Garmin Instinct review: 3 GPS receivers, a heart rate sensor & more in this smartwatch perfect for the no-frills gallivanter

The Instinct is Garmin’s latest connected GPS smartwatch. It’s cheaper than the premium Fenix range but offers similar functionality. Since it is designed for the outdoor and adventure enthusiast, it has not one but three GPS receivers (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo).

Looking at the photo, you must have realised that this is not the typical smartwatch. The obvious compromise is the display. It’s not a high-resolution amoled display but a monochrome 128 x 128 pixel transflective memory-inpixel (MIP) panel. It’s similar to the e-ink display on an ebook reader and also has the same advantages: low power consumption and perfect sunlight visibility. In the same vein, you get a rugged design (fiber reinforced polymer case, strengthened glass, vented silicon band with double keepers & MIL-STD-810G certified for thermal, shock and water) in three colours: Tundra White, Graphite Black and Flame Red.