Garmin Instinct 2 and My Fitbits: First Look: Walking

Okay, I've been on the hunt for a new smartwatch these days. After what feels like an eternity of research, I decided to try the Garmin Instinct 2. I also did some comparisons with my Fitbits. Let’s unbox. Oh, for the best experience, the videos I made might give a better idea of what I’m trying to say in this blog.

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The Unboxing: First Impressions: Video 1 (Above)

The box is smaller with the Garmin Instinct 2’s photo at the front. Tucked away inside the outer sleeve, I found the watch, the charging cable, and a small booklet with some quick instructions. The packaging is simple and to the point, which is nice.

Pulling the watch out, I was immediately struck by its solid feel. It's got some weight to it, which gives me confidence in its durability. I peeled off the protective sticker and got my first look at the face.

Features & Setup: Getting to Know the Garmin Instinct 2

After a quick charge, I got the watch set up with the app. It's a pretty comprehensive device, and for me, it’s definitely intimidating at first. The controls are all button-based, which is interesting.

The button layout is straightforward once you get the hang of it:

Left Side: You have the Control button, the Menu button, and the ABC button. 

The ABC is a key feature—it stands for Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass, making this a true tool for the outdoors.

Right Side: There’s the GPS button and the Set button for navigation.

The Health Snapshot: A Quick Check-in: Video 2 (Above)

One of the coolest features I've found so far is the Health Snapshot. It's a two-minute test that gives you a quick look at your overall health and stress levels.

During the two-minute countdown, the watch measures a bunch of different data points. I noticed it was tracking my SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation), stress rate, heart rate, and respiratory rate. Once the time is up, it gives you a summary with your average readings. My test showed an an average heart rate of 68 beats per minute, 96% SpO2, and a stress level of 11. It even gave me my HRV (Heart Rate Variability). This is a really handy feature for getting a quick health report.

Storm Alerts & Barometer

Speaking of cool features, let's talk about something essential: the storm alert. This little tool uses the watch's built-in barometer to warn you about potential changes in the weather.

So, how does that work? Think of it like this: Imagine you're climbing a huge mountain. At the top, there's less air pressing down on you. That's low pressure. When you get to the bottom, there's a lot more air pushing down, which is high pressure. The Garmin's barometer is constantly monitoring these tiny changes in pressure. If the pressure suddenly starts dropping, especially on a clear day, it can be a sign of a storm brewing.

The watch can also use its GPS to calibrate the barometer for more accurate readings. You just hold down the ABC button to go to the barometer, hit "calibrate," and choose "Use GPS." It will find your current location and give you the most accurate elevation and pressure reading. Nice.

The Display: MIP vs. AMOLED

The Garmin Instinct 2 features a memory-in-pixel (MIP) display. This is a stark contrast to the touchscreen AMOLED displays found on my other two smartwatches, the Fitbit Versa 4 and the Fitbit Inspire 3.

Let’s dig into how these work.

First, let's talk about the Garmin. Its screen is called MIP (Memory-in-Pixel). It's a lot like the screen on an e-reader or an old-school digital watch. It doesn't glow on its own. Instead, it uses the sunlight to light itself up. It actually bounces the light back at you, so the brighter it is outside, the better you can see the screen. This is a huge win for battery life—since it's not constantly lighting up, the watch can last quite a bit without a charge.

Now, let's look at the Fitbits. They use AMOLED (Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) screens. These are what you see on most modern smartwatches. Each tiny dot on the screen creates its own light. This is why the colors are so bright and vibrant, and why they're perfect for touchscreens. However, lighting up all those dots takes a lot of energy, which is one of the reasons why the battery doesn't last as long. They also tend to dim down in bright sunlight to save power.

So, while the Fitbits have a flashier, interactive screen, the Garmin’s display is a pure tool, designed for maximum visibility and battery life in any outdoor situation. But, it’s not all roses and daisies for Garmin’s display. When the sun goes down, there is no light coming from the MIP display, so I have to push the “light” button in the top left of my Garmin to read the display. This is where the Fitbits shine—the AMOLED display is very visible in low light, even at dimmer settings.

The Sunlight Test: Video 1 (Above)

I took all three watches (the Fitbit Versa 4, Inspire 3 and Garmin Instinct 2) outside for a sunlight test. Again, this is where the Garmin's MIP display pops. While the AMOLED screens on the Fitbits still have great visibility, the Garmin is on another level. The more sunlight that hits the screen, the clearer the display becomes. It’s an "always on" screen that doesn't need to be woken up, and it's built to be seen outdoors. This is a game-changer when I’m outside walking around.

As for the Fitbits, they eventually go into a low-power, always-on display mode that's dimmer to save battery. While they are still visible, I find the Garmin’s display is more crisp because it's designed to use the ambient light to its advantage. This makes the text and numbers feel more defined and easier to read in bright conditions, without sacrificing battery life.

My Quick GPS Battery Drain Test: Garmin vs. Fitbit Charge 6: Video 3

After the display test, I wanted to see how the Garmin Instinct 2’s built-in GPS would perform against a Fitbit’s dynamic GPS. For this quick test, I used the Garmin and a Fitbit Charge 6. Both were fully charged to 100% and had their GPS functions running for a one-hour walk.

The Garmin uses its own dedicated GPS, while the Fitbit Charge 6 uses a "dynamic GPS" that works with your phone's GPS via Bluetooth. I was curious to see which would be more efficient.

After an hour of solid tracking:

• The Garmin Instinct 2 was around 97% battery.

• The Fitbit Charge 6 was around 96% battery.

The Fitbit’s dynamic GPS, which uses both the phone and its own sensor, was incredibly efficient, draining just one percentage point more than the Garmin’s dedicated system. Both watches performed beautifully, tracking my route with similar accuracy, with the Garmin reporting 2.29 km and the Fitbit reporting 2.26 km.

My Garmin Instinct 2 FAQ

What kind of display does the Garmin Instinct 2 have?

It has a special memory-in-pixel (MIP) display that’s super easy to read, especially outside. The MIP display is incredibly energy efficient, allowing the watch to last a while on a single charge and giving it superior visibility in direct sunlight.

Is the Garmin Instinct 2 a touchscreen watch?

No, it's not. It’s all about the buttons. I use the physical buttons on the sides to navigate and control everything.

What does the ABC button stand for on the Garmin Instinct 2?

The ABC button stands for Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass. It's a key feature for outdoor use.

How do the storm alerts work on the Garmin?

The storm alerts use the watch's built-in barometer to monitor changes in air pressure. If the pressure drops quickly over a short period (like 0.18 inches of mercury in three hours), the watch can give you a heads-up that a storm might be coming.

How did I calibrate the barometer on My Garmin?

I calibrated the barometer by holding down the ABC button, going to the barometer screen, selecting "Calibrate," and then choosing "Use GPS" to get a precise reading. That's just what I did in my case, there's more settings. 

What is the "Health Snapshot" feature on the Garmin Instinct 2?

It’s a two-minute test you can take on the watch that gives you a quick look at your overall health. It tracks your SpO2, heart rate, stress level, and respiratory rate.

What was the distance of my GPS test walk?

The Garmin Instinct 2 reported a distance of 2.29 km, while the Fitbit Charge 6 reported 2.26 km.

What is the key difference between the Garmin Instinct 2 and Fitbit Charge 6 GPS systems on My Walk?

The Garmin uses a dedicated, on-device GPS, while the Fitbit Charge 6 uses a "dynamic GPS," "phone GPS," or "built-in" GPS. I used the dynamic GPS (Phone + Fitbit) on my walk.

What types of satellites does the Garmin Instinct 2 use? 

My Garmin Instinct 2 uses the US GPS, Russian GLONASS, and European Galileo satellite systems. It also has UltraTrac which is a big battery saver, but lower accuracy. You can also search the Garmin Instinct 2's user manual for the most up to date satellite information.  

What types of satellites does the Fitbit Charge 6 use? 

The Fitbit Charge 6 uses the US GPS, Russian GLONASS, and European Galileo satellite systems. I also got this from the Fitbit Charge 6's user manual.

What types of satellites does the Fitbit Versa 4 use? 

My Fitbit Versa 4 uses the US GPS and Russian GLONASS satellite systems. Again, from the Fitbit Versa 4's user manual. 

What types of satellites does the Fitbit Inspire 3 use?

My Fitbit Inspire 3 does not have a built-in GPS and relies on my phone’s GPS to track my location.

What kind of display do the Fitbits I tested have?

The Fitbit models I tested (the Versa 4, Inspire 3, and Charge 6) all have touchscreen AMOLED displays.

What is the trade-off of the Garmin’s display?

The trade-off for its battery life and outdoor visibility is that it has less vibrant color and a lower refresh rate compared to AMOLED displays.

Why is the Garmin’s display less visible in low light?

Because the MIP display doesn’t glow on its own, I have to press the "light" button to read the display in low-light conditions.

What is the main advantage of the Fitbit’s display?

The AMOLED display is perfect for touchscreens, offers vibrant colors and looks amazing indoors.

What is the main disadvantage of the Fitbit’s display?

Lighting up all the pixels on the AMOLED display uses a lot of energy, which is one reason why the battery doesn't last as long.

What is the main advantage of the Garmin’s display?

The MIP display is incredibly energy efficient, allowing the watch to last for a while on a single charge and giving it superior visibility in direct sunlight.

What are the main buttons on the Garmin Instinct 2?

The main buttons are the "Control," "Menu," "ABC," "GPS," and "Set" buttons.

How many conducting points does the Garmin Instinct 2's charger have?

The charger has four conducting points.

How do you save a Health Snapshot on the Garmin Instinct 2 after you're done?

After the two-minute countdown, the watch gives you the option to either save or discard the session.

How do you access the storm alert feature on the Garmin Instint 2?

I just push and hold the "Back Set" button on the right side of the watch, scroll down to "Alerts," and then select "Storm Alert."

What did the barometer's warning screen say about official weather sources on the Garmin?

The watch showed a warning screen stating that this feature is for informational purposes only and that I should rely on official weather sources for primary awareness.

As of September 2025, What are You Wearing on Your Wrist for the Day to Day?

These days, I'm trying the Garmin Instinct 2.

Final Thoughts

It’s too early to tell, but the Garmin Instinct 2 looks promising. It’s definitely a beast in the durability department. I’ll see how things go.

Side note: I’m not a professional, please consult your local physician before starting any exercise program.

Related Posts

I Compared the Fitbit Charge 6 vs. Versa 4: Walking 

Fitbit Inspire 3 vs. Charge 6: Good for My Walks? 

My Fitbit Charge 6 Display Settings in 2025