Garmin Instinct

I had long been using a Fitbit to count my steps...but it was slowly starting to wither away and die out.   In less dramatic terms, the fitbit battery was starting to slowly die.  It still worked but I was having to charge it more and more often.  I knew that it was only a matter of time before it needed to be replaced.  I knew that I didn't want to be without a watch/step counter so I started to shop.

I seriously considered another fitbit.  The fitbit is a great watch and step counter.  But I didn't know if it would have enough features for the lifestyle that I live.  I seriously considered buying an Apple Watch.  But once again, while the features are great, I didn't know if it had the features that I needed for an active lifestyle.


Enter the Garmin line of watches.  The first Garmin watch that I looked at was the Garmin Fenix.  This looked to be an amazing watch!  But it comes with a pretty hefty price tag.  Unfortunately, I just didn't want to spend that kind of money.  I looked at other Garmin watches and came across the Garmin Instinct.  Ohhh yeah!

This watch is priced at $299.99 and is a great deal. (however I do see it on sale on Amazon for $199 at the time of writing this review)   It has many of the features that the Fenix has.  The main difference that I found was the maps.  With this watch I will not be able to use my watch to help me if I am lost in the woods.  Well.....I have never been lost in the woods yet!   I pretty much stick to the trails!  I didn't see this as a huge selling point anyway....so to knock the price by more than $300 was a no brainer for me!   Sure there are a few other features that the instinct doesn't have.  But once again, all of them are negatable when I compared the price!
I couldn't' wait to get my watch!  I ordered it and waited!  It arrived and I pulled it out of the box.

It was easy to set up.  It seamlessly paired with my phone and I had it on my arm in mere moments!

I loved the watch!   It was everything I needed.   Until a few weeks later when the watch stopped holding a charge.  It is supposed to hold a charge for 14 days and I was having to charge it every other day!   I turned off every extra feature and only used it as a watch and it made no difference!  I called Garmin Support and I couldn't have been happier.  They answered the phone immediately and took care of my issues.  They did a return on the old watch and sent me a new watch!   Voila!  Easy peasy!

The new watch arrived and I never had another problem with the battery..  The new watch only has to be charged every other week (unless I am using the activity tracker a lot...then it's every week which is exactly how the watch is supposed to work!)

This watch monitors my heart rate and can track my exercise.  I have used it to monitor my runs.  I have used it to monitor mountain bike rides.  I have actually also used it to monitor time swimming in a pool!  It really has worked wonderfully in each setting.

I wear the watch 24 hours a day.  For this reason I chose a more neutral colored band.  But they have amazingly fun colors to chose from!   I was so tempted to get a colorful one!  But I just didn't think that would look good when I was wearing somber clothes at work!
The band is comfortable.  The watch face is easy to read at a glance.  The step count feature works perfectly.  This watch is everything that Garmin claims it to be.   It is the perfect addition to any active life!   Garmin hit the nail on the head when they developed the Garmin Instinct!   The lower price point makes it a watch that anyone can strap on their arm and use with pride and consistency!