Garmin INSTINCT 3! SURPRISING New Features ... Is It A HIT Or MISS?

The Garmin Instinct 3 is out now! Announced by Garmin and available for order in just 3 days. This is NOT the Instinct I was expecting. Let's talk it out.

Connect with me on my other socials

Garmin Gear I use:

Using those links will support my channel and don't cost you anything. Thank you!

00:00 The Arrival
00:30 The Call Outs
01:27 Display!
02:06 New Features
02:59 Pricing
04:04 Hands Off
04:50 First Miss
05:18 Second Miss
06:03 Intentionally Limiting?
07:02 Fill In the Gaps
07:43 Feedback

[graydogllc]

I think the lack of touch screen isn't a big deal, but the lack of maps on the amoled seems a huge miss. The elevate 4 sensor is OK, and that doesn't hurt my feelings as much, although it would be nice to have. I would get the Epix gen 2 before this one now unless I absolutely needed the extra battery and ruggedness.

[ondoogy]

I dont need a touch screen on my Instinct but maps would be nice on the amoled.

[JohnWong-jq]

The gen 5 sensor (with ECG capability) requires a metal bezel to work so it would be overkill for this model watch. Not sure if the underlying metal support ring of the Instinct 3 would provide enough contact for the ECG to work. Reminder to folks, check your healthcare benefits, many offer a discount for fitness related gear and gym memberships. I got 20% off my Enduro 3 at Thanksgiving even though Garmin was (and still is) charging full price. Thanks Dave for the great content! Cheers!

[bufferino]

Do they even talk to their customer base? I got the Fenix 8 AMOLED for the purpose of a really pretty watch that I don’t mind charging twice a week. But guess what! The Instinct Series is meant for MIP and for months of battery life.

[Mdogbrown]

I honestly think Garmin is REALLY stretching out that Gen 4 elevate HR sensor to get rid of their stock or just another money grab. They have unnecessarily made a Fenix e which is the SAME thing as the 2+ year old Epix 2! You can buy a brand new Epix 2 for $399 and Garmin sells the Fenix E for $799!! That is INSANE. Also, correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t Amoled cheaper to make than MIP??

[charliekiriakou]

Big Miss!! AMOLED without touchscreen, only Gen 4 sensor, and no maps. All these misses for $400-$500 doesn't make it a good buy. I'll stick with my 2X for a little longer and then look at comparable mid-range watches.

[cresbonz]

This is the first time we get an Instinct with a flashlight in the smaller sizes, whereas before the only option was the 2X which for some is too large. So, if a smaller Instinct with flashlight is what you're after the Instinct 3 is actually cheaper.

[craighoward]

No touch screen. No maps. NO MAPS! I was prepared to be so pissed at myself for being impulsive and buying the T Rex 3 a month ago, but here we are. Could not be happier with my choice now. Long time Instinct solar user, so I'm just disappointed for Garmin. Thanks so much for the review, and keep up the good work.

[LuisLuna-tegf]

I'm sticking with my instinct 2 tactical. I like these but not worth the upgrade in my opinion

[drewsnyder]

That black amoled 45mm does look pretty good. No touch screen is a bummer, and I think most people don't use maps as much as we think on their watch. And adding the flashlight to me is a bigger deal. I can't let go of my epix pro for that exact reason.

[TakeThePTO]

Im sticking with my 2x.... but I'm stuck in between upgrading to a Epix pro or F8

[bigmaxcc]

Well I’m. Not the target audience. I’m still enjoying enduro 2 & soon Fenix 8 solar 51mm 😎🙌

I do think some what garmin did good both option amoled and mip. Yes no maps & gen 5 sensor no touch screen yes a lot of things the consumer wants. But you still got forerunner 965 & epix 2 🤷‍♂️take your pick

Nice video Dave 😄🙌

[erich]

Noobie question as a first time work out watch buyer although I've been running for years but have only ever used the Strava phone app to track runs or hikes.

Is the Instinct 3 Solar a good option to track my runs and hikes with Strava? Have a big outdoors trip coming up and am looking for a watch to track my hikes as well as use for running training. My primary concerns are super accurate GPS tracking, long battery life, running/hiking activity logging and Strava compatibility on top of having a badass watch that'll last me at least a few or so years

[pmedic]

I’ve got the original instinct solar and I was looking at the Fenix 8 but I just can’t justify paying that right now. But the instinct 3 amoled is a huge upgrade from my original instinct 3. So yeah I’m really thinking about getting it.

[dezem]

I was hoping for a tactical solar 50mm instinct 3 with better mapping... I like the look of the amoled, but they havent got solar... Pffft! Looks like a miss for me. Maybe a Suunto Vertical is more appealing with the lovely industrial design and also with the better looking maps than garmin.

[RealMTBAddict]

It's wild how nobody is saying anything about the 5x more efficient solar panel making some gps modes unlimited! Also the price is $50 less than the Instinct 2 Solar was!

[shanepipkin]

prophet Dave I still have my old seiko watch I am no runner but outside alot what's your opinion for a dad 44 for me

[michaelszajner]

i have instinct OG and was really craving the 2x but now after seeing the 3 i really think i cant wait till instinct 4 just to grab a F7x on sale somewhere

[minimalsubstance]

Standing by waiting for the Tactix to drop before upgrading. I’m a fan of both those watches but disappointed with the no tactical Instinct 3.

The dream is to get a new Tactix with the Fenix 8 MIP screen and a coyote tan Instinct 3. 😅

[iTor]

The MIP would be my go-to for an Instinct. Otherwise what's the point? Are people really breaking their Fenixes or Forerujners dropping them on the floor or banging them on rocks or similar? Mayme Garmin purposedly debuffed the idea a of a 3 in order to make the 2x owners not get mad and wait to do the jump on the hypothetical 3x or 4.