Garmin Instinct Solar: Sleep Tracking Master?

The Garmin Instinct Solar smartwatch is a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts due to its advanced GPS sensors and health-tracking capabilities. One of its key features is sleep tracking, which is essential for understanding and improving overall health. While the Garmin Instinct series offers excellent insights into sleep quality patterns through its Advanced Sleep Monitoring system, some users have reported discrepancies in sleep tracking data, raising questions about its accuracy. This article will delve into the sleep tracking functionality of the Garmin Instinct Solar and explore whether it effectively tracks sleep.

Garmin Instinct Solar's accuracy in sleep tracking

The Garmin Instinct Solar uses Advanced Sleep Monitoring (ASM) to track sleep. It monitors sleep stages, such as REM and deep sleep, and can also track oxygen saturation in the blood through its built-in oximeter. The watch establishes a baseline heart rate while the wearer is awake, and when the heart rate slows down enough, it detects that the wearer is asleep. It also uses movement sensors to detect when the wearer is asleep.

While Garmin Instinct Solar can provide excellent insights into sleep quality patterns, some users have reported inconsistencies with the feature. For example, one user reported that the watch tracked them as being asleep when they were awake and vice versa. Another user reported that the sleep tracking feature was “way off" compared to other fitness bands they had used.

To improve the accuracy of sleep tracking, it is recommended that users manually configure their sleep and wake times in the watch's settings. Users should also ensure that the heart rate monitor is turned on, the watch fits snugly on the wrist, and their birth date is entered into the Garmin Connect user settings.

Sleep statistics can be viewed on the user's Garmin Connect account, which can be accessed through the Garmin Connect app on a smartphone or desktop device.

How to enable sleep mode on the Garmin Instinct Solar

The Garmin Instinct Solar is one of many watch models that can track your sleep performance. The Solar version of the Instinct watch can give you some of the best insights into your sleeping patterns because of the inclusion of the Pulse OX sensor.

To enable sleep mode on the Garmin Instinct Solar, you must first install the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone or desktop. This is necessary to track your sleep patterns. You will also need to make sure you've created and set up your Garmin Connect account before your first night of wearing the watch.

Next, you will need to wear the watch for at least two hours before going to bed to establish a baseline heart rate while you are awake. This baseline allows the Garmin to automatically start tracking your sleep when your heart rate slows far enough below this level.

To ensure the accuracy of your sleep tracking, you can manually configure your sleep and wake times. To do this, go into your watch's settings and make sure the heart rate monitor is turned on. You'll find this setting under Sensors & Accessories, select Wrist Heart Rate, and ensure the Auto setting is enabled. Also, make sure that you've entered a birth date in your Garmin Connect user settings to allow the watch to accurately estimate your sleeping heart rate based on your age.

Additionally, you can select the Sleep Watch Face on your watch to use the sleep tracking feature. You can also configure the screen settings by selecting the Backlight option. To enable or disable notifications and alerts during sleep, select the Do Not Disturb option.

It is important to note that while the Garmin Instinct Solar offers sleep tracking, some users have reported discrepancies in the accuracy of the data.

How the Garmin Instinct Solar tracks sleep

The Garmin Instinct Solar is part of a series of smartwatches that offer excellent insights into your sleep quality patterns. The watch uses Advanced Sleep Monitoring (ASM) to track sleep. This feature monitors patterns in different sleep stages, including REM and deep sleep. The Solar version of the watch also collects data on the oxygen saturation of your blood through its built-in oximeter.

The Garmin Instinct Solar uses heart rate and movement sensors to detect when you've gone to sleep. The watch establishes your baseline heart rate while you are awake, which it uses to determine when you fall asleep. This baseline is established when you wear the watch throughout the day, for at least two hours before going to bed.

To ensure the accuracy of sleep tracking, you can manually set your normal sleep hours in the user settings on your Garmin Connect account. You can also ensure that the heart rate monitor is turned on by going into the watch's settings and selecting it under 'Sensors & Accessories'. It is also important to ensure that the watch fits snugly on your wrist so that the sensor on the back can accurately read your heart rate during sleep.

Once the watch has automatically detected your sleep, it will monitor your movement and provide sleep statistics, including total hours of sleep, sleep levels, and sleep movement. These statistics can be viewed on your Garmin Connect account through the Garmin Connect app.

The Garmin Instinct Solar's sleep tracking compared to other smartwatches

The Garmin Instinct Solar is part of the Garmin Instinct series, which offers excellent insights into your sleep quality patterns. The watch uses the heart rate and movement sensors to detect when you've gone to sleep. It establishes a baseline heart rate while you're awake, and when your heart rate slows down enough, it knows you're asleep. It also offers advanced sleep monitoring, tracking the different stages of sleep, such as REM and deep sleep. The Solar version also collects data on blood oxygen saturation, giving you even more detailed insights into your sleep.

However, there are some concerns about the accuracy of the Garmin Instinct Solar's sleep tracking. Some users have reported that the sleep tracking is "way off", with discrepancies between the watch's data and their actual sleep patterns. For example, the watch may track them as being asleep when they were awake or still asleep when they were awake. This could be due to the watch's algorithm or sensor, which Garmin could potentially address with updates.

Compared to other smartwatches, the Garmin Instinct Solar's sleep tracking feature receives mixed reviews. Some users prefer third-party apps or other smartwatch brands, like Fitbit, which offer more accurate sleep tracking. The Vivoactive 4 smartwatch, for instance, is a popular alternative that provides detailed insights into sleep patterns. On the other hand, some users appreciate the long battery life of the Garmin Instinct Solar, which can last about 12 days, compared to the Fitbit's 4-day battery life.

Ultimately, the Garmin Instinct Solar's sleep tracking feature may not be perfect, but it still offers valuable insights into your sleep patterns, especially with the addition of blood oxygen data. If sleep tracking is a top priority, there may be more accurate options on the market, but the Garmin Instinct Solar's other features, like its long battery life, could still make it a compelling choice.

How to improve the sleep tracking on the Garmin Instinct Solar

The Garmin Instinct Solar is part of the Garmin Instinct series, which offers excellent insights into your sleep quality patterns. The Solar version of the Instinct watch collects data on the oxygen saturation of your blood and your heart rate to track your sleep. While the sleep tracking feature is automatic, there are several ways to improve its accuracy and your overall experience:

Set Up Your Garmin Connect Account

Before wearing your watch for the first time, make sure you've created and set up your Garmin Connect account. You can set your normal sleep hours in the user settings on your Garmin Connect account. You can also view your sleep statistics on your Garmin Connect account.

Wear Your Watch Long Enough Before Bed

To establish a baseline heart rate, you should wear your watch for at least two hours before going to bed. This baseline allows the Garmin to automatically start tracking your sleep when your heart rate slows far enough below this level.

Ensure a Secure Fit

Make sure your watch fits snugly on your wrist so that the sensor on the back of the watch can get an accurate heart rate reading during the night.

Disable the "During Sleep" Option in Battery Saver Settings

Ensure that the "During Sleep" option is disabled in the Battery Saver settings on your watch. This will ensure that the heart rate sensors remain active throughout the night.

Manually Configure Sleep and Wake Times

While the watch can automatically detect when you've fallen asleep, manually configuring your sleep and wake times in the watch's settings can improve the accuracy of sleep tracking.

Install Third-Party Apps

If you're looking for additional features, such as an alarm that goes off during your light sleep stage, consider installing third-party apps like SmartWake. However, keep in mind that this may impact battery life and potentially interfere with other features.

While the Garmin Instinct Solar offers sleep tracking capabilities, it is important to note that some users have reported discrepancies in the accuracy of their sleep tracking data.

Frequently asked questions