Garmin Instinct solar tips and tricks – how to use it?

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The Garmin Instinct Solar Rugged Outdoor Smartwatch has gained attention in the industry and is being discussed by athletes. It includes satellite characteristics, such as Multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo) along with an integrated 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter enable tracking in conditions that are more difficult for GPS to navigate. It is compatible with Xero, Astro/Alpha, and inReach devices to give you improved tacking functions, ensuring communication and navigation in the wild. We have listed here Garmin Instinct solar tips and tricks to get max benefits.

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How to get ready with Garmin Instinct solar – tips and tricks?

You should finish these steps before using your watch for the first time in order to set it up and familiarize yourself with its capabilities.

To activate the watch’s buttons (CTRL), press them.
To finish the initial setup, adhere to the on-screen directions.You can pair your smartphone with your watch during initial setup to receive notifications and more (Pairing Your Smartphone with Your Device). You can also install the Garmin ConnectTM app.

Complete the device’s charge (Charging the Device).
(Starting an Activity) Begin your endeavor.

Using the Watch

  • To display the controls menu, hold CTRL.Quick access to frequently used features like activating the do not disturb mode, activating the battery saver option, and turning the watch off is made possible through the controls menu.
  • Press UP or DOWN to move through the widget loop starting from the watch face.Preloaded widgets on your watch give you quick access to information. The number of widgets increases when you connect your watch to a smartphone.
  • Press GPS on the watch face to launch an app or begin an activity (Starting an Activity).
  • To change the watch face, configure settings, and pair wireless sensors, hold MENU.

Viewing the Controls Menu

Options like enabling the do not disturb mode, locking the keys, and turning off the device are available via the controls menu.

NOTE: The options in the controls menu (Customizing the Controls Menu) can be added, rearranged, and deleted.

  1. Hold CTRL when selecting a screen.Screenshot of the controls menu
  2. Press UP or DOWN to scroll through the options.

How to pair Smartphone with Garmin Instinct solar?

The Instinct® device must be associated directly through the Garmin ConnectTM app and not through the Bluetooth® settings on your smartphone in order to access its connected capabilities.

  • Install the Garmin Connect app from the app store on your smartphone, then launch it.
  • Get within 10 metres (33 feet) of your gadget using your smartphone.
  • To turn on the device, press CTRL.The gadget is in pairing mode when you switch it on for the first time.TIP: Hold MENU when choosing Settings > Pair Phone to manually enter pairing mode.
  • To add your device to your Garmin Connect account, choose one of the following options:
  • Follow the on-screen directions if this is your first time pairing a device with the Garmin Connect app.

If you already have a device associated with the Garmin Connect app, choose Garmin Devices > Add Device from the or menu and follow the on-screen directions.

Press UP or DOWN to scroll to the sun widget from the watch face.

There is a graph showing the solar input’s intensity during the previous six hours.


Screenshot of the solar widget

How to use GPS in Garmin Instinct solar?

  • GPS immediately activates when you begin an activity.
  • Press GPS on the watch face.
  • If you’ve never started an activity before, tick the box next to each one to add it to your favourites, then click Done.
  • Choose an option: Pick one of your favourite activities.
  • From the broader activity list, choose an activity.
  • Go outside to a location with a clear view of the sky if the activity calls for GPS signals, and wait until the gadget is ready.After establishing your heart rate, acquiring GPS signals (if necessary), and connecting to your wireless sensors, the gadget is prepared.
  • To start the activity timer, press GPS.Only while the activity timer is active does the device record activity information.

Can you calibrate Garmin Instinct solar watch with the Treadmill Distance?

After running at least 1.5 km on a treadmill, you can calibrate the treadmill distance to record your runs’ distances more accurately. You can manually calibrate the treadmill distance if you use various machines, either before each run or afterward.

  • Activate the treadmill (Starting an Activity).
  • Till your Instinct® Solar gadget captures at least 1.5 kilometres (miles), continue running on the treadmill.
  • Press GPS once your run is finished.
  • Choose an option:
  • Select Save to calibrate the treadmill distance for the first time.You are prompted by the gadget to finish the treadmill calibration.
  • After the initial calibration, choose Calibrate & Save > Yes to manually calibrate the treadmill distance.
  • To enter the distance, look at the treadmill’s display to see how far you’ve gone.

How good is Garmin Instinct solar for Hunting?

You can save locations relevant to your hunt and view a map of saved locations.

  1. From the watch face, press GPS.
  2. Select Hunt.
  3. From the time of day data screen, press GPS > Start Hunt.
  4. From the time of day data screen, press GPS, and select an option:
    • To save your current location, select Save Location.
    • To view locations saved during this hunt activ
  5. After you c

Can you use Garmin Instinct solar for fishing?

You can monitor your daily catch total, the remaining time till the competition, or your fishing pace by setting an interval timer.

  • Press GPS on the watch face.
  • Pick Fish.
  • Press GPS > Start Fish from the time of day data screen.
  • Press GPS, choose one of the following options from the time of day data screen:
  • Select Log Catch to save the location and add the catch to your fish count.
  • Select preserve Location to preserve your current location.
  • Select Fish Timers to set the activity’s interval timer, finish time, or end time reminder.
  • Scroll to the time of day data page, tap GPS, then choose End Fish once your activity is finished.

Garmin Instinct solar – useful tips and tricks

Training with the Drill Log

The drill log feature is only available for swimming in pools. The drill log function can be used to manually record swimming strokes other than the four main ones, such as kick sets and one-arm swimming.

  • Press either UP or DOWN to access the drill log screen while swimming in the pool.
  • To start the drill timer, press BACK.
  • Press BACK after finishing a drill interval.While the activity timer keeps track of the entire swim session, the drill timer ends.
  • Choose a length for the finished drill.The size of the pool chosen for the activity profile determines the distance increments.
  • Choose an option:
  • Press BACK to begin the next drill interval.
  • To start a swim interval, press UP or DOWN to return to the swim training screens.

Sleep Tracking

The gadget automatically recognises when you’re sleeping and tracks your motion during your typical sleeping hours. In the user preferences section of your Garmin ConnectTM account, you can specify your typical sleeping hours. Statistics on sleep include the number of hours slept overall, sleep quality, and sleep movement. Your Garmin Connect account allows you to view your sleep data.

Following a Workout From Garmin Connect

Before you can download a workout from Garmin Connect™, you must have a Garmin Connect account (Garmin Connect).‍

  1. Select an option:
  2. Select Training > Workouts.
  3. Find a workout, or create and save a new workout.‍
  4. Select Send or Send to Device.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Sending a Course to Your Device

You can send a course you created using the Garmin Connect™ app to your device (Creating a Course on Garmin Connect ).

  1. From the Garmin Connect app, select  or .
  2. Select Training > Courses.
  3. Select a course.
  4. Select  > Send to Device.‍
  5. Select your compatible device.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Viewing or Editing Course Details

Before navigating a course, you can inspect or modify its details.

  • Press GPS on the watch face.
  • Select a pastime.
  • pause MENU.
  • Navigate to the Courses tab.
  • For a course selection, press GPS.
  • Choose an option:
  • Select Do Course to start navigating.
  • Select Map to view the course on a map and to pan or zoom the map.
  • Select Do Course in Reverse to start the course backwards.
  • Select Elevation Plot to see a course elevation plot.
  • Select Name to change the course’s name.
  • Select Edit to modify the route path.
  • Select Delete to remove the course.

Enabling Bluetooth Notifications

You must first pair the Instinct® device with a compatible mobile device (see Pairing Your Smartphone with Your Device) before you can enable notifications.

  • Hold MENU on the watch face.
  • To turn on smart notifications, go to Settings > Phone > Status > On.
  • During Activity is the choice.
  • Pick a preferred notification setting.
  • Decide which sound you prefer.
  • Choose Don’t During Activity.
  • Pick a preferred notification setting.
  • Decide which sound you prefer.
  • Choose Timeout.
  • Choose how long the alert for a new notification stays shown on the screen.

Pulse Oximeter

The Instinct® Solar gadget contains a pulse oximeter that is worn on the wrist to measure blood oxygen saturation. Your body’s response to stress and exercise can be assessed by knowing your oxygen saturation. Your device measures the amount of oxygen in your blood by illuminating your skin and observing how much light is absorbed. SpO2 is the term for this.

Your pulse oximeter readings are shown on the device as a SpO2 %. You may view more information about your pulse oximeter readings, including trends over several days, on your Garmin ConnectTM account (Turning On Pulse Oximeter Sleep Tracking). Visit garmin.com/ataccuracy for additional details on pulse oximeter accuracy.

Controlling a VIRB Action Camera

You must turn on the remote setting on your VIRB camera before you can use the VIRB® remote capability. For more information, refer to the VIRB Series Owner’s Manual.

  • Activate the VIRB camera.
  • Connect your Instinct® watch and VIRB camera (see “Pairing Your Wireless Sensors”).The widget loop automatically includes the VIRB widget.
  • Viewing the VIRB widget requires pressing UP or DOWN on the watch face.
  • Wait while your watch and camera connect, if necessary.
  • Choose an option:
  • Select Start Recording to begin recording video. The Instinct screen displays the video counter.
  • Press DOWN to take a picture while taking a movie.
  • Press GPS to halt video recording.
  • Select Take Photo to start the camera.
  • Choose shoot Burst to start the burst mode and shoot many photos.
  • Choose Sleep Camera to put the camera in standby mode.
  • Select Wake Camera to bring the camera out of sleep mode.
  • Select Settings to modify the video and photo settings.

Enabling Auto Climb in Garmin Instinct solar tips and tricks

Elevation changes can be automatically detected by using the auto climb option. It is appropriate for use while climbing, hiking, running, or biking.

  • Hold MENU.
  • Open Activities & Apps by choosing Settings.
  • Select a pastime.NOTE: Not all activities support this functionality.
  • the activity settings option.
  • A drop-down menu will appear.
  • Choose an option:
  • To see which data screen is up when running, choose Run Screen.
  • To determine which data screen appears while ascending, choose Climb Screen.
  • When switching modes, choose Invert Colours to invert the display colours.
  • To control the rate of ascension over time, choose Vertical Speed.
  • To control how rapidly the device switches modes, select Mode Switch.

Garmin Instinct solar Battery Saver Feature tips & tricks

The battery saver feature allows you to quickly adjust system settings to extend battery life in watch mode.

You can turn on the battery saver feature from the controls menu (Viewing the Controls Menu).

  1. Hold MENU.
  2. Select Settings > Power Manager > Battery Saver.
  3. Select Status to turn on the battery saver feature.
  4. Select Edit, and select an option:
    • Select Watch Face to enable a low-power watch face that updates once per minute.
    • Select Phone to disconnect your paired phone.
    • Select Activity Tracking to turn off all-day activity tracking, including steps, floors climbed, intensity minutes, sleep tracking, and Move IQ events.
    • Select Wrist Heart Rate to turn off the wrist heart rate monitor.
    • Select Backlight to disable the automatic backlight.
    The watch displays the hours of battery life gained with each setting change.
  5. Select During Sleep to enable the battery saver feature during your normal sleep hours.TIP: You can set your normal sleep hours in the user settings on your Garmin Connect™ account.
  6. Select Low Battery Alert to receive an alert when the battery is low.

Battery life duration


Battery Life
Battery Life With SolarMode
Up to 24 daysUp to 24 days plus 30 days1Smartwatch mode with activity tracking and 24/7 wrist-based heart rate monitoring
Up to 30 hoursUp to 30 hours plus 8 hours2GPS mode with wrist-based heart rate
Up to 70 hoursUp to 70 hours plus 75 hours3Max. battery GPS mode
Up to 28 daysUp to 28 days plus 40 days4Expedition GPS mode
Up to 56 daysUp to 56 days plus unlimited5Battery saver watch mode

How to change the band?

The bands can be changed out for brand-new Instinct® or compatible QuickFit® 22 bands.

  1. Insert the watch pin with a paper clip.Watch band paper clip release
  2. Take off the watch’s band.Watch band removal
  3. Select an option:
    • Instinct bands are attached by aligning one side of the replacement band with the holes on the accessory, inserting the exposed watch pin, and pressing the band into position.
      NOTE: Make sure the band is secure. The watch pin should align with the holes on the device.
    • Remove the watch pin from the Instinct band, put the new watch pin in its place on the gadget, and press the new band into position to install QuickFit 22 bands.

      NOTE: Make sure the band is secure. The latch should close over the watch pin.
  4. Repeat the steps to change the other band.

How to activate Contactless payment via Garmin Pay?

Support for the “Garmin Pay” service is there on your Garmin smartwatch? If so, you can use it at the grocery checkout counter for contactless payment. If you enjoy running without a smartphone and would like to reward yourself with a drink on the way back, this function is really useful. You may configure it from your smartphone rather than going through the smartwatch interface.

Garmin Pay activated on your smartwatch

Instead, “Garmin Pay” can be found in the “More” section of your app’s settings. By tapping the entry, you can set up credit cards from VISA, Mastercard, Discover, and Maestro during the setup process. Once finished, your smartwatch will be set up with the necessary information.

What are the Connected Features?

When you pair your Instinct® device with a compatible smartphone utilising Bluetooth® technology, connected functions become available. Installing the Garmin ConnectTM app on the connected smartphone is required for some capabilities. Visit www.garmin.com/apps to learn more.

Caller ID notifications – shows phone texts and notifications on your Instinct device.

LiveTrack – enables close family and friends to watch your training and races in real time. Followers can examine your real-time data on a Garmin Connect tracking page by accepting your invitation via email or social media.

Uploads of activity to Garmin Connect – As soon as you’re done recording the activity, it automatically uploads to your Garmin Connect account.

Weather – enables you to view the current weather and the forecast.

Sensors via Bluetooth – enables the connection of Bluetooth-compatible devices, including a heart-rate monitor.

Locate my phone – Finds the missing smartphone that is currently within range and linked with your Instinct device.

Locate my device – Finds your misplaced Instinct gadget that is currently within range and paired with your smartphone.

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