Fancy smart watch worth it?

Joined
Feb 5, 2023
Messages
98
I'm considering getting a g shock, garmin instinct 2, or the garmin fenix / epix with the map feature. Is it worth spending the extra to get all the features versus the instinct? I currently track no workouts or anything. My buddy used the tracking feature from his instinct on a pack out which was pretty slick
 
Joined
Apr 22, 2024
Messages
40
Is there something you want it to do? I've had smart watches in the past and liked it for outdoor activities but not so much for day to day.
 
OP
R
Joined
Feb 5, 2023
Messages
98
I don't know that there is anything particular I want to do. I think it would be best to track mileage and vertical on bikes and runs, track sleep. Is a smart watch a replacement for OnX on your phone? Can I keep my phone in my pocket on new hikes (on trail) ?
 
Joined
Sep 6, 2022
Messages
27
I have the Garmin Instinct solar 2 and love it. You get what you need out of it. I personally didn't care about touch screen, the buttons works just fine. You get texts, tracking and most functions of all the other watches just not in color which isn't that big of a deal to me. The flashlight comes in handy more often than you'd think, especially when camping. the battery last close to 40 days and even more if you spend a good bit of time in the sun.
 
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tony

WKR
Joined
Nov 13, 2015
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1,035
Location
WV
I bought one of these and have been real pleased so far
 
Joined
Dec 2, 2024
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11
I bought an instinct solar 3 or 4 years ago and have put it through so much. I mean scratched and beat to a pulp basically. I used it daily and for any hiking/climbing/running ocean fishing blah blah you name it. About 6 months ago it would just completely shut off at 50% battery. I tried factory resetting and everything. I knew it was out of warranty but figured I’d run it by Garmin. They simply said “send it in and we will send you another.” No questions asked. No pulling hair. No long process. They told me to try a few things to see if it fixed but that was it. Best experience ever. So now I’m putting my new one through the same and still loving it. No issues.
 

Article 4

WKR
Joined
Mar 4, 2019
Messages
703
Location
The Great Northwest
I have a garmin fenix 5s. My second one - the first one malfunctioned in about year 3 but garmin made it right and for 100 bucks sent me another one.

enjoy the basics of it - tracking steps, elevation, elevation gain, heart rate etc...also like that it has a capacity of about 500 songs for the gym. Don't need my phone and I can use my watch.
Screen is too small to be great with GPS. Tracking is cool but I dont really use it for that purpose. If I buy one again, I may go down to the lowest model that I can get music in that maybe doens't have all those other features.

Also, due to its size, if you use all the feature, the battery life is a couple of days. Have to have a way to charge it in the field if you use it.
 
Joined
Dec 12, 2019
Messages
87
Location
Colorado, Montana Native
I've been using the Garmin Instinct for awhile, I didnt want any of the frills or anything, I sync'd it to my phone and can match it up with my onX for tracking and also have used the compass feature some. There is an app for your phone that if you want to you can track exercise levels and such but I dont use it too often. Overall I am happy with it but I am behind the times with technology so take that FWIW.
 

Luked

WKR
Joined
Apr 3, 2014
Messages
1,237
Location
Sullivan, MO.
I am a Garmin Dealer and run the Epix and really like it.
Should pick up a Fenix on the sale they are having this year but Ill just stick with my Epix.
It works as it should and does everything I need it to.
 
Joined
Nov 7, 2012
Messages
8,112
Location
S. UTAH
I went from an Instinct to the Fenix 7 and really like the Fenix. Not so much for the features, which are nice, but its just a nicer watch with a better interface. If you golf the Fenix golf feature is pretty cool.
 
Joined
Feb 19, 2019
Messages
412
Location
Central TN
Garmin Instinct Solar 2x here. I really like the smart watch style features. Instead of constantly pulling out my phone I can look at the watch to read a text, see who is calling me, see notifications sent to my phone, check the time. I use the compass and altimeter pretty often. It also has a built in flashlight that is surprisingly handy to have available. Keeps the phone in the pocket more and saves some phone battery life. I use the workout tracking and recovery features mostly for fun when I do use them. When I’m scouting or hunting our big woods, mountain areas I like to turn on the hiking health tracking feature. Gives me the information my OnX gives when tracking is turned on plus the health stats. I do like the heart rate monitor and that is always on and displayed on the face. I also like having sunrise, sunset, and weather information on the face. You can choose what info is displayed on the face and the display design too. All in all it is useful and fun to have. I wear it everyday.

I like the idea of having a backup device for tracking when needed. But I already have an Inreach Mini for that. And it also acts for backup communications and emergencies. So having the mapping and tracking enabled on the watch isn’t a priority to me. So the Instinct 2 Solar meets my wants.
 
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Jsmalls273

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 13, 2021
Messages
125
I've currently got an instinct 2x and love it. I like the bigger size over the 2, and the solar is better. I use mine for all my workouts, so many different workouts it can track plus fishing and hunting markers. Track back is pretty cool when hiking and hunting. I didn't have much interest in the color screen or topo so that's why I went with instinct 2x over the fenix. From my research prior to buying those were the biggest differences between the 2.

Sent from my SM-S921U using Tapatalk
 

guylaga

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 6, 2021
Messages
227
Location
West Texas
I got a Fenix 7 last month when Garmin was offering them for 50% off. I had been wanting to start training for 1/2 and full Marathons for awhile and decided to get a smart watch not only for the GPS but the HR tracking, and the other features more geared to running and fitness than Hunting and Hiking.

I’ve found the daily suggested runs to be quite helpful I don’t have to plan anything in advance and I get excited to check each morning if I have a tempo runs, long runs and to see any improvements in pace and VO2 max.
It helps keep a record of things orders of magnitude better than my own memory, and saves so much time from manually writhing things down in a note pad.

There also something about the feedback that watch gives me. Any negative feedback such as an unproductive training session just motivates me to push harder the next day.
 
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