Garmin Instinct 2 Solarchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Battery life can be excellent, but only after adjusting settings. Multiple users found stock settings drained the battery quickly, sometimes to just days, but reducing brightness and backlight timeout produced dramatic improvements, with one user going from 4 days to 27 days and another from 13 to 24 days. Other owners still report unexplained drops from claimed 27-28 day estimates down to just a few days, or sudden shutdowns mid-walk, suggesting the experience varies and isn't fully predictable.

Solar charging is inconsistent and disappoints some buyers. Several commenters report the watch barely charges in direct sunlight, staying at low percentages even after hours outdoors on sunny days, leading one user to say they wouldn't bother paying extra for solar again. Others note it works but isn't dramatic, useful mainly as a supplement in the wilderness or via a sunny window, not a full standalone power source, with one calling the solar feature 'a gimmick.'

Rugged build and app-based customization are appreciated, but design and software have rough edges. Fans highlight long-term durability, extensive customization through the phone app, and a sunlight-readable e-ink screen with backlight, comparing it favorably to G-Shock style tool watches. Critics call the design outdated and want structural changes like screw-back casing. Software issues include heart rate monitor dropouts, pairing failures, stuck setup screens, passcode reset problems, and dark-mode display quirks hiding weather icons.