Introduction

The Garmin Instinct Rugged Outdoor Watch is a durable and versatile GPS watch designed for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. Built to withstand harsh conditions, it features a fiberglass reinforced case and Gorilla Glass for enhanced protection. This watch offers a range of functionalities, including heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, and navigation tools like an altimeter, barometer, and compass. With a battery life of up to 14 days, the Instinct is perfect for extended outdoor activities. It is priced at approximately $299.00.

Specifications 

• GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite system support
• Heart rate monitoring and stress tracking
• Altitude and barometric pressure sensors
• Water resistance up to 100 meters
• Long battery life: up to 14 days in smartwatch mode
• Compatible with both Android and iOS devices
• Military standard 810G for thermal, shock, and water resistance

Buttons

Viewing the Controls Menu

The controls menu contains options, such as turning on do not disturb mode, locking the keys, and turning the device off.

NOTE: You can add, reorder, and remove the options in the controls menu.

1. From any screen, hold CTRL.

   

2. Press UP or DOWN to scroll through the options.

Viewing Widgets
Your device comes preloaded with several widgets, and more are available when you pair your device with a smartphone.

• Press UP or DOWN.
  The device scrolls through the widget loop.
• Press GPS to view additional options and functions for a widget

Charging the Device

WARNING: This device contains a lithium-ion battery. See the Important Safety and Product Information guide in the product box for product warnings and other important information.

NOTICE: To prevent corrosion, thoroughly clean and dry the contacts and the surrounding area before charging or connecting to a computer.

1. Plug the small end of the USB cable into the charging port on your device.

   

2. Plug the large end of the USB cable into a USB charging port.
3. Charge the device completely.
   Pairing Your Smartphone with Your Device
   To use the connected features of the Instinct device, it must be paired directly through the Garmin Connect app, instead of from the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone.
   1. From the app store on your smartphone, install and open the Garmin Connect app.
   2. Bring your smartphone within 10 m (33 ft.) of your device.
   3. Press CTRL to turn on the device.
      The first time you turn on the device, it is in pairing mode.
      TIP: To manually enter pairing mode, you can hold MENU, and select Settings > Pair Phone.
4. Select an option to add your device to your Garmin Connect account:
   • If this is the first time you are pairing a device with the Garmin Connect app, follow the on-screen instructions.
   • If you already paired another device with the Garmin Connect app, from the or menu, select  Garmin Devices > Add Device, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Heart Rate Features

The Instinct device has a wrist-based heart rate monitor and is also compatible with chest heart rate monitors (sold separately). You can view heart rate data on the heart rate widget. If both wrist-based heart rate and chest heart rate data are available when you start an activity, your device uses the chest heart rate data.

Wrist-based Heart Rate

Wearing the Device

Wear the device above your wrist bone.
NOTE: The device should be snug but comfortable. For more accurate heart rate readings, the device should not move while running or exercising.
NOTE: The optical sensor is located on the back of the device.

Tips for Erratic Heart Rate Data
If the heart rate data is erratic or does not appear, you can try these tips.

• Clean and dry your arm before putting on the device.
• Avoid wearing sunscreen, lotion, and insect repellent under the device.
• Avoid scratching the heart rate sensor on the back of the device.
• Wear the device above your wrist bone. The device should be snug but comfortable.
• Wait until the 🖤 icon is solid before starting your activity.
• Warm up for 5 to 10 minutes and get a heart rate reading before starting your activity. NOTE: In cold environments, warm up indoors.
• Rinse the device with fresh water after each workout.

Viewing the Heart Rate Widget
The widget displays your current heart rate in beats per minute (bpm) and a graph of your heart rate for the last 4 hours.

1. From the watch face, select UP or DOWN to view the heart rate widget.
   NOTE: You may need to add the widget to your widget loop.

2. Select GPS to view your average resting heart rate values for the last 7 days.

   

Broadcasting Heart Rate Data to Garmin Devices
You can broadcast your heart rate data from your Instinct device and view it on paired Garmin devices. 

NOTE: Broadcasting heart rate data decreases battery life.

1. From the heart rate widget, hold MENU.
2. Select Heart Rate Options > Broadcast Heart Rate.
   The Instinct device starts broadcasting your heart rate data, and appears.
   NOTE: You can view only the heart rate widget while broadcasting heart rate data from the heart rate widget.
3. Pair your Instinct device with your Garmin ANT+ compatible device.

NOTE: The pairing instructions differ for each Garmin-compatible device. See your owner's manual.
TIP: To stop broadcasting your heart rate data, press any button, and select Yes.

Turning Off the Wrist-based Heart Rate Monitor
The default value for the Wrist Heart Rate setting is Auto. The device automatically uses the wrist-based heart rate monitor unless you pair an ANT+ heart rate monitor to the device.

1. From the heart rate widget, hold MENU.
2. Select Heart Rate Options > Status > Off.

Description

The Garmin Instinct Rugged Outdoor Watch boasts a rugged design with a fiber-reinforced polymer case and chemically strengthened glass. The watch features a high-resolution display that is readable in bright sunlight. It also includes various activity profiles for activities like hiking, running, and swimming.

The watch is equipped with advanced health monitoring features such as heart rate variability and sleep tracking. Additionally, it supports music storage and playback, allowing users to listen to music without their phone. The Instinct also integrates with Garmin's ecosystem of apps and services, providing detailed analytics and insights into your outdoor activities.

Training

Setting Up Your User Profile
You can update your gender, birth year, height, weight, and heart rate zone settings. The device uses this information to calculate accurate training data.

1. Hold MENU.
2. Select Settings > User Profile.
3. Select an option.

Fitness Goals
Knowing your heart rate zones can help you measure and improve your fitness by understanding and applying these principles.

• Your heart rate is a good measure of exercise intensity.
• Training in certain heart rate zones can help you improve cardiovascular capacity and strength.

If you know your maximum heart rate, you can use the table (Heart Rate Zone Calculations) to determine the best heart rate zone for your fitness objectives.
If you do not know your maximum heart rate, use one of the calculators available on the Internet. Some gyms and health centers can provide a test that measures maximum heart rate. The default maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age.

About Heart Rate Zones
Many athletes use heart rate zones to measure and increase their cardiovascular strength and improve their level of fitness. A heart rate zone is a set range of heartbeats per minute. The five commonly accepted heart rate zones are numbered from 1 to 5 according to increasing intensity. Generally, heart rate zones are calculated based on percentages of your maximum heart rate.

Setting Your Heart Rate Zones
The device uses your user profile information from the initial setup to determine your default heart rate zones. You can set separate heart rate zones for sport profiles, such as running, cycling, and swimming. For the most accurate calorie data during your activity, set your maximum heart rate. You can also set each heart rate zone and enter your resting heart rate manually. You can manually adjust your zones on the device or using your Garmin Connect account.

1. From the watch face, hold MENU.
2. Select Settings > User Profile > Heart Rate.
3. Select Max. HR, and enter your maximum heart rate.
4. Select Resting HR, and enter your resting heart rate.
   You can use the average resting heart rate measured by your device, or you can set a custom resting heart rate.
5. Select Zones > Based On.
6. Select an option:
   • Select BPM to view and edit the zones in beats per minute.
   • Select %Max. HR to view and edit the zones as a percentage of your maximum heart rate.
   • Select %HRR to view and edit the zones as a percentage of your heart rate reserve (maximum heart rate minus resting heart rate).
7. Select a zone, and enter a value for each zone.
8. Select Add Sport Heart Rate, and select a sport profile to add separate heart rate zones (optional).

Heart Rate Zone Calculations

Activity Tracking

The activity tracking feature records your daily step count, distance traveled, intensity minutes, floors climbed, calories burned, and sleep statistics for each recorded day. Your calories burned includes your base metabolism plus activity calories.

The number of steps taken during the day appears on the steps widget. The step count is updated periodically. 

Auto Goal
Your device creates a daily step goal automatically, based on your previous activity levels. As you move during the day, the device shows your progress toward your daily goal .

If you choose not to use the auto goal feature, you can set a personalized step goal on your Garmin Connect account.

Using the Move Alert
Sitting for prolonged periods of time can trigger undesirable metabolic state changes. The move alert reminds you to keep moving. After one hour of inactivity, Move! and the move bar appear. Additional segments appear after every 15 minutes of inactivity. The device also beeps or vibrates if audible tones are turned on.

Go for a short walk (at least a couple of minutes) to reset the move alert.

Sleep Tracking
While you are sleeping, the device automatically detects your sleep and monitors your movement during your normal sleep hours. You can set your normal sleep hours in the user settings on your Garmin Connect account. Sleep statistics include total hours of sleep, sleep levels, and sleep movement. You can view your sleep statistics on your Garmin Connect account.

NOTE: Naps are not added to your sleep statistics. You can use do not disturb mode to turn off notifications and alerts, with the exception of alarms (Using Do Not Disturb Mode).

Using Automated Sleep Tracking

1. Wear your device while sleeping.
2. Upload your sleep tracking data to the Garmin Connect site.
   You can view your sleep statistics on your Garmin Connect account.

Using Do Not Disturb Mode

You can use do not disturb mode to turn off the backlight, tone alerts, and vibration alerts. For example, you can use this mode while sleeping or watching a movie.

NOTE: You can set your normal sleep hours in the user settings on your Garmin Connect account. You can enable the Sleep Time option in the system settings to automatically enter do not disturb mode during your normal sleep hours.

NOTE: You can add options to the controls menu.

1. Hold CTRL.
2. Select.

Intensity Minutes

To improve your health, organizations such as the World Health Organization recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity activity, such as brisk walking, or 75 minutes per week of vigorous intensity activity, such as running.

The device monitors your activity intensity and tracks your time spent participating in moderate to vigorous intensity activities (heart rate data is required to quantify vigorous intensity). You can work toward achieving your weekly intensity minutes goal by participating in at least 10 consecutive minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity activities. The device adds the amount of moderate activity minutes with the amount of vigorous activity minutes. Your total vigorous intensity minutes are doubled when added.

Earning Intensity Minutes
Your Instinct device calculates intensity minutes by comparing your heart rate data to your average resting heart rate. If heart rate is turned off, the device calculates moderate intensity minutes by analyzing your steps per minute.

• Start a timed activity for the most accurate calculation of intensity minutes.
• Exercise for at least 10 consecutive minutes at a moderate or vigorous intensity level.
• Wear your device all day and night for the most accurate resting heart rate.

Garmin Move IQ Events
The Move IQ feature automatically detects activity patterns, such as walking, running, biking, swimming, and elliptical training, for at least 10 minutes. You can view the event type and duration on your Garmin Connect timeline, but they do not appear in your activities list, snapshots, or newsfeed. For more detail and accuracy, you can record a timed activity on your device.

Activity Tracking Settings

1. Hold MENU, and select Settings > Activity Tracking.
   • Status: Turns off the activity tracking features.
   • Move Alert: Displays a message and the move bar on the digital watch face and steps screen. The device also beeps or vibrates if audible tones are turned on.
   • Goal Alerts: Allows you to turn on and off goal alerts, or turn them off only during activities. Goal alerts appear for your daily steps goal, daily floors climbed goal, and weekly intensity minutes goal.
   • Move IQ: Allows you to turn on and off Move IQ events.

Turning Off Activity Tracking
When you turn off activity tracking, your steps, floors climbed, intensity minutes, sleep tracking, and Move IQ events are not recorded.

1. Hold MENU.
2. Select Settings > Activity Tracking > Status > Off.

Workouts
You can create custom workouts that include goals for each workout step and for varied distances, times, and calories. You can create and find more workouts using Garmin Connect or select a training plan that has built-in workouts, and transfer them to your device.

You can schedule workouts using Garmin Connect. You can plan workouts in advance and store them on your device.

Following a Workout From Garmin Connect
Before you can download a workout from Garmin Connect, you must have a Garmin Connect account.

1. Select an option:
   • Open the Garmin Connect app.
   • Go to connect.garmin.com.
2. Select Training > Workouts.
3. Find a workout, or create and save a new workout.
4. Select or Send to Device.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Starting a Workout
Before you can start a workout, you must download a workout from your Garmin Connect account.

1. From the watch face, press GPS.
2. Select an activity.
3. Hold MENU.
4. Select Training > My Workouts.
5. Select a workout.
   NOTE: Only workouts that are compatible with the selected activity appear in the list.
6. Select Do Workout.
7. Press GPS to start the activity timer.
   After you begin a workout, the device displays each step of the workout, step notes (optional), the target (optional), and the current workout data.

About the Training Calendar
The training calendar on your device is an extension of the training calendar or schedule you set up in Garmin Connect. After you have added a few workouts to the Garmin Connect calendar, you can send them to your device. All scheduled workouts sent to the device appear in the training calendar list by date.

When you select a day in the training calendar, you can view or do the workout. The scheduled workout stays on your device whether you complete it or skip it. When you send scheduled workouts from Garmin Connect, they overwrite the existing training calendar.

Using Garmin Connect Training Plans
Before you can download and use a training plan from Garmin Connect, you must have a Garmin Connect account, and you must pair the Instinct device with a compatible smartphone.

1. From the Garmin Connect app, select the or .
2. Select Training > Training Plans.
3. Select and schedule a training plan.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Review the training plan in your calendar.

Interval Workouts

You can create interval workouts based on distance or time. The device saves your custom interval workout until you create another interval workout. You can use open intervals for track workouts and when you are running a known distance.

Creating an Interval Workout

1. From the watch face, press GPS.
2. Select an activity.
3. Hold MENU.
4. Select Training > Intervals > Edit > Interval > Type.
5. Select Distance, Time, or Open.
   TIP: You can create an open-ended interval by selecting the Open option.
6. If necessary, select Duration, enter a distance or time interval value for the workout, and select.
7. Press BACK.
8. Select Rest > Type.
9. Select Distance, Time, or Open.
10. If necessary, enter a distance or time value for the rest interval, and select.
11. Press BACK.
12. Select one or more options:
    • To set the number of repetitions, select Repeat.
    • To add an open-ended warm up to your workout, select Warm Up > On.
    • To add an open-ended cool down to your workout, select Cool Down > On.

Starting an Interval Workout

1. From the watch face, press GPS.
2. Select an activity.
3. Hold MENU.
4. Select Training > Intervals > Do Workout.
5. Press GPS to start the activity timer.
6. When your interval workout has a warm up, press BACK to begin the first interval. 
7. Follow the on-screen instructions.

After you complete all of the intervals, a message appears.

Stopping an Interval Workout

• At any time, press BACK to stop the current interval or rest period and transition to the next interval or rest period.
• After all intervals and rest periods are complete, press BACK to end the interval workout and transition to a timer that can be used for cool down.
• At any time, press GPS to stop the activity timer. You can resume the timer or end the interval workout.

Using Virtual Partner
Your Virtual Partner is a training tool designed to help you meet your goals. You can set a pace for the Virtual Partner and race against it.

NOTE: This feature is not available for all activities.

1. Hold MENU.
2. Select Settings > Activities & Apps.
3. Select an activity.
4. Select the activity settings.
5. Select Data Screens > Add > Virtual Partner.
6. Enter a pace or speed value.
7. Press UP or DOWN to change the location of the Virtual Partner screen (optional).
8. Start your activity.
9. Press UP or DOWN to scroll to the Virtual Partner screen and see who is leading.

Setting a Training Target

The training target feature works with the Virtual Partner feature so you can train toward a set distance, distance and time, distance and pace, or distance and speed goal. During your training activity, the device gives you real-time  feedback about how close you are to achieving your training target.

1. From the watch face, press GPS.
2. Select an activity.
3. Hold MENU.
4. Select Training > Set a Target.
5. Select an option:
   • Select Distance Only to select a preset distance or enter a custom distance.
   • Select Distance and Time to select a distance and time target.
   • Select Distance and Pace or Distance and Speed to select a distance and pace or speed target.
     The training target screen appears and displays your estimated finish time. The estimated finish time is based on your current performance and the time remaining.
6. Press GPS to start the activity timer.

Cancelling a Training Target

1. During an activity, hold MENU.
2. Select Cancel Target > Yes.

Racing a Previous Activity

You can race a previously recorded or downloaded activity. This feature works with the Virtual Partner feature so you can see how far ahead or behind you are during the activity.

NOTE: This feature is not available for all activities.

1. From the watch face, press GPS.
2. Select an activity.
3. Hold MENU.
4. Select Training > Race an Activity.
5. Select an option:
   • Select From History to select a previously recorded activity from your device.
   • Select Downloaded to select an activity you downloaded from your Garmin Connect account.
6. Select the activity.
   The Virtual Partner screen appears indicating your estimated finish time.
7. Press GPS to start the activity timer.
8. After you complete your activity, press GPS, and select Save.

Personal Records
When you complete an activity, the device displays any new personal records you achieved during that activity. Personal records include your fastest time over several typical race distances and longest run, ride, or swim.

Viewing Your Personal Records

1. From the watch face, hold MENU.
2. Select History > Records.
3. Select a sport.
4. Select a record.
5. Select View Record.

Restoring a Personal Record
You can set each personal record back to the one previously recorded.

1. From the watch face, hold MENU.
2. Select History > Records.
3. Select a sport.
4. Select a record to restore.
5. Select Previous > Yes.

NOTE: This does not delete any saved activities.

Clearing a Personal Record

1. From the watch face, hold MENU.
2. Select History > Records.
3. Select a sport.
4. Select a record to delete.
5. Select Clear Record > Yes.

NOTE: This does not delete any saved activities.

Clearing All Personal Records

1. From the watch face, hold MENU.
2. Select History > Records.
3. Select a sport.
4. Select Clear All Records > Yes.
   The records are deleted for that sport only.

NOTE: This does not delete any saved activities.

Clock

Setting an Alarm
You can set multiple alarms. You can set each alarm to sound once or to repeat regularly.

1. From any screen, hold SET.
2. Select Alarms.
3. Enter the alarm time.
4. Select Repeat, and select when the alarm should repeat (optional).
5. Select Sounds, and select a type of notification (optional).
6. Select Backlight > On to turn on the backlight with the alarm (optional).
7. Select Label, and select a description for the alarm (optional).

Starting the Countdown Timer

1. From any screen, hold SET.
2. Select Timers.
3. Enter the time.
4. If necessary, select an option to edit the timer:
   • To automatically restart the timer after it expires, press UP and select Auto Restart > On.
   • To select a type of notification, press UP and select Sounds.
5. Press GPS to start the timer.

Using the Stopwatch

1. From any screen, hold SET.
2. Select Stopwatch.
3. Press GPS to start the timer.

4. Press SET to restart the lap timer
   The total stopwatch time continues running.

   

5. Press GPS to stop both timers.
6. Press UP, and select an option.

Syncing the Time with GPS
Each time you turn on the device and acquire satellites, the device automatically detects your time zones and the current time of day. You can also manually sync the time with GPS when you change time zones, and to update for daylight saving time.

1. From any screen, hold SET.
2. Select Set Time With GPS.
3. Wait while the device locates satellites.

Setting Alerts

1. From any screen, hold SET.
2. Select Alerts.
3. Select an option:
   • To set an alert to sound a specific number of minutes or hours before the actual sunset occurs, select Til Sunset > Status > On, select Time, and enter the time.
   • To set an alert to sound a specific number of minutes or hours before the actual sunrise occurs, select Til Sunrise > Status > On, select Time, and enter the time.
   • To set an alert to sound when a storm approaches, select Storm > On, select Rate, and select the rate of pressure change.
   • To set an alert to sound every hour, select Hourly > On.

History

History includes time, distance, calories, average pace or speed, lap data, and optional sensor information. NOTE: When the device memory is full, your oldest data is overwritten.

Using History

History contains previous activities you have saved on your device.

1. Hold MENU.
2. Select History > Activities.
3. Select an activity.
4. Select an option:
   • To view additional information about the activity, select Details.
   • To select a lap and view additional information about each lap, select Laps.
   • To select an interval and view additional information about each interval, select Intervals.
   • To select an exercise set and view additional information about each set, select Sets.
   • To view the activity on a map, select Map.
   • To view your time in each heart rate zone, select Time in Zone.
   • To view an elevation plot of the activity, select Elevation Plot.
   • To delete the selected activity, select Delete.

Viewing Your Time in Each Heart Rate Zone
Before you can view heart rate zone data, you must complete an activity with heart rate and save the activity. Viewing your time in each heart rate zone can help you adjust your training intensity.

1. From the watch face, hold MENU.
2. Select History > Activities.
3. Select an activity.
4. Select Time in Zone.

Viewing Data Totals
You can view the accumulated distance and time data saved to your device.

1. From the watch face, hold MENU.
2. Select History > Totals.
3. If necessary, select an activity.
4. Select an option to view weekly or monthly totals.

Using the Odometer
The odometer automatically records the total distance traveled, elevation gained, and time in activities.

1. From the watch face, hold MENU.
2. Select History > Totals > Odometer.
3. Press UP or DOWN to view odometer totals.

Syncing Activities
You can sync activities from other Garmin devices to your Instinct device using your Garmin Connect account. For example, you can record a ride with an Edge® device, and view your activity details on your Instinct device.

1. Hold MENU.
2. Select History > Options > TrueUp > On.
   When you sync your device with your smartphone, recent activities from your other Garmin devices appear on your Instinct device.

Deleting History

1. From the watch face, hold MENU.
2. Select History > Options.
3. Select an option:
   1. Select Delete All Activities to delete all activities from the history.
   2. Select Reset Totals to reset all distance and time totals.

NOTE: This does not delete any saved activities.

Troubleshooting

My device is in the wrong language
You can change the device language selection if you have accidently selected the wrong language on the device.

1. Hold MENU.
2. Scroll down to the last item in the list, and press GPS.
3. Scroll down to the second to last item in the list, and press GPS.
4. Press GPS.
5. Select your language.
6. Press GPS.

Managing Language Files
You can remove language files from your device to increase the amount of available storage space. If necessary, you can install the language files again later.

1. Hold MENU.
2. Select Settings > System > Language.
3. Select a language.
4. Select an option:
   • To remove the language file, select Delete.
   • To install the language file, select Install, connect the device to your computer using a USB cable, and sync with the Garmin Express application.

Is my smartphone compatible with my device?
The Instinct device is compatible with smartphones using Bluetooth technology.

My phone will not connect to the device
If your phone will not connect to the device, you can try these tips.

• Turn off your smartphone and your device, and turn them back on again.
• Enable Bluetooth technology on your smartphone.
• Update the Garmin Connect app to the latest version.
• Remove your device from the Garmin Connect app and the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone to retry the pairing process.
• If you bought a new smartphone, remove your device from the Garmin Connect app on the smartphone you intend to stop using.
• Bring your smartphone within 10 m (33 ft.) of the device. 
• On your smartphone, open the Garmin Connect app, select or , and select Garmin Devices > Add  Device to enter pairing mode.
• From the watch face, hold MENU, and select Settings > Phone > Pair Phone.

Can I use my Bluetooth sensor with my watch?
The device is compatible with some Bluetooth sensors. The first time you connect a sensor to your Garmin device, you must pair the device and sensor. After they are paired, the device connects to the sensor automatically when you start an activity and the sensor is active and within range.

1. Hold MENU.
2. Select Settings > Sensors & Accessories > Add New.
3. Select an option:
   • Select Search All.
   • Select your sensor type.
     You can customize the optional data fields.

Restarting Your Device

1. Hold CTRL until the device turns off.
2. Hold CTRL to turn on the device.

Resetting All Default Settings

You can reset all of the device settings to the factory default values.

1. Hold MENU.
2. Select Settings > System > Reset.
3. Select an option:
   • To reset all of the device settings to the factory default values and delete all user-entered information and activity history, select Delete Data and Reset Settings.
   • To reset all of the device settings to the factory default values and save all user-entered information and activity history, select Reset Default Settings.

Acquiring Satellite Signals
The device may need a clear view of the sky to acquire satellite signals. The time and date are set automatically based on the GPS position.

TIP: For more information about GPS, go to https://www.garmin.com/aboutGPS 

1. Go outdoors to an open area.
   The front of the device should be oriented toward the sky.
2. Wait while the device locates satellites.
   It may take 30–60 seconds to locate satellite signals.

Improving GPS Satellite Reception

• Frequently sync the device to your Garmin Connect account:
  • Connect your device to a computer using the USB cable and the Garmin Express application.
  • Sync your device to the Garmin Connect app using your Bluetooth enabled smartphone.
    • While connected to your Garmin Connect account, the device downloads several days of satellite data, allowing it to quickly locate satellite signals.
• Take your device outside to an open area away from tall buildings and trees.
• Remain stationary for a few minutes.

The temperature reading is not accurate
Your body temperature affects the temperature reading for the internal temperature sensor. To get the most accurate temperature reading, you should remove the watch from your wrist and wait 20 to 30 minutes.
You can also use an optional tempe external temperature sensor to view accurate ambient temperature readings while wearing the watch.

Maximizing the Battery Life
You can do several things to extend the life of the battery.

• Reduce the backlight timeout.
• Reduce the backlight brightness.
• Use UltraTrac GPS mode for your activity.
• Turn off Bluetooth wireless technology when you are not using connected features.
• When pausing your activity for a longer period of time, use the resume later option.
• Turn off activity tracking.
• Use a watch face that is not updated every second.
  For example, use a watch face without a second hand.
• Limit the smartphone notifications the device displays.
• Stop broadcasting heart rate data to paired Garmin devices.
• Turn off wrist-based heart rate monitoring.
  NOTE: Wrist-based heart rate monitoring is used to calculate vigorous intensity minutes and calories burned.

Activity Tracking
For more information about activity tracking accuracy, go to garmin.com/ataccuracy.

My daily step count does not appear
The daily step count is reset every night at midnight.

If dashes appear instead of your step count, allow the device to acquire satellite signals and set the time automatically.

My step count does not seem accurate
If your step count does not seem accurate, you can try these tips.

• Wear the device on your non-dominant wrist.
• Carry the device in your pocket when pushing a stroller or lawn mower.
• Carry the device in your pocket when actively using your hands or arms only.

NOTE: The device may interpret some repetitive motions, such as washing dishes, folding laundry, or clapping your hands, as steps.

The step counts on my device and my Garmin Connect account don't match
The step count on your Garmin Connect account updates when you sync your device.

1. Select an option:
   Sync your step count with the Garmin Connect application.
   Sync your step count with the Garmin Connect app.
2. Wait while the device syncs your data. Syncing can take several minutes.
   NOTE: Refreshing the Garmin Connect app or the Garmin Connect application does not sync your data or update your step count.

The floors climbed amount does not seem accurate
Your device uses an internal barometer to measure elevation changes as you climb floors. A floor climbed is equal to 3 m (10 ft.).

• Avoid holding handrails or skipping steps while climbing stairs.
• In windy environments, cover the device with your sleeve or jacket as strong gusts can cause erratic readings.

My intensity minutes are flashing
When you exercise at an intensity level that qualifies toward your intensity minutes goal, the intensity minutes flash.

Exercise for at least 10 consecutive minutes at a moderate or vigorous intensity level.

Garmin Instinct Rugged Outdoor Watch Setup Guide

To set up your Garmin Instinct, 

• Start by charging the watch using the provided USB cable. 
• Once charged, press and hold the light button until the watch turns on. Follow the on-screen instructions to select your language and set up your watch.
• Download the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone and pair it with your watch by following the in-app instructions. 
• This will allow you to sync data, receive notifications, and customize settings on your watch.

Configure additional features such as GPS settings, 

• Heart rate monitoring, and activity profiles through the Garmin Connect app or directly on the watch.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Rugged and durable design
• Advanced GPS and navigation features
• Comprehensive health and fitness tracking
• Long battery life
• Water resistance and military standard compliance

Cons:

• Bulkier design compared to other smartwatches
• No touchscreen functionality
• Limited app support compared to other smartwatches
• No built-in Wi-Fi connectivity

Customer Reviews

Customers have praised the Garmin Instinct for its robust build quality and reliable performance in harsh outdoor conditions. Many users appreciate the extensive range of features tailored for outdoor activities. However, some users have noted that the watch can be bulky and lacks touchscreen functionality.

Common complaints include limited app support and no built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall consensus is that the Garmin Instinct is a top choice for anyone seeking a reliable and feature-rich outdoor watch.