Garmin Instinct 2: Scientific Review!

🔴 Affiliate* link: https://geni.us/Garmin_Instinct_2
🟢 Instagram:   / quantified_scientist  
🔵 Newsletter: www.robterhorst.com
🟡 Twitter: @QuantifiedRob
* Affiliate (paid) links support the channel by earning me a small commission on any sale, and it doesn't cost you any more! My opinions are completely my own, and this content is not sponsored.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
👇 $30 off any new WHOOP membership, affiliate* (paid) link, supports the channel!👇
join.whoop.com/QuantifiedScientist ($30 off any new WHOOP membership)
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
👇Amazon Affiliate* (paid) links. Supports the channel, doesn't cost you any more!👇
Huawei Watch GT 3: https://geni.us/Huawei_Watch_GT3
Apple Watch 41 mm: https://geni.us/AppleWatch7_41
Apple Watch 45 mm: https://geni.us/AppleWatch7
Garmin Vivomove Sport: https://geni.us/GarminVivomoveSport
Garmin Fenix 7: https://geni.us/Garmin_Fenix_7
Garmin Venu 2 Plus: https://geni.us/GarminVenu2Plus
Garmin Venu 2: https://geni.us/Garmin_Venu_2
Garmin Venu 2S: https://geni.us/Garmin_Venu_2S
Garmin Venu 2 Plus: https://geni.us/GarminVenu2Plus
Garmin Epix 2: https://geni.us/Garmin_Epix_2
Fitbit Charge 5: https://geni.us/FitbitCharge5
Fitbit Luxe: https://geni.us/Fitbit_Luxe
Fitbit Charge 4: https://geni.us/wjAfjU
Fitbit Sense: https://geni.us/CSfYQE8
Fitbit Inspire 2: https://geni.us/iZHlb
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
📸My Gear* (paid links, supports the channel and doesn’t cost you any more)📸
Camera body (main): https://geni.us/SonyA6600_body
Camera lense (main): https://geni.us/sony_sel_18-135
Camera (B-roll): https://geni.us/CanonEosM50MarkII
Light: https://geni.us/Godox_VL150
Softbox: https://geni.us/NiceFotoSoftbox
Light stand: https://geni.us/WalimexLightstand
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Intro: In this video we’ll test the heart rate monitoring, GPS tracking, oxygen saturation measurements, and sleep tracking of the Garmin Instinct 2. We’ll also compare it to many of the other Garmin models that were recently released.

First, let me share the most important background on this watch. In my hands, I hold the normal Instinct 2, without Solar charging. If you get the version with solar charging lenses, these will be able to harvest solar energy and extend battery life. However, in all other aspects, both versions have exactly the same design and health features, and should give the same results in all my testing. When it comes to the battery, I’ve found the battery life to be pretty good on the standard model already. After charging it to 100% capacity I’ve been using the Instinct 2 for about a week now, and in that time I wore it all day and night, and used it for about 7 hours of GPS-tracked exercises plus 3 hours of non-GPS tracked workouts, and the watch still holds about half its charge. The reason the battery lasts this long is largely because of the very low-power monochrome display it uses. This display is not a touch-screen, so all functionalities need to be accessed using these 5 buttons. However, I have not found this to be an issue, and the interface is very similar to most of the other new Garmin watches I have tested over the last few weeks. The sensor on the back is also similar to the one used in other high-end Garmin watches, which means it should theoretically be better than the one in the Garmin vivomove Sport for instance.

Conclusions:
Now, based on these results, I would say that the sleep stage tracking of the Instinct 2 is not very good, and generally very similar to many other Garmin devices I recently tested. The main thing I would use it for is tracking my total time in bed, since it does seem to be quite OK at detecting the moment you fall asleep and the moment you wake up. Therefore, overall, I would give the sleep tracking of the Instinct 2, 2 out of 5 stars.

Initially I did not think I would like the Instinct 2 much. Taking it out of the box, it somehow felt somewhat cheap, and I did not like the look. However, having used it for a while, the watch grew on me, and I actually started to like the way it looked and I quite enjoyed using it. I also really appreciate the great battery life, and the fact that I did not have to think much about charging it. Based on my experience so far, overall I would give the watch 3.5 stars overall. It has pretty good heart rate and GPS tracking, whereas the main thing it does not do well is sleep stage tracking. So, if you care about heart rate tracking, it seems to be a solid choice. Speaking of heart rate, I am currently testing the Huawei Watch GT Runner, which is very similar to the Huawei Watch GT 3, which had amazing heart rate tracking; check out that video right here. The Apple Watch is still the undefeated heart rate king, if you want to see more, you can find those videos right here. I’ll also link the recent reviews I did on other Garmin Watches here. Now, I hope this video provided some value, thank you for watching, and catch you in the next video!