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With the Garmin new Instinct 2X Solar and Tactical, the company has unveiled two brand new Garmin Instinct tactical solar watch models that achieve a practically unlimited battery life thanks to integrated solar cells and bring several unusual features, including a bright LED flashlight.
The Garmin Instinct 2X is positioned as a larger version of the Instinct 2 (approx $395 on Amazon). The Garmin new Instinct smartwatch measures 50 millimeters in diameter instead of the 45 millimeters of Instinct 2. It relies on comparatively wide 26-millimeter wristbands, and the housing made of fiber-reinforced polymer is water-resistant up to 10 ATM.
The 14.5-millimeter-thick, 67-gram smartwatch has a 1.1-inch MiP display that can be read easily even in direct sunlight. The screen has a resolution of 176 x 176 pixels, colors cannot be displayed. Garmin integrates solar cells directly into the display, so the smartwatch never needs to be charged as long as it receives at least 50,000 lux of bright daylight for three hours a day. Without any daylight, the battery lasts 40 days with normal use, 27 hours when using multi-band GPS, or 60 days in GPS Expedition mode.
The integrated LED torch lights up either in white or in red, the brightness can be adjusted in four levels. The Garmin Instinct rugged outdoor GPS smartwatch 2X supports Garmin Pay contactless payment, app and watch face downloads from the Connect IQ Store, a heart rate and SpO2 sensor, sleep tracking, and the usual sports apps, including a new app for obstacle courses. The Tactical Edition also adds several operational features.
Above all, this includes Night Vision, a mode in which the lighting of the display is adjusted in such a way that it can also be read with night vision goggles. In stealth mode, GPS data is hidden and all wireless connections are cut. Jumpmaster mode helps skydive users find their destination. The Kill Switch erases the watch’s entire user memory at the push of a button. For an additional activation fee, the watch even supports a ballistics calculator to better plan long-range shots.
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar price and availability
The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar is available immediately for a suggested retail price of $449.99, and the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar Tactical Edition is available for a list price of $499.99. Both Garmin Instinct tactical solar watch models can now be ordered from the Amazon.com and Adorama.com websites.
