
Instinct 3 is the rugged 45 mm GPS smartwatch with a 0.9” display, built-in flashlight and unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode with solar charging (assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions). With bolted construction, a metal-reinforced bezel and scratch-resistant lens, it can take on your toughest adventures. It’s engineered to MIL-STD-810 standards for thermal and shock resistance and is also 10 ATM water-rated. To keep you on track, the Instinct 3 smartwatch includes a built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter. Plus, multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology delivers superior positioning while also optimizing battery life. Its 24/7 health and wellness features keep you connected to your body with heart rate tracking, advanced sleep monitoring, Pulse Ox and more (this is not a medical device, and data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked; Pulse Ox not available in all countries). Instinct 3 also includes Garmin Pay contactless payments (with a supported bank).
Q: Does it come with the cable to charge watch?
A: undefined
Q: There is 32 and 39 mm screen size but description says 45mm im confused what both numbers mean
A: The 45mm is the size of the whole watch face including screen and bezel. Actual viewing screen size is going to be the 39mm for 50 mm and 32mm for 45 mm.
A: Yes it is. Especially paired with the Garmin App. It gives great details about waves ridden, length and time of wave and speed.
Q: Can I replace the watch strap?
A: Yes you can.
Q: Does it give you avg. heart rate for the activity?
A: Yes. It gives you avg Hr and max hr for each activity.
Q: Does it come with the solar powered lense built in or do you need to buy it separately?
A: It's built into the face.
Q: What makes this better than the Instinct 2 solar? What improvements have been made?
A: Basically Light

Instinct 3 is the rugged 45 mm GPS smartwatch with a 0.9” display, built-in flashlight and unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode with solar charging (assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions). With bolted construction, a metal-reinforced bezel and scratch-resistant lens, it can take on your toughest adventures. It’s engineered to MIL-STD-810 standards for thermal and shock resistance and is also 10 ATM water-rated. To keep you on track, the Instinct 3 smartwatch includes a built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter. Plus, multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology delivers superior positioning while also optimizing battery life. Its 24/7 health and wellness features keep you connected to your body with heart rate tracking, advanced sleep monitoring, Pulse Ox and more (this is not a medical device, and data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked; Pulse Ox not available in all countries). Instinct 3 also includes Garmin Pay contactless payments (with a supported bank).

Instinct 3 is the rugged 45 mm GPS smartwatch with a 1.2” AMOLED display, a built-in flashlight and up to 18 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. With bolted construction, a metal-reinforced bezel and scratch-resistant lens, it can take on your toughest adventures. It’s engineered to MIL-STD-810 standards for thermal and shock resistance and is also 10 ATM water-rated. To keep you on track, the Instinct 3 smartwatch includes a built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter. Plus, multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology delivers superior positioning while also optimizing battery life. Its 24/7 health and wellness features keep you connected to your body with heart rate tracking, advanced sleep monitoring, Pulse Ox and more (this is not a medical device, and data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked; Pulse Ox not available in all countries). Instinct 3 also includes Garmin Pay contactless payments (with a supported bank).

Be limitless. The fēnix 8 multisport GPS smartwatch is built for serious athletes and outdoor adventurers who want to push beyond their limits. It features a big, bright 1.4” AMOLED display with scratch-resistant sapphire lens, durable titanium bezel and powerful built-in LED flashlight for after-dark visibility. A built-in speaker and mic enable you to make and take calls from your wrist when your watch is paired to your smartphone. Power up your body’s performance, endurance and resistance to injury with the latest in targeted strength training plans plus a full range of sport-specific workouts. Performance insights help manage your exertion and build stamina, while training readiness features show how much recovery time you need between workouts, based on 24/7 health and wellness monitoring of heart rate, respiration, stress, sleep and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked). Take to the trails with built-in ABC sensors and preloaded TopoActive maps. The dynamic round-trip routing feature helps simplify the planning of your runs or rides — letting you set your target distance and receive turn-by-turn directions that adjust to get you back to your start on schedule. Enjoy extended off-grid adventures with up to 29 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. Plus, a 40-meter dive rating and leakproof metal buttons let you reach new depths of adventure. Additional features include music storage, Garmin Pay contactless payments (with a supported country and payment network), smart notifications (compatible smartphone required) and more.

Whatever you do, own it with Instinct 2 Solar. This rugged GPS smartwatch is tough enough to keep up with you and unique enough to fit your style. Plus, solar charging gives you unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode (assuming all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions) so you can take on life’s unlimited possibilities. Do more of what you love with preloaded activity profiles for running, biking, swimming, strength training and more. When paired with a compatible smartphone, you even can stay connected to what matters to you with smart notifications, Garmin Pay and Connect IQ compatibility. Understand your body better with all-day health monitoring for energy levels, stress, sleep, Pulse Ox and much more (Pulse Ox not available in all countries. This device is intended to give an estimation of your activity and metrics; it is not a medical device).
| Pros for Garmin - Instinct 3 Solar GPS Smartwatch 45 mm Fiber-reinforced Polymer - Black with Black Band - (2025) | |||
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| Cons for Garmin - Instinct 3 Solar GPS Smartwatch 45 mm Fiber-reinforced Polymer - Black with Black Band - (2025) | |||
| There were no cons for this product— | There were no cons for this product— | There were no cons for this product— |
Customers are positive about the Instinct 3 Solar GPS Smartwatch, frequently praising its exceptional battery life and the surprisingly useful built-in flashlight. Many appreciate the overall performance and the added convenience of solar charging, while the GPS functionality also receives positive feedback. There were no negative customer comments reported.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
The improved contast is worth it personally. There is almost no difference between the elevate 4 and 5 sensor on my wrist so I do not care its the “old sensor”. All of these instinct watches, and quite frankly all fitness/sports/smartwatches have their issues, quirks and glitches. This one requires proper updating through Garmin Express to get the battery life to display properly. The orange accents do not bother me like I thought they might. They are subtle and gives it some character. I can not use silicone or rubber watch straps. The Ultrafit nylon straps are incredibly comfortable and create a better fit and adjustment. I typically disable all features except for HR and full charge gets 31 days with one or two activites tracked. Solar charging is incredible compared to prior gen.
Posted by USMC1108A
Well worth the money! I work outside all day and enjoy the solar charging. It has a ton of exercises to choose from to track. I have only used it at work and a couple bike rides but I haven’t begun to use it to its full capability. The torch light is really convenient when you need both hands to work on something at night. Or just getting a drink of water in the middle of the night. I’ve had a fitbit watches for ten years and this blows them out of the water.
Posted by JoshuaF
This is a great watch! Upgraded from the instinct first edition and it was well worth the price. I use the flashlight all the time. Who would have thought it would be so handy? My wife calls it my super power. LOL Battery life is even better than the first series. With pulse oxygen on for monitoring sleep i get 19 days battery life.
Posted by David
