Garmin Instinct 2X Tactical review: A great companion for the outdoors
Timekeeping is important, as is keeping track of time. Recently, I’ve been trying out a few smartwatches. During my stint, I felt watchmakers around the world were striving to provide the best user experience. Garmin is one of the most prominent brands of smartwatches. An array of legacy watch brands have gone digital, but this US-based watch company has carved a niche for itself.
A tactical watch is not something you come across every day. The Garmin Instinct 2X Tactical was one I got to experience. I’ve never owned a tactical smartwatch before, and this was my first one. Firstly, let’s discuss tactical watches. In what ways do they differ from conventional watches?
The tactical watch is simply a wristwatch that is designed to be used in harsh conditions and is usually worn by military personnel, law enforcement officers, survivalists, and even outdoor enthusiasts. A tactical watch is designed to withstand extreme conditions. Tactical watches today feature compass functions, altimeters, barometers, chronographs, tachymeters, extended battery lives, and more. There are some tactical watches that do not have these features, of course.
A first look at the Garmin Instinct 2X Tactical
Before continuing, it’s important to note that the Instinct 2X Tactical is the company’s latest version of its celebrated Instinct series. Review units come in plain boxes without the usual graphics and typography associated with Garmin packaging. Instantly upon opening the box and holding the watch, I was reminded of the T-80 battle tank from the former Soviet Union. After a few moments, I was reminded of the Casio DW290-1V worn by Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible (1996).
This watch clearly stands out when it comes to size, style, and design. People have always asked me about the watch since I started wearing it. Due to my thin wrists, it appeared all the more prominently. Considering it’s always on, the screen brightness is adequate, and the display is clear and legible.
In terms of features, what are they?
A number of improvements have been made to the rugged watch from its predecessors. It has a bigger screen, a larger solar charging area, and a bulkier case. It also has a flashlight built-in. Despite its tiny size, the flashlight reaches far across the room. Easily find misplaced or lost items in the everyday chaos with this handy tool.