Garmin Intuition 2 overview | TechRadar
Editor’s Notice
• Authentic overview date: March 2022
• Intuition 3 rumored for launch
• Launch worth: $349.99 / £299.99 / AU$549
• Official worth now: $349.99 / £299.99 / AU$549
Replace: November 2024. In 2024 the Garmin Intuition 2 continues to be top-of-the-line Garmin Watches available on the market, particularly for outside journey. It hasn’t modified since its first launch, boasting an amazing vary of sizes, a slim however powerful chassis, nice coaching instruments, excellent GPS, and formidable battery life.
Maps stay a small weak spot, however in any other case, it is a nice decide. At two years outdated, it is also a main candidate for a hefty low cost throughout main gross sales occasions, so it actually pays to buy round for a discount. That is much more true now {that a} rumored Intuition 3 needs to be simply across the nook. You may wish to wait, however early indicators point out the improve may not be large, making the Intuition 2 an amazing various alternative.
Stephen Warwick
Two-minute overview
What units the Garmin Intuition 2 other than different operating watches in its worth band are its powerful construct and sensible design. It’s thoughtfully crafted and no-nonsense, however not like the unique Garmin Intuition, it’s is enjoyable slightly than austere. It’s nonetheless exhausting as nails for powerful outside use, with distinctive battery life (components that made the unique Intuition one in every of our all-time favourite operating watches), however the Intuition 2 additionally lends itself nicely to excessive sports activities the place it’s going to take quite a lot of knocks and spills. Need a look ahead to skating or BMX? Look no additional.
This enjoyable new route is mirrored in a jazzier colour palette, together with hues like poppy pink and electrical lime, and the brand new potential to obtain customized apps and faces to make the watch your individual. It’s definitely not a refined watch, but it surely’s loud in a self-aware means.
Though not low cost, the Intuition 2 is without doubt one of the extra inexpensive watches in Garmin’s present lineup, which once more makes it an interesting alternative if you happen to’re youthful and never planning to drop over $500 on a watch just like the Fenix 7 or Forerunner 945.
Battery life for all variations of the watch may be very spectacular, and the fashions topped with Garmin’s photovoltaic Energy Glass are very powerful to beat. Even when your way of life means you don’t catch sufficient rays to maintain the watch operating indefinitely, it’ll simply final weeks between expenses slightly than days.
The Intuition 2’s monochrome memory-in-pixel (MIP) show is a good choice – clearly seen in all lighting situations and modest in its energy consumption – but it surely does have one vital downside, and that’s navigation. Whereas the Intuition 2 does mean you can add your individual customized programs through Garmin Join, and might observe your location and lead you again to the beginning, maps on the display screen are very fundamental. There’s solely a line to point out your route, and an arrow to steer you in the proper route – no street markings, landmarks, or different particulars that can assist you discover your means.
GPS accuracy is great although, and in our pre-measured 5km check, the Intuition 2 was correct to inside a handful of meters. Coronary heart price monitoring is great as nicely, and due to the brand new smaller 40mm case choice, it’s extra sensible and comfy to put on at evening so that you profit from full 24-hour well being monitoring.
Worth and launch date
- Launched early 2022
- Mid-range worth
The Garmin Intuition 2 launched on February 9, 2022. Costs vary from $349.99 / £299.99 / AU$549 for the usual version watch, by means of to $499.99 / £429.99 / AU$749 for the photo voltaic tactical and surf editions, putting it squarely within the mid-range in relation to operating watches.
The unique Intuition retailed at $399 / £269.99 / AU$299.99 when it went on sale in 2018, so the brand new watch is definitely barely cheaper than the unique if you happen to’re primarily based within the US. That’s a fairly nice deal contemplating how rather more the second-gen machine has to supply. There are Garmin promo codes that might prevent extra too.
Watch fashions
- 45mm and 40mm case choices
- Energy Glass fashions accessible
- Tactical, Surf, Camo, and Dezl editions
The Garmin Intuition 2 isn’t a single watch, however a whole collection. Initially, there at the moment are two case sizes to think about: the usual 45mm, and a brand new 40mm diameter mannequin. The watch we examined right here was the 40mm Garmin Intuition 2S, and though 5mm shaved off the case measurement may not sound like a lot, it makes the watch rather more comfy and sensible for smaller wrists.
You can even take your decide from customary or photo voltaic fashions, the latter of which makes use of Garmin’s Energy Glass to collect power from the solar and lengthen battery life. You’ll nonetheless want to offer the watch an preliminary cost, and heavy use will step by step discharge it, but when your wants are modest and also you take in a good quantity of daylight regularly (Garmin provides the instance of working as a lifeguard) then you might by no means must cost it up once more.
The photo voltaic fashions are somewhat dearer, however the photovoltaic materials doesn’t have any impact on the look of the show, so it’s nicely value contemplating the additional funding to keep away from frequent charging.
As with the unique Intuition, there are additionally particular Surf, Tactical, and Camo editions of the Intuition 2. The Surf version provides additional instruments together with tide information and a devoted surf monitoring mode that information particulars together with waves surfed, most top, and distance travelled. It additionally comes with Garmin’s Surfline app pre-installed, displaying situations at your 5 nearest surf spots.
The Tactical version has a stealth mode that cuts off all wi-fi communications, a display screen mode designed for studying with evening imaginative and prescient goggles, and a killswitch that deletes all information saved on the watch, together with location info. It additionally has Garmin’s Jumpmaster app put in for skydiving.
The Camo version doesn’t add any additional features or apps, however has a camouflage patterned band and case.
The Intuition 2 can be accessible in a Dezl version for skilled truck drivers, which connects to Garmin’s in-cab navigation programs and might present necessary well being stats and alerts on the larger display screen. It syncs with a brand new Dezl app, which may information truckers by means of easy train routines whereas they’re taking a break.
Design and show
- Slimmer than unique Intuition
- Comparatively light-weight
- Monochrome MIP show
Garmin is leaning on the youth angle with the Intuition 2, and the watch’s total look is leaner than its predecessor, even if you happen to go for the traditional 45mm resin case slightly than the compact 40mm. There’s no distinction in weight (each outdated and new watches weigh 52g), however whereas the unique Intuition was 15.3mm thick, the second-gen watch has been slimmed all the way down to 14.5mm. That’s a tiny distinction, however paired with a barely simplified bezel design, it makes the brand new watch really feel considerably much less cumbersome.
The 40mm Intuition 2 S we examined is leaner nonetheless at 13.3mm, and when positioned on the scales it weighed 43g together with the silicone band. Garmin’s quoted weight is 42g, however there’s at all times somewhat variability between gadgets.
For comparability, the 41mm Apple Watch 7 weighs 32g in aluminum, 42.3g in chrome steel, and 37g in titanium. Its 45mm counterpart is 38.8g in aluminum, 51.5g in chrome steel, and 41.5g in titanium.
Whereas the unique Intuition got here in a reasonably sober vary of colours, the second-gen watch is on the market in some a lot brighter shades together with poppy pink and electrical lime – there are even some dual-color choices if you happen to select the Surf version, or you may change the band for one thing totally different utilizing the fast launch pins on the again.
Like the unique Intuition, the Intuition 2 has a monochrome memory-in-pixel show, with a small round cut-out that reveals contextual info whilst you’re navigating by means of menus, and might present information like the present date, your step rely, or energy burned whilst you’re utilizing the machine in smartwatch mode.
The Intuition 2’s show has a a lot larger decision than its predecessor – 176 x 176 pixels in comparison with 128 x 128 pixels for the unique. This leads to clearer textual content and icons, and means Garmin has been capable of match extra information onto the show without delay with out sacrificing legibility,
A monochrome face might sound an odd alternative when increasingly more smartwatches are arriving with vibrant colour shows, but it surely makes a variety of sense for the Intuition 2. It makes use of far much less energy than an AMOLED show (like that of the Garmin Epix and Venu 2), and it affords extra distinction than a colour MIP display screen (which was one in every of our few complaints in regards to the Garmin Fenix 7).
There are a couple of drawbacks, although. It may be harder to distinguish between totally different stats at a look – you may’t verify your coronary heart price zone by merely glancing at a color-coded icon, for instance – and it’s not so nice for maps.
The dearth of a touchscreen isn’t preferrred for maps both, because it makes panning tough, although the five-button interface is helpful for all different features and works nicely with moist or gloved arms. All buttons are clearly labelled, too
Battery life
- Indefinite for photo voltaic fashions
- Longer for 45mm watches than 40mm
As at all times, the longevity of this watch’s battery will differ relying on how you utilize it. Features like SpO2 monitoring and GPS will drain energy extra quickly, however if you happen to’ve opted for one of many photo voltaic fashions, you may anticipate your Intuition 2 to final a lot, for much longer between expenses.
Listed below are Garmin’s quoted figures for the common and photo voltaic editions of the Intuition 2 and the smaller Intuition 2S:
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Garmin Intuition 2 | Garmin Intuition 2 Photo voltaic | Garmin Intuition 2S | Garmin Intuition 2S Photo voltaic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch | 28 days | Limitless | 21 days | 51 days |
| Battery saver watch | 65 days | Limitless | 50 days | Limitless |
| GPS | 30 hours | 48 hours | 22 hours | 28 hours |
| Max battery GPS | 70 hours | 370 hours | 54 hours | 114 hours |
| Expedition GPS | 32 days | Limitless | 25 days | 105 days |
These are probably the most spectacular figures we have seen for any operating watch up to now, and Garmin assures us that for the photo voltaic 45mm mannequin, indefinite battery life is an actual risk,
In our assessments, the Garmin Intuition 2S Photo voltaic lasted roughly two weeks with no daylight publicity and a mean of 1 exercise per week. When uncovered to daylight, nevertheless, the battery meter barely dropped, even with SpO2 monitoring and common use of GPS for exercise monitoring. Though the ability degree is step by step declining and will not final perpetually, on the time of writing we have not wanted to offer it a second cost.
Whenever you finally do must juice it up, the Garmin Intuition 2 and Intuition 2S each use the identical proprietary USB cable as the remainder of Garmin’s watches, which plugs securely into the again of the case.
Smartwatch options
- 24-hour well being monitoring
- Garmin Pay
- Distant music controls
The unique Garmin Intuition was an excellent sports activities watch, however its chunky, utilitarian design meant it wasn’t one we have been inclined to put on it as a daily timepiece. The Garmin Intuition 2’s slimmer profile, optionally available 40mm case and new colorways imply it’s enjoyable slightly than purely useful, so that you’re extra prone to put on it as an on a regular basis smartwatch.
Whenever you do, you’ll profit from a wealth of on a regular basis well being monitoring options, together with Garmin’s Physique Battery device, which tracks components together with coronary heart price, sleep, and exercise to let you know how a lot power you’ve got for the day forward. It’s not not like Fitbit and Oura’s readiness scores, however not like these metrics, your Physique Battery rating is up to date all through the day so you may stability exercise and relaxation on the fly.
There’s no microphone, so you may’t take calls or use your cellphone’s voice assistant out of your wrist as you may with the Garmin Venu 2 Plus, however if you happen to personal an Android cellphone then you may robotically reject calls with a textual content message. Like most of the watch’s extra superior options, that’s straightforward to arrange and customise within the Garmin Join app.
In contrast to the unique Intuition, the Intuition 2 means that you can obtain further faces and apps from Garmin Join IQ. The watch’s dual-screen design means it’s not appropriate with Garmin’s customized face designer, however the additional choices allow you to prioritize the information and instruments that actually matter to you – or simply decide one thing that appears a bit slicker than the default design.
The Intuition 2 additionally helps Garmin Pay for making contactless purchases and paying for public transport, and you need to use it to regulate the music in your cellphone with out digging by means of your pockets on your handset. That is significantly helpful in chilly climate, because the watch’s buttons are straightforward to function whereas sporting gloves.
Health monitoring
- Big selection of actions (plus multi-sports mode)
- Superior coaching instruments for operating, biking, swimming
- Display does not work nicely for mapping
Like all Garmin watches, the Intuition 2 affords extraordinarily correct GPS; in our measured 5km check it was correct to inside 50 meters, which is without doubt one of the finest outcomes we’ve ever seen from a operating watch. It’s fast to determine a satellite tv for pc lock as nicely, so that you gained’t be ready round within the chilly earlier than you begin your run, stroll or trip.
There are profiles for an enormous vary of actions, with a multi-sport mode for occasions like triathlons and duathlons so you do not have to cease monitoring between every stage. You possibly can take your decide from the complete record any time, however when establishing the watch you’ll be prompted to decide on only a handful that you simply use most incessantly. Whenever you press the exercise button (prime proper) it’ll choose the exercise within the center slightly than the highest of the record to attenuate scrolling – the kind of small however considerate contact that characterizes the Intuition 2.
The watch will detect sure actions robotically, and whereas some older Garmin watches had a behavior of recording unknown exercises as elliptical coaching, the Intuition 2 does an amazing job of differentiating between them.
As is often the case, although, it is runners, cyclists and swimmers who get probably the most coaching instruments. These embrace advised run exercises (a helpful means to make sure you’re mixing up your coaching and never getting caught in a rut), coaching load (so you may keep away from under- or over-training), and coaching impact (so you may see whether or not your final exercise was mainly cardio or anaerobic).
These are all instruments we have seen in different current Garmin operating watches, and we’re happy to see that they’ve made their method to the mid-range Intuition as nicely. This is not a watch constructed with critically aggressive athletes in thoughts, however these at an earlier stage of their health journey stand to achieve so much from this sort of bespoke steering.
Restoration time can be a particularly great tool; even if you happen to’re a daily runner or rider, you could be stunned simply how lengthy it may take to get better from an intense effort, and if you do not get adequate relaxation then the Intuition 2 will issue this in and lengthen your restoration interval.
We put the watch to the check for a number of sweaty indoor biking classes, and located that the watch rapidly detected adjustments in coronary heart price all through the exercise, and as soon as we have been completed, precisely recognized which coronary heart price zones we have been coaching in. The watch remained comfy all through, and sat comfy in opposition to our pores and skin because the temperature rose – one thing recorded by the watch’s built-in thermometer.
The Intuition 2 can even observe your respiration price, which is beneficial throughout exercises and at evening, when it may be a helpful indicator of how deeply you are sleeping.
The one actual draw back for the Intuition 2 is mapping. It’s potential to create routes in Garmin Join and switch them to to observe (a course of that’s fast and simple), however if you come to make use of them, the dearth of on-screen element means discovering your means might be surprisingly tough.
The display screen’s small sub-window offers a helpful directional arrow that can assist you get your bearing, however the ignorance on-screen means you’ll have to essentially take note of ensure you’re going the proper means. For those who’re hoping to make use of your watch to navigate new areas usually, you’ll be significantly better served by the Garmin Fenix 7, which completely excels right here.
Companion app
- Deep insights into historic information
- Biometrics clearly offered and defined
The Garmin Intuition 2 syncs with the wonderful Garmin Join app, which is without doubt one of the most refined and nicely developed of its form. All of your every day stats are offered in a completely customizable dashboard, with panels to point out metrics equivalent to coronary heart price, Physique Battery (your present power degree), sleep rating, stress current exercises, and rather more. You possibly can add, take away, and rearrange panels to fit your preferences, and any adjustments shall be saved for future use.
Tapping a panel will open a extra detailed view, displaying info from the final day, week, month, and even additional again. In contrast to some apps (we’re taking a look at you, Fitbit) there’s no separate charge to pay with a view to overview historic information and search for tendencies that can provide you a greater understanding of your habits and their results. Each metric is clearly defined, with an info display screen describing precisely what it means on your well being; not like some apps, Garmin Join does not anticipate prior data.
For those who don’t have time to flick thru historic stats, that’s not a difficulty – the app will offer you occasional ‘insights’ primarily based in your way of life and exercises. For instance, if you happen to are inclined to take fewer steps on a Thursday, the app will nudge you to get exterior and take a stroll earlier than the day is out.
There’s additionally no cost to make use of the varied exercise packages included with Garmin Join, together with the bespoke biking and operating plans that may show you how to put together for a brand new occasion, or goal for a private finest.
Simply enter a couple of key particulars together with the time you hope to realize, and what number of occasions per week you wish to practice, then choose a coach and the app will put collectively a customized plan only for you, which you’ll sync along with your Intuition 2. The plan will adapt on the fly primarily based in your efficiency in coaching classes, and can even shift exercises round if you happen to determine you want to skip a day.
As we talked about earlier, you may as well use Garmin Connect with plan routes and switch them to your operating watch, however that is a characteristic that works finest with watches just like the Fenix 7 or Epix (Gen 2); to get probably the most out of the navigation instruments, you really want a high-res colour show that may present streets, paths, and landmarks.
The app will, nevertheless, inform you a large number about your self, and taking time to drill by means of the varied choices within the Coaching, Well being Stats, and Efficiency Stats menus will present you the influence your efforts are having in your well being, and spur you on to tweak your common exercises.
