate feature will work with tattooed wrists?

[@andrewmillermileage]

I can’t imagine it not working but I’m not 100% sure.

[@Dani-wn6wh]

Did you find a method to transfer ONE position via Garmin Connect app for ecample to navigate as the crow flies? …With a nice big visible compass (like in etrex or foretrex)?

[@andrewmillermileage]

I haven’t looked into that just yet but when I get home tonight I’ll mess around with it and get back to you as soon as I find something that might be of value

[@pedrolunarealtor]

Great video! Thank you!

[@andrewmillermileage]

Thank you Pedro!

[@NIGHT_GOON24]

Can you enter grid coordinates and have it navigate you?

[@andrewmillermileage]

No but you can program routes into it you’re using a trail

[@Jazz71572]

Hi! Thanks for your review. Would it be possible to track my runs without a phone?

[@andrewmillermileage]

You’re welcome, I can’t say I’m 100% sure if you can SAVE the data without a phone but you could always do the run and then write down your Time, Distance, Pace and what not. But as for saving it you’re going to need to run it thru the Garmin app.

[@lioncurlew]

The Watch stores the data until you synch with the Garmin app.

[@TheMotb91]

How's the gps function in "real life"? Is the breadcrum map good enough in wooded areas on a path with multiple turns for example?

[@andrewmillermileage]

So I haven’t actually used that feature on this watch and I’m almost positive it doesn’t have it. The closest thing it has is a coordinates pin point feature that I’m assuming you would use in an emergency situation or in combination with another map or mapping device. I know a few of the higher up Garmin watches have this feature but after playing around with and using this one I’m like 95% sure you’ll have to shop up a model to get that.

[@codyarnold1411]

Thanks for the info. I'm about to pick one up tomorrow used for 40$. This video answered most my questions. The only question I still have is, can you reply to text messages or does it just have preset messages to send.

[@Istrebiteleff]

Предустановленные и только на андроид!

[@andrewmillermileage]

That’s an absolute steal for $40 and unfortunately no you can’t respond with texts, last I’ve tried to do when using that is it gives you the pre set options. Glad this video helped, I really appreciate the feedback!

[@jacksonbeam8538]

it said 14 days

[@andrewmillermileage]

Sorry about that, just double checked it.

[@Tigrisszem27]

I use the same divice,so everything I heard about the buttery problems,”””SO,if my mobile phone not use lot ,,have lot energy,if lot off use more time charging,very big different when your buttery start died…..SO LIFETIME🤙✋

[@curtisimo032]

That watch should be water rated for 100m

[@TheCuratorIsHere]

So much talking. A real woman. Get to the point mate. And yes I’m listening at 2.0x speed

[@andrewmillermileage]

Ok (is that better)