Built to the U.S. military standards for thermal, shock and water resistance, the new Instinct from Garmin is a decidedly rugged watch. Whether training, out on some extreme adventure, or simply working through your day, the Instinct will track and help navigate your every move.
The Instinct features a fiber-reinforced polymer case that adds strength and durability, and the chemically-strengthened, scratch-resistant display is high-contrast enough to read in bright sunlight. A fully vented silicone band includes two independent, removable keeper loops to ensure a secure fit and to keep you from getting caught on things.
The Instinct features a built-in, 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter along with support for multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo) to help keep you on track in more challenging environments — it works way better than GPS alone.
If you should get lost, the TracBack feature helps you navigate the same route back to your starting point. And using the Garmin Explore website or app, you can create routes to follow and plan your entire trip in advance to download to your watch.
The Instinct also acts as an activity monitor, checking your heart rate throughout the day and even measuring your stress levels. It also features the standard activity profiles and data collection for all your outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and swimming.
When paired with your phone, you will get smart notifications on the Instinct as well as automatic data uploads to Garmin Connect, live tracking, and even group tracking.
Garmin claims the Instinct will deliver a battery life of up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, up to 16 hours in GPS mode, up to 40 hours in UltraTrac battery saver mode.
The ultra rugged Garmin Instinct comes in three colors, retails for $299, and is available now.