Okay, so I’ve been wearing both the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar and the 2X Solar for a while now, and I figured it’s about time I share my thoughts. Honestly, picking between these two was a real head-scratcher at first.
Size and Comfort
First off, I got the 2X. I strapped it on my wrist. The size was noticeable right away. It’s big, really big. 50mm big, to be exact. But it didn’t feel like a brick on my wrist. It’s surprisingly comfortable for its size. Then I tried the regular Instinct 2 Solar. It’s a tad smaller, at 45mm. Felt a little more like a “normal” watch, you know? But both, I wore them all day, during workouts, even to bed. No issues.
Battery Life
Now, battery life is where it gets interesting. Garmin says the 2X can go “unlimited” with enough sun. In real-world use, I was getting weeks, yes, weeks, of battery life with regular use. With the regular 2, it’s still impressive. Think well over a month without needing a charge. I charged them both up, used them normally, and even did some GPS activities. The 2X just kept going and going. The 2, it did need a charge eventually, but it still lasted a ridiculously long time.
Screen and Visibility
The screens on these are, well, they’re not your fancy colorful AMOLED displays. They are monochrome, made for readability in any light, especially sunlight. And they do that job perfectly. The 2X’s screen is a bit bigger, which I appreciated. Makes it easier to glance at your stats during a run or a hike. The regular 2’s screen is perfectly fine, though.
Features and Tracking
Feature-wise, they’re pretty much identical. You got your GPS, heart rate, sleep tracking, all that jazz. I took them both on hikes, runs, even some swims. Tracked everything accurately. The solar charging feature is neat, too. I noticed it did extend the battery life, especially on those sunny days.
Flashlight
Oh, and the flashlight on the 2X. It is a game-changer. I found myself using it way more than I thought I would. It’s super bright and practical. The regular 2 doesn’t have one, and after using the 2X, I kinda missed it.
Final Thoughts
So, which one did I like better? Honestly, it’s tough. If you want the absolute best battery life and that awesome flashlight, go for the 2X. I loved it. It is a big watch, though. If you want something a bit smaller and still has incredible battery life, the regular Instinct 2 Solar is fantastic. I ended up using both for different things. The 2X for longer adventures, the regular 2 for everyday wear. You really can’t go wrong with either.
- Garmin Instinct 2X Solar: Bigger, longer battery life, has a flashlight.
- Garmin Instinct 2 Solar: Smaller, still amazing battery life, no flashlight.
Hope that helps some of you folks out there trying to decide between these two. They’re both awesome watches.