Introduction

The Garmin Instinct 2 Series GPS Smartwatch is a rugged and versatile device designed for outdoor enthusiasts and fitness lovers. Launched in August 2022, this smartwatch is manufactured by Garmin, a leader in GPS technology. With a starting price of $349 for the non-solar version and $449 for the solar variant, it features advanced health monitoring, multi-GNSS support, and impressive battery life, making it an essential companion for any adventure.

Garmin Instinct 2 Series GPS Smartwatch Specifications

Rugged design with fiber-reinforced polymer case and chemically strengthened glass lens
Water-resistant up to 100 meters
Advanced health monitoring: heart rate, sleep, and stress tracking
Multi-satellite system support: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
Long battery life: up to 28 days in smartwatch mode
Touchscreen display with customizable watch faces
Support for music storage and Bluetooth headphones
Compatibility with both Android and iOS devices

Getting Started

When using your watch the first time, you should complete these tasks to set it up and get to know the basic features.

Press CTRL to turn on the watch.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the initial setup.
During the initial setup, you can pair your smartphone with your watch to receive notifications, sync your activities, and more (Pairing Your Phone with Your Watch)
Charge the device.
Start an activity.

Garmin Instinct 2 Series GPS Smartwatch Buttons

Press to turn the backlight on and off.

LIGHT Press to turn the device on. CTRL Hold to view the controls menu.

GPS

Press to view the activity list and start or stop an activity. Press to choose an option in a menu.

Hold to view GPS coordinates and save your location.

BACK SET

Press to return to the previous screen. Hold to view the clock menu.

DOWN ABC

Press to scroll through the glance loop and menus.

Hold to view the altimeter, barometer, and compass (ABC) screen.

UP MENU

Press to scroll through the glance loop and menus. Hold to view the menu.

Using the Watch

Hold CTRL to view the controls menu.
The controls menu provides quick access to frequently used functions, such as turning on do not disturb mode, saving a location, and turning the watch off.
From the watch face, press UP or DOWN to scroll through the glance loop.
From the watch face, press GPS to start an activity or open an app.
Hold MENU to customize the watch face.

Clearing User Data with the Kill Switch Feature

NOTE: This feature is only available on Instinct 2 Solar - Tactical Edition models. The Kill Switch feature quickly removes all saved user-entered data and resets all settings to the factory default values.

Hold SET and CTRL.

TIP: You can press any button to cancel the Kill Switch feature during a 10-second countdown.

After 10 seconds, the watch deletes all user-entered data.

Instinct 2 Series Models

The Instinct 2 Series watch has several available models that add additional features.

Watch Model

Additional Features

Instinct 2 Solar

• Solar charging to charge your watch outside

• Making purchases with the Garmin Pay™ feature

Instinct 2 - Surf Edition

• Recording surf activities

• Viewing the Surfline™ glance

• Viewing tide information for a location

Instinct 2 Solar - Tactical Edition

• Compatibility with night vision goggles

• Using stealth mode to turn off wireless communications

• Using the kill switch feature to remove data and reset settings

• Recording jumpmaster activities

Instinct 2 - dēzl™ Edition

• Connecting with the Garmin dēzl app and other dēzl devices

• Break planning to keep track of your working hours

• Viewing loyalty card information for trucking plaza rewards accounts

• Recording trucker health workouts

Description

More than simply a timepiece, the Garmin Instinct 2 Series GPS Smartwatch is a complete outdoor activity tool. Users can effortlessly browse menus and view data thanks to the watch's high-resolution touchscreen display, which is readable in the daylight. It supports third-party apps via the Garmin Connect IQ store and comes with built-in sports apps for swimming, cycling, running, and more.

Additionally, the smartwatch works well with other Garmin gadgets, like cycle computers and heart rate monitors. It can sustain your active lifestyle without requiring frequent recharging thanks to its lengthy battery life.

Clocks

Setting an Alarm

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

From any screen, hold SET.
Select Alarms.
Enter the alarm time.
Select Repeat, and select when the alarm should repeat (optional).
Select Sound and Vibe, and select a type of notification (optional).
Select Backlight > On to turn on the backlight with the alarm (optional).
Select Label, and select a description for the alarm (optional).

Starting the Countdown Timer

From any screen, hold SET.
Select Timers.
Enter the time.
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 Sound and Vibe.
Press GPS to start the timer.

Saving a Quick Timer

You can set up to ten separate quick timers.

From any screen, hold SET.
Select Timers.
Select an option:
- To save your first quick timer, enter the time, press UP, and select Save.
- To save additional quick timers, select Add Timer, and enter the time.

Deleting a Timer

From any screen, hold SET.
Select Timers.
Select a timer.
Press UP.
Select Delete.

Using the Stopwatch

From any screen, hold SET.
Select Stopwatch.
Press GPS to start the timer.
Press SET to restart the lap timer
The total stopwatch time
Press GPS to stop both timers.
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.

From any screen, hold SET.
Select Set Time with GPS.
Wait while the device locates satellites.

Adding Alternate Time Zones

You can display the current time of day in additional time zones on the alternate time zones glance. You can add up to three alternate time zones.

From any screen, hold SET.
Select Alt. Time Zones.
Select Add Zone.
Select a time zone.
If necessary, rename the time zone.

Setting Alerts

From any screen, hold SET.
Select Alerts.
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 Alert > On, select Rate, and select the rate of pressure change.
- To set an alert to sound every hour, select Hourly > On.

Trucking

Getting Started with Your Instinct 2 - dēzl Edition Watch
When using your Instinct 2 - dēzl Edition watch the first time, you should complete these tasks to complete the setup and get to know the basic trucking features.

Download the dēzl app, and add your Instinct 2 - dēzl Edition watch.
If necessary, in the dēzl app, add your dēzl navigation device.
NOTE: See the owner's manual for your dēzl device for more information.
Use the break planning glance to keep track of your working hours.
In the watch settings in the Garmin dēzl app, log in to your trucking plaza rewards accounts to view your rewards information on your watch.
Start a Trucker Health activity, and view the workout tutorials on the Garmin dēzl app.

dēzl App

WARNING: Use caution when using the device while operating a vehicle. Only access the information displayed on the device with a glance. Always maintain awareness of your surroundings and do not stare at the display or become distracted by the display. Focusing on the display could prevent you from avoiding obstacles or hazards, which could lead to an accident causing property damage, serious personal injury, or death.

The dēzl app enables features specific to the professional driving customer and allows you to connect and integrate your dēzl navigation device and your dēzl wearable device. You can download the dēzl app from the app store on your smartphone.

Setup Guide

To configure your Garmin Instinct 2 Series GPS Smartwatch,

Commence by charging the smartphone until it reaches full power. Acquire and install the Garmin Connect application on your mobile device.
Activate the smartwatch and adhere to the on-screen prompts to choose your language and additional options.
Utilize the Garmin Connect application to synchronize your smartwatch with your smartphone using Bluetooth.
Upon pairing, you may personalize your watch faces, acquire supplementary applications, and synchronize your health and fitness information.
Regularly upgrade the smartwatch software to access new features and enhancements.

Changing the Spring Bar Bands

You can replace the bands with new Instinct 2 bands or compatible QuickFit 22 bands.

Use the pin tool to push in the watch pin
Remove the band from the watch.
Select an option:
To install Instinct 2 bands, align one side of the new band with the holes on the watch, push in the exposed watch pin, and press the band into place.
NOTE: Make sure the band is secure. The watch pin should align with the holes on the watch.
To install QuickFit 22 bands, remove the watch pin from the Instinct 2 band, replace the watch pin on the watch, and press the new band into place.
NOTE: Make sure the band is secure. The latch should close over the watch pin.
Repeat the steps to change the other band.

Data Management

NOTE: The device is not compatible with Windows 95, 98, Me, Windows NT, and Mac OS 10.3 and earlier.

Deleting Files

NOTICE
If you do not know the purpose of a file, do not delete it. Your device memory contains important system files that should not be deleted.

Open the Garmin drive or volume.
If necessary, open a folder or volume.
Select a file.
Press the Delete key on your keyboard.

NOTE: If you are using an Apple computer, you must empty the Trash folder to completely remove the files.

Troubleshooting

Product Updates
Your device automatically checks for updates when connected to Bluetooth. You can manually check for updates from the system settings. On your computer, install Garmin Express at https://www.garmin.com/express On your phone, install the Garmin Connect app.

This provides easy access to these services for Garmin devices:

Software updates
Course updates
Data uploads to Garmin Connect
Product registration

Getting More Information
You can find more information about this product on the Garmin website.

Go to https://support.garmin.com for additional manuals, articles, and software updates.
Go to https://buy.garmin.com or contact your Garmin dealer for information about optional accessories and replacement parts.
Go to https://www.garmin.com/ataccuracy for information about feature accuracy. This is not a medical device.

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.

Hold MENU.
Scroll down to the last item in the list, and press GPS.
Press GPS.
Select your language.
Press GPS.

Is my phone compatible with my watch?
The Instinct 2 watch is compatible with phones using Bluetooth technology.

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

Turn off your phone and your watch, and turn them back on again.
Enable Bluetooth technology on your phone.
Update the Garmin Connect app to the latest version.
Remove your watch from the Garmin Connect app and the Bluetooth settings on your phone to retry the pairing process.
If you bought a new phone, remove your watch from the Garmin Connect app on the phone you intend to stop using.
Bring your phone within 10 m (33 ft.) of the watch.
On your phone, 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 Phone > Pair Phone.

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

Hold MENU.
Select Sensors & Accessories > Add New.
Select an option:
- Select Search All.
- Select your sensor type.

You can customize the optional data fields.

Restarting Your Watch

Hold CTRL until the watch turns off.
Hold CTRL to turn on the watch.

Resetting All Default Settings
Before you reset all default settings, you should sync the watch with the Garmin Connect app to upload your activity data. You can reset all of the watch settings to the factory default values.

Hold MENU.
Select System > Reset.
Select an option:
- To reset all of the watch settings to the factory default values, including user profile data, but save activity history and downloaded apps and files, select Reset Default Settings.
- To reset all of the watch settings to the factory default values and delete all user-entered information and activity history, select Delete Data and Reset Settings.

NOTE: If you have set up a Garmin Pay wallet, this option deletes the wallet from your watch.

Tips for Maximizing the Battery Life
To extend the life of the battery, you can try these tips.

Change the power mode during an activity.
Turn on the battery-saver feature from the controls menu.
Reduce the screen timeout.
Reduce the screen brightness.
Use UltraTrac satellite mode for your activity.
Turn off Bluetooth technology when you are not using connected features.
When pausing your activity for a longer period of time, use the Resume Later option.
Use a watch face that is not updated every second.
For example, use a watch face without a second hand.
Limit the phone notifications the watch displays.
Stop broadcasting heart rate data to paired devices.
Turn off wrist-based heart rate monitoring.
NOTE: Wrist-based heart rate monitoring is used to calculate vigorous intensity minutes and calories burned.
Turn on manual pulse oximeter readings.

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://garmin.com/aboutGPS

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

Improving GPS Satellite Reception

Frequently sync the watch to your Garmin account:
- Connect your watch to a computer using the USB cable and the Garmin Express application.
- Sync your watch to the Garmin Connect app using your Bluetooth enabled phone.
  While connected to your Garmin account, the watch downloads several days of satellite data, allowing it to quickly locate satellite signals.
Take your watch 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.

Activity Tracking
For more information about activity tracking accuracy, go to https://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 watch on your non-dominant wrist.
Carry the watch in your pocket when pushing a stroller or lawn mower.
Carry the watch in your pocket when actively using your hands or arms only.

NOTE: The watch 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.

Select an option:
- Sync your step count with the Garmin Express application.
- Sync your step count with the Garmin Connect app.
Wait while the device syncs your data.
Syncing can take several minutes.

NOTE: Refreshing the Garmin Connect app or the Garmin Express application does not sync your data or update your step count.

The floors climbed amount does not seem accurate
Your watch 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 watch with your sleeve or jacket as strong gusts can cause erratic readings.

GPS Smartwatch Pros & Cons

Pros

Robust and resilient design appropriate for extreme conditions
Enhanced GPS functionalities with multi-satellite system compatibility
Extensive health and fitness monitoring capabilities
Extended battery longevity using energy-conserving settings
Personalizable watch faces and compatibility with third-party applications

Cons

Elevated pricing relative to several other smartwatches
Certain consumers perceive the interface as less intuitive in comparison to other brands.
Restricted touchscreen capabilities in specific modes
Lacks integrated Wi-Fi capability for immediate internet access

Customer Reviews

Customers commend the Garmin Instinct 2 Series for its durability and dependability in harsh environments. Numerous individuals value the extensive fitness tracking capabilities and the prolonged battery longevity. Nevertheless, certain customers have observed that the interface may be intricate and that the watch is relatively cumbersome in comparison to other models.

Common complaints

Incorporating sporadic connectivity problems with smartphones and the absence of Wi-Fi access.

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