Garmin Instinct is the Best Watch for Serious Shooters
The Garmin Instinct Watch has emerged as a reliable companion for outdoor adventurers, fitness enthusiasts, and tactical professionals. Built to withstand harsh conditions and equipped with advanced features, this rugged timepiece is tailored to meet the demands of tactical operations. In this review, we’ll explore the Garmin Instinct Watch’s tactical capabilities and assess its suitability as an everyday carry (EDC) item for tactical individuals.
Garmin Instinct
The Garmin Instinct’s GPS features make it an incredibly valuable EDC watch. It is borderline as important for me to carry as my phone.
Design and Durability
The Instinct Watch features a rugged and robust design that exudes durability. The fiber-reinforced polymer case ensures it can withstand shock, impact, and extreme temperatures. Additionally, the watch is water-resistant up to 100 meters, allowing it to endure rain, splashes, and tough water-based scenarios. The scratch-resistant display is pristine, providing excellent visibility in various lighting conditions.
In almost every video you see where I’m doing shooting on this platform, you’ll see me wearing the Garmin Instinct. I’ve been wearing it for years, and I don’t take it off even when I’m doing heavy duty tasks like operating heavy equipment (chain saws, rotary tools, etc). The Garmin just doesn’t care and keeps working.
Health Features
The Instinct has a built in heart rate monitor as well as excercise tracking that can sync to the Garmin app. It also has standard features you’d expect like a step counter. It’s GPS features can also very accurately track distance traveled for those of you who enjoy cardio.
By extension, the app can extend this data into popular fitness apps like “My Fitness Pal”.
I’ll be doing a specific article on fitness in the future, but this app does everything that you’d want any fitness focused watch to do (and honestly, I think it does it better, the tracking is spot on).
Stealth Mode (Tactical Version Only)
The Instinct Watch offers a unique Stealth Mode, which is invaluable for tactical professionals operating in covert operations. This mode disables radio signals, including wireless connectivity and GPS tracking, ensuring your location remains confidential and off the radar. This feature is a game-changer, allowing users to reduce the risk of compromising their mission.
The mode also allows the watch to be used in a low light mode that shouldn’t interfere with NODs.
Garmin Instinct – Tactical
The Tactical edition has extra features that the base model doesn’t have. Specifically, the Watch’s stealth mode is optimized for not signaling and ideal for operation under Night Vision Devices. These features probably aren’t necessary for most people (I own the base model). The tactical version is significantly more expensive (~$450 MSRP)
GPS and Navigation
Equipped with GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite systems, the Instinct Watch provides excellent navigational capabilities, whether you’re here or “over there”. It’s accurate and reliable tracking allows tactical individuals to pinpoint their location with precision, facilitating planning and coordination during missions or expeditions.
Additionally, the watch offers breadcrumb navigation, making it easy to retrace your steps and avoid getting lost in unfamiliar terrain.
ABC Sensors
The Instinct Watch incorporates an altimeter, barometer, and 3-axis compass (ABC) sensors. The altimeter provides real-time altitude information, aiding in assessing elevation changes, while the barometer alerts you to impending weather changes. The compass ensures reliable directional guidance. These sensors enhance situational awareness, enabling tactical users to make informed decisions in critical situations.
Connectivity and Notifications
While maintaining tactical integrity, the Instinct Watch still offers smart notification capabilities. When synced with your smartphone, it provides call, email, and text notifications, allowing you to stay connected to vital communication channels discreetly. This is particularly beneficial for tactical personnel needing to balance operational awareness and connectivity.
Battery Life
Possessing impressive battery life, the Instinct Watch ensures uninterrupted use during long missions or extended outdoor adventures. Its power-saving features, combined with up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and up to 40 hours in GPS mode, make it dependable for extended periods without access to charging facilities.
I have hand verified these. I typically run mine without all the smart watch features turned on (even as an engineer by trade I don’t trust bluetooth, but that’s an entirely different conversation). The watch can last even longer than this. I probably charge it once per month.
Conclusion
As an EDC item, the Garmin Instinct Watch excels and has features that will be useful to any man.
The base instinct model is great for most people. The solar tactical version while more expensive is great if you’re an operator and plan to use the watch under NODs. I am not, so I use the base version of the watch.
Its rugged design, stealth mode, navigational features, and ABC sensors make it an indispensable tool for tactical operations in challenging environments. With its emphasis on durability, practicality, and reliable functionality, the Instinct Watch proves to be an ideal companion for any tactical professional’s EDC arsenal.
Garmin Instinct – Base Model
The Garmin Instinct’s GPS features make it an incredibly valuable EDC watch. It is borderline as important for me to carry as my phone.
Garmin Instinct – Tactical
The Tactical edition has extra features that the base model doesn’t have. Specifically, the Watch’s stealth mode is optimized for not signaling and ideal for operation under Night Vision Devices. These features probably aren’t necessary for most people (I own the base model). The tactical version is significantly more expensive (~$450 MSRP)
