Garmin - Instinct 2S
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Based on 1 year's data from Feb 25, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
12
0
"Plus 2S is so much cheaper at $199."
"if you want to keep it cheap ... on sale everywhere for around 200 bucks."
"One of my best cost benefit purchases ever"
19
3
"after the swim activity it downloads heart rate data to the watch. ... During the activity the water gets in the way and you only get heart rate data from the watch, but after it downloads you can check which HR zone you were swimming in at certain paces. ... If you care about heart rate data this is the best way in my opinion, otherwise water gets between the optical sensor and your skin and throws off the readings completely."
"Once you start the bouldering or climbing activity and complete your first climb, it should ask you if you “attempted” or “completed,” and then go into a rest cycle. You start the next climb similar to if it’s a new lap, by pressing the SET button. It should prompt you to select the difficulty of the 2nd climb (you scroll as normal using MENU and ABC) and as soon as you select the difficulty (using GPS to select as normal) it will immediately start timing your second climb. (This is a bit different from the first climb of the session, where you have to select the difficulty using GPS and then actually start the activity by pressing GPS again.) Continue like that, using SET to go from a rest cycle to the next climb, and GPS to end the overall session as usual. You can scroll through different screens and see how long your rest cycle has been using MENU and ABC as usual to scroll up or down."
"even the wrist heart rate seems bang on which is surprising in the water"
30
3
"the battery lasts 2 weeks, that's with 5 days worth of tracking runs and day to day use. Incredible."
"My instinct 2 lasts 23 days without tracking activities. ... With regular activities it’s more like 14 days."
"long lasting (4weeks) battery."
25
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."
"the screen, which is not the awful LCD/LED stuff that most watches have. It's clear in all conditions, and extremely durable."
"the screen, which is not the awful LCD/LED stuff that most watches have. It's clear in all conditions, and extremely durable."
4
1
"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"
"I enjoy the simplicity of my Instinct 2S and the simple button controls instead of a touch screen"
Disliked most:
2
3
"During the activity the water gets in the way and you only get heart rate data from the watch, but after it downloads you can check which HR zone you were swimming in at certain paces. If you care about heart rate data this is the best way in my opinion, otherwise water gets between the optical sensor and your skin and throws off the readings completely."
"less accurate on hr reading"
"The heart rate seems low, but I think that’s common for swimming."
4
1
"yes but with a lot of restrictions... no continuous gps"
6
3
"The Instinct 2 is fairly chunky, so you may or may not feel comfortable with it if you've a small wrist"
"I would just avoid the 2S as it is small and light weight"
"it was too bulky"
3
2
"Yes."
"RCS isn’t supported (just standard SMS/notifications)."
DivingMermaid 1.0I love my Instinct 2S. Use it hiking, biking, swimming etc. Picked it because it has a long battery life and a separate option for outdoor swimming as opposed to indoor (pool) swimming.
Juice0188 0.8I snaked an edit in on you, sorry about that. They're good, but they're the main reason why I recommended going smaller and lighter. I had an old generation fenix, the largest model, and it was impossible to sleep in. A few years ago I got a lightweight instinct and I can wear it a lot easier.
0nTheRooftops 0.4I recently switched to a Garmin Instinct 2s from a Suunto Ambit 3 peak. Different watches i know, but the Suunto lasted me 6 years and was still working great (just wanted HR, and got the Garmin as a gift). I felt like Suunto interfaced better with my phone, and I have my doubts about the longevity of the Garmin. Garmin seems like the kind of company that will design in some planned obsolescence. Edit to add: the Suunto was my first watch and I bought it used. Its nearly 10 years old, battery continued to last for about 20 hours of activity, and is now being used by a friend.
14shadynasty 0.4Garmin instinct 2S. I have a small wrist and like the other features. So it’s not really a true golf watch, but does everything I need for a 16 handicap.
anonymityninja 0.4I came from the Instinct 2s and after several years bought my 2nd Garmin which is now a Forerunner 265S. I love the AMOLED screen, the battery life isn't an issue with 15 days as it charges quickly. can get to 90% in an hour or less. I say go for t he forerunner 265! its great!
AvonSabreJet 0.4You could look at an instinct 2S or a Garmin instinct E, both are 40mm
Honestly your best bet would be a Venu or an instinct, Venu is Garmin's health and fitness while instinct is there more traditional "G-Shock" style (best way I can describe it) watch, they don't really do the fitness tracker it's mostly all smartwatches. I have the Venu 4 coming from an instinct 2 solar. The vivo moves might also fit you well but they are older in comparison. If you are set on not having a smartwatch you may have to look into another brand, hope this helps, if you have any questions about the Venu or instinct let me know!
deep_direction 0.4update. I was able to take the screen off both the vivoactive 5 and the instinct 2s, and it stays connected to my phone and emits metrics. I just need to 3d print a cover and it will work without issue.
Electrical-Ask847 0.4i came to the same conclusion as you. Plus 2S is so much cheaper at $199. Not sure why new features 3 has to spend more that double that amount at $500. I know solar is better in 3 but you are not getting solar. I don't believe heart rate accuracy has increased?
EunochRon 0.4I use the s2 for swim. It’s fine. The heart rate seems low, but I think that’s common for swimming. Often messes up which stroke in using. But I love it for open water when I’m wearing a wetsuit. The tactical start and stop as well as the heat/cold rating are awesome. My friend’s Apple Watch dies in the sun 40 water sometimes. Mine doesn’t even care.
Fit-Career4225 0.4I dont know wich brand or watch is it, but my Garmin instrinct2s have the same navigation, and I realise like 4-8m in the wrong way. And there comes the bushwhack or turnback. But this happens rarely. Maybe a shallow Y turn or something.
+1 on Instinct! Simple, knows almost everything that a high end much pricier Garmin does with incredible battery time
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