Garmin has just announced the Instinct 3 series, as well as the Instinct E and new HRM-200. The Instinct 3 takes the existing Instinct 2 lineup and increases it to both an AMOLED & MIP based display option. That should be no surprise, given they did precisely that with the Fenix 8 this past summer. And likewise, with the Fenix E, the Instinct E aims to be the more budget-friendly offering.
The biggest ticket item on the Instinct 3 is, of course, the AMOLED display option, letting you choose which display type you like while still retaining the rugged look. However, Garmin has also expanded the LED flashlight to both the small and larger case sizes, whereas previously the larger Instinct 2X only had the flashlight. Beyond that, they added a bunch of minor features that were previously Solar/Tactical-only, such as Garmin Pay.
Now note that this isn’t a full in-depth review. I simply haven’t had the units long enough to say whether they are good or bad. Nor has anyone else outside of Garmin. Thus, wait for my full in-depth review, after I do some of my trademark stupid-epic sports/adventure testing, to see whether this watch is worth your money.
With that, let’s dive into it.
What’s New:
Below is a list of all of the differences between the Instinct 3 and the Instinct 2 series. Keeping in mind the Instinct 2X was launched a year after the Instinct 2, and kinda served as an Instinct 2.5, adding in some features that the Instinct 2 didn’t have. I’ll try and clarify which are which below. Also, expect this list to grow with the more time I spend with the devices.
– Added AMOLED display option
– Increased solar charging power by 5x compared to Instinct 2 Solar
– Added flashlight to both sizes (45mm and 50mm)
– Increased display sizes for AMOLED units (Solar is same)
– Ditched secondary display window on AMOLED, but kept it on Solar
– Increased contrast by 2x on Solar editions (versus Instinct 2)
– AMOLED Display Sizes: 45mm is 1.2” display, 50mm is 1.3” display
– Solar Display Sizes: 45mm is 0.9” display, 50m is 1.1” display
– Added metal ring into bezel as “reinforcement”
– Added multiband/dual-frequency GNSS/GPS to all units (Instinct 2X had it)
– Added Garmin’s SatIQ feature to all units (a big deal for battery)
– Added Training Load Focus
– Added Training Load Ratio
– Added Multisport/Triathlon Auto Transition
– Added Nap Detection
– Added Sleep Coach
– Added Muscle Map for Strength Workouts (AMOLED only)
– Added Strength Workout Animations (AMOLED only)
– Added Garmin Share
– Added Garmin Messenger compatibility
– Added Garmin Pay as standard on all units
– Added large font mode (introduced on other Garmin units recently)
– Added new color options (see below)
(Note: Earlier versions of this list included both Endurance Score & Hill Score being added, based on a product presentation, Garmin came back and said they listed them in error. They are not in the Instinct 3…)
From a pricing standpoint, it’s:
– AMOLED: $449 for the 45mm and $499 for the 50mm
– SOLAR: $399 for the 45mm and $449 for the 50mm
– Instinct E: $299 for the 40mm and $299 for the 45mm
And here’s the colors for each:
For battery life, it’s claimed as follows:
Still, there are three massive/obvious gaps that I see with the Instinct 3 lineup:
1) No Garmin Elevate V5 optical HR sensor: At a time when every other watch on the market has this, Garmin introducing $500 GPS watches without it is just flat-out bizarre. But then again, the $3,200 MARQ® Adventurer Damascus Steel Edition doesn’t have it either, soo…yeah.
2) No Maps: While the watch of course does routing/navigation, there’s actually no maps. I fail to understand how all of Garmin’s competitors can deliver that in the $200-$350 price range, yet Garmin can’t. Be it Apple, Google, COROS, AmazFit, Suunto, Polar, or others. The device itself has 3.7GB of storage, of which 2.7GB is used already by the OS and other features. Thus, this doesn’t seem hopeful unless Garmin takes the approach like AmazFit or COROS of allowing very small map downloads.
3) Lack of touchscreen: This is honestly the biggest surprise, especially on the AMOLED edition. As Garmin crams in more information and details into the AMOLED version from a display UI standpoint, this omission is awkward.
But more on those in my full in-depth review. Speaking of which, in terms of ordering, you can pre-order starting on January 10th. However, certainly don’t expect my review by then. As always, I try and push these watches to their limits (much to my legs’ dismay), rather than just run around the block once for 30 minutes and calling it done. Choose your reviewers wisely…
AMOLED vs MIP Side-by-Side:
Ok, so let’s just look at some quick things side-by-side here, so you can get a feel for the two units and how the displays differ. Because ultimately, that’s probably the biggest decision you’d need to make. However, before we do that, a quick glance at how it compares to the Instinct 2X externally, notably the metal bezel ‘reinforcement’ as Garmin calls it:
Above/below at left, the Instinct 2X, and at right, the Instinct 3 AMOLED. Note that metal bezel ’strap’ wrapping round above the buttons.
Meanwhile, on the back is the old Gen4 optical HR sensor:
Ok, so let’s compare side-by-side between Instinct 3 AMOLED and Instinct 3 SOLAR. So above we’ve scrolled down from the watch faces into the widgets. You’ll see the Solar intensity on the Solar/MIP editions (all MIP editions are Solar, and there’s no Solar on the Instinct 3 AMOLED). You’l notice how there’s still the cut-out window in the MIP/SOLAR unit for ancillary information. In the case of the Instinct 3 AMOLED, they kinda do that in certain areas, but not everything (for example, in a workout you get the full screen).
Here’s the weather side-by-side, again, noticing how they leverage the mini-screen for the current weather on Solar, but on AMOLED they skip that for more brilliance.
Next, details like Training Readiness. Here we see the colors used, but also mimicking that mini-display on the AMOLED edition. Note that the Instinct 2 didn’t initially launch with Training Readiness, but eventually gained it in a feature update.
Whereas features like Training Load Focus are indeed new to the Instinct 3, after being launched on various Forerunner and Fenix watches over the last year or so.
Switching into the sports menu, all the sports are the same as the Instinct 2X, though here Garmin splits the icons to different places depending on which model you have.
When it comes to the flashlight, both the 45mm and 50mm variants of the Instinct 3 have it (the Instinct E does not). You can double-tap the upper left button to activate it, which also shows you a control along the left edge. There are four levels of white brightness, and 1 red color.
Here’s the flashlight on the front of the unit:
Meanwhile, within the settings, you’ll see not only the new multiband/dual-frequency options, but also the SatIQ option. SatIQ is arguably one of Garmin’s best features, in that it dynamically changes which satellite types are used based on the conditions in real time (e.g., in an open field it’ll reduce the GPS type since it’s not needed, but will ramp it back up again in the mountains). It’s incredibly cool, and I’m glad to see it arrive here on the Instinct 3. In the menus though, this feature is known as ‘Auto Select’.
Now, as I noted above, the biggest disappointment is the lack of mapping. Still, in the menus there is a ‘Map’ toggle along with (for more interestingly) a sub-toggle for ‘Cities’. Garmin says this will show the location of nearby cities, just a single point in case you’re really badly lost that you can at least vaguely go towards a city. In any case, there simply isn’t much space on the device for maps, unless Garmin fundamentally shifts/changes how they do maps.
Last but not least, the Instinct 3 now has the Large Font option, for those young at heart, but with older eyes. Or, just eyes that were never super amazeballs to begin with.
Again, more details down the road in my review.
Wrap-Up:
Of course, the Instinct 3 coming was no surprise. Garmin.com themselves leaked it back in November, and then a retailer doubled-down on that over the past weekend. None of which were all that far from reality. Likewise, Garmin is a fairly predictable company when it comes to mid-range and lower devices, like the Instinct. They take features from higher-end devices, and a year or so later, pass them down to mid-range devices. Rinse and repeat to lower-end devices.
Therefore, everything we’ve seen on the Instinct 3 has largely come from either the Fenix/Forerunner units (e.g. shift to AMOLED) or the Venu 3 series (e.g. various wellness features). And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. After all, bringing down those features to lower-priced devices is what everyone wants.
I’ll be keen to see how well the new solar charging capability works, and whether it lives up to its claims. In my Fenix 8 SOLAR and Enduro 3 testing this summer, while the numbers were still very impressive, they both actually fell short of Garmin’s claims. Inversely, their AMOLED watches (including the Fenix 8 AMOLED) continue to exceed their claims. Fear not, I’ve got some ideas in mind for side-by-side testing.
With that – thanks for reading, and feel free to drop any questions down below.
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Hopefully you found this review/post useful. At the end of the day, I’m an athlete just like you looking for the most detail possible on a new purchase – so my review is written from the standpoint of how I used the device. The reviews generally take a lot of hours to put together, so it’s a fair bit of work (and labor of love). As you probably noticed by looking below, I also take time to answer all the questions posted in the comments – and there’s quite a bit of detail in there as well.
If you're shopping for the Garmin Instinct 3 Series or any other accessory items, please consider using the affiliate links below! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but your purchases help support this website a lot.
Here's a few other variants or sibling products that are worth considering:
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
And finally, here’s a handy list of accessories that work well with this unit (and some that I showed in the review). Given the unit pairs with ANT+ & Bluetooth Smart sensors, you can use just about anything though.
This wifi-connected scale will track your weight and related metrics both on the scale display and in Garmin Connect (plus 3rd party apps like TrainingPeaks). It'll also then sync your weight to your watch/bike computer, to ensure accurate calorie data.
This is a dual ANT+/Bluetooth Smart cycling cadence sensor that you strap to your crank arm, but also does dual Bluetooth Smart, so you can pair it both to Zwift and another Bluetooth Smart app at once if you want.
Seriously, this will change your life. $9 for a two-pack of these puck Garmin chargers that stay put and stay connected. One for the office, one for your bedside, another for your bag, and one for your dog's house. Just in case.
These are one of my favorite power meters, due to both cost and accuracy. These have mostly become my defacto gravel pedals, and also get used on a lot of other comparison testing.
The Garmin Rally series is effectively 3 power meters in one, for three pedal types. I use these often in accuracy testing. While they're a bit more expensive than the Favero pedals, they offer the ability to swap pedal types easily.
The HRM-PRO Plus is Garmin's top-end chest strap. It transmits dual ANT+/Bluetooth Smart, but also transmits Running Dynamics & Running Pace/Distance metrics, stores HR data during a swim, and can be used without a watch for other sports. Also, it can transmit XC Skiing Dynamics as well.
And of course – you can always sign-up to be a DCR Supporter! That gets you an ad-free DCR, access to the DCR Quarantine Corner video series packed with behind the scenes tidbits...and it also makes you awesome. And being awesome is what it’s all about!
Thanks for reading! And as always, feel free to post comments or questions in the comments section below, I’ll be happy to try and answer them as quickly as possible. And lastly, if you felt this review was useful – I always appreciate feedback in the comments below. Thanks!
I would buy this in 10 seconds if it had maps. Love the rugged design and battery but the lack of maps just takes it out of consideration.
I don’t know, I don’t ever tend to think the watch face-sized maps are ever all that useful. I generally use the maps in the Explore app or some other service like Gaia on my phone. My big concern is battery life with the AMOLED screen.
YMMV
Quite dissapointed that they didn’t go for the elevate 5 sensor, but I suppose with the plethora of option it offers, Garmin prefer to keep it for higher priced watches.
but the venu 3 has the elevate v5, but i think they try to justify the heavy price tag of the fenix 8 by maps, touch and the elevate v5
Is the display itself still fully solar or only on the outside of the display (like the Fenix 8 Solar)?
Looks likely they didn’t change that given the contrast doesn’t look as good in these pictures, but difficult to tell without side by side with E or 2 non-solar series.
Looking at battery life tables, for the 3 they are using more efficient solar panels (looking at all the GPS modes with solar) and SatIQ (it shows up only in All Systems plus multiband). Other than that, Instinct 3 50mm and Instinct 2X have exactly the same battery life (probably same battery, same screen, and a CPU / GPS chip with similar power consumption).
Exactly! I was hoping they will improve solar on 3 50mm but the specs are almost the same as my 2X. Also, with no maps, 3 is a major skip for me. Very disappointed.
i think they will never bring maps on an instinct. they want you to buy a fenix for that feature. Also maps aren’t that good without touch. what was the last garmin without touch but full maps. Fenix 5?
Fenix 6
“Multisprot” auto selection, eh? ;-)
I think it’s meant to be “Multisprout”, because Christmas left-overs.
The 3e doesnt have multiband and missing some metrics the 2 had (at the same price point) as far I see it. So the 3e is in my eyes almost a downgrade from 2 especially for the 40 mm version with solar.
link to garmin.com
I was hoping for a 40mm version with new pulseox sensor and multiband and im quite disappointed with the update.
The Instinct E (not a 3E, in terms of nitpickers corner), is…umm…confusing. I’ve got some spec sheets that imply removal of Instinct 2 features, so, I need to align all the things.
Garmin Instinct E spec sheet must be wrong.
How can a supposed successor to a previous model be released 3 years after, at the same price as the previous version, and have fewer features and a shorter battery life?
The only added feature I see is advanced sleep tracking compared to just sleep tracking, nap detection and a few more activities.
I’m was waiting for this launch to upgrade from my Fenix 5S Plus, but I’m baffled by what I’m reading.
Yeah, I’ve asked for a bunch more clarity on all the contradicting specs. I have a lot of Instinct 3 units, but sadly no Instinct E units to very myself items.
Ultimately though, when Garmin is selling the Instinct 2 at roughly $200 these days, this would (again) make the Instinct E dead on arrival. Just like when the Fenix E (which is AMOLED) launched and Garmin continues to undercut it with the Epix Gen 2 at $389-$399…for the exact same features.
Silly me, I thought Garmin actually released a reasonably priced watch with features….but then I read it has no maps and an outdated sensor. This should be $399 at most with the other options out there now. This is a rugged watch, how it doesn’t have maps is baffling.
if this would have maps and elevate v5, who would buy a fenix 8?
People who want a nicer, more premium built and bigger device. Also has features like an assistant, microphone, things like that. Take away Garmin Pay or some other feature. For a rugged watch that’s meant for people who are outdoors in the woods, it should have maps on it. The sensor isn’t as big of a deal.
Honestly, just get the Instinct 2X at his point. I really thought they’d make it better, not more of the same, and very little iteration.
The AMOLED version is the least Instinct I have seen (and the ugliest)
(I missed the list of feautures not available on tbe E, besides Flashlight and, Training Readiness, for example, is on the Instinct 2, with Firmware update)
My bad. Instinct 2 has Training Load but no Training Load FOCUS
Being an Instinct fan, great news!. The E model fits my needs and my budget. I’m looking at the specs and wondering the difference between the E and 2X solar however. 2X still more expensive.
Quite a mixed release for me. AMOLED on an instinct feels out of place.
I was hoping it’d be more of a rugged, smaller enduro 3 without maps. Most of it is a welcome upgrade, but Garmin reusing the older sensor is quite a bummer. I also wished they’d try to get more out of the screen on the solar edition. The layout deviates quite a bit from all their other watches.
I’d love to see how it stacks up against the enduro 3 in the full review, tho.
Yeah they simply put AMOLED on everything hoping it will sell better but on Instinct it simply doesn’t feel right.
If this had music, would almost be perfect for a watch without maps.
Will they release a tactical version later as well?
Instinct 3E 40mm’s battery live is like a spit in the face. 14 days vs 21 in 2S is a huge downgrade. No solar, no satiq, no garmin pay for 40mm is a disappointment. I’d better find some good deals on 2S while it’s still in supply.
I agree 100%…right now I have to pass on upgrade. I dont have successor for my 2s solar.
Hi Ray,
Do you know if the new strength coach will make it to the instinct? (3 or even 2/2X).
I kind of expected that they would add this to the 2x given that 255 received it as a fw update recently. But it doesn’t look it has happened. I was close to buy it during black friday Sales.
You haven’t mentioned it here either (you mentioned the strength animations in amoled version, but this is for structured workouts, not necessarily with the coach?)
I’ll check, but I doubt it. Especially because the muscle maps/strength animations requires a color screen, if not AMOLED on most Garmin watches.
Doesn’t seem like much of a difference between Instinct 2 and Instinct E. Is there a difference?
I loved the design of version 1 and 2. This one (especially the black solar) looks ugly.
Damn, I was hoping that Garmin was going to kill-off the Descent G1 (which is effectively just a specialised Index 2) and give us at least recreational scuba support in the I3. Maybe there will be a I3 Scuba later down the line.
This is still probably a buy for me though, I ended up getting the 2X when the G1 was dropping further and further behind the 2 and in order to get the torch and some of the additional sports profiles, but will be happier with the 45mm case now those are both available on the I3. I’m torn between MIP and AMOLED though. Much as I prefer AMOLED, I do like the back-to-basics appeal of the MIP on the I2, especially as I don’t think I’ve ever had to plug it in to charge it, it just sits on my window sill when I’m wearing my Marq.
Instinct E is just Instinct without solar or is there something else to it?
Thanks as always for being on the cutting edge of reviews. Love the idea of these watches and look forward to seeing your torture tests.
Some random comments:
“While the watch of course does routing/navigatiojn, there’s actually no maps. I fail to understand how all of Garmin’s competitors can deliver that in the $200-$350 price range, yet Garmin can’t.”
Of course they can, but they don’t want to – because this might cannibalize their higher-tier offers, right?
I still believe this Casio-style mini-display is a silly idea. But apparently people love it so even when going OLED it’s being simulated? Very weird!
Apart from that…i am waiting for the first true “next-gen” watch (my definition: New CPU/Chipset). Maybe the FR 975, maybe in spring?
Does it have asian languages? The instinct 2 does not have it, all messages are question marks.
I want to know how the new Instinct 3 compares with my OG Instinct 1. I have had it since 2020 and I have been thinking about upgrading to a Forerunner 165 or 265.
Excited to get something that can track Vo2Max. Interested in getting one with an EKG, but that would not be a deal breaker for me.
I don’t understand the lack of colour on the Fenix E l. It seems like a Black and White AMOLED display.
Is there anything like that for the MIPs Enduro 3?
(I prefer Black and White displays, in like… every display, except Cameras)
does the SOLAR version also have the large-font option?
Kind of a bold move to release an AMOLED watch without touch and maps. Customers expect to swipe and maps are basic functionality today.
Does this give us any insight into what is coming for the Forerunner series (and when) ? I was kind of hoping CES is when they would announce it if It were coming this year,
I went from instinct 2 , then 2x , and recently Fenix 8 and was worried the instinct 3 would make me sad I wasted a grand on a Fenix 8. I feel validated now (not waiting) , like a relief , but to be clear a Fenix 8 isn’t a great financial decision.
Sorry but I don’t get what’s on Garmin minds. $450 for a watch with no maps, in 2025, is just ridiculous.
COROS PACE Pro or anything from Suunto is a WAY BETTER deal than this plastic thing.
Please, Garmin, return to what you once were.
Would be cool to see comparison between these and new Fenix 8/E models
Amazing start to the year with your many posts Ray.
Hi, does the watch has free diving or snorkel features? Can it record the depth inside water?
I would’ve bought one imediatelly if they would’ve put the gen5 sensor… Does not seem like it’s worth to upgrade from my instinct 2x. Major skip for me as well, very dissapointed!
Why is there no upgrade for the instinct crossover?
Weird release. I could understand Amoled if it offered maps.
It’s unfortunate that there aren’t more options for the 40mm. Only the E variant and only 2 colors.
Got a €200 coupon from work and was waiting for this release. But after reading this review I decided to get a Fenix 7 instead which is only €400 now.
…i am torn…i love my 2x with the flashlight though screen is hard to read at certain times…so was hoping for a 3 with amoled option which is good to see but yes was hoping for maps…no touchscreen is fine as i like using buttons…
I have the red 2X (as featured in your photo). I see zero reason to upgrade just for SATIQ and nap detection! No maps, no V5 HR sensor. Meh.
Just as a quick heads up for folks following in comments, you’ll see the video has been added to the top (or here: link to youtube.com )
I wish they upped the resolution of the MIPS screen .. and why not use a color MIPS .. a man can dream right :)
I don’t see a Rucking activity … know I read somewhere that Garmin was finally adding it .. hopefully comes to Instinct 3 as well
Still no maps but i hope that navigation has arrows to go the right direction when the route has overlapping parts?
Was looking forward to a instinct with AMOLED but at this price point it’s getting into 965 territory. Would only be worth getting on sale.
Very very disappointed.
They should have added mapping or/and substantial solar boost. Neither was delivered. A major skip for me (i.e. keeping my 2X).
Maybe Garmin should direct their resources to squash the bugs in existing devices and not develop new toys. I have a FR955 that seems to get an update every other week or so, recently. It seems to me that they are chasing their tails on some issues – I have the ‘bad OHR at the start’ issue that did not exist some months ago, so I’m back to a chest strap and electrode gel. And recent updates have reduced battery life. I charged to 100% yesterday (unusual for me – I usually don’t charge above 85% or so to preserve the battery) and exactly 24 hr later with one 45 min indoor run (no GPS, no music), I’m at 86%. The burn was more like 6%/day just a couple of months ago. It has been impossible for me to put a multisport event on the calendar and have it show up on the FR955 (single sports are no problem). I reported this, was told that an update mid-2024 fixed it. Not for me. Frustrating.
I’ve bought the Instinct 2 literally a week ago, for $170 (Amazon price at the time). Frankly, while some improvements from 3 looks nice (better GPS), I don’t think they are worth the money Garmin’s asking. The direct update, E, is almost twice the price ($300) and the AMOLED one is close to 3 times the price ($450). At this level there are so many other interesting options, from Garmin or other manufacturers. At the sub $200 level, Instinct was a way easier choice.
Just read the Garmin Product page and:
First: I notice the AMOLED version is advertised as “Limited Edition”.
b) The Instinct E seems, judging just the advertising photos, like an Instinct 1 on an Instinct 3 case. It has less functionalitu than an Instinct 2!!!
It’s some of the colour schemes that are limited addition (across all the models), not the models themselves.
To me, it doesn’t offer much more than a Garmin 255. i.e Garmin 255 Solar Rugged, Garmin 255 AMOLED Rugged, Garmin 255 Casio edition.
At this rate, i’ll be buying another 2nd hand 255 when my finally dies.
Garmin seems to be blurring the lines between devices hard and just hitting price points instead. choosing to have an AMOLED but the Elevate V4 sensor when instead they could’ve just had a MIP display with the V5 and maps, of course AMOLED sells more these days so it’s easy to understand why it was prioritized.
it used to be clear what customer they were targeting each line to, now it’s making less and less sense.
Hard to see why someone would pay $500 for the Amoled Instinct, when the Forerunner 965 is generally available at that price.
It’s more about the case than the functionality. The Instinct is aimed at a different target audience: people who need (or just want) something a bit more rugged. If I wore a Forerunner for some of the things I wear my Instinct 2 for, I hate to think what state it would be in by now.
Right. And 90% of those who are likely to be attracted to these cases will probably already have an Instinct already. So the question is, are these worth upgrading are existing watches for?
-Not at all, if the comments there are anything to go by- there isn’t a single positive one! As a 2X owner, I see very little reason to splash out on a new one. I only charge mine every two or three weeks so the battery will last for many years. The watch lready does everything I need – I use a Garmin eTrex 32x for mapping anyway.
I think you got the market positioning just right on this one Ray, as a decidedly midrange offering. It’s in the same lane as the Forerunner 255/265 and Venu 3 and not something that will compete with the Fenix/Enduro or Forerunner 965 (outside of periodic discounting). I think if it had maps it would be positioned closer to $600 MSRP as a rugged alternative to the 965.
As an Instinct 2X user I expected some major enhancements. 1. Hill Score, 2. Endurance Score, 3. Climb Pro, 4. Maps. I get it that the above features are constrained by a slow CPU, low levels of RAM and inadequate storage. However at this price point, Polar and Suunto are able to deliver maps. In the past Garmin was the leader by a wide margin. No longer. Garmin are losing loyal customers through their use of dated hardware.
Hi Ray I look forward to your detailed review. Are you able to publish the internal hardware specs compared to I2X? Thanks.
Does Garmin publish the specs for their CPU, RAM and storage?
Not generally (like most companies).
And to be fair, I kinda get it. There’s just no point on devices like this. Specs are only one part of the equation. The other piece is “how good is the OS running” from an optimization standpoint. You can have all the best specs in the world, with a crap OS above it. Or vice versa.
Whereas if you were looking at benchmarking computer or phone specs, you’ve got more of an even playing field with the OS.
I think in general this is absolutely correct, but only up to a certain point. For example, the Fenix 8 seems to be a bit underpowered (using the same chipset as previous generation) – especially when using maps. It’s not a deal breaker but in 2025 people expect smooth map loading/panning/zooming on a 1k watch.
Hi Ray, the Instinct 3 Amoled should support the komoot maps. Can you try it?
Just gave it a whirl. Actually worked technically fine, though the experience is a bit wobbly. I don’t think that’s the fault of Komoot, but more limitations in Connect IQ and the Instinct 3.
For example, you can only zoom out to 200m on the map view, and you can’t move around the map any (in the event you go off-course). And then there’s just the aspect of being within the CIQ App wrapper, which always makes me a bit nervous.
Again, none of which I blame Komoot for. As Komoot easily demonstrates, there’s really no excuse for this watch not having mapping, even if route/small area-specific.
Yeah, it’s a first Garmin Amoled watch without a touch screen… Quite a surprise. Thanks for checking it!
The 2s was such an interesting little watch. It would have been amazing with multiband but instead we got this E line crap :(
Hm, 40mm Instinct 3E is basically the former 2s, just without Solar :-/
I own an Instinct 2x (coming from Instinct, Instinct 2 Solar), the Instinct 3 would give me nap-detection and some other minor things.
I think I’ll skip this one…
Unfortunately, it’s actually more like an Instinct 1 with some random Instinct 2 features, but missing a lot (e.g. no triathlon/running power/cycling power/training status/etc…).
Thanks! Sounds even worse then.
Just for clarification: my children (14 and 18) both have an Instinct 2s Solar and are quite happy with it. Well, I guess they don’t need to upgrade any time soon.
Garmin’s color schemes at times are head scratchers, but these are something else. Why is the “black” variant not only different between screen types, but also the sizes of the watches within those screen types? Huh?
If you look at the website it looks as if the amoled 45 and 50 are the same case color with a black, or charcoal band. On the Solar though, the casing is different as well, not just the band when you move between sizes. Omg, it is so confusing.
Ray, any news on when Garmin pay will include American Express?