Garmin - Instinct 2S Solar - Surf Edition
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Reddit Reviews:
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Based on 1 year's data from Feb 24, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
29
0
"Altimeter and barometer and compass (ABC). More butch design and more shock, cold, heat dust and dirt resistant. Feature set more for stuff INCLUDING running. More suited backpacking and hiking which I've used it for a fair bit. Great tool watch"
"it’s super durable. ... The watch clasp has gotten scratched up but the face is still fine after nearly a year of climbing inside with it. ... instinct is very durable"
"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."
43
4
"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."
"I’ve had mine last around 15 hours of gps on a bike packing trip ... If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t even bother with any of the regular garmins and would opt for something like an instinct solar. ... Well, unless you’re looking to do ultras like the Bigfoot 200, but even that would take out most garmins unless it has solar."
2
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"Buttons instead of touch so it can be used while sweating buckets"
"The instinct is not a touch screen (which I actually really love)"
Disliked most:
8
5
"But after my both very dark sleeves were finished 6 months ago the heart rate sensor didn't work."
"the heart rate feature during activities is suspect, especially with wrist position on handlebars."
"oh also it bloody changed hr depending on the workout chosen???"
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"
Beginning-Smell9890 1.0Same, but I'll buy the previous model on eBay for a fraction of the price (like I did with the s40)
Cranjesmcbasketball1 1.0I've had a Garmin S40 for years and love it. When it dies I'll get another one or whatever the new model is.
knightspur 1.0I have an Instinct 2s Solar, which has served me very well for the 2 years I have been using it. Ive considered switching up to a forerunner 500 series to better work with non-hiking training activities, but haven't made up my mind yet on if its worth the spend.
lesterspossumparks 1.0As someone who does not enjoy having a dinner plate on their wrist I very much enjoy the Garmin Instinct Solar 2S - simple, long battery life, robust. Edit: meant to specify the solar version
mug_sh0t 1.0not at all! If you like it and it works for you that's all that matters. im the proud (woman) owner of a garmin instinct 2s Solar and i love it. it's improved my life and my health
Ok_Cartoonist6557 1.0I’d recommend the s70. The plays like distances without a subscription makes it worth it alone over s40/s50. No touch targeting on the others is rlly bad too. The health data on the s70 is all I could ask for. It tracks my runs/lifts/sleep etc without issue
Richie_Rich2016 1.0Garmin watches are junk, I have had 2 replacements on the Instinct Solar surf and the replacement is now dead. The software is bloated and horrible, the watch is buggy and very restrictive. Garmin was indicating an incorrect altitude - more than 100 feet off. I went back to a simple Casio W800. I am an IT guy BTW.
SlowDraw85 1.0S40 does great getting front back and middle distances to the green.
SpecificPerception75 1.0I've had the same problem. Previously had the Garmin Surf. Lasted me 5 years before dying. The Vivo 6 is great but not being able to make custom swim workouts is a real pain. For clarification, you make the workout in the Garmin Connect app then 'add to device' however when you go to do this it says not compatible. Not found a way around it yet.
StinklePink 1.0Instinct 2S Solar Surf. Wanted something that could log my surf sessions as well as all the other things I log regularly like runs, walks and bike rides. Also like the smaller size. Don't want a giant watch.
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