I was a Fitbit 4 user for a few years until it broke, tried the Fitbit 5 but its measure of total calories was high by +50% although the screen was colorful and easy to read. So, I did some research and selected the Garmin Instinct 2. The screen is low contrast and a bit difficult to read. The measure of calories burned during a workout is very underestimated. For example, I know that I burn 500-700 calories in a heavy weightlifting workout of 60-75 min. The Garmin registers 200-250, and 60-80 of that is resting rate. It sometimes gets no readings for sleep time. All of the “features” for 20-30 different exercises are somewhat useless if it cant measure calories accurately. I hoped to simply have heartbeat, total calories burned in a day and as a subset, calories burned in a workout. The Garmin falls short of providing that accurately. NOT recommended. I wish i had returned it!

My son gave me this watch for Christmas. He is a U.S Marine, and he has the same watch. I wore a Samsung galaxy watch for years and it was starting to get beat up. When my Son gave this watch I wasn't loving it at first. It took my awhile to get used to not having a touch screen. I still struggle with the buttons and seeing the screen. After wearing since Christmas I now love this watch. It is comfortable to wear even while sleeping. It definitely keeps better track of health data. The app is also better than the Samsung app.

So I received watch as a Christmas present and I love it. I wear to work every day. I'm a builder so it takes a beating most days. My cell phone is paired with watch so I can see phone calls,text,emails on my watch instead of having to carry my phone all the time. Needless to say my phone loves the watch too as it gets to stay in the truck where it's safe!

Picked this up about a month ago to replace a Fitbit Charge 4. While there are certainly differences between the two ecosystems, Garmin's Connect app is far superior and more focused on fitness, training, and all-around health. I was worried that the learning curve would be steep, but frankly it was fine and while importing my previous health data from Fitbit was not a simple procedure, I did get it imported and preserved my nearly two-year-long 10,000 steps/day streak, which I continue to maintain.

Coming from original Instinct Solar. Wasn't sure it was worth an upgrade but jumped on holiday sale price, glad I did. Screen resolution is a small but noticeable improvement. Upgraded sensors provide a ton more data. I'm enjoying the recommended daily training runs. Went with non-solar and don't regret it. I'm not doing week-long trips or ultras so battery life is plenty good for me. At full price, probably not worth going from Instinct to I2, but totally worth it at sale price. Highly recommend it if you're new to Garmin or coming from an older/lower tier model.

I bought this watch a little over a month ago and have been wearing it ever since (minus the charging part). This watch was instantly compatible with my health insurance perk app and immediately added the apps I need for work as a field geologist. This watch has added to completing field work and narrowing down location, direction and distance traveled in the field. I would highly recommend this watch as a cheaper alternative to its solar-charging big brother.

The weather function is a lie, it's almost never able to display. Seems to have an issue connecting to my phone. After reading up on the weather function it seems this is a very common problem GARMIN doesn't care to fix. I would return it, if it weren't a gift.

I had the Forerunner 735XT. The Instinct 2 is a way more advance watch. I love the HRV data and sleep data. Great watch to monitor your recovery. I tried the Whoop band for a month and it was nice to see all the data but it was not worth the monthly subscription. This watch is easy to use, battery life is excellent and I can track the sports that matter to me. The only thing I wish this watch could do is to track my naps. They should add NAPS as another activity to track. Overall is great watch for the price and it looks awesome. I've been asked a few times what kind of watch Im wearing. #ineednaps

I'd been a Polar guy for a long, long time, but I was unhappy with my last two watches from them, so I tried the Instinct 2. I couldn't be happier. The battery life is fantastic and it didn't take that long to figure out how to navigate. I'm a big guy, so I like the big face. Also, the included watch band fits and is secure. I wish it had a few more pre-programmed activities, though. I play hockey in the winter, and it didn't have that as an activity. Luckily, it's easy to make your own custom sports. Same thing with disc golf. The mountain bike and xc skiing things work fine. I like the sleep tracker and all the other functions. I like that it's not touch screen. My last two watches were. I'd be driving down a bumpy road and my wrist would be lighting up like a rave, but when I wanted to know what time it was, I'd have to start a break dance routine to get it to turn on. With the Instinct 2, it's always on, so I just need to look. Brilliant!

As one who works outdoors and alone a lot of the time I needed a durable watch I could count on. Additionally, health issues require a need to monitor HR and O2. This watch fit the bill on paper. Now having worn it for a few weeks, what I read was just the beginning. The buttons allow usage with gloves on and the alert feature is a comfort to my wife. I like the length of battery life! Nothing but praise. I've told several men this is the watch for them.