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Instinct 2 Solar (Tactical) "Washed Out" Display: Anyone else having this problem w/their display?

The GI2 (on right) is much more "washed out" and closer to purple when compared to the original's vibrant blue (on left); both are backlit to 100%. Moreover, the viewing angle on the GI2 is simply terrible... clearly, the new "domed" PowerGlass does not add one of the primary advantages of having a domed crystal which is improving the visibility at acute angles (especially underwater) by mitigating light reflectiveness. I'm not impressed at all. As opposed to the original solar models, the new GI2s have a "full" solar panel behind the display, so this may be the cause of both the tint and viewing discrepancies; I've contacted Garmin support and am waiting for some explanation... hopefully it is just that I may have a defective watch (which can then be replaced by Garmin). Also, much as I appreciate the improved display resolution of 176x176 (which does make the text look crisper), they've taken advantage of that to make the overall text smaller in order to fit more data displayed on the screen size; that's all well and good, but it does make it more of a strain for legibility... not all of us have a 25 y/o sight. As usual, Garmin did incorporate a font size setting; I've provided them with that feedback and feature suggestion, so hopefully they will add that in a future update. Has anyone else noticed this issue?

Top Replies

8861386 over 2 years ago +7

photos.app.goo.gl/yp3882hvmzmEPnQM7

See video comparing the instinct solar, descent g1 solar, and descent g1 with backlights on. It's really difficult to justify how this could possibly have been a design…
Adriredrado over 2 years ago +6

It does not matter what angle I look to the watch, what matters is that I have paid a lot more money for the upgrade but feels more downgrade in some areas
DevilFrog over 2 years ago in reply to 1216365 +6

If you, personally, are satisfied with the overall quality and performance of the watch, and if it works for you, then: Outstanding; I'm glad you and a few others are enjoying your purchase w/o issue,…

All Replies

0 bluefish over 2 years ago in reply to 5963464

5963464 said:
it is not a reason to accept the quality downgrade, because the price has not been downgraded...

What would be a fair price from your point of view ?

0 5963464 over 2 years ago in reply to bluefish

it is not a value question, it is a relative value question.

0 bluefish over 2 years ago in reply to 5963464

5963464 said:
it is not a value question, it is a relative value question.

Right. That's why I asked "in your opinion". What would be a reasonable price for you ?

0 DannyT2 over 2 years ago in reply to DevilFrog

Yes- thanks for taking the lead. I’m wondering if contacting support would help - the more complaints the better- or if I should just do a YouTube video titled- Don’t buy the Garmin Instinct 2 ! And show video of the two watches side by side and let any sane person see that the 2 that I and many others own has a manufacturing defect. Wonder what would get Garmins attention?

0 bluefish over 2 years ago in reply to DannyT2

DannyT2 said:
Wonder what would get Garmins attention?

Nothing

0 bluefish over 2 years ago in reply to DevilFrog

DevilFrog said:
Garmin Product Support

DevilFrog said:
replied the following: " I have heard back from our engineering team that the Instinct 2 uses a different display than the original Instinct, so the backlight may have a different hue and the Instinct 2 won't have as steep of a viewing angle."

This is Garmin's explanation. Nothing more will happen.

If you contact the support, they will surely offer you to exchange the device.

0 9098866 over 2 years ago in reply to bluefish

If you continue reading you'll see the original poster is still in contact with support. Yes They may come back with the same answer, but that answer does not address the problem that is present and explain why viewing the device from the bottom has screen bleed but viewing from the top does not. I would not presume to answer for Garmin when they did not understand the problem when originally contacted. I doubt we will see a recall for a problem that does not present any danger, but I would expect a fix under warranty or exchange once they verify this was not an intended design.

0 bluefish over 2 years ago in reply to 9098866

9098866 said:
the original poster is still in contact with support. Yes They may come back with the same answer, but that answer does not address the problem that is present and explain why viewing the device from the bottom has screen bleed but viewing from the top does not.

I just don't want you to get your hopes up. You're right, it may be that Garmin responds again. Maybe not. However the answer will be the same. And I read from the support reply that it is a different display than the GI1 and the reading angles may be different. Means to me. Everything is fine. Garmin says with this that the displays are good.

bluefish said:
This is Garmin's explanation. Nothing more will happen.

9098866 said:
once they verify this was not an intended design.

They will not tell you that.

0 DevilFrog over 2 years ago in reply to 9098866

I think everyone experiencing these issues should actually call into product support and open a case directly... might put a bit more priority on the issue.

0 9098866 over 2 years ago in reply to DevilFrog

I personally disagree with this. While flooding support with tickets may grab attention it will be a pain for Garmins support to manage the flood that could occur and may bury other users with other problems. I think for now give them another week and if we still don't hear anything back I will open up a ticket myself to make sure the issue is not buried but we should not do so in mass.