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

Watch: Garmin Instinct Tactical - Coyote TanPros:-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 - shockproofCons:-Not touchscreen (I personally don't consider this a con)-Screen could be a little bigger-Workout mode isn't what I expectedRead 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.

Update (May 2021):I also purchased the Solar version of this watch and I have to say that if you can afford it it's the better buy. The solar edition has a remarkably nice solar charging function (meaning, it works!) and a PulseOx sensor. Of the two Instinct Tactical watches I own I find myself preferring the Solar model. By the way, while Garmin advises against putting a screen protector on the Solar model I have had no issue adding a glass protector to mine. Same solar charging ability/rate.Other comments. First, there is an appreciable difference in "intensity minutes" comparing wrist HR and a chest HR strap. Usually ten percent, but sometimes twenty-five percent (wrist HR giving one more intensity minutes).GPS takes a bit to "lock in." Even after getting the "GPS check mark" (that all is ready and good to go) I find giving it another minute or two helps lock in a far more accurate position (as compared to my Fenix or Forerunner models).Wish there was the ability to add more widgets. But that's the price one pays going this route over a Fenix.All in all, still love this Garmin line. Regular Instinct Tactical is still a "5 star" item, the Solar even more so. Whichever route one goes Garmin has really given the buyer quite the bang per buck.Original Review:Yes, I understand the G Shock is significantly less in terms of cost. But this Garmin Instinct Tactical is the G Shock realized. While I was a fan of the G Shock decades ago (when there wasn't anything really like it on the market) it has become a parody of itself, now relegated to the wannabe, tacticool market.This Instinct Tactical isn't as robust as the Fenix 5 I have. But it isn't meant to be. It has many of the features, though. Enough to make it a Fenix 5 Lite, as it were.GPS accuracy is spot-on; agreed with a Forerunner 945 to the centimeter. Sleep tracking is a bit less precise. One can only chose from the watch faces the watch comes with and additional widgets/apps are limited. But it does do the trick.Stealth mode is nice, as is the night vision mode. The watch display reminds me (favorably) of a high end, e-ink book reader.Tons of features (some full-fledged, some stripped down) at what I think is a very reasonable price. Puts my slightly older, yet much more expensive Suunto Traverse Alpha to shame (I say this having once been a rabid Suunto fan/user).Looking for a "real" G Shock? Get this. Looking for something like a Fenix but can't afford a Fenix? Get this. The tan/FDE is also very nicely done. Honestly, I'm floored. I love it.5 stars.

I bought this as a replacement for an apple watch that died after a year of use. I primarily had it for gps functionality to track my workouts. This garmin tactical is so much better in every way. The battery life is phenomenal compared to the apple watch which required a daily recharge. This watch can go for 12-15 days and charges fully in about 30 mins. Also the gps seems more accurate than the apple and the sensors seem better. I also enjoy the garmin app. The only thing it is missing is v02 max measurement capability, which i believe is available in the newer models. For the price, even being a little dated at this point, is totally worth it.Update 18jan2024: The watch is still rocking after a year of daily use. Battery life is still about 15 days. I recently purchased a concept2 rower with the latest PM5 monitor. Initially I wasn't able to get the heart rate working on the PM5, but after some googling realized that there is a setting in the heart rate widget that allows you to broadcast your heart rate via bluetooth to the PM5. Super happy with that functionality. Overall I know this is an older model, but I still recommend it over an Apple watch. If this one ever fails I'll definitely pick up the latest version. Excellent product!Update 3Feb2024:The battery is slowly dying. It has been draining faster and faster over the past few months, and is now down getting 1-2 to days on a charge. I went ahead and ordered the Garmin 2 Solar since it’s in sale for $250 right now. I have been super happy with this watch and will continue to use it until the battery fully dies. I am looking forward to its replacement as it has v02 max, a better battery life, solar, and other additional features. Thank you Garmin for making an exceptional product. 🫡