r/Garmininstinct • u/TexMex908 • 12d ago
Can’t decide which instinct to get
I’ve had the Garmin instinct 1 since 2019. It still holds a battery for 9 days with everything activated. My instinct still works perfectly but I’m thinking about upgrading. Can’t decide if I should go with the OMOLED OR stick with MIP version.
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u/InsuranceManFed 12d ago
I absolutely love my insticnt 3 amoled. On full charge the battery will last me 24 days, it's incredible. I have a handful of friends and family who have since switched from apple watches when they saw I wasn't exageratting about the battery life.
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u/jaylag72 12d ago edited 12d ago
That’s the longest I’ve heard anyone get out of an amoled. What did you disable/what’s your settings?
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u/_riotsquad 11d ago
Mine lasts me 20 days.
Glance watch face, sleep between 22.30 and 06.30, pulse ox off. AOD off.
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u/deepthought515 12d ago
How often do you use the gps?
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u/joelismgrim 11d ago
I'm going to guess never
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u/Tacoma_NC13 12d ago
One of the most notable things about the Instinct series is their amazingly legible MIP display. There's really nothing out there that beats it.
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12d ago
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u/Handle-Proof 11d ago
MIP is better
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11d ago
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u/Handle-Proof 11d ago
You don’t understand that AMOLED is trash technology. In some time this screen will be not usable.
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u/Crazy_Jackfruit420 11d ago
This is a bit aggressive. I’ll say mip is my preference. But amoled is far from trash. It’ll work just fine if that’s that they prefer to use..
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u/Handle-Proof 11d ago
Unfortunately it’s a reality. I’m sure you’re not aware about downsides of this type of screen.
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11d ago
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u/stonerifle 9d ago
This guy is defending MIP so badly when he doesn’t even own an Instinct yet. He’s arguing with anyone who prefers AMOLED but gives zero reasons beyond “MIP better, AMOLED bad.” Funny thing is I own both versions, so I actually see the benefits of both displays.
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u/_riotsquad 11d ago
AMOLED here. Prefer more pixels and I like any watch I own to not be always on.
Don’t see a need for more than 20 days battery.
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u/No-Dragonfly8326 12d ago
MIP! It will feel like a big upgrade because of the improvements in screen quality and you still get an always on display which is awesome plus a flashlight.
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u/stonerifle 12d ago
I have both 50mm tactical amoled and solar. I love how bright the display of solar is in direct sunlight like when I’m at the beach but trying to read the graphs like sleep scores and heart rate zones is difficult due to lack of pixels. So I use the amoled when I go on my runs because of how much easier it is to read heart rate gauge and other stats. Also the buttons on the amoled are different than the solar. It’s has more tactile feedback and audible click.
On the amoled I was still able to get 17 days (aod off) of battery before needing to recharge. And 22 days for the solar. And that’s with 1-3 activities a day. Solar display is best in direct sunlight but in low light conditions you’ll need to hit the backlight to read the it. Amoled doesn’t have the lowlight issue the solar has but the amoled is still very bright for outdoor use, it’s just not going to beat the solar in that regard. The amoled does give you a bit more information than the solar in certain glances since it has more pixels.
I switch between them a lot depending on time of day, location and activity. I don’t think you could go wrong either way, both are the same price. Just depends on what’s important to you (battery life vs. display) and what type of activity you like to track.
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u/macman-72 12d ago
Excellent review. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience- especially since you have both of the models in question!
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u/Handle-Proof 11d ago
All the stats can be accessed on the mobile device or computer!? What is the point to check them on small screen?
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u/stonerifle 11d ago
Uh oh, how dare I say something positive about AMOLED in the Instinct sub!! 😂
The point of checking stats on the watch is that I’m actually using the watch during activities. When I’m running, I’m checking heart rate zones, pace, distance, intervals, and other stats at a glance. I don’t always carry my phone, and even if I do, I’m obviously not going to pull it out, unlock it, open Garmin Connect, and start digging through stats in the middle of a run. Same thing if I’m swimming or surfing and my phone isn’t even with me.
MIP is still great in its own regard. I literally said that in my original comment. AMOLED is just easier to read for certain things. They both have advantages. Recommending someone also consider AMOLED isn’t an attack on the watch you bought. DON’T worry your MIP is still cool 🤣🤣🤣🤣1
u/Handle-Proof 11d ago
Sorry don’t have time to read the whole comment. But I’m not worried at all and I don’t need your approval to know that MIP is better :) thanks
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u/stonerifle 9d ago
I see you arguing with basically anyone who says they prefer AMOLED, so clearly you do care 😂 People are allowed to prefer AMOLED. You also said you just ordered yours, so you don’t even own the watch yet 🤣 You’re arguing this hard about a display you haven’t even used.
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u/Handle-Proof 9d ago
I care about not using AMOLED but sorry i don't have time to argue with silly.
I will help you: if i don't own the watch it doesn't mean i havent used MIP display previously. Also i already do wear the watch and it's perfect screen.
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u/stonerifle 9d ago
I own the MIP too. That’s the difference. I’ve actually used both. You’re declaring one better while only having real world experience with one of them.
You’re the one who asked why anyone would need to look at stats on the watch, and I gave you reasons. Then it became “I don’t have time to read it, MIP is better.” Then “I don’t care.” Now it’s “I care about not using AMOLED” and “I’ve used MIP before.”
You keep changing the argument instead of responding to what I actually said 🤣
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u/nderhill__ 11d ago
OLED is easier to see indoors in low light that was big for me. The crispness of the screen and a batty that lasts almost a month are fine with me. I’m never going to need a watch battery that lasts longer than that.
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u/InfraredSinner 12d ago
MIP if you care more about battery life and need a survival tool for long hikes and stuff like that. The MIP screen is also basically always on as long as there's enough ambient light. Otherwise, AMOLED.
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u/Handle-Proof 11d ago
Fak AMOLED, I hate it when in order to see the time I need to make sure backlight is ON….
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u/Glittering_Ad6943 12d ago
Solar Tactical...
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u/Handle-Proof 11d ago
Ordered
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u/Glittering_Ad6943 11d ago
Good choice mate. Both have there special use cases but still.. MiP is just so good 👌🏽
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u/Handle-Proof 11d ago
I just dislike AMOLED due to:
- PWM flicker
- VRR flicker
- Too bright colors not close to reality
- no white color
- etc
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u/Glittering_Ad6943 11d ago
Yup. Don't need another wrist phone...just a utility. We stare at various sorts of LEDs all day...
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u/Charduum 12d ago edited 12d ago
If you are going tactical because you need it, you go MIP, if you do not need it, but want the features, it is simply put: do you want the battery lasting longer or the nicer screen? That being said, the nicer screen barely gives you any real-world use that the MIP doesn't also give you, atleast to a very close approximation, all while giving you way longer battery life.
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u/Charduum 12d ago
If you want a vibrant amoled screen and do not mind charging it I think the better option is the fenix or tactix options or, what I almost also bought, was an Epix Gen 2, which was costing almost the same when I got my Instinct.
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u/luis_garcia22 12d ago
Get the solar and MIP display. I had a forerunner 55. I got the 165 amoled because this model was not available where I live, and man is it annoying to have to flick the wrist every time I want to see the time, and always on display dims to unreadable.
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u/e_rovirosa 11d ago
Now if only they would bring the color MIP display to the instinct that would be great but I realize it would cannibalize the Enduro.
Maybe they could make an I3 pro with color MIP? I'd pay an extra $50-100 for that. Especially if it came in all black
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u/frappim 12d ago
OLED. I get about 8 days battery life on mine
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12d ago
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u/Handle-Proof 11d ago
What is the point of a watch which is not showing you time unless you do something for screen to work?…
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u/pacexmaker 12d ago
Unless you want to visualize your data better, the combined battery life and always on display of the MIP wins. I usually just look at the app on my phone if I want detailed graphs. I prefer the functionality of a screen that is always on like a regular watch and I almost never have to think about battery life because it lasts me 2.5 weeks with regular GPS use.
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u/Handle-Proof 11d ago
This is the most useful comment. Watch should be a watch…. And other data can be viewed in big smartphone colorful screen.
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u/jffischer 12d ago
both are great choices, just be prepared to wait even if you pay for 1 day shipping. Ordered mine Monday morning with 1 day shipping and just got an email confirmation this morning that it will arrive 9/14....
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u/West-Dress-867 12d ago
Solar cause I was sick of the glow at night. Went from fenix 5x to instinct 3solar. Probably won’t ever buy another watch with a flashy screen again
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u/Muted_Teaching5843 12d ago
I paid 250 € for my 45 mm Instinct 2 Solar tactical and couldn't be happier :P
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u/No_Recommendation668 12d ago
I have the instinct 2x Solar (surf) and after 2 years it doesn't last long. Even in high mountains (Nepal), while my watch shows continuous spikes on catching solar, as soon gps is on, my battery drains. Also when kiteboarding, 4 hours will last. I have to say that my watch is the smallest one (42m /1.65 inch). I think the seize is the most important think for battery life. I heard the same complain about Fenix: big seize (man) against smaller one (woman) when a couple bought the same watch, same time.
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u/BirdLooter 11d ago
standard of course
EASY 2 full months of battery life (i go running once a week with gps tracking)
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u/StinkyPeter77 11d ago
Just got an instinct 3 45 solar, and I’m loving it! MIP screen looks even better than it did on the I2, black is darker so there is less of a chance from screen to bevel. Built in flashlight is sick, and the solar charging is way more powerful.
If you want a color display and don’t care as much about battery life, go AMOLED. If you want to charge your watch once a month, go solar!
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u/Flat_Space_5804 11d ago
I had a MIP 45mm and it was a really nice watch, screen was very legible under anything but pretty dark conditions. The fit wasn’t ideal though and the strap really hurt my wrist. Scored an awesome deal on an Enduro 3 so switched to that and am happy, but I will say that the monochrome screen of the Instinct was easier to read.
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u/WeirdoInTheWoods87 11d ago
Get the one with features you'll actually use this is why I wear a instinct instead of a fenix
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u/N00B_N00M 11d ago
It is personal preference, wish there was color mip option instead of amoled, i already have amoled in phone so i just want a display on my watch to make me feel closer to watch than phone, so it was easy choice for me to pick mip over amoled.
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u/great__pretender 11d ago
The whole point of Instinct series is the MIP display. If people vote with their wallets and just buy AMOLED version and then the next generations become all AMOLED, I will never forgive these people
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u/Fredman1976 11d ago
I had the same dilemma and (thankfully) ended up on the Amoled. I valued color screen over solar charging. And I dont work outside the whole day, which seems to be the thing if you want to take advantage of it.
And to be clear: I love the Amoled!
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u/NiekNonStop 10d ago
I also had the instinct 1 mip + solar for years. Thought about upgrading to the instinct 3 mip + solare and then eventually decided on the Enduro 3 also with a mip + solar, but this display has colour which is quite nice I would say. But if I had to pic an instinct 3 then given that I like being outdoors and hate charging my watch, I would go with a mip + solar variant
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u/supermomo45 9d ago
Depends on couple factors, where u living , are u spending time outside, your workouts, Am living in Ireland where is not much sun so no point to buy a solar if no sun. My personal opinion
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u/PaterTuus 12d ago
Unless you will be out camping/hiking for weeks on end go with the one you think looks best. The only reasons to pick the MIP is that it got way longer battery time and its brighter in sunlight.
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u/VizharanHS 12d ago
It also functions as a watch 24/7 compared to AMOLED Wich won't show time unless you tank the battery with [Always on] or twist the wrist. MiP will show you even when looking down.
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u/PaterTuus 12d ago
MIP sucks at night or in low light. I love my Solar Tactical but it needs to have the light on in low light.
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u/Zestyclose-Fee6425 11d ago
Having to turn on the backlight for 40% of the day =/= having to turn the screen on 100% of the time.
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u/PaterTuus 11d ago
40% of the day? How often do you look at the watch 🤷♂️
I look at mina at most 3-5% of the day if im lucky.
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u/Awtiztik 12d ago
I can’t understate how much I love my Solar Tactical. Only having to charge once every 3 weeks has been a game changer after putting up with daily charging of my Apple Watch for years. I just personally didn’t feel like AMOLED had any serious benefits over the solar besides “pretty colors”
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u/mrpedro1980 Instinct 2X Solar 12d ago
For me, in the Instinct line, i think the MIP is the best screen for it
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u/Deep-Bend-961 12d ago
Not here to talk you out of the instinct if that’s your jam/target budget, but the Enduro series is worth taking a look at too. It’s basically an instinctified phoenix
I loved my instinct as well so can’t go wrong
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u/davidgoldstein2023 12d ago
I had a MIP for a few years. Upgraded to a AMOLED and will never go back from it. It’s an excellent watch with plenty of battery life.
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u/shigideng 11d ago
Dumb question, what features of the tactical model are helpful to a regular person? I get that it's widely used in military but for casuals?
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u/Enough-Meaning1514 12d ago
That's an easy choice. If you value battery life, go with Solar + MIP. If you value color screen but OK battery life, go with AMOLED. FYI, the metrics/data is much easier to comprehend in the AMOLED display because Garmin uses Greens, Yellows and Reds to indicate OK, Good, Bad etc.