Garmin Instinct 2X Solar – Tactical Edition, Rugged GPS Smartwatch, Built-in Flashlight, Ballistics Calculator, Solar Charging Capability, Coyote Tan
$40.99
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Why just carry out the mission? Own it with Instinct® 2X Solar – Tactical Edition. This bold, rugged GPS smartwatch is built to U.S. military standard (MIL-STD-810), water-rated to 10 ATM and features solar charging for unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode when exposed to 3 hours of direct sunlight (50,000 lux) per day. Dedicated tactical features, such as night vision goggle compatibility, waypoint projection and dual-position GPS format, keep you mission-ready. Stealth mode lets you go dark by disabling wireless communication and data sharing. Count on multi-band signal reception technology to provide more accurate positioning, and multi-GNSS support to provide more reliable service in challenging environments. Stay ready for anything with all-day health monitoring for energy levels, stress, sleep, Pulse Ox, heart rate and more (this is not a medical device, and data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked. Pulse Ox not available in all countries).
Bold, rugged GPS smartwatch is built to U.S. military standard 810 for thermal, shock and water resistance — with a large solar-charged display and durable 50 mm polymer case
Solar charging: Power Glass lens extends battery life, producing 50% more energy than the standard Instinct 2 solar watch
Infinite battery life in smartwatch mode when exposed to 3 hours of direct sunlight (50,000 lux) per day
Built-in LED flashlight with variable intensities and strobe modes gives you greater visibility while you train at night and provides convenient illumination when you need it
24/7 health and wellness tracking helps you stay on top of your body metrics with wrist-based heart rate, advanced sleep monitoring, respiration tracking, Pulse Ox and more (this is not a medical device, and data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked. Pulse Ox not available in all countries.)
Gain a deeper understanding of your overall health, training and recovery through heart rate variability while you sleep, based on technology developed by our Firstbeat Analytics team
Built-in sports apps to take on running, biking, swimming, strength training and more, plus VO2 max and other training features
Multi-band signal reception technology delivers more accurate positioning than single band devices
Navigate the outdoors with built-in sensors for 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter
Integrated torchlight feature with SOS strobe mode commands attention in emergency situations
10 reviews for Garmin Instinct 2X Solar – Tactical Edition, Rugged GPS Smartwatch, Built-in Flashlight, Ballistics Calculator, Solar Charging Capability, Coyote Tan
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$40.99
Tracey –
Worth every penny: the Garmin refinement shows
I’m normally an Amazfit guy, as I always found the Garmin products out of reach price-wise. However, as Amazfit has slowly brought up their prices on their flagship products and are now in the realm of Garmin pricing.I switched from an Amazfit GTR3 to this, so this was not apples to apples. However, I liked the GTR3, and it did most of what I wanted in a smart watch/fitness tracker. However, the lack of ruggedness just wasn’t for me. It survived for about 2 years, as long as I kept a screen protector on it. However, after I stopped putting the screen protectors on, it survived about 2 months of my active lifestyle, before the touchscreen started to fail. Unfortunately, Amazfit deemed it unnecessary to allow the watch buttons to act as alternatives to the touchscreen. This slowly rendered the watch less and less functional until, about 5 months after I removed the screen protector, the touchscreen failed completely. This made most of the features of the watch unusable. I also had to replace the band several times and almost lost this watch due to a broken band during a Spartan race.Again, these are not competing watches. However I’m calling out design & pricing choices that led to me considering the Garmin.Now, for the watch itself: it’s definitely big on my wrist. However, the band fits well and feels very durable. The UI took a lot 20 minutes to figure out, and pairing with my android phone (Gamin Connect app) was very easy. That’s another thing that Garmin has refined over Amazfit: I didn’t have to manually make the app run in the background all of the time, or do any other manual steps that Amazfit required with the Zepp app to make things like texts to the phone work.The screen is readable with the light on in daylight. Setting up a run was easy and there were a lot of options that I could configure, if I wanted to do so. GPS seems pretty accurate. I haven’t done a long run on it yet, but it easily picked up my location from inside of my house.Watch face is customizable. I need to do a bit of this, but have only played around a bit sof far.I woke up to it today to telling me I didn’t get enough REM sleep last night, so the sleep tracking was intuitive and only gave me necessary data, then left me alone.Heart rate monitoring appears to be quite accurate, and even seemed to be about right while swimming. It handled swimming with no glitches or bugs.I’m still not sure how long I’ll get regarding battery life, but it’s currently estimating that I’ve got 34 days left. I’m very interested to see how accurate that turns out to be, considering this is the solar variant. I won’t he getting a lot of out door running or hiking time in for a while, especially during the day, so I expect the solar will help more on the Arizona fall and winter.For hiking and trail running, it has the ability to easily track my initial location, set way points, etc. right from the watch, so I’m looking forward to testing those features. It also supports trail map downloads which is something I’ve really wanted to try out. It easily accessed the local weather to the watch as soon as I shared my location with the app.Overall ruggedness: it’s a big watch, and it feels very tough. There is no touchscreen, so that is compensated for by having 5 navigation buttons. It didn’t take long to figure out what each button does. I think I’ll be hard-pressed to actually damage this thing, and the band is going to tolerate a lot of punishment (although, it will probably be the first thing to fail).Last feature: the flashlight/torch: this works surprisingly well. I was very surprised when I had to use it last night as to how bright it is. It’s easy to activate and deactivate, and you don’t even notice it’s there when it’s not on. It faces outward, so you aren’t blinding yourself when you turn it on, nor are you holding your wrist upside down to use it. Surprisingly great feature.It appears to be great value for money (I’d always prefer a little cheaper, but if this lasts at least 2 years, ideally 4, then it was worth the money). I got mine on sale for a decent discount.
Snake-Eyes –
Has taken a 2+ year licking and still keeps on ticking…
I was in the market for a ‘smart G-shock” watch but was very disappointed that one meeting my needs didn’t exist. I saw the Instinct 2X solar and decided to buy my first Garmin device ever. After 2+ years of traveling the world and not babying this watch, I am happy to say this watch is easily my favorite watch ever and has performed amazingly if not perfectly. I wanted a tough watch ✅, solar charging ✅, heartbeat and sleep monitor ✅✅, world time capability ✅, step counter✅; the sports modes and GPS modes were a bonus and I’d never thought I’d use them until quite recently. I can not tell you how many people I’ve impressed with just the flashlight alone. It took me 2+ years to find the GPS tracking useful until I realized I can use it to precisely pinpoint the gravesites of deceased relatives in the cemeteries. I saved each location in the watch and it leads directly back when I go visit to pay my respects. No more playing “I think it’s over here” with my cousins and siblings when we visit our deceased ancestors.This watch has been all over the world with me including the beach and ocean in Neves and the jungles of Costa Rica. It’s scratched up, dinged, been immersed in fresh and salt water and still keeps working.The battery life is awesome, up to 41 days on a full charge in smart watch mode but this is the only criticism I have about this watch. My previous EDC solar G-shock watch was 100% solar, no charging or battery changes needed. The instinct 2X solar claims unlimited power with 3+ hours of direct sunlight but I find I need to charge the watch about once a month for a few hours which isn’t bad (compared to an Apple Watch) but it’s not 100% solar powered.I’m considering the instinct 3 solar but the only potential deal maker for me to give up the instinct 2X solar is if the instinct 3 solar is 100% solar, no external charging needed.All in all, I love this watch! It’s 99% perfect in my opinion. If it was 100% solar, then it would be perfect.
Mike Scoblic –
50mm Watch Size Fits Great on a 6.5 Inch Wrist
For the last 5 years I’ve worn a 45mm Garmin Instinct. It is the light blue watch in the attached pictures. I just bought a 50mm Garmin Instinct 2X Solar. It is the Graphite (black) watch in the attached pictures. It feels great to wear and doesn’t seem too big at all! I love the flashlight feature on the new watch too. The transition from the old watch to the new watch was seamless, completely automatic, in the Garmin Connect app also. Love this watch and highly recommend it!!
BS1 –
Great Fitbit Replacement
I was a Fitbit user for many years. I eventually got sick of the constant connectivity issues and did my research and ended up settling on the Instinct 2X Solar.I was most worried about the size. But, I’m glad I tried it. It doesn’t seem much larger than my Fitbit. It looks much better.I wanted something that I didn’t have to charge every week. This thing is great. I haven’t keep track of charging frequency, but I would say about once a month.That being said, most features this watch offers is wasted on me. I really just use it for the date/time, for notifications and for alarms. I occasionally use the torch. I don’t bother going through the menus and I can’t remember the last time I opened the app.But still, well worth purchasing. I did get it on sale as it’s an old model. It’s still worth getting as we near 2026.
Amazon Customer –
Great battery, works well for training
I love this watch. I’m not real techy and this is the best smart watch for me. I feel like it reliable for different training like weights to running to hiking. Battery lasts a very long time. The solar doesn’t charge the watch but it helps from depleting tge battery. I’ve been wearing mine for close to a year and I haven’t had any issues.
Rui Amorim –
Absolutamente ÓTIMO!Relogio da tudo que promete, com uma bateria que durou mais de 17 dias com todos os aplicativos funcionando! Muito resistente!Vale muito a pena!
Edgar –
Has been a great device. Sleep tracking, gps while hunting, and many more functions have been quite useful. It is also surprising how much I love the light, its actually a functional flashlight and i use it multiple times a day. Love my watch.
Lance Harui-Philp –
The Garmin watch that has it all, and with the solar component has the capacity to last the distance.
Revuit –
The Garmin 2X Tactical Solar Watch is a standout in the world of multi-functional outdoor timepieces, offering a robust blend of durability, performance, and advanced features. Designed specifically for tactical use, the watch combines Garmin’s renowned solar charging capabilities with an impressive array of tools and features that cater to both professionals and outdoor enthusiasts.Design and Build Quality:The Garmin 2X Tactical Solar Watch is built to withstand tough environments. The watch boasts a rugged, military-inspired design, with a 51mm fiber-reinforced polymer case that is both lightweight and incredibly durable. The high-resolution, sunlight-readable display is protected by scratch-resistant sapphire glass, ensuring it stays pristine even after heavy use. The silicone strap provides a secure and comfortable fit, even during extended wear in demanding conditions.Solar Charging and Battery Life:One of the most appealing features of the 2X Tactical Solar is its solar charging capabilities. With the solar charging system, the watch extends battery life significantly, allowing you to stay off the grid for longer periods. In full sunlight, it can stay powered for up to 50 days in smartwatch mode, and up to 20 days in GPS mode with solar charging. Even in less optimal lighting conditions, the battery performance is solid, making it ideal for long outdoor expeditions where charging might not be feasible.Tactical Features:True to its name, the Garmin 2X Tactical Solar Watch is equipped with specialized features for tactical situations. The night vision mode is particularly useful for low-light environments, adjusting the display’s brightness so it doesn’t interfere with night vision goggles. The dual-format GPS (Glonass and Galileo) ensures precise location tracking in remote areas, making it a reliable companion for navigation. The watch also includes jumpmaster and waypoint projection modes, making it suitable for those involved in air operations or military activities. Additionally, the stealth mode disables wireless communication to ensure your movements remain undetected.Health and Fitness Tracking:Beyond its tactical applications, the Garmin 2X Tactical Solar Watch is also a top-tier fitness tracker. It comes equipped with a heart rate monitor, pulse oximeter, and sleep tracking, allowing users to monitor their overall health during activities. The watch also tracks a variety of sports, including hiking, running, cycling, and swimming, and offers advanced metrics like VO2 max, recovery time, and performance condition. It also supports Garmin’s Body Battery feature, which helps optimize energy levels throughout the day based on your activity and stress levels.User Interface and Software:The watch runs on Garmin’s intuitive interface, with a responsive touchscreen and five-button control system that provides easy access to all features, even with gloves on. The menus are well-organized, and the watch allows customization for quick access to your most-used functions. Garmin’s Connect app further enhances the experience by allowing you to sync data, track your progress, and join the Garmin fitness community.Cons:Despite its many strengths, the Garmin 2X Tactical Solar Watch does come with a few drawbacks. For one, its size might be too large for those with smaller wrists, as the 51mm case can feel bulky and heavy. Also, while the solar charging is a great feature, it can take time to fully charge in low-light conditions, requiring optimal sunlight for the fastest recharging. Lastly, while it excels in tactical and outdoor features, some users may find the watch’s interface and complexity a bit overwhelming if they are only looking for a simple timepiece.Conclusion:Overall, the Garmin 2X Tactical Solar Watch is a top-tier timepiece designed for those who need rugged durability, solar-powered longevity, and advanced tactical features. Whether you’re a professional in the field, an outdoor enthusiast, or someone who simply demands a reliable watch for extreme conditions, the Garmin 2X Tactical Solar Watch delivers. Its combination of performance, battery life, and specialized features makes it a solid investment for anyone who spends time in demanding environments.
John Furlong –
Awesome watch . My son loves it