The Garmin Instinct 3 continues the legacy of a legendary line of sports watches renowned for their rugged durability. Designed specifically for endurance athletes and explorers, this new version brings significant technical improvements, reinforcing its position as essential equipment for adventurers. From the outset, the Garmin Instinct 3 stands out with its bold look, with a reinforced polymer case, a metal bezel, and colorful variations that stand out. The chassis is paired with a tempered mineral glass for a combination that offers remarkable resistance to shocks, scratches, and extreme conditions.
Its sporty, yet distinctive silhouette is ideal for those who want to clearly display their adventurous side. During testing on technical mountain trails or during gravel bike rides, the watch shows no signs of material weakness. The silicone strap is soft and breathable, very comfortable, even after several hours of activity. No discomfort or irritation is reported, proof of the quality of the materials selected by Garmin. Finally, the weight remains contained: 53g on the scale in the 45mm version (the model we tested).
Screen: innovation and versatility
The big new feature of this Instinct 3 lies in its two types of screens available: Amoled, for vibrant colors and excellent readability indoors, or MIP (Memory-In-Pixel) for optimal visibility in full sunlight and better battery life. A choice that will appeal to technology fans as well as purists who prefer increased battery life.
For our part, the choice of the Amoled screen, without the continuous display but only when you raise your wrist to maintain a very comfortable battery life, seems to us to be the best compromise. Unless you have very high battery needs.
Features: precision and reliability
Under its robust appearance, the Garmin Instinct 3 hides an impressive technological arsenal including, among other things:
- Multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology, guaranteeing remarkable precision and optimized battery management. Once activated, SatIQ will automatically select the optimal GPS mode according to the environment (in a city with imposing buildings, on a plain without obstacles, in a dense forest, etc.)
- The Garmin Elevate optical sensor ensures reliable heart rate monitoring, measures oxygen saturation and skin temperature) during various activities but also during rest phases (24/7) to give you precise information on your general fitness. Including stress monitoring.
- Multiple sports modes adapted to trail running, cycling, swimming, paddleboarding, provide precise and relevant data. The watch also displays acclimatization to altitude and temperature. Useful when going on expeditions to countries with conditions very different from your daily life.
- Navigation is simplified with a breadcrumb trail, effective despite the lack of complete mapping. For this, you'll have to look at the Garmin Fenix 8... which is much more expensive.
Battery life: very good endurance, whether in MIP or Amoled
With integrated solar, the MIP version offers potentially unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode, depending on exposure conditions. In intensive GPS use, it remains among the best on the market, allowing you to calmly consider long-distance adventures without the hassle of frequent recharging.
But even with the Amoled screen, the Garmin Instinct 3 performs very well. Garmin claims up to 18 days in connected mode with average use and the Amoled screen that only turns on when needed. In power saving mode, the battery life increases to 24 days. For our part, with daily activity but without phone notifications enabled on the watch, we lasted about ten days. Nothing to complain about, you can go on a multi-day roaming adventure (GPS expedition: up to 16 days) or sign up for an ultratrail without fear.
Summary: a reference for outdoor athletes
With this third generation of the Instinct range, Garmin has created a watch that ticks almost all the boxes. The device impresses with its robustness, remarkable battery life, and the precision of its sensors, particularly with regard to multi-band GPS and intelligent power management via SatIQ. The ability to choose between an AMOLED or MIP display makes it a flexible watch depending on your visual preferences and uses.
This is a reliable ally for your sports outings, even in the most extreme situations. It will suit both those looking for a high-performance tool to track their sports performance and those who want a watch capable of accompanying them on extended expeditions without fail. Although it doesn't include comprehensive mapping, its navigation functions remain sufficient for the majority of users. And its look, while it may seem a little bulky, perfectly fulfills its role as an action watch. Finally, its price, still under 500 euros, makes it a good choice if you can't afford the top-of-the-range Fenix 8.
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