Watch: Garmin Instinct Tactical - Coyote Tan
Pros:
-Great physical design and aesthetic
-Easy to read digital layouts for all modes
-GPS functionality and accuracy
-Lightweight; sleek band
-Great battery so far
-Durability - shockproof
Cons:
-Not touchscreen (I personally don't consider this a con)
-Screen could be a little bigger
-Workout mode isn't what I expected
Read on for my extensive review:
I've had this watch for about 2 weeks. I'll update this review if anything changes. I initially started looking for rugged watches as I work at a plant and sweat my ass off outside and climb ladders and go inside vessels, get dirty, etc. I needed/wanted something I could wear daily in this environment that would be sturdy and immune to the elements. I have a few divers watches and other casual watches I would wear and these were sturdy too, but I was always super conscious wearing them and worrying about scratching or damaging them. I looked extensively at G-Shocks, as I owned one long ago, and due to their superb reputation. However, they all seemed too bulky or too messy on the screens - too much going on and too difficult to actually tell time. Then, of course, I looked at Apple watches. I converted last year to Apple after being a life long Android user, and their technology and tech. functionality is sometimes unparalleled. But, I didn't want an Apple watch because I thought it would have too many features. I didn't want to be staring at my watch all day like some people stare at their phone. Plus, I for sure do not think an Apple watch should be worn in the environment I work in. Also not a fan of square watch faces. Enter Garmin. Hadn't owned a Garmin product or watch yet but had heard great things and was always blown away by their features. I went to their website to peruse and saw this watch and new it was "the one".
It's a very lightweight and minimal design, but looks great (militaristic) and is large enough for easy readability and operation. 3 buttons on the left of the case, 2 on the right. All work without a problem, easy to click but positioned in spots where they are not easily bumped (I had a problem with the crown of one watch getting stuck on pants pockets all the time). Everything about the watch is able to be customized - watch face/main display, widget order, GPS selection, 3D distance and speed measuring, black or white face, backlight brightness and time out, favorite sports or activity, etc. Pairing the watch my phone was a breeze for the first time, just had to download the Connect app and make an account. Watch pairs with my phone within seconds every time I turn it on since. Speaking to the app, it's a great fitness app (in my opinion) for a virgin to smart watches and fit watches. App tracks heart rate (resting, high, average, variation throughout the day), body battery (uses sleep vs. energy exertion to estimate - I can't speak to this as I don't wear the watch to sleep - just my preference), stress level based on heart rate zone, intensity minutes (your goal, moderate and vigorous), steps, floors, estimated calories, and more. When activating an activity and then saving it on the watch, it's saved to the app and viewable for as long as you want. Also shows activity over the last 7 days. I've been using the watch for hiking and biking and love the features for these - distance, speed (ave, max., min.), time, estimated calories, difficulty level, GPS, trail tracking (shows the trail within 0.2mi of your position for back tracking on the watch face), altitude change, and more. I really enjoy being able to save routes and upload them to the app and see on the map an exact route I took - again, my first smart watch so this is novel to me. Backlight functionality is able to be customized for when you want it to turn on (motion activated based on wrist turn), duration, and brightness. This is very convenient. Other smart watch benefits - call/text/notification display (can't reply or call someone on this watch alone though), music control, calendar and event display, weather display (current, hourly, daily), sunrise and sunset/twilight, etc. There is essentially no delay from when using a command on the watch to control your phone, or between getting a text on your phone and it showing on the watch. I can not speak to the night vision compatibility (I don't own night vision goggles), or other settings like Jumpmaster, as I'm not in the military. Stealth mode is essentially airplane mode - going off the grid for no GPS or data tracking, no backlight, no vibration or noise. Battery life is great and is living up to how long Garmin says it can last. Also seems pretty durable. The screen is recessed a little so it's protected, and I've bumped the case a few times on stuff at work or whatever and it doesn't even have a scratch.
Only downsides I've had is that the screen was a little smaller than I expected (inside the bezel there is a outline where it says "Tactical" and labels the watch buttons. This is permanent and not part of the screen). And then the other downside is the mode for weightlifting, as I go to the gym regularly. If you select this mode it wants you to keep selecting the number of reps you did and I just don't like having to do this. Maybe I just haven't messed with the feature enough, but when I'm at the gym I'm there to workout. Not stare at my watch and play with the buttons.
Overall, I think this is one of the most functional, accurate, best designed, and durable smart watches on the market that has lots of customization and features, but doesn't distract me from what I'm doing and doesn't do too much. In the end this is just meant to be a highly functioning watch. Not a computer on your wrist.
There is a newer model of this item:
Garmin Instinct 2S, Smaller-Sized GPS Outdoor Watch, Multi-GNSS Support, Tracback Routing, Deep Orchid
$199.99
(1,855)
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$199.99
(1,855)
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
Similar items that may ship from close to you
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Compare with similar items
This Item  Garmin 010-02064-71 Instinct Tactical, Rugged GPS Watch, Tactical Specific Features, Constructed to U.S. Military Standard 810G for Thermal, Shock and Water Resistance, Tan |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | Currently unavailable. | $199.99 | -20% $409.99 List: $509.99 | -22% $349.99 List: $449.99 | $304.99 | -24% $189.99 List: $249.99 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 | — |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Battery life | ||||||
| Accuracy | ||||||
| Mobile App | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Touch Screen | ||||||
| Sold By | — | Big Rocket Man USA | The PlayBetter Store | Amazon.com | STC Distributors (Serial # Recorded) | Amazon.com |
| control method | application | — | — | — | application | application |
| resolution | 128 x 128 | 480 x 272 | 480 x 272 | 480 x 272 | 128 x 128 | 128 x 128 |
| batteries included | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| battery average life | 16 hours | 6 hours | 40 days | 48 hours | 16 hours | 40 hours |
Videos
Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1
Videos for this product
0:29
Click to play video
Garmin Instinct Tactical
Garmin International
From the manufacturer
Garmin Instinct Tactical
Rugged GPS Watch, Tactical Specific features, Constructed to U.S. Military Standard 810G for Thermal, Shock and Water Resistance
Garmin Instinct Tactical
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
Built to Endure Like YouWhen you can rely on Instinct, the world can rely on you. This rugged, reliable outdoor GPS watch is built to the U.S. military standard 810G for thermal, shock and water resistance (rated to 100 meters). The fiber-reinforced polymer case adds strength and durability, and the chemically strengthened, scratch-resistant display is readable in bright sunlight. You can also activate “night vision mode,” which reduces backlight settings to a level that doesn't interfere with the operation of night vision goggles. The fully vented silicone bands include two independent, removable keeper loops to ensure a secure fit and to keep you from getting caught on things. |
GPS You Can Count OnYou’ve never been one to follow the beaten path — that’s where Instinct comes in. GPS, GLONASS and Galileo satellite network capability tracks in more challenging environments than GPS alone. The built-in three-axis compass and barometric altimeter help you keep your bearings. Take the guesswork out of your return journey by using the TracBack feature to navigate the same route back to start. |
Tactical FunctionalityEnable stealth mode to hide your GPS position and disable wireless connectivity and communication. Access projected waypoints and a dual-format GPS coordinate data page that supports display of MGRS, degrees/minutes/seconds and more. |
Monitor and TrainThe Instinct – Tactical Edition GPS watch monitors your heart rate, activity and stress throughout the day, so you know how much you do — and how hard you’re working to do it. When you’re ready to train, we’ve got you covered with preloaded activity profiles for running, biking, swimming and more. It also has mission-specific training options, including Jumpmaster and a preloaded tactical activity. |
Reviews with images
GARMIN INSTINCT TACTICAL 1 MONTH REVIEW
I was on the fence between purchasing this watch or the Apple Watch model for approximately the same price.I ended up choosing the Garmin and I will explain my reasons and outcome:Both watches had what I wanted:Time, Date, Pedometer, Heart-rate Monitor, GPS Tracking, Weather, Outside Temperature, Syncs with SmartPhone via BlueToothI choose the Garmin over the Apple watch because I didn't want to be more connected than I already am. The Garmin Instinct does have notifications from your phone enabled by default (texts, emails, instagram, facebook, messenger , etc.) but you can easily disable this function and it doesn't interfere with anything else. For me, that was the difference I was looking for. I wanted a fitness watch, not a secondary smartphone on my wrist.Garmin Pros:It's not an Apple Watch. It's a Fitness Watch that gets the job done.Battery life is better than an Apple Watch. (~10 days without using the GPS radio, ~5 days using the GPS radio every day for an hour or so at a time)Garmin Cons:The pedometer steps shown on the watch are not displayed in real-time but rather update periodically every 1 minute or so. (after some research I found this to be the case with many competitor products except FitBit, which does do realtime steps- possibly not as accurate as the Garmin due to having no GPS)The outdoor temperature appears to be a little off in comparison to Weather.com and my outdoor Weather Station.Apple Pros:It's an Apple Watch. You're one of them now. (maybe you desire that)Better display. (color, higher resolution, more customization with different complications/themes, etc.)More connected. (this may be something you actually want- I did not)Apple Cons:Battery lifeFitness App (I believe Garmin's Connect app actually does Fitness better than Apple at this time)Q: Why did you buy the Tactical version?A: I wanted the "Flat Dark Earth" color (that's it- I paid $50 more for the color lol)Q: Should I buy the Tactical version?A: If you're in the Military and need to constantly reference ZULU Time and put your watch into Stealth Mode (Essentially "Airplane Mode") on missions so there is no possibility of the enemy detecting you, then Yes. (or if you prefer the color of the tactical band and paying $50 more for just the color isn't an issue for you)Q: Why did you give this product 4 stars?A: I had to pay more $ just because the color I wanted was the tactical version.That said, I probably will still buy an Apple Watch to wear at work, when I do want to be more connected and not be seen using my phone during the day.Since I have bought this watch, I am down 25lbs and in the best shape of my life. (the Challenges in the Connect app have made me much more active with cycling and jogging)100% highly recommend this product for anyone who wants to increase their fitness, monitor/measure their progress, and isn't looking for any other functionality than a fitness watch.
Top reviews from other countries
Lawbin
Perfect rugged watch with an abundant of features
Reviewed in Singapore on November 28, 2023Coisty
Better than I thought
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 21, 2021
Coisty
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 21, 2021
Images in this review
