Instinct solar or fenix 6 solar

[Jmort1754]

Want a new start watch. Have an Apple series 3. It’s just ayyyy

Any input on these or something similar ?

answering text
Nav
Activity tracking
mainly

 

[007hunter]

I just got the Instinct last week and haven’t figured out all the functions but I believe in your case you will want the fenix. The instinct receives messages but you can’t reply to them. The fenix actually has maps for gps whereas the instinct basically leaves breadcrumb trails. The fenix is also 4x as expensive though so I’d expect considerably more. Do a google search comparing the two should be more helpful.

 

[JBrew]

There is a chart out there, I believe on Garmin's site, that compares every aspect of each to each other.

 

[Whaledriver]

I have an Instinct. I am big on simplicity. It has a good GPS, compass, HR. About all i need. If I drop a pack, mark the truck, camp, and kill is all I need. True navigation with a map on my wrist seems cumbersome.

 

[mlgc20]

I have the non-solar version of the Garmin Instinct. I believe it's pretty much the same, just without solar capabilities. The Instinct is a very basic watch. It works fine for activity tracking. The messaging capabilities are primitive. It has fantastic battery life (~2 weeks on a charge). Great as a basic watch, which was what I was looking for. But, if you really want to do serious navigation and messaging, then I don't think you will be happy with the Instinct. I had a Samsung Gear 3 before. It was better than the Instinct in every way, except battery life. I was lucky to get a full day out of my Samsung. So, I switched to the Instinct for it's battery life. But, not for functionality.

 

[jwatts]

If you are worried about accuracy in the distance of your activity tracking, look at the Fenix. Unless the GPS has improved with the solar version, the Instinct isn't accurate at all. A few of us in the group I run with have Instincts and they are routinely waaayyy off on distance. All of the Instincts track the exact distance as each other but are routinely lower distance than other Garmin devices (235, 935, Fenix 5 and 6, as well as biking computers), as much as .75mi on a 5 mile run or ride. Otherwise I love the Instinct, but the accuracy as an activity tracker leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[jwatts]

Here is a trail run recorded with my Instinct. It was a measured 24 miles that ended up showing me all over the map with 18.12 miles. The 2nd map is someone I ran with that was wearing a 645. They ended up with 23.15 miles.

 

[MuleyFever]

Agree with the above saying the Instinct is a pretty simple watch. It’s what I was looking for though. It works fine for what it is but if you want a true “smart watch” I would look at other watches.

 

[Jmort1754]

Not really looking for complete smart watch. Simple preloaded message responses. Accurate activity tracking, battery life, maps and nav are a bonus.
I use Strava on my Apple Watch. However the watch dies after 12-13 hours.

 

[shooterrdy]

I bought an insticnt last year and an on reach mini, they are good together and I am very happy with the instinct. Use it for running and heart rate seems fairly accurate.