Garmin Intuition 2X Photo voltaic In-Depth Evaluation: Larger and Flashlight-Geared up!

Garmins new Intuition 2X goals to finish the threesome dimension lineup of the Intuition 2 sequence, providing now a small, medium, and huge version. Nonetheless, most notably, it turns into the subsequent sequence of watches to incorporate the flashlight, which Garmin launched on the Fenix 7X final yr. This flashlight has a number of modes, together with strobe and red-light mode. However past that, and most critically for these wanting larger accuracy, the Intuition 2X additionally contains multiband/twin frequency GNSS/GPS. Oh, and it will get Coaching Readiness!

In impact, the Intuition 2X follows within the footsteps of Garmins Fenix X variants. From the primary Fenix X variant again on the Fenix 5X, Garmin used the bigger dimension unit to introduce new options to the market. A mix of market curiosity validation exams (do folks discover this new function helpful?), with charging a premium for stated fancier options. The corporate is now making use of that very same idea right here with the Intuition 2X, albeit by taking already current options from higher-end items.

In any case, Ive been testing the Intuition 2X for fairly a while now. Placing it by extra paces than I can shake a stick at. Swims, rides, runs, hikes, path runs, fitness center, and no matter else floated my boat (besides, I dont have a ship). As regular, Sick dive into what works effectively, and what wants extra work theres a serving to of each on this unit.

Garmin despatched over media loaners to check out. As regular, this evaluation just isn’t sponsored (nor does any firm get to preview something I evaluation), and I dont take any advertiser cash from any firms I evaluation. As soon as this unit goes again, Sick exit and purchase my very own for any future testing wants. Should you discovered this evaluation helpful, you should use the hyperlinks on the backside, or think about turning into a DCR Supporter which makes the positioning ad-free, whereas additionally having access to a largely weekly video sequence behind the scenes of the DCR Cave. And, in fact, it makes you superior.

Whats Modified:

At first look, you would possibly assume that is only a barely larger Intuition 2. However in actuality, thatd be woefully mistaken. In actual fact, its most likely greatest described as an Intuition 2.5X which means, its not fairly hitting the bar for a sometime Intuition 3, however its a much better unit than the Intuition 2 sequence. That is frequent in Garmin land, and actually when Garmin first launched the Intuition 1 items they didnt have photo voltaic. That was adopted up almost 2 years later with an Intuition 1 Photo voltaic sequence that had considerably revamped internals identical to this.

In any case, heres the way it differs from the Intuition 2 sequence and, how comparable its turn out to be to the Fenix 7 sequence:

– Elevated watch dimension to a 50mm case (earlier Intuition 2S is 40mm and Intuition 2 is 45mm)
– Elevated show dimension from 0.9 to 1.1
– Elevated photo voltaic panels by 50% in comparison with Intuition 2 Photo voltaic
– Massively elevated battery claims/specs (see battery chart)
– Added screws to entrance case
– Added multiband/dual-frequency GPS/GNSS
– Added flashlight/torch, each white and pink gentle, plus strobe choices (like Fenix 7X or Enduro 2 sequence)
– Added Coaching Readiness suite of metrics (like Fenix 7 sequence)
– Added photo voltaic lux hour monitoring metric (like Fenix 7 sequence)
– Added Morning Report (like different Garmin watches)
– Including impediment course racing exercise profile in near-term replace (like Fenix 7 sequence, additionally now in Intuition 2 public beta)
– Including Boxing and MMA Exercise Profiles within the subsequent quarterly replace
– Value really stays the identical at $449 (in comparison with current Intuition 2 Photo voltaic items)

There isn’t any non-solar variant of the Intuition 2X, all Intuition 2X variants are solar-enabled. There may be nevertheless a Tactical Intuition 2X version, costing $50 extra at $499, which additionally features a inexperienced backlight.

In the end, that leaves Garmin with three core Intuition sizes, as proven under aspect by aspect the Intuition 2S (40mm), the Intuition 2 (45mm), and the Intuition 2X (50mm) an identical in idea to Garmins Fenix naming for these three sizes. Heres a shot subsequent to the smaller Intuition 2 (I cant discover my 2S in the mean time):

Obtained all that? Good, lets get began.

The Fundamentals:

This part might be a fast overview of the fundamentals of the watch, none of which has modified for the reason that earlier Intuition iterations.

The very first thing to know is that its all-button navigation, no touchscreen right here. Youve obtained three buttons on the left aspect, and two on the proper aspect:

In the meantime, on the again, youve obtained the optical coronary heart charge sensor, which contributes not simply coronary heart charge data, but additionally information on issues like respiratory charge, PulseOx, and lots extra:

The straps are detachable, within the occasion you want/wish to change it. Merely seize a paperclip after which insert it into the aspect, and itll come out. Exterior of that, its fairly darn safe, if a bit overly constructed. However thats sorta the Intuition 2 sequence design objective.

Subsequent, youve obtained the watch face. That is totally customizable, each on the watch itself, in addition to through downloading from Garmin Join IQ, Garmins app retailer. Every of the problems (information bits) are tweakable as effectively.

From there youll scroll right down to the widget glances. Every bit here’s a totally different and customizable tidbit of data. These will be steps, the barometer, coaching standing, and anything you need.

You possibly can open up any of those information tidbits to see full stats, normally in 2-3 totally different pages, reminiscent of steps right here, and steps over the previous week (its been a bike-heavy week):

The watch will monitor sleep as effectively robotically, together with if you dont sleep very a lot in any respect. All of this contributes to information metrics like Coaching Readiness, in addition to the sleep rating. Itll monitor sleep phases, however I dont put an excessive amount of belief in that.

In fact, all of this data can be accessible through Garmin Join Cell, and Garmin Join as a platform as effectively:

And like most smartwatches, you may also see notifications right here together with emojis. You cant reply/reply from the Intuition sequence from iOS (however can through canned responses on Android), however you possibly can clear/open/dismiss them on iOS.

As I stated earlier although, all of these things is similar as earlier than with previous Intuition gadgets. As a substitute, the brand new goodness on the Intuition 2X is definitely in different areas, so lets leap into these.

Sports activities Utilization:

Arguably, the primary cause youd get the Intuition 2X is for out of doors and sports activities utilization. The game modes are the place you monitor actions, be it a hike, run, experience, ocean swim or any variety of the umpteen different sports activities that the Intuition 2 sequence tracks. This may be sports activities utilizing GPS (usually outdoor), in addition to non-GPS sports activities reminiscent of a pool swim or fitness center exercise. These sports activities as an alternative leverage inside accelerometers and different sensors.

When the Intuition 2 sequence initially launched a yr in the past, it dramatically expanded the game profiles, together with sports activities like triathlon/multisport, in addition to a slate of cycling-related ones. Since then weve seen further sports activities modes added (like Operating Monitor mode), and with the Intuition 2X, it additionally will quickly acquire an Impediment Racing sports activities profile, Boxing, and MMA profiles. Heres an entire listing of all of the sports activities modes on the Intuition 2X right now:

Bike Indoor, Run, Bike, Treadmill, Navigate, Expedition, Monitor Me, Mission Waypoint, Space Calculation, Pulse Ox, Multisport, Path Run, Digital Run, Monitor Run Indoor Monitor, Stroll, Hike, Climb, MTB, eBike, eMTB, Cyclocross, Gravel Bike, Bike Commute, Bike Tour, Street Bike, Pool Swim, Open Water, Triathlon, Swimrun, Ski, Snowboard, Climb Indoor, Bouldering, XC Basic Ski, XC Skate Ski, Backcountry Ski, Backcountry Snowboard, Kayak, SUP, Surf, Kiteboard, Windsurf, Row, Row Indoors, Energy, Cardio, HIIT, Yoga, Elliptical, Stair Stepper, Flooring Climb, Tactical, Boat, Tides, Fish, Hunt, Golf, Tennis, Pickleball, Padel, Horseback, Pilates, Well being Snapshot, Different

As soon as youre able to undergo, youll faucet the higher proper button, which is able to present your most popular/favourite sports activities first, after which from there you possibly can add different sports activities or customise the listing.

Talking of customization, all of that is customizable on the watch itself, or, through Garmin Join Cell (smartphone app). That was added when the Intuition 2 sequence launched, and permits you to tweak mainly the whole lot out of your cellphone. You possibly can customise and configure the whole lot from the precise sport profiles you utilize, to which metrics are proven on the information pages. Additional, you possibly can even configure nearly all watch-wide settings like GPS satellite tv for pc modes (together with multiband/dual-frequency), alerts, and extra.

About the one factor you cant actually tweak from the smartphone app are third celebration paired sensors like an influence meter, cadence sensor, or such. However you possibly can modify inside sensors such because the compass/barometer/and so on

Talking of sensors, the Intuition 2 sequence considerably expanded the slate of supported linked sensor varieties. These will be accessed inside the Sensors & Equipment menu, and embrace the next varieties (each ANT+ & Bluetooth Sensible supported, relying on the precise sensor sort):

Exterior Coronary heart Price, Pace/Cadence, Energy, Foot Pod, VIRB, Tempe, RD Pod, Biking Lights, Biking Radar, Prolonged Show, XERO Laser Places, inReach, DogTrack, Sensible Coach, Membership Sensors

That is all along with the inner compass, barometer, altimeter, and optical HR/PulseOx sensor. Word that there isn’t a ECG help inside the Intuition 2 sequence. Whereas Garmin not too long ago launched that on the Garmin Venu 2 Plus watches, it hasnt made its option to any Out of doors product division items but (and requires totally different {hardware} not within the Intuition 2 sequence).

For third celebration sensors although, you possibly can pair and configure sensors, reminiscent of tweaking the crank size on energy meters. Additional, it can save you a number of sensors of any given sort, in addition to allow/disable as you see match.

Whereas Ive had usually good luck right here, I’ve been having points particularly with the brand new Phases LR dual-sided energy meter and the Intuition 2X. Merely put, it always drops out and wont calibrate a lot of the time. No different Garmin watch/gadget has this concern with the Phases LR, and to Garmins credit score, their engineering staff has been making an attempt to nail it down for weeks now with tons of logging and debugging to seek out the basis trigger. That is perhaps simpler as soon as the Intuition 2X broadcasts at the moment, as they’ll additionally contain Phases as effectively in that troubleshooting. Sick replace this part accordingly if/when its mounted.

For biking energy meters that help Biking Dynamics, itll report that information for later viewing, reminiscent of seated/standing time or pedal middle offset. At the moment, thatd be Garmin Vector/Rally pedals, after which Favero Assioma helps a subset of biking dynamics. It additionally helps Operating Dynamics with a suitable sensor. Nonetheless, at this level, it doesn’t do native wrist-based operating dynamics just like the simply launched Garmin Forerunner 265 does. Hopefully that adjustments. It does nevertheless do wrist-based operating energy.

In any case, having picked a exercise, if operating/biking, itll supply a Instructed Every day Exercise. This may both be a part of a selected automated coaching plan in the direction of a race/objective youve set, or, simply one thing that it thinks will hold you match. You possibly can disable this if you need. Additionally, if you happen to had poor/dangerous sleep the night time earlier than, itll merely counsel a relaxation day:

Additional, you possibly can obtain third celebration exercises from platforms like TrainingPeaks, TrainerRoad, and even Garmin Join itself. All of that’s like another Garmin gadget.

At this level you may also add a course/route, however I cowl that within the Navigation & Routing part down under.

As a substitute, lets hit the beginning button and begin recording. Youll see your information pages and information fields as configured:

Talking of which, the Intuition 2X helps as much as 5 information fields per web page, and extra information pages than I might presumably want/create/configure.

Additional, you may also configure issues like auto lap, auto pause, auto climb, and even 3D distance and pace for super-steep climbs/descents. There isn’t any ClimbPro on the Intuition 2 sequence sadly, thats reserved for Garmins higher-end/higher-priced items. Although, as of late with the Garmin Forerunner 955 being $499, its a bit arduous to reconcile that having it, but the Garmin Intuition 2X Tactical Version not having it (additionally $499). Such is the splatter method to options inside the Garmin lineup.

When it comes to issues like GPS tempo stability, whereas operating, I didnt have any points with that in any of my exercises. Nor did I’ve points doing structured exercises with it, of which Ive completed many over the previous couple of months (normally created in Garmin Join, however generally despatched from TrainerRoad). And you may also see native wrist-based operating energy right here too:

And for aquatic adventures within the pool, I had no issues with lap accuracy, being spot-on each single time (for freestyle, Id seem like a drowning polar bear for another swim stroke).

As soon as youve accomplished your exercise, youll get an entire abstract of all of the stats greater than you possibly can shake a stick at. And the identical is viewable on Garmin Join Cell too:

All of those are then despatched to Garmin Join (the platform) through Bluetooth in your cellphone, or, through USB in your laptop. There isn’t any WiFi right here. From there, theyll be despatched onwards to third celebration platforms like Strava, TrainingPeaks, Todays Plan and numerous others.

Now, a giant new function to the Intuition 2X items is Coaching Readiness. This primary rolled out on the Forerunner 255/955 final summer season, and has since turn out to be frequent on Garmins $350+ devicesexcept the Garmin Venu 2 and Intuition 2 sequence items. Nonetheless, the Intuition 2X solves that, gaining Coaching Readiness.

Primarily, Coaching Readiness is a part of a collection of coaching metrics, of which there are a selection of elements however the large ticket one right here is Coaching Readiness itself:

Coaching Readiness: This metric goals to be your one-stop store to determine whether or not or to not prepare that day. It blends Sleep (vs each quick and long-term historical past), Restoration Time, HRV Standing, Acute Load, and Stress. In brief, you possibly can spike one class (badly) with out essentially killing your subsequent coaching day. However all classes arent created equal.
Coaching Standing: That is taking a look at your acute load, HRV standing, load focus, and VO2Max traits. This one is much less about do you have to prepare, and extra about how youre coaching. That means, are you doing an excessive amount of excessive depth, or an excessive amount of low depth? Thats whatll offer you an unproductive standing. In different phrases, how would a coach take a look at your coaching log, ignoring most different life/feeling sort metrics.
HRV Standing: That is measuring your HRV values always when you sleep, after which evaluating it towards your 3-week baseline, as much as a 90-day rolling window baseline. A single night time of consuming doesnt tank this rating, however three nights of partying wont hold you within the inexperienced.
Acute Load: That is taking a look at your final 7 days of load, besides the load now burns off dynamically. That means, a tough coaching day 7 days in the past is way much less impactful to the rating than a tough coaching day yesterday. Beforehand this was known as 7-Day Load, now its Acute Load.
Restoration Time: This calculates how a lot time you want until your subsequent hard-intensity exercise. As is commonly misconstrued, this isnt until your subsequent exercise, simply your subsequent arduous one. That is largely the identical as earlier than. Exceptionally good sleep can pace this up, and inversely, a high-stress day can sluggish this down.

The concept with Coaching Readiness is to take a bunch of elements underneath one umbrella, and determine how prepared you might be to coach at that very second within the day. The worth will shift all through the day (larger if you happen to do nothing, decrease if you happen to do a exercise). The rating is comprised of all of the fellows youve seen earlier than: Sleep, Restoration Time, HRV Standing, Acute Load, Sleep Historical past, and Stress Historical past:

Every of the elements are weighted in various methods, and towards various timeframes. Heres the run-down:

Sleep: This one is particularly taking a look at final nights sleep
Restoration time: This appears to be like at your Restoration time in hours (primarily based on exercises, however will be sped-up with good restoration)
HRV Standing: That is evaluating your 7-day pattern versus historic pattern
Acute Load: That is taking a look at your 7-day pattern, weighted in the direction of newness
Sleep Historical past: That is taking a look at final night time versus your prior 2 nights of sleep historical past
Stress Historical past: That is trying on the current daytime information (excluding in a single day readings)

Once more, the premise right here is which you can determine whats impacting your coaching readiness, and whether or not its anticipated. If youre at a coaching camp, youll anticipate excessive Acute Load and sure excessive restoration time too. However hopefully, the opposite stats are regular/good. Thus, you possibly can try to determine whether or not to proceed or not. Whereas if the whole lot is trying like a pink dumpster hearth, then you need to most likely prepare on the sofa.

Now exterior of sleep, the one I have a tendency to have a look at essentially the most is Acute Load. At first look, you would possibly assume that is simply 7-day Load renamed, however that doesnt actually cowl what it really does. Sure, it reveals your 7-day load, however load burns off dynamically. In years previous, if you happen to had a giant experience 6 days in the past, that load can be factored into your whole 7-day load period as if it simply occurred yesterday. Versus with Acute Load, its weighted to burn-off inside a number of days, as logical. Thats as a result of per week later its unlikely that large experience remains to be impacting you. The purpose of that is to cut back the large swings that used to happen within the Coaching Standing panel when a giant exercise from per week in the past disappears, making you go immediately from Productive to Unproductive in a matter of seconds.

Heres my acute load, and you may see how final week was very excessive, and now the previous couple of days have been a bit restoration (and churning out product critiques):

Subsequent, theres Coaching Standing 2.0. This has three core elements of VO2Max, HRV, and Acute Load. In my case, my VO2Max worth has been caught since final November, regardless of large will increase in coaching quantity, pace, FTP, predicated race paces, and another metrics you wish to use. Actually each element of the Garmin coaching ecosystem says Ive gotten dramatically sooner within the final 4 months of heavy coaching. But, as a result of my VO2Max is caught oddly low, Coaching Standing mainly simply stays caught on Sustaining. At this level, one thing appears to be mistaken both with it detecting updates to that worth, or the idea that Vo2Max ought to at all times be climbing (as a result of clearly, it cant climb perpetually).

Right here you possibly can see the HRV standing element, additionally viewable on Garmin Join:

Now, one final space to say is Restoration Time. This largely hasnt modified from earlier than, however I have to briefly spotlight it, as a result of its now way more necessary within the Coaching Readiness rating. Restoration time is exhibiting your restoration time primarily based on exercises. That is mainly exhibiting your restoration time until your subsequent arduous exercise, in hours. This will pace up with nights sleep, or decelerate with crappy sleep or a really demanding day:

In the end, I nonetheless discover Coaching Readiness to be some of the helpful metrics Garmin has created, and does a reasonably good job of taking all of the elements collectively and making sense of them in addition to being reactive to sudden occasions like lack of sleep. Im glad to see they included it right here, however bummed to listen to it wont be coming to the remainder of the Intuition 2 sequence (given its the identical value).

Navigation & Routing:

The Intuition sequence has lengthy been considered the mini-me of its costlier Fenix sibling. In some methods thats true, and others it falls far quick. Nonetheless, for brief treks, it will possibly get you to the placement and again out in a pinch. Nonetheless, that is really the one space that I feel the Intuition sequence desperately wants consideration to be aggressive or usable for folks doing something aside from a morning day hike.

To start, the Intuition sequence doesnt have onboard maps, and thats completely high-quality because it lets them save battery life. As a substitute, it has so-called breadcrumb path routing. This has been round for 15-20 years, and means you merely comply with a small course define on your exercise. The excellent news is that not like many years in the past, you dont have to make use of a bunch of cumbersome instruments to plan your routes.

As a substitute, you should use all the conventional platforms youd anticipate at the moment from Strava Routes to Komoot, or Garmin Join itself. Theres no want for third celebration apps right here. Ive been utilizing the unit in deliberate route exercises/treks since earlier this winter, for climbing/operating/biking however to simplify issues and explanations, Im going to deal with one particular current hike. This hike was deliberate as an roughly 25KM/15mi hike on the Spanish island of Mallorca. Itd go up a mountain, again right down to the ocean, then again up once more excessive of a unique peak earlier than heading out to the tip of the peninsula and again alongside one other different bay. Heres the route created in Strava:

This then pushes to Garmin Join robotically, and from there immediately synced to the Intuition 2X. All of which works effectively and effectively. Had I needed to tweak issues in Garmin Join I might achieve this, however on this case I simply left it as is, and loaded it up on the Intuition 2X, by going into the programs menu:

From right here I chosen my particular course:

You possibly can open up an elevation profile, in addition to a map of the monitor:

Then you possibly can faucet to Do Course, at which level it thinks for some time and produces and error:

And heres the rub: The Intuition 2 sequence has a most monitor restrict of fifty factors. What defines a degree you ask? Properly, thats a really fuzzy reply. Its a mixture of a number of issues, none of which allow you to mitigate it. For instance, its not really a flip within the course, neither is it factors you chose on the map. Neither is it distance-based, or surface-based (e.g. highway vs path). In actual fact, itll differ relying on the very platform the course was built-on.

So on this case, you possibly can see that 66 of my factors had been discarded. Which means that whereas itll proceed exhibiting me the path the complete route, itll cease notifying me of turns after about lower than half of it (a mere 25KM/15mi hike, so solely about 6 miles value!).

Garmins higher-end items have considerably larger limits right here, and most different firms don’t have any limits in any respect. What this implies is that mainly, any route over roughly 10 miles/15KM will are inclined to fail. Ive tried mind-numbingly straight paved-road routes right here within the Netherlands that fail effectively under 20 miles, in addition to extra advanced 200KM routes that fail on mainly the primary few hours of the hike. This essentially shouldnt be a difficulty in 2023. Interval. That is purely a software program design concern that ought to have been addressed years in the past.

In any occasion, my anger at this apart, as youre out on the path, youll see the breadcrumb path of the place youre occurring a map.

If on different information pages, as you method any turns/deviations in course, itll pop-up a small overlay counting right down to the flip, and the route. It wont listing something like Flip left on Maple Path, like Garmins Fenix/Forerunner sequence would, because it simply doesnt have that degree of knowledge/context.

In my case on my hike, it did this simply high-quality, chirping at intersections and letting me type out which route to go by trying on the breadcrumb path. Clearly, that is the place the maps of the Fenix/Epix/Forerunner sequence are helpful, as on-map options like lakes/rivers/and so on make it faster to determine which route to go, however general, the breadcrumb is okay. Should you go the mistaken method, youll get an off-course warning inside about 50 meters anyway.

And that is sorta Garmins out on this entire max-point mess: Even when it doesnt proceed telling you when to show, youll nonetheless get alerted if you happen to meander off-course. Likewise, youll at all times nonetheless see the course, and even see the upcoming elevation profile in addition to distance remaining:

By the half-way level on my course, Id misplaced flip notifications and the noise related to it. However thats high-quality, I simply talked to a mountain goat as an alternative:

Now, later within the course I bumped into an surprising army checkpoint that prevented additional navigation. At this level, I might finish the course (with out stopping my monitoring), or, hope itd latch onto the return route. I might additionally route on to my start line (because the crow flies), if I wanted to. In actual fact, you may also navigate on to a selected GPS coordinate (in a wide range of GPS coordinate varieties/codecs), in addition to use the compass to navigate.

Additional, you possibly can TracBack if you should, which merely follows the trail you took, again to the start line. And, if you happen to had saved particular areas on the watch, you possibly can navigate to these too. Once more, all of that is because the crow information. Nonetheless, if you happen to had been out within the wilderness and did have your cellphone with the Garmin Discover app put in, you possibly can create routes on the fly that arent crow-like. The Garmin Discover app is totally different than the Garmin Join app, and designed particularly for completely offline utilization. Youll have to obtain maps forward of time to it, however, its useful to stash it in your cellphone in case you want it some day.

Lastly, for lack of anyplace else to stay it, youve at all times obtained entry to ABC features through the ABC widget (altimeter, barometer, compass), by simply tapping down a bunch (you might have so as to add it to the widget roll if you happen to havent but):

Word which you can even have only a devoted widget for every of these three features too. This may use the items magnetic compass and barometric altimeter. And if you open up this widget, you get 4 information pages. The primary is all three information factors in a single:

Then youve obtained a chart of the altimeter data. You possibly can calibrate the altimeter right here, select whether or not to auto-calibrate, in addition to whether or not to show the information in meters or ft.

Adopted by the barometric strain particulars. You possibly can calibrate this, in addition to change the plot sort to 6hr/12hr/24hr/48hr. You too can change the sensor modes, storm alert choices, and the way it shows strain.

Adopted then by the compass. The compass additionally has calibration choices, in addition to the flexibility to alter the mode, for instance, from the show (levels or mils), to the way it shows North (true, magnetic, grid, person);

With all that set, lets check out the GPS, Coronary heart Price, and Elevation Accuracy.

Photo voltaic Options:

Out of the large {hardware} upgrades to the Intuition 2X, the considerably elevated photo voltaic panel is certainly notable. Photo voltaic has been round on the Intuition sequence almost for the reason that starting of Garmins photo voltaic days. Whereas photo voltaic on gadgets just like the just-released Edge 540 & 840 are fascinating, the truth is photo voltaic on these gadgets contributes little or no to the battery of the gadget. The identical is generally true on the Fenix lineup too. Nonetheless, with the Intuition sequence, because of the considerably decrease battery drain profile, photo voltaic really makes an enormous distinction. Taking the battery chart from days to limitless in sure classes.

The Intuition 2 sequence photo voltaic subsystem noticed a rise in effectivity of the panels themselves, in addition to an effectivity of the facility draw of the watch (in comparison with the Intuition 1). When it comes to how Garmin photo voltaic works, theres two totally different photo voltaic panels at play on most gadgets:

A) The empty house across the edges of the show. This semi-blocky space is used for photo voltaic panels, and is definitely seen
B) All the space atop the show however under the plastic layer, that is basically invisible to you

Trying on the edge space first, if you happen to look straight on the watch (not on angle), this largely disappears. Nonetheless, when viewing at an angle youll see the photo voltaic panels simply. This space can gather 100% of the suns rays. Properly, technically its in fact lower than that, however when it comes to easy relativity right here, effectively go together with that being 100% from a Garmin spec standpoint.

Then, theres the entire chunk atop the show mainly atop the phrases/textual content/numbers, and such. This space doesnt collect as a lot photo voltaic goodness, solely 10% of the suns rays. It’s because if it had been 100% you wouldnt be capable of see the display. Whereas at 10%, its mainly invisible to you and doesnt influence readability.

With the Intuition 2X Photo voltaic, youll see that photo voltaic contribution in quite a few locations, however now with further specifics not seen on the Intuition 2 sequence. First, on the watch face youll see a small widget within the higher left/prime edge. You possibly can customise whether or not or to not present this in fact, however by default its there exhibiting the photo voltaic depth over the previous few hours. Additionally, youll see the whole lux hours now displayed above that (244k above), whereas Garmin says the Intuition 2 sequence didnt have the proper {hardware} to show that (youll see this on the Fenix 7 too).

From there, if you happen to scroll down as soon as, by default youll see the Photo voltaic Depth widget look, exhibiting the final 6 hours of Photo voltaic exercise. Should you cease on that widget with out opening it, youll see a solar icon divided up into 10 blocks. Every block represents 10% depth. So mainly extra is best, which means, the solar is brighter. On a cloudy day you would possibly solely get one or two blocks (if that). Whereas full solar on the seaside in summer season will gentle up not simply the ten blocks however the middle solar as effectively:

And if you happen to crack open the widget, youll see a bigger model of that very same depth ranges graph now with the added Lux Hours up prime:

And urgent down as soon as reveals the Photo voltaic depth ranges seen in your watch over the previous 7 days:

You too can see this information inside Garmin Join Cell, traditionally, through the Units menu, for historic reference.

Now, simply to place issues in perspective, heres the battery chart for the Intuition 2X (and different items). Actually, the unit has a much bigger battery to start with, however it additionally fills out the limitless checkbox in additional classes.

Garmin says the best method to consider it’s that if you happen to get 3-hours in 50K lux situations, itll get you 1 hour of GPS time or 1 day of smartwatch/standby time. For context, 50K is semi-sunny climate, however not loopy summer season solar on the seaside time solar. Yow will discover 50K solar within the winter with out concern. In fact, that does imply youre discovering solar if you happen to stay in a spot that doesnt see the solar, this wont make it easier to.

Okay, so specs apart, what does battery burn seem like? Properly, lets check out a hike for instance. This hike was in largely full solar situations in Mallorca, with out a lot (if any) tree cowl. Heres the battery burn profile of the Intuition 2X, the place navigation was enabled, multi-band was enabled, cellphone connectivity/LiveTrack was enabled, in addition to the optical HR sensor:

After which for enjoyable, heres one other battery burn chart, this time whereas biking with an influence meter enabled, optical HR enabled, multi-band, cellphone/Livetrack, andwellI guess thats the whole lot. Really, on this case this one additionally even had a bunch of debug/energy meter diagnostic logging enabled, which might have burned extra battery fairly a bit.

As you possibly can see, this places it simply above the claimed 27 hours for no-sun, however that declare doesnt account for the opposite elements (LiveTrack/energy meter/and so on). In different phrases, its at a minimal assembly their claims, relying on the way you account for photo voltaic that day and the battery drain of the opposite objects

The Flashlight:

The Intuition 2X is the primary non-Fenix sequence (excluding the Fenix variant Enduro 2) unit so as to add the flashlight, and by far the bottom price-point unit to have it as effectively. The flashlight has three core modes: White gentle (steady-on), pink gentle (steady-on), and a bunch of flashing choices. Inside these flashing choices youve obtained beacon, strobe, pulse, and a customized mode. Atop that, you possibly can have it match your operating cadence.

Whereas the flashlight would possibly sound gimmicky, theres actually no one thats used the Fenix 7X sequence flashlight thats discovered it gimmicky. Identical to no one finds their cellphone flashlight gimmicky. The Intuition 2X flashlight is greater than brilliant sufficient to light up a room, or a path forward of you. And inversely, with the bottom setting, or the pink gentle, its sufficiently subtle to not wake-up others in a house in the course of the night time. Plus, its at all times in your wrist.

Beginning with the bottom function, the flashlight. You possibly can both double-tap the higher left button to show it on immediately from anywhere within the watch. It should use no matter your final setting was. So if it was full brightness final time, itll use that. Or, if it was pink, itll use that.

You too can change this through the controls menu. Merely long-hold the higher left button, then choose the flashlight choice:

From there youve obtained a management panel exhibiting 4 ranges of white brightness, and one pink degree:

Garmin doesnt publish lumens for it (critically, I dont perceive why not thats foolish). Nonetheless, they are saying its the identical brightness degree because the Enduro 2 flashlight, however the beam is a little more centered. Thats as a result of the flashlight space is smaller and has the strap funneling it a bit. You possibly can see it subsequent to the Enduro 2 flashlight right here:

Heres a comparability to the Enduro 2 and my iPhone 13 Professional flashlight out on a path at 4:30AM. Word that taking images of flashlights correctly is extremely messy, as a result of trendy cameras will robotically compensate for gentle. Its even messier when its raining outand 4:30AM. Nothing is sweet at 4:30AM. Nonetheless, Id say this photograph represents what my eyes noticed effectively sufficient:

As well as, there are strobe modes, which will be accessed through the controls menu as effectively. These would primarily be utilized in a security sort situation:

This contains Blitz, Strobe, Pulse, and Customized.

Lastly, you may also set it up in operating mode to match your operating cadence, appearing as a little bit of a security gentle for others to have the ability to see you

Once more, from a {hardware} standpoint, Id like to see the flashlight on all Garmin watches. Its only a tremendous sensible day-to-day function, even except for any backcountry sort situations. Its a type of issues that after you have, is so a lot better at night time than reaching on your cellphone flashlight plus, it leaves you hands-free.

Accuracy:

Theres probably no matter that stirs as a lot dialogue and fervour as GPS or coronary heart charge accuracy. A watch might disintegrate and offer you dire electrical shocks whereas doing so, but when it reveals you on the mistaken aspect of the highway? Oh hell no, carry on the fury of the web!

GPS accuracy will be checked out in quite a few alternative ways, however I favor to have a look at it utilizing quite a few gadgets in real-world situations throughout an enormous variety of actions. I exploit 2-6 different gadgets without delay, making an attempt to get a transparent image of how a given set of gadgets handles situations on a sure day. Situations embrace the whole lot from tree/constructing cowl to climate.

Over time, Ive continued to tweak my GPS testing methodology. For instance, I dont place two items subsequent to one another on my wrists, as that may influence sign. As a substitute, Sick typically carry different items by the straps, or connect them to the shoulder straps of my hydration pack or backpack. Plus, carrying a number of watches on the identical wrist is well-known to influence optical HR accuracy. Word that I generally will carry additional reference items over my fingers/fingers, in order to maintain them separated (however not use the HR for these reference items).

Word that each one my exams are utilizing the brand new multi-band GPS/GNSS choice. There isn’t any SatIQ current on the Intuition 2X resulting from lack of {hardware} to help that. With that, lets begin off with a hike. This can be a 5-hour hike in a mixture of open mountain-top situations, mixed with valleys within the woods, and alongside cliffs after which ultimately pine forests. That is in comparison with the AmazFit T-Rex Extremely, and Garmin Forerunner 965:

You possibly can see generally, issues are very shut between the items. The FR965 was on the again of my backpack going through the sky, which usually can be advantageous, however each from time to time it might have bounced right into a non-ideal spot subsequent to the baguette. Im probably not centered on GPS efficiency of that right here, Ive obtained a complete in-depth evaluation exhibiting how good that’s.

You possibly can see all of the items are very shut right here, with the T-Rex Extremely being a bit of bit additional off-alignment to the trail and the Intuition 2X seemingly being the closest:

The remainder of the hike confirmed no significant variations in GPS tracks:

Oh, and the elevation profile is almost an identical between the items as effectively. Word that little level in the direction of the tip the place all of them consolidate, as I ended for 45 minutes or so for lunch:

Subsequent, weve obtained a 4 hour highway biking experience, this time on twisty mountain go roads at quick tempo. That is in comparison with a bunch of biking GPS items, together with the AmazFit T-Rex Extremely:

Zero points on this experience. Heres some swap backs completed at each excessive (descent) and low pace (ascent):

And once more, one other part right here each excessive pace and slow-speed passes, an identical:

Heres how the center charge faired for that experience. Word that optical coronary heart charge whereas biking is likely one of the tougher issues to seize for any wearable (because of the highway vibrations alongside together with your grip normally being agency on the handlebars), however its fairly clear right here that the AmazFit T-Rex Extremely actually struggled. On this case, I zoomed in on a pleasant steady-state part climbing again up. You possibly can see that the Intuition 2X did have some alignment points on the very starting, however then matched the chest strap the rest of the time.

And on the elevation/altimeter aspect, its actually an identical:

a extra mundane GPS tracks, heres an interval run I did with the Intuition 2X on one wrist, the FR965 on the opposite, and a FR955 with it:

Theres actually no significant variations throughout the run. Heres a random part for enjoyable:

Whats extra spectacular is definitely the center charge efficiency. This was a troublesome exercise of 10×1-minute nearly all-out intervals. And it actually nailed it in comparison with the Polar H10 chest strap, with just one very minor blip as I recovered from the ultimate interval:

After which heres an openwater swim, with the Intuition 2X on one wrist, and the AmazFit T-Rex Extremely on one other. You too can see the reference monitor (a GPS connected to a swim buoy behind me), for the identified fact of the place I really swam:

Within the above case, all three appear shut, however when you zoom in you discover the Intuition 2X is nearly an identical to that of the swim buoy, whereas the T-Rex Extremely wanders a bit. In actual fact, the T-Rex Extremely wanders sufficient that it provides almost 500m of distance over the course of two,000m swim.

In the end, taking a look at GPS efficiency the Intuition 2X has lastly joined the stable membership of different Garmin multiband/dual-frequency GPS watches. When the Intuition 2 got here out final yr, it wasnt dangerous efficiency, however in difficult spots it confirmed it lagged in comparison with these items.

Nonetheless, with the brand new unit and new GPS chipset, Ive obtained almost 2 months of knowledge exhibiting that day in and day trip its spot-on, aligning to the very best GPS choices in the marketplace. The one minor draw back is the shortage of SatIQ implies that youll pay the worth for that in battery burn charges, in comparison with different Garmin watches which have SatIQ on them. However even with that accounted for, the battery efficiency could be very stable.

(Word: All the charts in these accuracy parts had been created utilizing the DCR Analyzer software. It permits you to evaluate energy meters/trainers, coronary heart charge, cadence, pace/tempo, operating energy, GPS tracks and lots extra. You should use it as effectively on your personal gadget comparisons, extra particulars right here.)

Wrap-Up:

Total, the Intuition 2X is greater than only a bigger Intuition 2 gadget. Its basically a step-up in not simply Intuition 2 sequence {hardware}, but additionally Intuition 2 sequence software program. On the {hardware} aspect, the added flashlight is nice, and a pleasant addition coming from the Fenix 7 sequence. The identical goes for the multiband GPS, lastly placing the Intuition sequence on-par with different Garmin watches with regards to GPS efficiency. Albeit, I want it did embrace SatIQ, given the laser-focus on battery life financial savings on the Intuition sequence a complete. As with the present Intuition 2 sequence items, I proceed to see good altimeter efficiency (one thing that was iffy on the Intuition 1 sequence gadget). And naturally, from an endurance sports activities standpoint, its nice to see the addition of Coaching Readiness. Having Garmin set up the price-point bar with the Forerunner 255/265, meant that the Intuition 2X launching with out it could have been peculiar at greatest. Nonetheless, I dont actually perceive why the present Intuition 2 items arent getting it in spite of everything, theyre the identical value?

Now for a lot of, this unit will match the invoice effectively. Nonetheless, I cant assist be (extraordinarily) dissatisfied on the continued max course level concern. Final yr in my Intuition 2 evaluation, I outlined the issues with this, and right here we’re 14 months later and one way or the other in 2023 that is nonetheless a factor. Most different Garmin gadgets dont have this concern, or no less than this low of a threshold. The truth that we have now a watch designed to final actually perpetually when it comes to battery life, cant navigate a mere 10 miles earlier than it stops correctly navigating. Once more, this shouldnt be a difficulty this decade, and positively not from Garmin of all firms.

In fact, for many individuals, thats not a difficulty in any respect. Both you wont use that performance, youll use one other gadget, or maybe some kind of paper/compass combo. Ya know, old-school type. Perhaps even navigation celestial navigation together with your spare sextant. And if thats the case, the Intuition 2X is a superb step-up, and actually, kinda a no brainer when trying on the Intuition 2 lineup.

As a result of the Intuition sequence (2S/2/2X) is smaller than the equal Fenix sequence (7S/7/7X) when it comes to case sizes, most individuals will discover the Intuition 2X extra inline in dimension/weight to an everyday Fenix 7 sequence gadget (non-7S/7X). That means that if youre lookin at an Intuition 2 sequence, Id strongly advocate going with the Intuition 2X over the Intuition 2. Youve obtained a heck of loads higher battery life, a flashlight, Coaching Readiness, and loads higher GPS efficiency. Theres no apparent (and even non-obvious) downsides that I can see at this level.

With that thanks for studying!