Garmin Instinct Review: A Rugged GPS Smartwatch for Outdoor Adventures
For outdoor enthusiasts looking for a durable GPS smartwatch, the Garmin Instinct is a top contender. The Instinct packs in a host of sensors and navigation features into a military-grade rugged build able to withstand harsh environments.
In this review, we'll take a look at who the Garmin Instinct is ideal for, its rugged design, navigation and tracking capabilities, sports features, battery life and overall value as a GPS smartwatch for adventures.
Overview
The Garmin Instinct is a rugged GPS smartwatch built for athletes and adventurers who demand durability. Some key aspects:
- Rugged military-grade build to withstand extreme temperatures, thermal shock, water, scratches and drops.
- Built-in 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter, GPS/GLONASS tracking for navigation on land and water.
- Heart rate monitoring, sleep/stress tracking, smart notifications and other 24/7 health stats.
- Multisport profiles, run metrics, swim lap tracking and more for sports and workouts.
- Up to 14 days battery life in smartwatch mode (24 hours in GPS mode) for extended trips off the grid.
Overall, if you want a burly GPS watch with navigation, health/fitness tracking and smartwatch capability for the outdoors, the Garmin Instinct deserves a look.
Next, let's take a closer look at the durable design.
Rugged Design Built for the Outdoors
Designed to meet U.S. military standard 810G for thermal, shock and water resistance, the Garmin Instinct can take anything mother nature throws at it. Some key aspects of its rugged build:
- Constructed with fiber-reinforced polymer for lightness and strength.
- Water rated to 100 meters so it's safe for swimming, snorkeling and other water sports.
- Withstands operating temps from -20°C to +60°C and thermal shocks from rapid temperature changes.
- Chemically strengthened glass lens and polymers resist scratches and damage.
- Buttons provide tactile feedback even with gloves on or when wet.
- Comfortable 22mm quick release bands for a secure fit.
Available in multiple color options like Flame Red, Tidal Blue and Graphite, the Instinct has stylish looks to match its rugged capabilities. It's built for exploring off the beaten path without worrying about damaging your watch.
GPS Navigation and Tracking Features
With built-in GPS/GLONASS, a 3-axis electronic compass and a barometric altimeter, the Garmin Instinct offers robust navigation capabilities for hiking, skiing, climbing and other outdoor activities. Some of its key navigation features:
- View coordinates, heading, elevation, sunrise/sunset times, storm alerts and more.
- Trace back feature to navigate back to start point in a straight line. Very handy if lost or disoriented.
- Set waypoints and navigate to destinations with straight line bearings.
- Use as a golf GPS with yardages to hazards and doglegs for over 41,000 courses.
- Preloaded ski maps for over 2,000 resorts worldwide.
- Compatible with Garmin inReach satellite communicators if off the grid.
- Built-in hunting/fishing calendar with best times.
For backcountry trips, the Instinct has all the navigation and tracking smarts needed to stay on course. The ABC sensors and GPS combine useful environmental data with your precise location.
Activity Tracking and Sports Features
Like Garmin's other sports watches, the Instinct packs in quite a few activity tracking and athletic training features:
- Wrist-based heart rate monitoring during workouts and all-day.
- Features dedicated to running, biking, swimming, skiing, golf,rowing, hiking and more.
- Advanced run metrics like cadence, VO2 max, training effect and recovery time when paired with a foot pod or running dynamics accessory.
- Auto sets a swim rest timer and provides pool swim metrics like lengths, distance, pace, stroke rate/type.
- Built-in sports apps with profiles for everything from yoga to hunting, hiking, treadmill runs, interval workouts and more.
- Scratch-resistant Power Glass lens and backlight ensure screen visibility in all lighting.
For athletes and fitness enthusiasts, the Instinct acts like a personal trainer on your wrist – providing the data and motivation needed to improve.
Smartwatch Features and Battery Life
Despite being geared for the outdoors, the Instinct includes helpful smartwatch features:
- Smart notifications for calls, text, calendar alerts and social updates when connected to your phone.
- Control phone music playback right on the watch.
- Automatic syncing to the Garmin Connect app for deeper insights into health, sleep, activity and training data.
- Up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, 16 hours in GPS mode and 40 hours in Ultratrak battery saver mode for extended trips off the grid.
The two week battery life in smartwatch mode means you can wear it all the time without constantly worrying about charging it up. The Instinct is built for the outdoors, not power outlets.
Garmin Instinct Alternatives
The Garmin Instinct isn't the only rugged GPS outdoor smartwatch around. Some alternatives to consider:
- Suunto 9 Baro - Durable multi-sport watch with excellent battery life up to 120 hours with GPS.
- Casio Pro Trek Smart - Rugged Wear OS outdoor watch with dual-layer display and 25 days battery.
- Coros Apex/Apex Pro - Ultra long battery to last up to 45 days along with GPS navigation features.
- Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar - High-end multisport GPS watch with solar charging. More feature-packed versus Instinct.
Do compare specs like sensors, battery life, size/weight, connectivity, price and features like onboard maps to pick the right rugged GPS watch for your needs and budget.
Verdict
The Garmin Instinct packs an amazing amount of technology into a durable watch designed for life off the grid. With GPS navigation, ABC sensors, wrist-based heart rate, smart notifications and two week battery, it’s a compelling wearable for adventurers who want both outdoor data and 24/7 health stats on one band.
While the monochrome display and price are drawbacks, the rugged build, battery life and navigation make the Instinct a top pick for hikers, climbers, runners and other explorers who want to leave the phone behind and head into the wild. It deserves a spot on your wrist for the next adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does the Garmin Instinct have onboard topo or ski maps?
No, the Instinct does not have full onboard maps or ski resort maps like the higher-end Fenix series. It shows your position coordinates on a barebones map. For navigation, it uses GPS plus compass, altimeter and waypoint guidance.
Q. Can you receive/read text messages on the Instinct?
Yes, when paired to your phone via Bluetooth, the Instinct can show basic text message notifications. You can read full messages on the watch itself or phone. You cannot reply directly from the watch though.
Q. Is the Garmin Instinct touchscreen or not?
No, the Instinct uses five physical buttons for the interface rather than a touchscreen. This adds to the ruggedness by removing a fragile touch layer. The monochrome display uses a Power Glass lens and backlight.
Q. Does the Instinct have a built-in heart rate monitor?
Yes, the Instinct has Garmin's Elevate wrist-based heart rate technology using LEDs and photodiodes on the back to monitor HR 24/7. It does not have a chest strap though for high intensity activity.
Q. Can you listen to music or podcasts on the Instinct?
No, there is no onboard music storage or playback on the Instinct. You can control phone music playback remotely from the watch though when paired over Bluetooth. But there is no Spotify or music syncing to the watch itself.
Quiz
- What is the water rating for the Garmin Instinct?
a) 50 meters
b) 100 meters
c) 150 meters
d) 200 meters
- Which navigation feature helps you return back to the starting point in a straight line?
a) Back to start
b) Trace back
c) TracBack
d) Return to start
- What is the battery life of the Instinct in GPS mode?
a) 16 hours
b) 24 hours
c) 36 hours
d) 48 hours
- Which sensor does the Instinct use for wrist-based heart rate monitoring?
a) Garmin Elevate
b) Mio Optical
c) Valencell PerformTek
d) Polar Precision Prime
- Does the Garmin Instinct have onboard maps?
a) Yes
b) No
Answers: 1) b, 2) c, 3) a, 4) a, 5) b
Conclusion
The Garmin Instinct packs an impressive array of technology into a rugged GPS smartwatch ready for the elements. For hikers, climbers, skiers, runners and other outdoor explorers, it provides reliable navigation, fitness tracking and health stats for both adventures off the grid and daily life.
While an acquired taste for some due to the monochrome display and chunky size, the durability, battery life, GPS navigation and smartwatch functionality make the Instinct one of the best options around for wild places. It keeps you on course, motivated and connected without the fragility of delicate smartwatches.
The Instinct remains a compelling wearable for athletes, adventurers and anyone wanting multi-sport tracking with navigation in a burly build able to survive the outdoors and hardcore training. It truly earns the label of being built for the wild.