GarminInstinct 2 GPS 45mm Smartwatch, Rugged watch, Built-in Sports Apps & Health Monitoring, Ultratough Design Features, up to 28 days Battery Life, Graphite

After so many expensive smart watches I was fed up of the 1-day battery life only after disabling every useful feature possible and just stopped wearing them in favour of more simple digital watches and my favourite Suunto X-Lander.I came across the Garmin Instinct 2 as a cheap smart watch option with all the features. I originally looked at the Solar version but as it's winter in the UK and I mostly wear long sleeves even in the summer, I couldn't justify the extra £60. I haven't been disappointed. I get 30-days on one charge (no GPS) and with only a 2hr recharge, it's pretty much always on my wrist.I actually love the basic mono screen, which works best with light on dark watch faces, and that it's controlled entirely from buttons (no fingerprints to wipe from the screen). It took no time to work out what the buttons do and how to navigate the options. And if that's too awkward, the Garmin Connect app allows you to configure every aspect of the watch.I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of activity options the watch can track, each with it's own customisable screens and data tracking. In particular, with the golf activity linked with the Connect Golf app, it does exactly the same as the golf version Garmin Approach S12 watch.Even without the activity tracking it's an amazing every day watch. It's the ideal size for my largish wrist, it looks smart, it's water resistant, it has built-in sensors for altitude, barometer, compass (as good as my Suunto) as well as temperature, heart rate and blood oxygen, steps; then the added GPS tracking and notifications all make this perfect for my needs.

This watch doesn't have the coloured LCD screen like other Garmin watch models, so be wary of this if that's what you're after. The screen is still customisable, but does have less options compared to other models.For me, it's perfect, it isn't distracting, it's simple and it extends the battery life.It still has all the standard sensors the other models have, detecting heart rate, steps, etc.It is very robust compared with other Garmin watches. It's 10/10 for me.

Excellent entry level Garmin. Perfect for the gym and daily activities. Looks good , comfortable and easy to use

I like the fact its not a massive watch like most other smart watches , colour is cool, very comfortable and does everything i need from ut as i walk a lot and once you have sussed it out very easy to set yo and use happy customer.

My first venture into smart watches, never been interested before, I initially looked at some of the lesser brands due to price but couldn’t place my trust in them , I have a galaxy phone so studied the samsung watches very tempted but couldn’t handle the 1 day battery life .Attention then went on Garmin but put off by the prices and although I initially I wanted a colour display once the this chrome only display rugged Casio g shock imitating watch came to my attention at the perfect price on Amazon I was soon sold.5 double function buttons which equates to 10 meaning no need for touching screen.This watch has plenty of smarts despite the humble appearance, I love the hot buttons for short cuts such as access to radio controls, I clean windows so like my radio so when a customer approaches 2 clicksand I mute the volume.When I Start a walk or bike ride it’s 2/3 clicks to record time and distance.Set up takes time to get it just right and lots of button pressing - learning which can be a tad frustrating but give it the time it needs,DO NOT Send it back, this is an outstanding watch in which I get 19 days battery life with minimal charging time when it eventually gets low.Watch looks/ feels great I have bought some click on straps as the one fitted was heavy and dull tho top quality as you would expect.Sleep features on watches bring different thoughts from reviewers but I think it’s mostly accurate and I like the morning report it gives me.The app is fine for me. The blue tooth range is excellent meaning I can leave phone downstairs and while upstairs I will receive all notifications of emails and WhatsApp and missed callsThis watch may well appeal to younger ones with better eyes than my 46 year old ones , i do struggle a bit so as I said not for everybody, some may well be better off with the next affordable colour display .The rugged nature of the watch means I can not worry too much when at work or football, I did buy the black little cover to protect it which is good but haven’t bothered with screen protectors tho I would have other watch but the screen lays deep in to the watch.I definitely recommend Garmin on a company who create lots of watches for lots of different needs, even wagon drivers can buy a version of this for their needs, amazing.It’s great how it doesn’t look or drain battery like a smartwatch but smart it definitely is in every sense of the word.