Introduction
The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar is a rugged GPS smartwatch designed for outdoor enthusiasts and active individuals. It features solar charging capabilities for extended battery life, a built-in LED flashlight, multi-band GNSS support for accurate positioning, and comprehensive health monitoring. This manual provides instructions for setting up, operating, and maintaining your device.
Image: Front view of the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar Smartwatch in Graphite.
What's in the Box
- Instinct 2X Solar series smartwatch
- Charging/data cable
- Documentation
Setup
1. Initial Charging
Before first use, connect your Instinct 2X Solar smartwatch to a power source using the provided charging/data cable. The watch features solar charging, which extends battery life when exposed to direct sunlight. For initial setup and faster charging, use the cable.
2. Powering On/Off
- To Power On: Press and hold the CTRL button until the Garmin logo appears.
- To Power Off: Press and hold the CTRL button until the power options menu appears, then select 'Power Off'.
3. Pairing with Your Smartphone
To unlock full smartwatch features, pair your device with the Garmin Connect app on your compatible smartphone.
- Download the Garmin Connect app from your smartphone's app store.
- Enable Bluetooth on your smartphone.
- Open the Garmin Connect app and follow the on-screen instructions to create an account or log in.
- On your watch, press the MENU button, navigate to 'Settings' > 'Phone' > 'Pair Phone'.
- In the Garmin Connect app, select 'Add Device' and choose your Instinct 2X Solar.
- Follow the prompts on both your phone and watch to complete the pairing process.
4. Button Functions
Your Instinct 2X Solar smartwatch features five buttons for navigation and control:
- CTRL (Control): Press to turn the backlight on/off. Hold to view the controls menu.
- MENU/UP: Press to scroll through menus and data screens. Hold to view the menu.
- LIGHT/DOWN: Press to scroll through menus and data screens. Hold to activate the flashlight.
- GPS/SET: Press to select options and acknowledge messages. Hold to view GPS options.
- BACK: Press to return to the previous screen. Hold to view the watch face.
Operating Your Smartwatch
Solar Charging
The Power Glass lens on your Instinct 2X Solar extends battery life by converting sunlight into energy. The watch provides a 'Solar Intensity' widget to monitor solar gain over the last 6 hours. For optimal solar charging, ensure the watch face is exposed to direct sunlight.
Image: The watch display showing a graph of solar intensity over the last 6 hours.
Image: A person wearing the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar watch outdoors, demonstrating its solar charging capability.
Built-in LED Flashlight
Your watch includes a multi-LED flashlight with variable intensities and strobe modes. Hold the LIGHT/DOWN button to activate the flashlight. You can adjust brightness and select different modes, including a red safety light, through the controls menu.
Image: A person using the built-in flashlight feature of the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar watch in a low-light setting.
Navigation and Location Features
- Multi-Band GNSS: The watch supports multi-band signal reception technology (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo) for enhanced positioning accuracy, especially in challenging environments.
- ABC Sensors: Navigate with built-in sensors including an altimeter for elevation data, a barometer to monitor weather changes, and a 3-axis electronic compass.
- TracBack Routing: This feature allows you to navigate the same route back to your starting point, simplifying return journeys.
- Reference Point: Keep track of a known location, such as your car or a trailhead, relative to your current position, and easily find your way back to it.
Image: A person hiking, demonstrating the use of multi-band GNSS for accurate outdoor navigation.
Image: A person hiking, highlighting the ABC (Altimeter, Barometer, Compass) sensors for outdoor navigation.
Image: A person carrying wood, demonstrating the TracBack routing feature on the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar watch.
Health and Wellness Monitoring
The Instinct 2X Solar provides 24/7 health and wellness tracking. Note: This is not a medical device, and data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked. Pulse Ox is not available in all countries.
- Wrist-based Heart Rate: Monitors your heart rate continuously.
- Advanced Sleep Monitoring: Provides a full breakdown of your light, deep, and REM sleep stages, along with a sleep score and insights.
- Respiration Tracking: Monitors your breathing rate.
- Pulse Ox: Measures blood oxygen saturation levels.
- Stress and Body Battery Monitoring: Optimizes your body's energy reserves using heart rate variability, stress, and sleep data.
- Morning Report: Receive an overview of your sleep, recovery, training outlook, HRV status, and weather upon waking.
Image: The watch display showing 'Fitness Age'.
Image: The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar watch displaying sleep score and advanced sleep monitoring data.
Image: A person checking their Garmin Instinct 2X Solar watch for stress and Body Battery monitoring.
Activity Tracking and Sports Apps
The watch comes with preloaded activity profiles for various sports and training types.
- Built-in Sports Apps: Includes profiles for running, biking, swimming, strength training, indoor climbing, virtual running, golf, yoga, Pilates, and more.
- VO2 Max: Estimates your cardiovascular fitness level.
- HIIT Workouts: Tracks your High-Intensity Interval Training workouts, including AMRAP, EMOM, Tabata, and custom settings.
- Obstacle Course Activity: Tracks performance during obstacle course events, recording split times between running and obstacle sections.
Image: A person wearing the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar watch, demonstrating the built-in sports apps during an activity.
Image: A person participating in an obstacle course, tracking their performance with the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar watch.
Image: The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar watch displaying data for a HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) workout.
Smart Features
- Smart Notifications: Receive emails, texts, and alerts directly on your watch when paired with your compatible smartphone.
- Garmin Pay™ Contactless Payments: Make secure payments directly from your watch through participating providers.
- Connect IQ™ Store: Download custom watch faces, data fields, apps, and widgets to personalize your device.
Image: A person checking smart notifications on their Garmin Instinct 2X Solar watch.
Image: A person wearing the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar watch, highlighting access to the Connect IQ Store for customization.
Image: A person using their Garmin Instinct 2X Solar watch to make a Garmin Pay contactless payment.
Safety and Tracking Features
- Incident Detection and Assistance: If your watch senses an incident or if you feel unsafe, it can send a message with your location to emergency contacts when paired with your compatible smartphone. Note: Incident detection and Assistance are supplemental features and should not be relied on as a primary method to obtain emergency assistance.
- inReach® Compatible: Pair your watch with compatible inReach-enabled devices for messaging and interactive SOS via 100% global Iridium satellite coverage. Note: Active satellite subscription required.
Image: A person checking their Garmin Instinct 2X Solar watch, illustrating safety and tracking features.
Maintenance
Cleaning the Device
Regular cleaning helps maintain the watch's performance and appearance.
- Rinse the watch with fresh water after exposure to chlorine, salt water, sunscreen, cosmetics, alcohol, or other harsh chemicals.
- Use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe the watch clean.
- For the charging contacts, gently wipe them with a cotton swab or soft cloth. Do not use abrasive materials or chemicals.
Charging Best Practices
- Ensure the charging cable is dry before connecting it to the watch.
- For solar charging, expose the watch face to direct sunlight for at least 3 hours per day for optimal battery extension in smartwatch mode.
- Avoid extreme temperatures during charging.
Software Updates
Garmin periodically releases software updates to improve performance and add new features. Connect your watch to the Garmin Connect app or Garmin Express on your computer to check for and install updates.
Water Resistance
The Instinct 2X Solar is water-rated to 10 ATM, making it suitable for splashes, rain or snow, showering, swimming, diving into water, and snorkeling. Avoid pressing buttons underwater to prevent water ingress.
Troubleshooting
Common Issues and Solutions
- Watch not turning on: Ensure the watch is fully charged. Connect it to the charging cable and a power source.
- GPS not acquiring signal: Ensure you are in an open area with a clear view of the sky. Allow several minutes for the watch to acquire satellite signals.
- Heart rate sensor not working: Ensure the watch is worn snugly on your wrist, above the wrist bone. Clean the sensor on the back of the watch.
- Bluetooth connectivity issues: Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on both your watch and smartphone. Try restarting both devices and re-pairing them through the Garmin Connect app.
Resetting the Device
If your watch is unresponsive, you may need to perform a soft reset. Press and hold the CTRL button for 15 seconds until the screen turns off. Release the button, then press CTRL again to restart the watch.
Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model Number | 010-02805-10 |
| Product Dimensions | 1.97 x 1.97 x 0.57 inches (50 x 50 x 14.5 mm) |
| Item Weight | 2.36 ounces (67 Grams) |
| Screen Size | 1.1 Inches |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 64 MB |
| Operating System | Android & iOS compatible |
| Connectivity Technology | Bluetooth, USB |
| Battery Type | 1 Lithium Ion battery (included) |
| GPS | True (Multi-Band GNSS) |
| Water Resistance | 10 ATM |
Product Videos
Watch these official videos for more information on your Garmin Instinct 2X Solar smartwatch features and usage.
Warranty Information
Garmin products are typically covered by a limited warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for one year from the date of purchase. For specific warranty terms and conditions, please refer to the documentation included with your product or visit the official Garmin website.
Support
For additional support, frequently asked questions, or to contact customer service, please visit the official Garmin support website: