Everything You Need to Know About the Garmin Instinct 3 Smartwatch

Garmin’s smartwatches are the gold standard in GPS-enabled wrist-worn technology. A glance through the brand’s catalogue will tell you that. But the latest smartwatches from the brand’s Instinct line are now even more well-suited for outdoor exploration with their impressive battery life, rugged design and navigational sophistication. In a nutshell, the Garmin Instinct 3 watches have a bolted case construction, a built-in LED flashlight, 24/7 health and wellness tracking features, a reinforced bezel, not to mention the brand’s state-of-the-art GPS technology. AMOLED and solar-powered versions are available, plus a choice of a larger 50mm case size or a more compact 45mm version. If you like what you’re reading, stick with us while we explore the Garmin Instinct 3 in more detail, including the new Tactical model.  

Garmin Instinct 3: The Exterior

The recently launched Garmin Instinct 3 watches have been engineered for the toughest of adventures and come fitted with a reinforced bezel and a case crafted from fibre-reinforced polymer with a scratch-resistant display and 100M water resistance. The models come in two sizes: 45mm and 50mm - each with a solar-powered version for advanced battery life (but without the AMOLED display) and new colourways that include a Neotropic case, a more versatile black version. There’s even an unusual Neotropic with Twilight version in a 45mm case, and a 50mm Twilight with Solstice version.

Garmin Instinct 3: The Battery

The battery power of the Instinct 3 watch by Garmin is impressive across the entire range of new releases, but is better in the solar-powered versions. Each model lasts weeks without needing to be recharged, lasting 24 days in the 50 mm-sized models and 28 days in the smaller version. With solar-charging capability, however, the Garmin Instinct 3’s battery power is even superior, promising 38 days on the smaller 45mm models and 40 days on the larger model.

Garmin Instinct 3: The Functions

As mentioned, the Garmin Instinct 3 watches are primed for outdoor exploration, promising to assist you wherever the day takes you. Gramin equips the smartwatch with a 3-axis compass, a barometric altimeter and GPS with SatIQ™ technology, which gives you superior positioning, along with a selection of safety tracking features that can take you back along your route and even alert your emergency contacts to your location using your smartphone, should you need help. Hand-in-hand with these features is the built-in flashlight, which gives you greater visibility during the night, providing illumination in scenarios where you really need it. Health and fitness-wise, the Garmin Instinct 3 smartwatches keep you aligned with your body and more intuitive to your hourly needs with advanced sleep monitoring, stress-tracking and heart rate monitoring apps, not to mention Garmin’s Pulse Ox feature. Sadly, the watches don’t feature any offline mapping technology, but who knows, it could be something we see emerge with the next generation of Instincts.

Garmin Instinct 3: The Tactical Model

Two options are available for the new Garmin Instinct 3; one is the AMOLED display, the other is the Solar. Although Garmin’s Tactical-themed watch is not a new concept, it has only been in the Instinct lineup for a few years. Generally speaking (for those of you who don’t already know), what this means is that Garmin tweaks the display, giving the watch night-optical capabilities and adding features that are specific to military or, as its name suggests, tactical scenarios. These Tactical models, along with the rest of the Instinct 3 line, are fitted with the new Gen4 optical HR sensor (an upgrade from the Gen3 in other Instinct models), and bring the watch closer to the Forerunner range, with lots of new sports profiles.

The AMOLED option for the Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical is only offered in the 50mm size, while the Solar is provided in both 45mm and 50mm sizes. Also, the LED flashlight is a dual white/green light configuration as opposed to the standard white/red. The Tactical also has a Night Vision mode that dims the screen to green on the AMOLED versions, along with a Stealth Mode and Kill switch option as seen in other Tactical watches. In addition to all this, it also features the fairly new Rucking Activity feature, which lets you add your pack weight to your tracked journey and a Jumpmaster Mode.

The Instinct 3 Tactical still offers all the functionality of the Instinct 3, but with a touch more software stealth. But whether this is your jam, or you fancy the standard Instinct 3, we have all the information and advice you need to purchase here with us at Jura Watches, Drop us a call on 01335 453453 or email us at help@jurawatches.co.uk today.