I don't like smartwatches. But I like their features. I like that they can provide me with data about me, about my lifestyle that I can analyze. So far, the half-measure was a smart-band. But now he has come. My new love. Garmin Instinct Solar.
The watch costs little compared to other products that give little more. Its price is PLN 1000 - 1600. It's a lot, but not if we put models for 3000 - 6000 PLN next to it.
I'm also aware that the Garmin Instinct Solar has a pretty unique look for a smartwatch. It's not going to appeal to everyone, but I fell in love with it because that's what I was looking for, and I didn't know it existed.
Garmin Instinct Solar - two versions of the smartwatch
I got 2 models for the test. Solar and Esports. I had to send the second one back a bit earlier, while the model with the possibility of recharging from the sun has been testing since ... March. 🖤Thanks Garmin! After this time, I have many thoughts that I would like to share. I believe that this equipment will surely find many fans. However, it is not for everyone.
First, let me tell you what Solar is all about. What does this postscript mean? Well, the Instinct model comes in many versions, such as Standard, Tactical, Camo, Surf, Esports. Standard is standard, while the rest has various additional functions and different colors depending on the version. However, for Standard, Tactical, Camo and Surf, we can add the sun charging option. I wonder why Esports doesn't have one, maybe because it's rather worse to play in the sun, because it shines on the screen 😉
Smartwatch charged with solar energy
What does the word "Solar" give us apart from the colors of the case? The inscription "Solar" at the bottom, the Garmin logo moves from the bottom of the dial to the top, and in fact everything that is not a display or the Garmin logo is a panel that allows you to charge from the sun. There is not much of it, but it allows you to use the watch infinitely without having to connect a cable in a certain scenario.
In addition, in the Solar version we get a newer heart rate sensor that allows you to measure SpO2. The dial is also covered with another glass. The glass bears the enigmatic name of Power Glassâ„¢. It is probably chemically hardened glass, but adapted to transmit the maximum amount of sunlight.
With the test model I walked, slept, ran, exercised at the gym, with kettlebells, wandered and whatever only played in my soul. Please note that the photos are taken after I actually wore this watch for 4 months 24/7 and did not treat it as a discount. I wasn't the first reviewer either. I pay attention to this because of the durability of this model. I am impressed and just what I was looking for.
When the tests are over and I have to send back the Garmin Instinct Solar, I know what Santa will bring me 😉 Previously, I mainly used smartbands because I didn't want them to bother me and I didn't want to worry about them. I saw different smartwatches at a few friends and what they looked like when you practiced something more than running or walking with them.
The protective film on my armband was torn off after my first kettlebell training. After a few days, the first scratches appeared on the screen. The Garmin Instinct Solar is different, simple, ultra durable. This shows both the equipment itself through its appearance, as well as all Garmin materials available on the web.
Garmin Instinct Solar is not afraid of harsh conditions
After these few months, I can safely say that these were not idle boasting. Reinforced glass and case fulfill their function very well. What is communicated is the appearance of this watch as it was delivered to me. Before we get to the details, such as the display, I still have to say something positive about the strap. Instinct has a standard Garmin mount, so the straps can be changed quite freely, also between models.
At the beginning of the tests, I was very interested in how this strap would work in hot weather, especially during training. What can I say, it works. I didn't have a single abrasion or chafing during the tests, and there were many hot days. The fact that when I'm not exercising, I don't have it fastened as tight as during training, usually one eyelet less and it allows for gentle sliding on the hand, which may be a decisive factor in this case.
Smartwatch without fireworks
While I was talking with friends, I heard the opinion that for this money it is unacceptable that the watch is not touchscreen or does not have a color display. It's totally colorful. Two-color. And there's also a backlight, but you won't feel the touch in Garmin Instinct Solar. And that's very good for me. That's what I need. I realize this feature is not for everyone. But that's what I like about him. If someone needs more, in the offer of Garmin and other manufacturers, he will easily find watches that will give him a colorful map and millions of colors on the display. Garmin Instinct Solar is not for such people.
The readability of this type of dial is at a very high level. You don't even have to take lighting conditions into account here. The data from the dial can be read without any problems almost always. At night we have a backlight, but I noticed that on the darkest setting, i.e. 10%, it is enough. He can probably do more for an emergency "flashlight".
Of course, this type of display has some limitations. The resolution is 128 x 128 pixels. It will be hard to read messages or view notifications from the phone on it. Yes, but it's clearly not for that. I like it because I avoid notifications on my phone more and more, and even more so on my watch. Especially one that is supposed to accompany me freely while doing sports.
Before I go on to describe what and how Garmin Instinct Solar can track, I will devote a paragraph to the functions of the display. It is actually two-part. We have a separated circle in the upper right corner. come back. In the upper right part, the wheel does not have corners 😉 Besides, there is the main part of the display divided into several sections. We can fully configure it and decide what data and where will be displayed. The setting from the photos turned out to be the most optimal for me. We can also modify this data in different modes, create watch faces available all the time, as well as during specific types of activities. We can also decide whether we want the background to be dark and the content to be light, or vice versa. Everything, apart from the display on the watch face (and the Garmin logo), is the panel charging our watch.
Even if you think that the solar charging function is unnecessary for you, it is worth paying attention to another sensor, which is only available in the Solar version. Thanks to it, we are able to measure the oxygen saturation of the blood with SpO2. I will not explain here why and what it is for, a few minutes in any search engine and you will find information from experts. I would like to add that this is quite an important parameter for both people who train and those who care about their health. In addition, it can also be useful during a pandemic.
I had the Esport and Solar version in testing at the same time. I have the impression that it is the Solar that works better, more accurately, and measures the pulse more precisely. Right below the sensor, I have a piece of tattoo on my arm. It wasn't much of a problem. The sensor itself is not a medical device. I want to emphasize this, because I know that voices may be raised that such measurements are of little value. Yes, it is not a medical measurement, but when do we have contact with such a medical one? How do we end up in the hospital? Then the watch will not be useful to us, and such a pumped blood pressure monitor is also not a medical device in most cases.
It was with one of these devices that I compared the measurement from the wrist many times. In addition, many gym equipment have built-in electrodes in the handles that allow you to measure your heart rate. My measurements show that the values ​​are very close. Differences of 5-7% are very small for a measurement from the wrist and during movement. It is enough to check what is happening to us during training. It will also help us see what's going on inside every day and during sleep.
If, however, such a measurement is insufficient for someone, the Garmin Instinct Solar can be paired with a chest strap that monitors heart rate, as long as it works in ANT + or Bluetooth technology. We pair it with the watch, not the phone. This will certainly increase the precision of the measurement, if someone cares about it.
So, with a good quality heart rate sensor, we can analyze a lot in the Garmin Connect application, both on the phone and in the browser version. I will not review the app itself here because it is powerful. I will probably write a separate entry, and this time I will tell you about the main functions that I used during the test.
See also:
- Garmin updates smartwatch offerings. Four more will receive solar charging mode, these are Instinct, Fenix ​​6, 6s and Tactix Delta.
- Durable GPS watch. Garmin Instinct first impressions
- Google buys smart watches from Fossil for $40 million!
- Samsung reveals new devices in its app
- Smartwatch will remind us to wash our hands
- Huawei Watch Fit is a planned cheap smartwatch from the Chinese manufacturer. We have its specification and photos
- Forever Icon and iGO - new products in several versions for every budget that can surprise
- Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL - the cult cycling company enters the smartwatch market
- Fitbit Inspire 2 - a stylish tracker that will encourage us to move
- Hama Fit Watch 5910 - what can a budget smartwatch do? Review
