Today my attempt to navigate while running with the Garmin Instinct 2 was a failure for two reasons. The first reason is that I didn’t study the map that closely, because one of my assumptions was wrong. The second reason is that the map updated after the turns we had to make. The result is that you realise once you’re committed, and when you’re running with a group you don’t have the luxury of turning around quite as easily.
Since this was a first attempt it makes sense that I would struggle. I suspect that if this was a running watch, or a cycling GPS it would refresh sooner. The Explore 2 is great for cycling navigation. I suspect that this GPS updates just a little too slow for running.
The other challenge is to interpret the route while you’re running, with nothing but a line and no context. With a paper map, or context, it is easier to find your way. Add to this that you have a running group, and the challenge is amplified.
Earlier Problems
If you’re loading maps onto a Garmin Instinct, it’s not as simple as removing the tracks from Garmin Connect, and they are automatically removed from the watch. You need to delete the tracks via Garmin Connect, and then on the watch, to clear enough space for another route. That is slow, clunky, and unintuitive. It also means that it’s better to keep just one or two tracks, not more.
The Wrong Assumption
I looked at the map and I saw where we were going, and I assumed that we went over the river at one point, rather than another, and that is what through me off for the rest of the course. That the map lagged didn’t help me to realise the error until after we had finished climbing a hill. I considered going back to take the same route. We didn’t.
The Simple Solution
The simple solution is to look at the map properly ahead of a run, to make sure I understand the route. If I have lag issues, but I know the route, then the lag has no impact. I can use the GPS for confirmation, rather than navigation.
And for the Skimmers
The Garmin Instinct 2 Course navigation option is too slow for navigation while running, especially with a group. It’s better to know the course before setting off, and using the watch to confirm that the decision was correct.