Garmin Instinct Solar arrived in the Philippines last August 2020 along with the fēnix 6 Pro Solar and fēnix 6S Pro Solar.
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| Meet the Garmin Instinct Solar |
After getting to use and play with the Garmin Instinct Solar for more than two weeks, we are now ready to tell you about our experience with it.
Let's check it out!
Meet Garmin Instinct Solar
Inside the box are the following: Garmin Instinct Solar watch, USB-A to 4pin port cable charging cord, stickers, and a paper manual.
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| What's inside? |
In terms of build material, the Garmin Instinct Solar is made out of fiber-reinforced polymer and power glass with a solar charging lens. The unit that was loaned to us is the Graphite colorway with black straps and a metal buckle.
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| Backside |
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| Front side |
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| Left side |
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| Right side |
My only gripe is that it's pretty big for a woman's wrist making it a downside if the consumer prefers to wear a sleek watch. But overall, Garmin Instinct Solar's build puts up to its hefty SRP.
Rugged build!
To add a personalized touch to the watch, Garmin Instinct Solar has different watch faces. It can be set under the settings of the watch when connected to the CONNECT app.
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| Rubber 22mm band |
The only downside of the watch's pretty huge display is that it is not a touchscreen. Around the basic black-and-white memory-in-pixel display is a thick bezel printed with instructions for Garmin's five-button system. It points out which button lets you start GPS and which one is the menu. The first time that I tried navigating was kind of frustrating but along the way, I get used to it. Although I still get confused from time to time.
Built-in GPS!
Once connected to the smartphone via Bluetooth, Garmin Instinct Solar supports push notifications like text and Messenger messages, Instagram, and more. The watch gently vibrates every time I receive a notification.
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| ~Clean~ box |
There's no built-in music player in the Instinct Solar but as long as it is connected with the smartphone, I can easily play, pause, and jump to another song from the other using the controls in the watch.
Garmin Instinct Solar can measure, track and record heart rate, speed, distance, altitude, and pacing of the user while running on the road/treadmill/indoor track, while exercise on a bike, or while swimming on a pool.
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| Exercise tracker |
The solar lens of this watch is the best feature for me. Once fully charged using the 4pin port cable charging, Instinct Solar is rated to last up to 30 days. BUT, the more I am outside and the more that it gets penetrated by direct sunlight through its solar lens, it can easily last up to 50 days!
Solar Charging capability!
Now that we're faced with quarantine measures and I work from home, I'm not able to bring the Garmin Instinct Solar outside with me. Thankfully, we have an open rooftop and I actually left the watch under the scorching sun for around four hours.
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| Can you notice that 18 days remaining battery life? |
The sun that day was not as bright as how summer sun is but it still charged the Instinct Solar for up to +1 day! After intentionally leaving the watch with the remaining three days of battery life, I got it back with four days of battery life. Isn't it amazing?
In our more than three weeks' experience with the Garmin Instinct Solar, it can last up to 25 days after its plug-in charge when used as a watch. However, when used with a mix of music control, exercise tracking, we would get 15-18 days.
Charging times takes around 120-150 minutes using the provided 4pin port cable.
Garmin Instinct Solar Specs
Display: 23mm diameter 128 x 128 resolution monochrome, sunlight-visible
Battery: Smartwatch mode: Up to 24 days + 30 days; GPS mode: Up to 30 hours + 8 hours; Max Battery GPS Mode: Up to 70 hours + 75 hours; Expedition mode: Up to 28 days + 40 days; Battery saver mode: 56 days + Unlimited
Connectivity: Bluetooth, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, ANT+
Sensors: Barometric altimeter, 3-axis compass, accelerometer, thermometer, Garmin Elevate optical HR, pulse Ox sensor
Others: Solar lens, 10 ATM water resistance, Quickfit 22mm bands, Colors: Graphite, Flame Red, Graphite Camo (premium version)
Dimensions: 45 x 45 x 15.3 mm
Weight: 52 g
Price: PHP 24,995
Quick thoughts
Garmin Instinct Solar is a stunner for adventure-seeking individuals. It is safe to say that it is perfect for those who love outdoors, campings, and other adventures. I perfectly love its solar charging feature because it is rare for watches to have that feature.
This watch may not catch the attention of those who are into polychromatic displays. As mentioned, Garmin Instinct Solar has a monochrome display which may be 'boring' to some.
With our time with the Garmin Instinct Solar, it indeed has shown an unprecedented battery life most especially under the sun.
What do you guys think?
from GIZGUIDE | Your Gadget Coach https://ift.tt/3cya7XP
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