Garmin Instinct 2 Solar Surf edition

Hi there. Not an answer to your question, but I'm considering upgrading from Instinct to Instinct 2, mainly becuase of Surf tracker 2 and the possilities of other apps/data options. Can you tell me a bit about how it works? Does it improve the accuracy of the watch, e.g. sessions using a custom activity with Surf tracker 2 data field show up like the built-in Surf activity  (and would they sync to Surfline?), or can you add that data field to the built-in Surf activity, and if so, does it improve the quality of the wave tracking?

I'm having trouble finding this info out, and the developer of the Surf tracker 2 data field hasn't responded to my enquires. Any info would be much appreciated -Thanks

Hi, I'm not sure whether my Garmin Instinct 2 (Surf edition)  is better and more accurate than my mates earlier Garmin. Wave tracking is almost perfect and you can download and save your fav waves, edit them to small segments, even single images, but the overall quality depends on the Surline cam at your spot. The solar panel is quite useful as I never need to turn my watch off mid session due to charge/battery issues. Surfline sinks well, but only tracks 45 sec for each wave, so if you manage a 1 minute wave, you wont get the whole wave. However you know exactly the time, so you can go back to the various websites with replay. I miss not having being able to see how far I've paddled, (on the older Gramin and Apple watches). Hopefully Garmin will update this when new software comes out. I've since bought a Venu and the ap goes well swapping between the 2 watches. Overall, wish I'd bought Apple, I miss not having paddle distance and map.

Thanks for the feedback. I liked the Apple Watch + Dawn Patrol app + Surfline app sync combo the best, but only the first Apple Watch (2nd gen) that I had worked properly (had to wear it under my 3 or 5mm wetsuit in the uk). When I replaced the watch with a newer model, the tracking was all over the place. Subsequently realised that this was probably due to wearing it under my suit, but not sure that any apple strap would fit over a thick suit sleeve anyway?

1752329 said:

but not sure that any apple strap would fit over a thick suit sleeve anyway?

You can buy a wrist strap extender in every dive shop for a few bucks, or cut an old wristband to make your own one. That's what divers do to wear their watches and computers over thick wetsuits.

Nice tip, cheers. The non-standard buckle/fastenings of most apple straps could make that tricky, and the Garmin Instinct nails it in most regards out-of-the-box. So will probably hold out hope that the Surf app (or a third party solution), will eventually work more accurately.

Hello,

I was searching the board about lack of paddling metrics for the solar surf watch and found your post. It is disappointing that paddle metrics are not recorded in surf session. I have submitted a feature enhancement request to get it added but not sure that will help. One thing you said that I wanted to ask you about:

"I've since bought a Venu and the ap goes well swapping between the 2 watches"

Do you mean that the Venu watch does record paddle metrics? But even if it does it does not record surf metrics, correct? Sorry if I misunderstood but if you do see my message please elaborate.

In the meantime it seems using my apple watch plus the dawn patrol app and importing into Garmin Connect is my best bet to get surf and paddle stats.

Hello,

Great that you also noticed the lack of a paddle metrics feature that was present in the older Garmin watches. Such a shame this is not in the solar surf watch as knowing paddle distance is important for many surfers. If I'd known this feature is missing, then I would have purchased an Apple watch. Thanks for submitting a feature enhancement request. I'll do the same.

I purchased the 42 mm Garmin Surf Watch. I am a small woman and I found this size too big for all day wear, however the larger watch face with a larger solar panel was better compared to the smaller Garmin Surf watch face, for surfing. I find the solar panel really useful as I never run out of charge, while my friend with an old garmin often has to turn his watch off mid surf due to low battery. (Obviously increased battery drain while the GPS is on). In the end I decided to only wear the Solar Surf watch while surfing, and wear the Venu ( smaller one more suitable for a woman), at all other times. So now I have 2 Garmin watches. 

If I'd known that the Garmin Solar Surf did not record paddle metrics I'd have invested in an Apple watch instead. As I already have 2 Garmin watches, I cant afford a third watch. Hopefully Garmin will update the software and include paddle metrics. Do you know if this could be possible? If not I guess I'll sell my two Garmins and change over to Apple. 

Thanks for your interest in this thread.

Hello,

Yes it is definitely disappointing considering how much time is spent paddling. I am sure it is possible they can add the metric through a software update. So if you submit a feature enhancement request that would be good. I am sure they get a large amount of different requests per day. But it still seems like the best chance to get the feature added. 

You could maybe add the Surf Tracker 2 data field to the SUP activity, which would include the distance metric? 

(And then change the activity type to 'Surf') after syncing to the Connect app?