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Garmin Instinct 2S - Without a phone?

G-LN
over 1 year ago

Hi Folks,

I want to get a smartwatch that can track blood oxygen, heart rate, stress and sleep patterns because I have some health problems and I want to have an instant way of monitoring fitness for piece of mind. I know the Garmin Instinct 2S can do this, and that I will be able to see data in real time and a graph for the last 4 hours on the watch screen on my wrist, and it seems to be possible to download a data-logged chart going back further, seems perfect right?

But, I'm weird and backward, I don't actually have a smartphone at all, so my question's are:

1. If I don't use a smartphone/computer at all will the watch still function, show me real time data and record the 4 hours visible on it's screen + sleep info?

2. There is a computer software for windows (I'm a linux user so might not be able to use this on my own PC so not ideal - hence why I would like the watch to be able to work without it - but I can borrow a family members laptop), can this be used instead of a phone to set up the watch/download data?

[EDIT] a family member just said I can have a tablet they don't use, it runs android 9, would I be able to use that instead of a phone?

I would be most grateful for any help Slight smile

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  • 0 over 1 year ago
    G-LN said:
    But, I'm weird and backward, I don't actually have a smartphone at all

    On this forum you certainly will be treated as weird if you don't have a smartphone and don't see it as part of your Garmin Instinct 2 experience. Be prepared for rimming. 

    On a serious note, though.

    1. Yes, metrics are stored on the watch. 

    2. Yes - if you have Windows or Mac. Linux is tricky as there's no native app and Garmin Express for Windows doesn't play nicely with WINE. Although some people reported success, if you google it.

    3. It depends if current version of Garmin Connect from Google Play Store is still compatible with Android 9 - i.e. if it will let you install on Android 9.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to 5016816

    "Rimming"?!?

    What a close community we really are!

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to 5016816

    Thank you for your reply,

    5016816 said:
    On this forum you certainly will be treated as weird if you don't have a smartphone and don't see it as part of your Garmin Instinct 2 experience. Be prepared for rimming

    No worries LOL, I don't actually own a smartphone, every time people find this out I usually get laughed at and told to buy one so I am use to it, I just didn't want to have to buy one just to make a smartwatch work. Looks like the tablet is my best option then,

    https://support.garmin.com/en-GB/?faq=pvL8aWsaLU2iKyvF8VrpP9

    ^here it says the garmin connect app is compatible with android 7 or higher, so does that mean this will work even though it isn't a phone?

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to G-LN
    G-LN said:
    does that mean this will work even though it isn't a phone?

    Just try to install it and you will see. Never mind if you do not have the watch yet. If it does not work, get and older version of the app from a public apk archive, such as the apkmirror.com. It may be missing some of the newer features, but otherwise it should be functional.

    If not, the syncing over the cable to a PC or a Mac with Garmin Express will work, and you can then view the stats even on a Linux machine.

    There are also some 3rd party apps able to work with the fit files from the watch, but I do not know whether they work also with all the available metrics and data, or not. Have a look for example at Golden Cheetah. There may be others.

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    Your watch interfaces with garmins cloud database through their connect.garmin.com website. Any web browser regardless of OS should be able to provide all the data your watch provides....provided you can access the connect.garmin.com website. No phone/tablet is necessary.