Garmin - Instinct 2 Solar - Tactical Edition (45mm)
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Reddit Reviews:
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Last updated: Dec 11, 2025 Scoring
Liked most:
35
0
"tanky ... Only thing you really lose is a touch screen but that's better for it's ruggedness and water resistance."
"However, it does not have a touchscreen - instead it has a recessed LCD screen and buttons, a bit like the rugged-looking digital watches popular in the 80s. It is not very “fashion” but I don’t have to worry about damaging it by banging it into a hold."
"Snorkel here. I have the Instinct 2 and it is a rock…"
10
0
"tanky ... Only thing you really lose is a touch screen but that's better for it's ruggedness and water resistance."
"Snorkel here. I have the Instinct 2 and it is a rock…"
"even the wrist heart rate seems bang on which is surprising in the water"
51
3
"the battery lasts 2 weeks, that's with 5 days worth of tracking runs and day to day use. Incredible."
"The solar cell allows you to capture very long rides or activities without having to worry about running out of power"
"recharges via solar so you won't need to plug in"
19
1
"I specifically got the Garmin for a wrist based gps and mapping tool to track and orient myself. ... The Millitary has been orienteering with Garmin wrist based gps systems forever."
"Great with sports especially skiing (it uses about 3 different satelite technologies so i never lose connection and it detects skiing / lifts to get back up)"
"It's far better than my "cheap" Garmin head unit for tracking."
4
0
"However, it does not have a touchscreen - instead it has a recessed LCD screen and buttons, a bit like the rugged-looking digital watches popular in the 80s. It is not very “fashion” but I don’t have to worry about damaging it by banging it into a hold."
"Buttons instead of touch so it can be used while sweating buckets"
"Also the buttons are tactile and can be pressed even when you’re wearing neoprene gloves."
Disliked most:
1
1
"it was too bulky"
1
3
"wave tracking is shit anyway"
"it's very tedious ... I simply use a notebook for weightlifting."
"Also, if I’m doing a kick set it thinks I’m just resting on the wall."
9
5
"But after my both very dark sleeves were finished 6 months ago the heart rate sensor didn't work."
"the heart rate feature during activities is suspect, especially with wrist position on handlebars."
"my HR data got a bit unreliable after about 6 months"
3
2
"Yes."
"gives music controls but requires a phone for the music itself"
0
4
"Main issue is no maps."
"it only has basic mapping and limited storage for bread-crumbing trails."
"it lacks topo maps"
maybe instinct series 2 or 3... with solar option if hiking multi days... lighter options like 45mm i2 solar for HR (lighter watches tend to give more precise HR results overall, especially recommended ones like i2)... good luck
r/Garmin • Recommendations on Garmin watch ->maybe instinct series 2 or 3... with solar option if hiking multi days... lighter options like 45mm i2 solar for HR (lighter watches tend to give more precise HR results overall, especially recommended ones like i2)... good luck
r/Garmin • Recommendations on Garmin watch ->had a similar questions and needs... took i2 solar tactical edition 45mm... super close when it comes to hrv and hr metrics, maybe because of the lightweight - just 53g in 45mm case... mainly using for cycling, walking and running and other sport activities... bingo
r/Garmininstinct • Instinct 3 mainly as a sports tracker ->Used to have a watch series 2. That one sucked. Then went to a apple series 5. That one fell into a lake and seeing as the ground in the middle was over 10m, i doubt it survived Switched to a Garmin instinct 2 tactical solar about 3 years ago. I love not plugging it back to charge everyday (with gps its been lasting a solid 15-20 days a charge) Great with sports especially skiing (it uses about 3 different satelite technologies so i never lose connection and it detects skiing / lifts to get back up) I can control music from the watch - bit finnicky with the buttons but eh it is what it is I got 50% ish off through work so that was a bonus I do miss being able to send custom messages from it and controlling songs on spotify.... I also miss having the touchscreen, but this watch has remained on my wrist even diving hard into water from cliffs About 18 months after switching I binned my iphone 9 and got a google pixel so yeah, i never would turn back to apple products.... Depends on what you want to be honest. Just know, that most of these watches can survive in water for a few hours to a couple days, so swimming/diving in it isn't a problem but thats just my opinion Hope I helped
r/Garmin • Thinking of switching from Apple Watch to Garmin for my birthday ->Good lord, what are you planning on doing, ODA level stuff? An Instinct (Solar) tactical is probably all you really need, Tactix is has some serious features - like windage and range finder. Good luck!
r/GarminWatches • Best Garmin for Military Purpose ->I use a Garmin Instinxt Tactical for EVERYTHING. This watch is a tank. Ice hockey, whitewater kayaking, golf, distance running, MTN Biking, and most recently CrossFit (I’m new to CF).
r/crossfit • Watch for Crosssfit ->I have a Garmin Instinct Solar Taxtical, one behind the current generation. I golf (walking with push cart) 2-3X/week, play ice hockey 3X/week, and a bunch of other activities including CrossFit, whitewater paddling, hiking, trail running, etc. I also own/run a family farm; so my watch gets beat up. It does a good job keeping up with me and all my activities. It’s rugged, and I can swim with it (I’m unintentionally underwater quite a bit due to whitewater paddling). See below: https://preview.redd.it/bnayqgnuk0nf1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d6ed1bf00a0b8f17ab94bc62372e7c6bf4a4edd9 Downside: I’m older, and I have trouble seeing the smaller fonts on the watch without readers (like everything else). I’m not talking about the main feature, but the smaller data surrounding it. However, I also need readers for restaurant menus.
r/golf • Garmin Watches for Golfing and Exercising ->I am kind of surprised by the answers here. I think your request is not so weird, and it is possible to have a Garmin watch to count steps, HR, etc and not send out any signal: this is called Stealth mode and it's available on several tactical Garmin watches. They aim at military personnel, so your job would suit this profile as well. Look up online which watches offer this mode, there is at least the Instinct 2 Tactical edition, Instinct Crossover Tactical edition, Tactix 7 AMOLED / Pro
r/GarminWatches • Fitness watch with ZERO notifications (no texts, calls, emails) strictly fitness ->DO NOT GO APPLE. No matter what. They're overpriced for the severe lack of performance you receive( that includes the 250 buck SE, not worth it). I have the galaxy Watch ultra and a Garnin instinct 2 tactical solar. Galaxy is about 600 and the Garmin I got for about 180 on sale. Honestly get the Garmin i mentioned. It's cheap price wise, tanky, not a flashy design, and really good features when it comes to outdoor activity. Only thing you really lose is a touch screen but that's better for it's ruggedness and water resistance.
r/Kayaking • GPS watch for kayaking? ->My instinct 2 has been the best watch for me since it came out...(Had the original solar tactical then too) Had never let me down ever and I'm a mechanic.
r/Garmin • Which watch for gym ->My instinct 2 has been the best watch for me since it came out...(Had the original solar tactical then too) Had never let me down ever and I'm a mechanic.
r/Garmin • Which watch for gym ->If you turn on the NV mode that will turn off the heart rate sensor on the Instinct 2 Tactical!
r/Garmin • Which garmin watch I should keep that is best for the military? ->Instinct tactical. Got it while in the military in ~2019 and it’s still kicking
r/trailrunning • what fitness watch you all using? ->Does it have to be a watch? I love my Whoop because it's low maintenance and I forget it's on until I get the notification to charge it. I love my Garmin Instinct Tactical (I'm active duty military so it's dual purpose), but I have to take it off whenever I use wrist wraps or my grips during a WOD.
r/crossfit • Fitness tracker ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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