2 Solar Tactical vs Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men: which is safer?
TomTom Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Garmin Instinct
2 Solar Tactical
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleElastomer off-gassing and volatile organics
PossiblePolymer lens degradation under UV or extreme conditions
PossibleBacterial or fungal growth on band or seals if not maintained
Our pick
TomTom
Water Resistant Watch Model 8R500 - Men
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossiblePolymer case and band degradation
PossibleBacterial or mold growth in seals and band
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Elastomer off-gassing and volatile organics, Polymer lens degradation under UV or extreme conditions and Bacterial or fungal growth on band or seals if not maintained on the Garmin Instinct and not on the TomTom.
- We flag Polymer case and band degradation and Bacterial or mold growth in seals and band on the TomTom and not on the Garmin Instinct.
- The Garmin Instinct is Stainless steel case, elastomer band, water-resistant polymer lens where the TomTom is On watch case and band, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More waterproof fitness trackers & cases: see the full ranking